What is a HANS-Type Crash?

What Is A HANS-Type Crash?
Atlanta, Ga. (Feb. 22, 2012) – The 2012 racing season is already having a major impact – the kind where cars are crumpled in accidents and drivers thankfully walk away. "We’re already seeing HANS-type crashes," said Jim Downing, president of HANS Performance Products.
What is a HANS-type crash? Two recent examples are Jeff Gordon’s Chevy barrel-rolling down the track at Daytona after hitting the wall during the Budweiser Shootout and Mike Austin’s Top Alcohol Dragster sailing over the wall in the NHRA’s Winternationals before suffering multiple impacts. Each driver was thankful to be wearing a HANS Device.
"Any crash where a car suffers an impact – or a series of impacts – is a HANS-type accident," said Downing. "The most often overlooked aspect of the HANS Device is its ability to keep on working in a crash with multiple impacts from different directions. It’s not just about hitting the wall head-on."
Downing is quick to point out that the HANS Device works as part of a safety system required by sanctioning bodies like NASCAR and the NHRA. "In these type of incidents, a driver needs to have a good seat, a good harness and proper head surrounds in addition to a head and neck restraint," said Downing, a five-time IMSA champion and former class winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Four-time Sprint Cup champion Gordon is thankful for the changes in NASCAR safety since Dale Earnhardt Sr. was killed in a crash on the last lap at the Daytona 500 in 2001. Gordon said walking away from his recent accident "is a true testament to the safer barrier and the HANS Device and the structure of the cars and the seatbelts that we’re running."
Drag racer Austin said he installed every piece of safety equipment available in the cockpit of his Top Alcohol Dragster, which was destroyed after it hit a concrete retaining barrier. That included a high quality seat, a head surround and the HANS Device. "There was a lot of different impacts and a lot of different angles," said Austin, who was bruised and battered but suffered no injuries. "I’m still here with no sore neck. I’m fortunate to walk away."
Michael McDowell, a driver who will walk to his car in Thursday’s Gatorade Duels to attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500, is the classic example of a driver able to walk away from multiple impacts. In 2008, McDowell’s Toyota hit the wall at Texas Motor Speedway in qualifying and then suffered another major impact before it flipped and rolled several times. McDowell’s only injury? Some bruises to his forehead that indicated the HANS Device had done its job.
"We get testimonials each week from competitors in all types of vehicles all over the world in many different types of accidents with a lot of different angles," said Downing. "That explains why the HANS Device is relied on by over 130,000 racers around the world."
Contact: Gary Milgrom Vice President, HANS Performance ProductsTel: 1-888-HANS-999 or 770-457-1046

Racetech 4009HR, 4009WHR

Racetech Seats from New Zealand supply serious racing seats for road, rally and circle track racing.

Apex Performance has both the RT 4009HR and RT4009WHR models in stock with 2011 FIA dates. Stop by our showroom and try them out or catch us at the track.

http://www.apexperformance.net/CartGenie/prod-1195.htm

NASA Completes First Test for Space-Age HANS

NASA Completes First Test for Space-Age HANS
Atlanta, Ga. (Dec. 21, 2010) – What do HANS Device inventor Dr. Robert Hubbard, NASA and NASCAR have in common? All three are collaborating in an effort to improve crash restraints for astronauts.
The first series of crash sled tests was recently undertaken at Wright Patterson Air Force Base using a dummy fitted with a prototype restraint for use during NASA launches and landings. Dustin Gohmert of the Crew and Thermal Systems Division of NASA directed the tests.
The new head restraint resulted from a collaboration first undertaken in 2008 at the Texas Motor Speedway, where officials from NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Hubbard met with NASCAR officials to discuss the use of the sanctioning body’s data base for assessing crash injury dynamics. NASCAR subsequently provided data taken from recorders in race vehicles, which facilitates the development of injury criteria for astronauts by using computer modeling in conjunction with the real world experience from NASCAR competition.
The prototype HANS-type head restraint for astronauts is comprised of a round collar and yoke made from carbon fiber. The helmet and neck ring of the space suit fit to the round collar and yoke, a single unit to be held in place by an astronaut’s shoulder belts.
The testing was the first of more to follow. “The issue is to understand crew safety well enough to optimize crash injury reduction with the many, many other considerations such as weight and the unique environment of space and other threats to crew safety like emergency egress,” said Hubbard, who has been a consultant to NASA since 2007.
The new prototype was built by Jerry “Rabbitt” Lambert of Downing/Atlanta Composites. Lambert has worked as a fabricator for the race team of Jim Downing since 1986. He has participated in four IMSA championships by Downing’s team and the LMP2 class victory at the Le Mans 24-hour scored by Downing’s Kudzu-Mazda. Lambert has been instrumental in the development of the HANS Device, first introduced to the market in 1990 by HANS Performance Products.

