Why you need a HANS device

The HANS device (Head And Neck Support device) was designed by Dr. Robert Hubbard, a professor of biomechanical engineering at Michigan State University in the early eighties. He was motivated by the death of his motor racing friend Jim Downing. Like many other unfortunate drivers, Jim had died from head injuries after a collision.

The difficulty is caused when a driver’s body is restrained by belts, but the violent stop causes the head to keep moving and extending the neck. This can cause a Basilar skull fracture resulting in serious injury or immediate death. This is what killed Ayrton Senna in the 1994 San Marino Formula One Grand Prix.

A HANS device is attached to the body and has straps going to the helmet that help maintain the relative position of the head.

Motor racing is dangerous and as drivers we accept that, but it is better to do everything to mitigate those risks that are easily addressed and then feel confident to go hard on the track. We owe it not just to ourselves, but to our families and the marshalls that take care of us.

Two of the leading motorsport suppliers have been generous enough to provide significant discounts to iRace competitors to make the transition easier.

Stand 21

Stand 21 can supply iRace competitors with HANS & Helmet packages using Stand 21 Club Series HANS device and posts, along with R-Jays Snell SA2010 spec helmets, for a special price as noted below. Prices are inclusive of freight.

Full Face Daytona helmet, HANS, attachment posts & freight package:$850.

Rally Open Face helmet, HANS, attachment posts & freight package: $775.

Otherwise we can supply the Club Series HANS only for $599 plus postage, if a competitor already has an Snell SA spec helmet.

Tony Dunn
Stand 21 Australia
Mobile: 0404 007 768
Fax: 02 9868 5899
Skype: tony.dunn.stand21
Web: http://www.stand21.com.au/
Email: tony@stand21.com.au

Revolution Racegear

Revolution Racegear Auburn would like to offer IRACE a bulk price on Hans devices and or helmet and Hans device packages.

Packages below:
Based on a group buy of 10 or more Hans Device Sport2 Medium or Large, Hans Post’s and sliding tethers included.
X10 or more @ $559.20 inc with Hans posts and sliding tethers.

Helmet and Hans Package:
Bell R-1 Helmet and Hans sport2 device $969 inc.

We can also offer different helmet and Hans packages if the customer is interested in a different style of helmet.

Postage is also available at a cost of $15.

This is a limited time offer while stocks last.

Dean Thomas
Revolution Racegear Sydney
(02) 9648 4044
Email: sydney@racegear.com.au

Becoming the B.E.S.T. ™ racing driver

Lay people often believe that being a good racing driver is just about having fast reaction times and being prepared to take more risks than anyone else.

As soon as you become actively involved in the sport, you soon realise it is about assembling a multitude of talents and resources. For a driver who wishes to build a career, there are four key areas they need to master. If any are missed it is like a table missing legs, it will inevitably fall over.
The four areas of the B.E.S.T. ™ acronym are:

1. Business
2. Entertainment
3. Sport
4. Technology

1. Business

Don Bradman may have been able to develop his cricket skills by spending hours hitting a golf ball against the wall with a cricket stump, but it is not that easy in racing. Time in a car costs money. Having access to the best equipment costs money, and it soon adds up. Now a young driver may have an enthusiastic family backing him through karts and the lower formulas, but sooner or later the expenses become painful. It is therefore essential at an early age to develop business acumen. This is a great life skill that will stand a driver in good stead, regardless of whether he fulfils all his driving aspirations.

 

2. Entertainment

When presenting a sponsorship proposal many novices give a statement of how much TV time that their car got and extrapolate it out with the TVC (television commercial) rate. This then equates to some huge mythical amount of money. However, any Marketing Manager or Managing Director will find this comical as a sticker on a car full of stickers, amongst other cars full of stickers, on a track full of signage, isn't equivalent to a dedicated company commercial. So to provide value to a sponsor a driver must be able to make them feel important at the track, to proactively network them with other people they can do business with, and be of sufficient interest to get relevant media coverage.

 

3. Sport

Lay people cannot understand that driving a car could possibly take a significant amount of effort. They do not appreciate the effect of G forces, or adrenaline that doesn't get fully burnt. When elite racing drivers attend the Institute of Sport they constantly surprise with their athleticism. You need to be at a level not just to be able to handle the strains, but to do so with ease so they are not a distraction.

 

4. Technology

There have been many drivers that do well in the lower formulas, but then fail to deliver as they advance. This is due to a lack of technical understanding in order to get the most from the car. The further they progress, the narrower the variance in driver ability and consequently the more critical is the car setup.

 

So question yourself.

• Which of the four pillars are you best at?
• Are there any you avoid?
• Where are the biggest opportunities for improvement?

As you dip below the surface as a motor racing fan you recognise that every driver and team bring a different mix to the table. The competition may not always be equal or "fair", but it is always fascinating. And aren't the best times when  a Senna performs a David and Goliath act by taking a Toleman and humiliating the might of the most established teams?