Neck Braces

[AlexMeadows]

It is my opinion that these should be mandatory equipment for racing. For the price of a tenner courtesy of eBay, mine has prevented me from the Monday morning sore neck almost every time, and probably more serious injuries besides that.

Any thoughts on that ?

[No Fear]

I agree but i thought they were mandatory?

When I started racing I bought one for the reasons you mention above, but did have some people take the Pi** about me wearing one.

The simple test is to put your helmet on without one and roll your heads around. Then try the same exercise with the neck brace on. You will find there is allot less movement with the neck brace on and if in an accident this movement is multipled.

[brainflood]

I think that any device that makes it safer to compete is a good thing. and when that cheap, difficult to pass by. I don't know if you've noticed the one Phil Proctor (279) uses? It is permanently attached to the shoulder straps and goes around his neck. He swears by it. Its a combined neck brace and shoulder strap cushion (don't know its proper name - apologies, or who makes it). The padding is quite thick all the way round and he says he never suffers neck ache or sore shoulders). I'll have to get him to come on here and sing its virtues firsthand.

Interestingly, I was talking to Sparkie at Yarmouth a couple of years ago and he really hates them. He did give me a very valid reason why, but I've forgotten... I do remember him being very passionate about his dislike! I'll have to get him on here to say why too!

I see that HANS devices are also filtering into F2 and Superstox racing. Ashley Watts (707) was wearing one at Aldershot last Sunday.

[Girl friday]

I agree they should be mandatory but in the rule book it says optional. Haven't seen 279's but think it may be a horseshoe type neck collar?
Anything that makes you safer gets a thumbs up from me!

[AlexMeadows]

Everyone I've ever spoken too has a different opinion, I tried one of the big ones that go round the belts and didn't get on with it that well, but then got mine which looks like a big doughnut and found it comfortable etc. Swings and roundabouts, innit.
Hans devices seem to be the thing, and as soon as the price drops I'll have a try ! But like I say, mine has served well and for a tenner, can't fault it !

[brainflood]

Here's Phil's horseshoe-type neck and shoulder brace (beautifully arranged by Phil for this photo shoot :)). We couldn't find a name on it, so the mystery continues...

http://www.superstox.co.uk/zz_images/IMG_0171.jpg

[The Mover]

I think that when it comes to oval racing we should follow the amercans as they lead the way, the hans device, that i made the choice to true this year, and the device that Ashley Watts uses are leading the way in neck restraint. They say that if Dale Earnhardt had been wearing a head restraint then the crash that killed him may not have been fatal.

If you are involved in an incerdent on track and you are able to brace youself at impact thats fine, but if unconcious then you have no means of bracing yourself and this is ware these devices come into play.

I have been using a hans device and feel that it gives me all the movement that i need in the race car and that my neck is going to refrain from wiping forward. But i felt that the hans device was fine for head on crashes but after a side impact it didnt offer me the support i require so i installed head and shoulder restraint to the seat.

With the way health and safety is its not going to be too long before all orci tracks make it mandatory for racers to wear a hans device or equivilent, its the way all the sprint cars and american stock cars have gone.

Hans Devices are around £400 at Demontweeks. Its the choice of the driver whether they purchase one, I recomend it.

Dale Earnhardt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVKLpNK6SqE

Hans Device
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PXWpmSH-ao

[brainflood]

I spoke with Gary Sparkes yesterday to get him to remind me of his grievances with neck braces. He said that after sustaining a extremely painful neck injury during a track-based incident, he went to his GP for treatment. The GP said that the padded neck brace he was using had the potential to stretch his spinal cord given the loadings the inflexibility of the device placed upon the neck under rapid head movement and the change in pivot point it created. Gary said he now uses two catch nets (one either side) and no neck brace allowing for full forward movement.

[AlexMeadows]

So the right sort of neck brace should be worn. I'd like a hans device, I'll give Demon Tweeks a ring, see what their sponsorship is like !

