HANS device
Primarily made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer, the HANS device is shaped like a "U", with the back of the "U" set behind the nape of the neck and the two arms lying flat along the top of the chest over the pectoral muscles.
The device was designed in the early 1980s by American scientist and researcher Dr. Robert Hubbard (1943–2019),[1] a professor of biomechanical engineering at Michigan State University.
After talking to his brother-in-law, accomplished American road-racer Jim Downing, following the death of Patrick Jacquemart, a mutual friend who was killed in a testing accident at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course when his Renault Le Car Turbo struck a sandbank, leaving him dead on arrival with head injuries,[2][3] IMSA officials decided that some sort of protection was required to help prevent injuries from sudden stops, especially during accidents.
Hubbard had extensive experience as a biomechanical crash engineer, including in General Motors' auto safety program.
At the same time, Mercedes was completing research of the HANS on behalf of the FIA for Formula One, finally deciding that it out-performed their airbag project.
[7] The device was first adopted by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) in 1996, following the death of Top Fuel driver Blaine Johnson, though was not mandatory in the series until 2004, after the death of 2003 Top Fuel Rookie of the Year Darrell Russell, who was killed by flying debris during the Sears Craftsman Nationals in Madison, Illinois.
Many drivers, including seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Dale Earnhardt,[8] resisted the HANS devices or anything that was similar to them, claiming that they were uncomfortable and more restrictive.
Some even stated that the positioning of the device made the seat belts feel less secure or rubbed on the shoulders or the collar bone.
Earnhardt was the fourth NASCAR driver killed by basilar skull fractures in an eight-month span, following Adam Petty in May 2000, Kenny Irwin Jr. in July 2000, and Tony Roper in October 2000.
[8] Following an extensive investigation into Earnhardt’s death that ended in August 2001, NASCAR did not make any immediate changes regarding use of HANS.
[12] Formula One mandated HANS devices in 2003 after extensive testing by Mercedes from 1996 to 1998,[13] sharing the results with other Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) affiliates.
Beginning in July 2007, many sanctioning bodies have approved any head-and-neck restraint that passes the SFI Foundation Specification 38.1 standard.
Today, most major auto racing sanctioning bodies mandate the use of head and neck restraints; the FIA has made HANS devices use compulsory for all International-level events from the beginning of 2009.
