Swanpuppy

*EDIT* Ive read through this a couple times, maybe I missed what I'm looking for. My car has stock seat/stock belt (tear away section removed) and aftermarket steering wheel for daily use. This isn't idea as airbags are better, but should be ok?

I autocross some and did my first track day last year, so the hope is to continue track days quite a bit more frequently this upcoming season. For track I have a 6pt, race seat, but no neck restraint. For someone who gets out a couple times a year and doesn't plan to get into wheel to wheel, but just wants to be safe and drive on a budget, is the HANS the "only" option or is something like the Saferacer Valhalla restraint a viable option (NVM this is a carting restraint)? I understand not skimping on safety, so if its a piece of garbage I wouldn't even look into it, but the price is quite attractive for someone who just wants to hit the track every once in awhile.

dcamp2

iTrader: (4)

Looks like that thing is designed for Karts only...


I tried to use my motocross/mtb neck brace (leatt) in the car, but the section behind my head hit the seatback and pushed my head down. I think this one would do the same.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

My reasoning behind getting a hans was I could skip 2 track days that year and pay for it. And it would make my next 20-40 track days way safer.

Where did your get roll bar padding, and what kind?

Swanpuppy

dcamp2, your right, i ninja edited after I looked into it more. I don't like the idea of skimping on safety gear, but $500 for a Hans is 1/4 of what my car costs haha. Maybe ill just run a foam neck collar *sarcasm* to save funds.

dcamp2

iTrader: (4)

OGracing.com

non-sfi padding, it was cheap and my car will never be inspected.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

Why in the world does the price of your car have any bearing whatsoever on the price of the safety gear you put inside it (or any other part, for that matter)?

Hopefully your head never inspects it either

Swanpuppy

There is no "bearing" so to speak, just amazing to look at the costs associated with starting track days compared to what I have in the vehicle. Before this thread I assumed my roll bar with padding, seat, and 6pt was the correct path to being safe while expanding this hobby. Its great to learn what is needed for proper safety, just disheartening to learn the costs.

Monk

iTrader: (3)

My insurance bills bum me out too, but I would never be without it.

Correct me if I'm wrong Sav, but isn't dual durometer padding the only proper rollbar padding?

dcamp2

iTrader: (4)

#YOLO foam>no foam



It's a slippery slope... I *could* fully cage the car, window nets, full fire system, SFI rated foam, halo seat etc. It would be safer.

I also couldn't afford to drive the car this year.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

I got this kit:



Had everything I needed and nothing I didn't. It's held up great. The SFI padding is not only safer, but doesn't tear up and wear like the pool noodle padding does.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

NVM...

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

$20 for 3ft of SFI padding
http://summitracing.com/parts/kir-99011

scenturion

iTrader: (9)

A used HANS is $200-$300. Even if its out of date and you're tracking with an organization that requires it to be current, recerfitying it costs $25 + shipping. It's ridiculous to buy a harness and racing seat and not get a HNRS.
TrackHQ usually has a couple up for sale. I'll be selling my Sport II in a couple weeks and I'll list it up there (and here I guess, based on the number of people who don't have one).

Swanpuppy

I have never seen a used one up for sale so it never occurred to me that this was a possibility(I don't know why i thought this, but w/e). Ill check there and here and try to jump on one when funds are available. Thanks for the hot tip.

dasting

We sell (I think 5 ft, maybe 4ft) lengths of SFI padding for $20 each at tech inspection each morning for our track days. (NASA NE represent). We don't let anyone on track if they don't have the proper padding on the roll bars.

Skipping out on certified padding seems really silly.

Dunning Kruger Affect

It's that $20 for SFI padding that really breaks the camel's back.

$400 entry fee? No problem.
$10k in various mods and parts? How else am I going to be 1 second under Spec Miata lap times?
$20 for SFI padding? Whoa dude, this safety stuff costs too much, I dunno man...

dasting

Not to mention it's a one time purchase, and one stick should cover the bases for a Miata roll bar. (maybe two, I don't remember...)

codrus

It's not quite one-time, the stuff degrades so you need to replace it every few years. But yeah.

--Ian

dasting

Does it? I'm on year 3 or 4 with mine and haven't noticed a degration. I'll have to do a closer inspection.

BenR

iTrader: (2)

I'll second this, there aren't many used ones floating around that I've seen.




If you have to chose one or the other, is it more important to get the containment seat or the hans? Certification aside, is there something better than a hans brand? I remember the issacs device a bunch of years ago but it never got adopted widely. What about the zamp?