Pat-SoCal

First let me say that the HANS device is a fantastic step forward in racing safety equipment. All of us were so shocked recently when two HPDE patrons were killed at CA Speedway; I know I took a more serious look at my sanctioning body's safety standards and the equipment on my car. I had ordered my HANS device two weeks prior to that tragic crash and any feelings of buyer's remourse at the sticker price quickly vanished as I got a sudden realization of just how fragile a human body in a racing environment can be.

I ordered my HANS device from Hubbard/Downing, Inc., also known as HANS Performance Products. It took a little while for them to fill my order, but it was waiting for me when I recently returned back to California from work in the NYC.

About the helmet modifications and process:

The HANS modifications to your helmet require drilling, which I wasn't too excited about. This has been the only time I've altered any safety equipment either in or having-to-do with my car so I was a little weary.

HANS Perf. Products gives you a very nicely packaged product. All the hardware neccessary is included with the HANS device, but special care must be taken to ensure propper placement of the anchors. The HANS Device sits on the driver's shoulders and is attached to the helmet via teathers or straps. The straps attach to the helmet at anchors. An illistrated step-by-step instruction manual and thread locker are included to help with installation. *I couldn't get their supplied thread locker to open, so I had to go digging in my hap hazard tool box for mine*

Precise measurements must be taken to ensure that the teather/strap mounts are even in relation to the HANS device.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00165.jpg">



First: Place masking tape on the helmet to allow for easy marking of measurements taken in the process of finding the mounting holes for the strap anchors. Pick what you think is the vertical centerline on the back of the helmet and mark a vertical line there. Measure 1.5 inched from the base of the helmet, just at the top of the rubber strip along the bottom and mark that measurement on the vertical hash.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00166.jpg">

Second: Using a flexable measuring device, measure from the pivot point of the visor to the centerline, or near the centerline which you previously marked. Pick a finite measurement (10.5 inches in my case) and mark that point. Measure from the other visor pivot point and mark the same distance on the back of the helmet. You should now have two marks indicating the same distance from their respective visor pivot points - the center of those two marks is your new, exact centerline. Illistrated here (my measured points from the visor pivots were very close to my centerline):

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00168.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00169.jpg">

Third: The anchors are going to be 6 inches to either side of the centerline and 1.5 inches from the bottom of the helmet. I marked a line 1.5 inches from the bottom of the helment THEN measured my 6 inches from the centerline of the helmet and marked the point for the anchor. The instructions say to draw a line from the centerline then measure the 1.5 inches from the bottom of the helmet. I measured it both ways and came up with the same point.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00171.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00172.jpg">

Fourth: Drill a small pilot hole to keep the larger bit from walking on the helmet.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00173.jpg">

Then drill using a 1/4 bit. Be careful not to drill too deep and into the padding, a piece of sheetmetal makes a nice backing to ensure you don't have to dig cotton out of your drill bit.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00174.jpg">

Remove the masking tape and clean the drilled area.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00175.jpg">

Fifth: Insert the backing nut for the anchor and thread the anchor and bolt into place to make sure clearance is good. Then remove the anchor, add thread locker to the bolt and assemble for real. I alligned the anchor (parallel to the ground) first and then made the last quarter turn with an 11mm open end wrench on the backing nut. Make sure the backing nut is flush to the helmet skin.

Genuine thread locker

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00176.jpg">

The spring-loaded anchor.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00178.jpg">

The backing nut flush to the helmet. Notice that I had to peel the padding out of the way to make room to work.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00179.jpg">

Finished anchor:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00180.jpg">

All mated up:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00181.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00182.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94081/dsc00183.jpg">

I hope you guys don't fall asleep reading this. I researched head and neck restraints and obviously came to the conclusion that the price tag of the HANS device is small compared to the value I place on human life, especially MINE! There have been rumors out there which lead folks to believe that the HANS device limits the driver's field of view because of the teathers, but the racers I've talked to didn't even notice they were wearing a HANS device while driving. I'll let you know in a week.

BTW, the real reason I'm posting this is because I want folks to be able to link to it... the instructions that come with the HANS device are good, but I wished I had actual photos to look at.

*************

lemieux@curbside

man you are not messing around

Pat-SoCal

I'm sorry I put that last picture in, I think I'll take it out to keep things on the topic of safety.

Jeff Vader - boscoj

ygm . . .

Silver Streakin'

nicely done! ::book-marks::

s4gonebabygone

still my idol

Snow Trooper

looks very good man, do you have that link still to your halon setup?

S4mig@PEB tuning

Is that approved to modify a helmet like that?

Pat-SoCal

I have the SPA 2 or 2.5 liter electric system. I believe it's equivalent to a 5lb. system.

I haven't installed it yet, but it's definitely on the short list of to-do's. I will definitely post more info when I get it in the car, but for now just check out SPA Technique for info on their different kits. Check your sanctioning body for rules pertaining to system volume.

Pat-SoCal

I'm going to have a NASA tech. look at the whole thing this weekend to double check my work.