HPDE Safety Equipment

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by philooo

unless you are racing or time trials, I don't think it is worth the money going above $200 per tire. I'd say that around $175 is where i want to be.

Greatly depends on tire size there.. over $200 on a really good street tire in larger sizes is pretty easy to do and a worthwhile investment for the street (shorter stopping distances for one) as well as HPDE and autocross events.

[ka-t_240]

Has anyone found a quality roll bar solution other than having one made? I've talked to a couple locals who all paint well over $2k for a "4 point" roll bar with a harness bar and diagonal bar on the main hoop.

[Frost]

Hey guys, been regularly hitting the track this year (as opposed to tippy toeing once a while before) and planning to make this an annual staple.

While I don't think I'm going to go full hardcore just yet, I want to stay safe and when I bought my helmet, I planned ahead with it getting it pre-drilled for a HANS device.

My question is: Are HANS devices only useful when you have a 4 or 5 point harness? All the videos and instructional videos show the harness going over the lower part of the HANS tongues that sit on your shoulder and go down your torso.

From my go-kart racing days, I currently have a neck protector doughnut and SFI certified race suit.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Frost

Hey guys, been regularly hitting the track this year (as opposed to tippy toeing once a while before) and planning to make this an annual staple.

While I don't think I'm going to go full hardcore just yet, I want to stay safe and when I bought my helmet, I planned ahead with it getting it pre-drilled for a HANS device.

My question is: Are HANS devices only useful when you have a 4 or 5 point harness? All the videos and instructional videos show the harness going over the lower part of the HANS tongues that sit on your shoulder and go down your torso.

From my go-kart racing days, I currently have a neck protector doughnut and SFI certified race suit.

HANS brand yes. See earlier in the thread for a Simpson model that can work with the OEM belt.

[LOLS2K]

To add to the HANS discussion (in this case HANS Brand), is a roll bar required to safely run a HANS? I don't see myself installing a roll bar in the car as it's my daily with about 5-7 track days a year. I have used a Recaro SPG-N, Schroth Harnesses, but no roll bar or harness bar. Thanks for the input.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by ka-t_240

Has anyone found a quality roll bar solution other than having one made? I've talked to a couple locals who all paint well over $2k for a "4 point" roll bar with a harness bar and diagonal bar on the main hoop.

That seems excessive even for a custom roll-bar. Most places around here (300-500 mile radius) you can get a full custom 6pt cage for ~$2500.

[ka-t_240]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

That seems excessive even for a custom roll-bar. Most places around here (300-500 mile radius) you can get a full custom 6pt cage for ~$2500.

Ya, I know bolt in options ussually are not the best. I have seen some quality options for other applications that have amazing fab and design work.


I'm just not sure im ready to start welding stuff into my car. I'm one of those people with car ADHD. But, I love racing and want to be safe. I've already had my close call on track and came out 99% the same. lol.

[Sleepless]

Originally Posted by ka-t_240

Has anyone found a quality roll bar solution other than having one made? I've talked to a couple locals who all paint well over $2k for a "4 point" roll bar with a harness bar and diagonal bar on the main hoop.

Contact www.cantrellmotorsport.com. I have their bar and am very happy with it. Similar price range as you found. Apparently if you go to OK, you can get them a lot cheaper

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by LOLS2K

To add to the HANS discussion (in this case HANS Brand), is a roll bar required to safely run a HANS? I don't see myself installing a roll bar in the car as it's my daily with about 5-7 track days a year. I have used a Recaro SPG-N, Schroth Harnesses, but no roll bar or harness bar. Thanks for the input.

That's going to be a matter of opinion. If you call HANS I'm sure their answer will be the same as mine, which is that you don't want your head to be the rollbar, so yes, a bar is required to safely run a HANS, etc.


Well actually to avoid liability they may just not answer one way or the other. :shrug:

[LOLS2K]

Thanks. I definitely don't want my head to be the roll bar, but I figure that the HANS will provide other benefits. I have seen many people using neck donuts without a cage/roll bar, and HANS seems like it will be far superior. I'm going to give them a shout.

Edit: I spoke to a Simpson/HANS rep and he let me know that it is safe to run a HANS without a roll bar. What I took from our conversation is that the HANS will protect me from spinal injury, in the case of a collision (head flying forward). We did go over roll over scenarios, however the HANS still does it's job during the collision aspect. Bucket seat, harness, and HANS device without a cage will still result in head being roll bar, whether the HANS is being used or not. The HANS still seems beneficial in MY case where I'll be using a harness with factory seat and no cage. I'm definitely still open to suggestions, criticism, etc. Thanks guys!

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Sleepless

Contact www.cantrellmotorsport.com. I have their bar and am very happy with it. Similar price range as you found. Apparently if you go to OK, you can get them a lot cheaper

Anywhere that's not trying to rip you off you mean?

My buddy had Jim Drago (SM front runner with a shop in Memphis) build the cage for his Miata for $2500. That's a full six point cage built to fit a monster halo seat, NASCAR door bars and fit the hardtop.

Although I do enjoy your smugness about having to overpay.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

HANS brand yes. See earlier in the thread for a Simpson model that can work with the OEM belt.

Interesting point:

I just emailed Simpson Customer Service and the only unit they recommend with the factory harness is the FIA Hybrid unit and NOT the standard hybrid unit.

The FIA unit costs almost twice as much. wtf?

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

That's going to be a matter of opinion. If you call HANS I'm sure their answer will be the same as mine, which is that you don't want your head to be the rollbar, so yes, a bar is required to safely run a HANS, etc.


Well actually to avoid liability they may just not answer one way or the other. :shrug:

Yeah they'll either say their testing of the device was only focused on the device itself and can't answer either way, or give you a vague answer of "recommend supporting safety upgrades"

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by Frost

Interesting point:

I just emailed Simpson Customer Service and the only unit they recommend with the factory harness is the FIA Hybrid unit and NOT the standard hybrid unit.

The FIA unit costs almost twice as much. wtf?

I got the same thing from sales (probably looking up "3 point" on their system (realize that the call center people probably aren't experts in any single product, but have general knowledge of the whole product line).

I got a more detailed response from the tech guys at Simpson, who basically said "neither" device was actually intended for 3 point, but they both will work.