Generic Motorsports Discussion - HANS Device/other

[JClark]

I'm sitting in a lecture hall the size of the Colloseum and I'm bored out of my mind, and I miss wide open roads and the track. There arent many of either inside the Beltway.

Anyone see the PTG race two week ago on Speed channel?

Please save target as:
http://gallery.underclockers.net/gal...tuff/ptg_crash

Here's the scenario. The Porsche is way too wide for that section of the course. He wants to be all the way to the left hugging the curbing. Tom Milner, driving the M3, thinks he has enough time and space to squeek by with a much faster line, while the Porsche moves over without checking mirrors.

The announcer says its about 140mph crash which would be right if the cars werent in traffic. Judging by the car's gearing it sounds more like 120 at collision.

I've met Tom once before and is one of the coolest guys I've talked to in the paddock. Young guy, came from humble beginnings, and worked his way up through pure talent instead of sponsors' R&D money.

Discuss....


I also have vid of a nasty crash in a BMWCCA Club Race at Mid Ohio last weekend.

[crazybrew609]

wow thats some crash.. he didn't seem to hit him that hard it's just the fact that their going 120+ that does all that damage.. i love how u can see the wheel rolling by the guy at the end of the replay... thats salt in the wound

[mikecentola]

haven't had a chance to watch it yet because of work, but thanks for the save as

[JClark]

This is an in-car vid from a club race at Mid-Ohio last weekend. Driving is Sean Tillinghast.

NOT MY HOST!! PLEASE RIGHT CLICK, SAVE AS!
http://www.weldoninc.com/misc/crash_hi-res.wmv

He said on Bimmerforums that he believed that the driver was in control of the car and thought it was his chance to get past.



These two videos, and the death of a PCA driver recently brings the HANS device back into the spotlight. Every club racer has one and now many DE participants are buying them as well. Obviously the videos cant really show the full force on the driver and car, but you imagine hitting a guardrail at 100mph+ at any angle.

The HANS device in closed cockpit, enclosed wheel car form:


The device retails for roughly $800. It sits on your shoulders and attaches to your helmet, keeping it in line with your neck, and the whole thing is strapped down and into the seat by the harness. The system is designed to prevent Basilar skull fractures, the type that killed Dale Earnhardt and many other race drivers.


This isnt intended to scare anyone out of driving on the track. I havn't bought a HANS for my personal use yet and I've been moving pretty fast this season compared to last.
So I'm keeping my opinion out of this for the moment because I'm interested in yours. I'll share mine later.

At what point does a track driver purchase a head restraint system or other SERIOUS safety equipment?
Right from the start?
After a few DEs?
Signed off for Solo driving?
Open track?
Club racing?

[crazybrew609]

i think if the ndriver intends on competeing at a high level regardless of what the sport is he should have a hans device... it's just a smart way to race.. it should be second nature to put it on right before the seat belt

[JClark]

So you think you shouldnt get one until club racing?

[crazybrew609]

i think that if you plan on racing ona closed corse on a regular basis then u should have one.... if i were u jesse i would be seriously looking into getting one next year

[mikecentola]

i don't think i would get a hans device until your car has a full cage, harnesses and are competing....i dont think it is necessary for HPDE's...

[JClark]

Bumpage. Watch the vids people. Its obvious you need it for professional motorsports. If not, those guys would've been seriously hurt instead of slightly banged up (Tom (PTG) said his knee hit the center console so hard it shot it across into the passenger footwell).

But when do us amateurs need it? At what speed do you need to be going to warrant spending another $800 on safety equipment?