Anyone Drive with A Neck Donut?
05-26-2007, 02:40 AM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Anyone Drive with A Neck Donut?
I'm trying to upgrade safety gear withing my budget this year, and would love to pick up a HANS, but I just can't swing it at the moment (hopefully soon).
Anyway, I've been wonering if a kart-style neck donut would be a worthwhile item in the interim. It seems as though it would give some additional margin of safety in the event of an accident, but I'm not sure of any other unforeseen issues exist.
As long as there are no issues, I presume limiting neck travel another 1-2" in an accident can only be a step in the right direction.
FWIW, my car is uncaged with no race bucket currently.
Anyway, I've been wonering if a kart-style neck donut would be a worthwhile item in the interim. It seems as though it would give some additional margin of safety in the event of an accident, but I'm not sure of any other unforeseen issues exist.
As long as there are no issues, I presume limiting neck travel another 1-2" in an accident can only be a step in the right direction.
FWIW, my car is uncaged with no race bucket currently.
05-26-2007, 03:09 AM
#2
Safety Car
I've run with one on and off for years now, no real issues. I shaved it down in thickness a bit so fit better, but that's about it.
Looking at the R3 and HANS group buy, though.
Looking at the R3 and HANS group buy, though.
05-26-2007, 08:37 AM
#3
Safety Car
Member Since: Nov 2000
Location: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 0
Received 27 Likes
on
24 Posts
I use one and like it a lot. Provides a bit more safety - not nearly Hans level - and a lot of comfort. Be sure to get a nomex covered one - don't want meltable foam all over your neck in a bad situation. I used to finish up a weekend with my neck sore from bracing with the weight of the helmet in turns. The donut stops that problem completely. IMHO well worth the money.
05-26-2007, 08:48 AM
#4
Racer
Member Since: May 2005
Location: East Liberty OH
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a Sparco nomex anatomical one (in black) that I only used a couple times before getting my HANS that I'll let go for cheap if someone wants to try one.
http://sparcousa.com/pracewear_acc.asp?id=59
http://sparcousa.com/pracewear_acc.asp?id=59
05-26-2007, 11:17 AM
#6
Race Director
More injury? What happens? I was thinking of getting one to.. 
05-26-2007, 11:51 AM
#7
Burning Brakes
Subject: Response to your forum thread about safety collar
I have a Hutchens device purchased from Mattec for $335. I will sell it for $180 (you pay shipping), which includes the helmet attachments. They were $19.95 based on a call to Safety Solutions, which makes the Hutchens device. The unit has a tag with the name Safety Solutions sewn in and a tag marked June 2002 sewn in. This will save you $155. Safety Solutions charges $335 plus shipping.
I am selling it because I just bought a HANS device.
Email eogel@nc.rr.com
I am selling it because I just bought a HANS device.
Email eogel@nc.rr.com
05-26-2007, 01:28 PM
#8
Safety Car
Thread Starter
05-26-2007, 01:47 PM
#9
Former Vendor
I had to wear one for years karting. The only problem is sun burn doesn't fell good when wearing one. Wear sun block, and wash your hands after apply, because that crap is like oil on the steering wheel.
Rand
Rand
05-26-2007, 02:26 PM
#10
Team Owner
I am looking into one of these too because we're going Karting in a few weeks in 100cc Yamaha's.
Randy,
Did you wear a rib protector also? Good investment? Its been recommended by some of the guys who go.
Of course when I asked my doctor about those body protectors his response was "Its like wrapping a jar of pickles in duct tape"
Randy,
Did you wear a rib protector also? Good investment? Its been recommended by some of the guys who go.
Of course when I asked my doctor about those body protectors his response was "Its like wrapping a jar of pickles in duct tape"
05-26-2007, 04:27 PM
#12
Safety Car
search through the HANs web site. It says "collars increase injury"
"adds weight to the helmet and head loads"
In reverse, show me how the collars prevent injury?
"adds weight to the helmet and head loads"
In reverse, show me how the collars prevent injury?
05-26-2007, 05:02 PM
#13
Race Director
I was thinking of using it more for support, my neck can get pretty sore/tired. Not to help prevent injury. I could see how it might help cushion, under the chin and in back of the neck, in a crash, but I am not an expert.
05-26-2007, 05:48 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
I have a Bell Contour Support Collar I purchased to comply with
event regulations. However, my understanding is that neck collars
have come under scrutiny
From AZUSA Engineering
event regulations. However, my understanding is that neck collars
have come under scrutiny
From AZUSA Engineering
Helmet Collars are designed to hold your racing helmet up off of your neck
and to help prevent injury which could result from a hard racing helmet
being jammed into your neck or shoulders. Our collars are not designed
nor intended to prevent injuries to the neck such as whiplash and the
like. Nor do we know of any helmet collar on the market which is able,
or even claims to do so.
From ASN Canada FIA (my emphasis)and to help prevent injury which could result from a hard racing helmet
being jammed into your neck or shoulders. Our collars are not designed
nor intended to prevent injuries to the neck such as whiplash and the
like. Nor do we know of any helmet collar on the market which is able,
or even claims to do so.
Comment on Karting Neck Collars
April 21, 2005
ASN Canada FIA’s 2005 karting regulations made neck collars optional
as opposed to mandatory. Since the publication of the regulations,
there has been much comment on the neck collar issue, mostly
centered on why we made the change.