Zamp FSA2 Helmets

We've got the new Zamp FSA2 helmets in stock and they have been very popular. If you are looking for an SA2005 helmet but are on a budget, the FSA2 is $169.95 and includes a free fleece lined helmet bag, headsock and ground shipping to US 48. Sizing is running on the small size so if you are between sizes, opt for the next size up. You can also exchange the helmet for a different size and just pay shipping - no restock fee on exchanges. The size charts are a guideline but not a 100% guarantee of fit. Here's the link:

http://www.apexperformance.net/cartgenie/prodList.asp?scat=274&sflag=3&brand=84

Continental and Hoosier Announce Strategic Alliance Partnership

FORT MILL, S.C. and LAKEVILLE, Ind., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The convergenceof the high-performance street tire and race tire industries took asignificant step forward today as Continental Tire and Hoosier Racing Tireannounced a strategic alliance based on a shared vision for motorsportsmarketing and race proven technology. By engaging the companies at themarketing, business and R&D levels, the alliance will allow both companies todrive new growth prospects, technologies and have the potential to ultimatelytransform a variety of motorsports platforms."This partnership will open the door for endless opportunities, which willbenefit both companies," said Bill Caldwell, Vice President of Sales andMarketing, Continental Tire. "The combination of Continental's expertise is inperformance street tires, and Hoosier's industry leading technology in racetire development will allow both companies to compete in new market segments.""The exchange of technologies will result in increased levels of performancein future product developments for both companies," said Joerg Burfien,Director of R&D - Americas, Continental Tire.The alliance will consist of Continental and Hoosier being strategic partnersfor advanced performance solutions and motorsports integration. A team ofindustry veterans has been formed and will be the driving force behind thecollaborative marketing, product development and implementation process. Bothcompanies will invest substantially into resources for the marketing, businessdevelopment and delivery of specific products. "We are working together because we believe it benefits both organizations byaffording opportunities for deep collaboration in marketing and businessdevelopment, allowing us to rapidly deliver high quality products to consumerswho are simply demanding the best tire for their investment," said DennisSherman, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Hoosier Racing Tire. "Togetherwe are better."With sales exceeding 24 billion Euro in 2008, the Continental Corporation isone of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems,systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation,infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers,the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection ofthe global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networkedautomobile communication. The corporation currently employs approximately133,000 at nearly 190 locations in 35 countries.Hoosier is the largest race tire manufacturer in the world. Hoosiermanufactures and distributes a complete line of racing tires for most types ofracing, including road, drag, oval, and kart applications. For additionalinformation on Hoosier Racing Tire and its line of high performance racingtires, log on to www.hoosiertire.com. Online media database: www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com;North America online media database: www.CTNAMedia.com , www.CTNAMedia.mobi. Hoosier Website address: www.hoosiertire.comSOURCE Continental Tire North America, Inc.Dana Zamalloa, Manager, PR and Communications, Continental Tire North America,Inc., +1-704-583-8165, dana.zamalloa@conti-na.com, or Mariellen Fagan,Director, Communications, Crowl, Montgomery & Clark, +1-330-494-6999, ext.201, Fax: +1-330-494-6242, mfagan@crowlinc.com, or Paula Nate, PR Manager,Hoosier Racing Tire Corp, +1-574-784-3152, Fax: +1-574-784-2385,pnate@hoosiertire.com

The Quest for Lower Lap Times

My personal quest for lower lap times started in 1991. At age 64 it continues today. The answer of how to shave time off of laps is varied but it always comes back to the driver’s performance.
Something we are all guilty of is buying expensive "trick" parts to increase output or improve handling of the racecar. The desired result is rarely achieved. I can speak as a real authority in this arena.

Save your money on the car upgrades and consider investing it by hiring a professional driving coach such as E Paul Dickinson. You will be more than happy with the result.

When I read the attached article, it made so much sense to me I felt it had to be passed along.
The article, "Put Me in, Coach" is a reprint first published in PCA's Club Racer News written by Rob Pecori. It describes his weekend at The Glen this past May with Professional Driving Coach E. Paul Dickinson. Rob, an accomplished 20 year instructor and PCA and NASA racer, shaved 4 seconds a lap. The article details the process.

I have known both Rob Pecori and E Paul Dickinson for 18 years. I have great regard for Rob’s abilities. I have had him as both a PCA instructor and have raced against him. I was amazed at Rob shaving 4 seconds at the Glen. I would have not thought it possible.

E. Paul Dickinson was my first PCA instructor back in 1991 ...I got lucky. His enthusiasm and fearless in-car instruction kept me coming back and wanting more. He is a Six-time SCCA National Champion who has a gift that he is more than capable of sharing with others.

Please take the time to read the attached article ……The lap times you reduce may be your own.

Clark

Click here to access the link to Rob's article & read more about E. Paul