HANS-ready seat vs non HANS-ready
#1
HANS-ready seat vs non HANS-ready
I'm looking at upgrading my reclining BRIDE seat to a fixed-back competition seat. Of course there are FIA and non-FIA (tuning) seats, and I am focusing on the FIA-homologated seats. One question I had, however, was the difference between HANS-ready seats and HANS-"friendly" seats.
For example: http://www.sparcousa.com/resourceFiles/26.pdf
How can a seat that has harness holes - which hold down your HANS - not be HANS-ready? I did call a supplier, Racing Seats USA, and their tech guy hand-waved a bit about not being able to fit the HANS device in properly, but he didn't sound sure. All you guys that race competitively and presumably wear a HANS device, what's the true difference?
Thanks for any insight!
For example: http://www.sparcousa.com/resourceFiles/26.pdf
How can a seat that has harness holes - which hold down your HANS - not be HANS-ready? I did call a supplier, Racing Seats USA, and their tech guy hand-waved a bit about not being able to fit the HANS device in properly, but he didn't sound sure. All you guys that race competitively and presumably wear a HANS device, what's the true difference?
Thanks for any insight!
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Never heard of that and I race a BMW E30 PRO3 class in the North West.
I've heard of Hans friendly harness belts as they fit over the Hans better and secure it.
I've been using an Sparco EVO seat with and without a Hans for a couple of years with no issues in two different cars.
Call a race shop probably tell you the back of the seat fits better with the Hans.
I've heard of Hans friendly harness belts as they fit over the Hans better and secure it.
I've been using an Sparco EVO seat with and without a Hans for a couple of years with no issues in two different cars.
Call a race shop probably tell you the back of the seat fits better with the Hans.
#3
From what little I have read the difference between a hans ready and a standard FIA seat is the width of the slots and the angle vs. seat size.
Other than that I don't know.
Other than that I don't know.
#4
Good info, guys - thanks. I called SafeRacer, and they hand-waved a little bit, so suggested I call Sparco directly, which I did.
I got a nice tech guy on the phone that indicated that there is a dip in the shoulder/back area of a HANS-compatible seat, which makes using a HANS device more comfortable. He said in no way would not having this dip affect the safety of the system. They also suggest using a 2" harness since it won't slip out of the raised edges of the HANS device, though 3" can be used with success as well.
I got a nice tech guy on the phone that indicated that there is a dip in the shoulder/back area of a HANS-compatible seat, which makes using a HANS device more comfortable. He said in no way would not having this dip affect the safety of the system. They also suggest using a 2" harness since it won't slip out of the raised edges of the HANS device, though 3" can be used with success as well.
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you going to leave the fixed seat in all the time?
I had a custom mount/bracket made for my Z. I can change the seat out in 10 mins using the stock seat holes.
I don't track the Z that much anymore since I have a race car now.
I had a custom mount/bracket made for my Z. I can change the seat out in 10 mins using the stock seat holes.
I don't track the Z that much anymore since I have a race car now.
#6
Double check but when I was deciding on belts my race shop said that if you go with the 2" shoulder straps you basically have to use the hans full time because it won't distribute the load properly if you don't use the hans. I went with the 3" because it will fit over the hans but still allows me to run without a hans at events where I don't intend to use a hans (ie lapping days with a passenger).
#7
New Member
iTrader: (17)
Well, IMHO the 2 things that I looked for in a "HANS Friendly" seat
the shoulder belt holes in the seat need to be 1"-2" higher to maintain the proper angle and not bind the belts. I sit tall in the seat and this was already a problem for me as I am 6'1" with a long torso.
It is very easy to over-tighten the shoulder belts when using a HANS, and if the holes are too low, the belts will pull you down in the seat over the term of the race. However the same thing happens without a HANS
the angle of the head restraint portion of the seat needs to be less acute (more angle to the rear of the car) to give room for the 2"-3" that the HANS adds to the back of your head/helmet. Otherwise your head is forced forward in an unnatural position. And it will hard to get the HANS in the proper position on your shoulders.
I had to have a custom seat made to get the shoulder belts holes right, and it just happened that the head rest fit OK, but I would liked just a little more room. You can see in the pics that the belt holes are very high up on the seat...so the belts will not touch the top (or bottom) of the holes (Ultrashield Aluminum seats are built to order for a reasonable price) http://www.ultrashieldrace.com/
BTW: I still have this setup for sale if interested, PM if interested.
the shoulder belt holes in the seat need to be 1"-2" higher to maintain the proper angle and not bind the belts. I sit tall in the seat and this was already a problem for me as I am 6'1" with a long torso.
It is very easy to over-tighten the shoulder belts when using a HANS, and if the holes are too low, the belts will pull you down in the seat over the term of the race. However the same thing happens without a HANS
the angle of the head restraint portion of the seat needs to be less acute (more angle to the rear of the car) to give room for the 2"-3" that the HANS adds to the back of your head/helmet. Otherwise your head is forced forward in an unnatural position. And it will hard to get the HANS in the proper position on your shoulders.
I had to have a custom seat made to get the shoulder belts holes right, and it just happened that the head rest fit OK, but I would liked just a little more room. You can see in the pics that the belt holes are very high up on the seat...so the belts will not touch the top (or bottom) of the holes (Ultrashield Aluminum seats are built to order for a reasonable price) http://www.ultrashieldrace.com/
BTW: I still have this setup for sale if interested, PM if interested.
Last edited by laze1; 01-15-2011 at 01:29 PM.
Trending Topics
#9
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
I got a nice tech guy on the phone that indicated that there is a dip in the shoulder/back area of a HANS-compatible seat, which makes using a HANS device more comfortable.
#12
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Good info, guys - thanks. I called SafeRacer, and they hand-waved a little bit, so suggested I call Sparco directly, which I did.
I got a nice tech guy on the phone that indicated that there is a dip in the shoulder/back area of a HANS-compatible seat, which makes using a HANS device more comfortable. He said in no way would not having this dip affect the safety of the system. They also suggest using a 2" harness since it won't slip out of the raised edges of the HANS device, though 3" can be used with success as well.
I got a nice tech guy on the phone that indicated that there is a dip in the shoulder/back area of a HANS-compatible seat, which makes using a HANS device more comfortable. He said in no way would not having this dip affect the safety of the system. They also suggest using a 2" harness since it won't slip out of the raised edges of the HANS device, though 3" can be used with success as well.
Some seats are better about this than others; we were in fiberglass seats with minimal padding, so there was nowhere for it to go. The angle of the seatback also plays a role; ours were pretty upgright, it being a rally car. If you can sit in the seat with your HANS/helmet on before you buy, I would.
If you're only going to be in the car for 20-30 minutes up to an hour or two, I wouldn't worry about it. It's really hours 3-12 that wore on me.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post