[brainflood]

I got my facts wrong! Although externally they look similar, Ashley Watts is not using a HANS Device. He is using a 'Safety Solutions Hutchens Hybrid Pro'. Ashley's dad believes that it is superior to a HANS device in that it allows for the helmet to be completely detached from the device assisting a driver attempting to exit the vehicle following an incident by offering improved movement. The helmet attaches to the device in the same fashion as the HANS, but there are two removable pins (one either side) that allow the helmet to be quickly detached by pulling on the green strings velcrosed to the front of the helmet. The Hybrid Pro has a clip at the front which not only allows for it to remain attached around the body better, but can be unclipped for its removal by the driver. The HANS device does not have this and relies on the safety belts to hold it properly in place. All round, this seems to be an improvement on an already excellent design!

http://www.superstox.co.uk/zz_images/IMG_0410.jpg http://www.superstox.co.uk/zz_images/IMG_0411.jpg

Website: http://www.safetysolutionsracing.com/pro-series

[FrontBumper]

Here's Phil's horseshoe-type neck and shoulder brace (beautifully arranged by Phil for this photo shoot :)). We couldn't find a name on it, so the mystery continues...

http://www.superstox.co.uk/zz_images/IMG_0171.jpg

By the looks of it, it's a Safety Racing Harness Pad!

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Safety-Racing-Harness-Pad,2485.html

[brainflood]

By the looks of it, it's a Saftey Racing Harness Pad!

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Safety-Racing-Harness-Pad,2485.html

Many thanks FrontBumper! At long last we have an answer to a long debated question!

[The Dutchman]

This weekend there was a big roll over by an F2 driver at Posterholt Holland. I was told he used a Hans device, but he broke two bones in his back and one in his neck!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuuJy-5XeyQ

[brainflood]

The Hans device is principally designed to protect the head/neck (and spinal cord) against rapid forward/side movements associated with deceleration forces. I wouldn't have thought the Hans would have protected Danny Ver Elst from the injuries he sustained given the violent movements he underwent. The tumbling through the air was quite extreme to say the least. How do you protect against (thankfully rare) accidents of this nature? How tight were his shoulder straps?

[bumper j]

Here's Phil's horseshoe-type neck and shoulder brace (beautifully arranged by Phil for this photo shoot :)). We couldn't find a name on it, so the mystery continues...

http://www.superstox.co.uk/zz_images/IMG_0171.jpg

The device in photo is made in usa by simpson and is available from randall motorsport.Well thats where i got mine from but can't remember how much.I find it very comfy!

[Moss8one5]

Hello I may be able to help.

If you have suffered the stiff sore neck after a meeting please take your time to read on:

I myself have been racing on ovals for ten years (spedeworth V8 815 Brad Moss) and I am really into driver safety which has led me to start up my own company specializing in quality safty products.


I have become the UK agent for the company who used to make the defNder neck restraint system that many of you have seen or heard about but couldn't get. The company has re-formed with a new and improved product under the name NecksGen.

I have in stock the very popular neck brace, as used extensively in the USA. I will not try to overload this thread with all the technical jargon, visit http://www.bigfootracewear.co.uk.
The internet is full of nothing but praise for this product.It is SFI38.1 approved and Performs better in tests than the HANS device.

This product is unique in that it offers sideways impact protection.Ideal for all oval racing drivers. Its made from dupoint carbon fibre its as light as the most expensive HANS device but is priced so everyone can afford one.It is also very flexible to stop discomfort and pressure to the collar bone.

Each one is supplied in a very nice hard shell, foam filled carry case. It comes with all instructions and a nice baseball cap. Includes all fixings and one set of helmet hardware.

Please call me if you wish to discuss any details. or leave a message and i will call you back.

Very competitive price of £495.+ postage for delivery or collect from a meeting. If you are interested email or call and i will do you a deal on postage.


93

94
95:


call on 07739631812
email on info@bigfootracewear.co.uk

[Moss8one5]

Forgot to say i am happy to show test results carried out by SFI in the states on the necksGen device.