So conversation re short-back seats & cracking skulls on roll bars got me thinking about head & neck safety in general. I have a full screen at the moment so no need for helmet, but as and when I swap for the stumpy aeroscreen --> full face helmet --> extra 1-2kg of headweight --> epic whiplash --> no fun.

Aside from strapping on some head rests, or swapping seats for some high-back ones with integrated head restraints, what do you folks tend to do?

I wouldn't ever dream of running my force without my hans!
If for some reason I forgot to take it to an event,I'd more than likely turn around and drive home! But that's maybe the reason I'm not as fast as the elite runners in class.

FHR (Frontal Head Restraints) will control the head/helmet in a frontal impact (upto 30 deg off centre) but will do little or nothing for side impacts. Seats will side wings which go either side of the helmet will control helmet movement side to side (just look at the padding the F1 drivers remove when they get out of the car).

If you want to control helmet movement in the event of an impact you need to do both FHR and Seat change, it isn't either/or.

I didn't mention I was meaning wrt driving in the road, but I guess just as applicable to track too.

R

Agree with Dan - can't do without a HANS now on track. Not so sure on the road with a helmet as its another kilo on your shoulders but if if makes you feel safer then why not. Or a simple bit of foam?

Everyone's different and it's a personal thing! In my class which is single seat race cars at the sprints and hills I'm the only one who wares a FHR in our series (carbon pro hans with fixed tethers) but as of next year this will change obviously. I feel comfortable in mine and although it's not perfect for side impact (although the fixed tethers do give some protection) it's Definately worthwhile in my opinion!

They're quite cheap now - certainly a lower end one if you don't mind putting up with the weight on your shoulders. I've never noticed it's there once you're strapped in but again, each to their own. They're mandatory on the circuits next year anyway so there will be plenty kicking about on the second hand market as folks drop in and out of racing so the prices will soon come down to the same as a decent pair of race boots or so. I say get one bought!

For road use - why not the old style collar braces?
Sparco Nomex Neck Support Racing / Rally / Karting Collar / Brace (001601)

Hans would be pain for day to day use not on track, and as mentioned, only of use in some directions of impact.

neck brakes simply give a rotation point for the helmet to move around which potentially cause basal neck fractures worse.

Agreed. They're pretty much only useful for resting your head on for long karting stints when you're unfit!

for road use in my striker i used to wear davida goggles, on track thats another story