The HANS or "Hand And Neck Support" is now a compulsory item if competing in professional motorsport i.e. F1, Formula 3000 and the WRC. Currently it is not a requirement for any other level of racing or rallying, but the question is how much do you value your health. It is designed to stop excessive movement of your neck if you have an accident. It is locked into position between your shoulders and your harness and clips on to the rear of your helmet, (You will need a HANS prepared helmet also). It comes in three sizes and with three different angles to suit the variations in seating positions.
Small is for neck sizes less than 38cm/15 inches. Medium: 38 to 45.5cm/15 to 18 inches. Large: over 45.5cm/18 inches. The different angle options are as follows: 10 degree: Very Upright seat positions (drivers). 20 degree: Normal seating in Rally, Saloon and GT cars (drivers and co-drivers). 30 degree: Single seater racing cars and prototypes. The HANS can be used with most FIA approved seatbelts. Stilo have their own HANS connection device for their helmets.
Unlike the Red Bull helmet the Stilo Sea System has the HANS straps connected to the helmet and this saves the extra weight of the standard metal connecters and HANS posts and permantly connects your helmet to the HANS device making them easier to handle in the car. In addition to this it stops the possibility of connecting only one strap!! which could cause serious injury in case of an accident. |