ASN made this change because we could not find clinical evidence to
support the common notion that the wearing of a neck collar prevents
injuries to the neck or serves to help avoid injury to the collar bone.
Prior to making this change ASN consulted with a member of the FIA
Institute for Motor Sport Safety and of the International Council of
Motorsport Sciences.
ASN has observed helmets coming off during track incidents on several
occasions, possibly as a result of compromised helmet fitting and chin
strap tightness due to the wearing of a neck collar.
The CIK-FIA does not require the wearing of neck collars.
There are no CIK approved or homologated neck collars.
Collars are not commonly used in Europe.
British and Australian karting rules do not require the use of a neck collar.
.
April 21, 2005
ASN Canada FIA’s 2005 karting regulations made neck collars optional
as opposed to mandatory. Since the publication of the regulations,
there has been much comment on the neck collar issue, mostly
centered on why we made the change.
ASN made this change because we could not find clinical evidence to
support the common notion that the wearing of a neck collar prevents
injuries to the neck or serves to help avoid injury to the collar bone.
Prior to making this change ASN consulted with a member of the FIA
Institute for Motor Sport Safety and of the International Council of
Motorsport Sciences.
ASN has observed helmets coming off during track incidents on several
occasions, possibly as a result of compromised helmet fitting and chin
strap tightness due to the wearing of a neck collar.
The CIK-FIA does not require the wearing of neck collars.
There are no CIK approved or homologated neck collars.
Collars are not commonly used in Europe.
British and Australian karting rules do not require the use of a neck collar.
05-26-2007, 05:54 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
From CircleTrack
Head And Neck Restraints
If You Race A Car, Wear One Of These Life-Saving Devices
By Ron Lemasters, Jr.
Head And Neck Restraints
If You Race A Car, Wear One Of These Life-Saving Devices
By Ron Lemasters, Jr.
“Neck collars don’t do it,” Ashline states. “The people who thought
that worked believed that the head just rotates down, and it doesn’t in
a crash. The head first translates forward. Your upper torso belts hold
you back, and your head goes straight forward until your neck tries to
pull it down. You get full extension, you load the belts all the way and
you’re (neck is) out here like this (three or four inches), then your neck
starts to pull you down and it misses the collar altogether. You’ll never
hit the collar.
“Does the collar work with a Hutchens device?” Ashline continues.
“Yes, because you have the collar in close to your neck. The Hutchens
Device is limiting the stretch of your neck, and it’s going to force your
head down. That will help you because the rotation of your head as it
is pulled down gets you into the collar. I don’t disagree with using a
neck collar with a Hutchens Device. If you do not use a Hutchens or a
HANS, you’re playing with fire. Your neck can’t hold the forces of the
weight of your head, trying to take it off the top of your shoulders.”
.
that worked believed that the head just rotates down, and it doesn’t in
a crash. The head first translates forward. Your upper torso belts hold
you back, and your head goes straight forward until your neck tries to
pull it down. You get full extension, you load the belts all the way and
you’re (neck is) out here like this (three or four inches), then your neck
starts to pull you down and it misses the collar altogether. You’ll never
hit the collar.
“Does the collar work with a Hutchens device?” Ashline continues.
“Yes, because you have the collar in close to your neck. The Hutchens
Device is limiting the stretch of your neck, and it’s going to force your
head down. That will help you because the rotation of your head as it
is pulled down gets you into the collar. I don’t disagree with using a
neck collar with a Hutchens Device. If you do not use a Hutchens or a
HANS, you’re playing with fire. Your neck can’t hold the forces of the
weight of your head, trying to take it off the top of your shoulders.”
05-26-2007, 06:20 PM
#16
Former Vendor
I am looking into one of these too because we're going Karting in a few weeks in 100cc Yamaha's.
Randy,
Did you wear a rib protector also? Good investment? Its been recommended by some of the guys who go.
Of course when I asked my doctor about those body protectors his response was "Its like wrapping a jar of pickles in duct tape"
Randy,
Did you wear a rib protector also? Good investment? Its been recommended by some of the guys who go.
Of course when I asked my doctor about those body protectors his response was "Its like wrapping a jar of pickles in duct tape"
Well after breaking three ribs on my right side I got a protector. One of the best things for a karter!!! Are you are 160-170 pounds, if so I will send my for you to use and see if you like it. But I need it back incase, the guys in the shop need some more education
We run up to the rental place every once and a while. Doug being the guy he is went up there a couple times on his own. To make sure got up to speed to beat me, he didn't race kart sence about age 12-14Randy
PS my Docter said it would be stupid to go back on for 6 weeks. You should have seen the look on his face, when I came back a week later because I got hit going into turn 1 at about 65 mph.
05-26-2007, 06:43 PM
#17
Team Owner
The explanation above is the best from HANS
Last edited by John Shiels; 05-26-2007 at 06:46 PM.
05-26-2007, 09:43 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
Imho
Guys, My name is Scott Frew and I raced Midgets, Sprint Cars and Silver Crown Cars for 15 years. Most of my racing was in midgets on both asphalt and dirt. I was driving both before and after the advent of the neck collar. I saw the collar evolve in several configurations over the years. I had one of these collars in whatever configuration was current while I was racing. I had some very violent accidents with a few constant reminders. I can't say the collar prevented injury, but I can say it DID NOT contibute to injury. I would not hesitate to wear one at any time. Our operation was family run and owned. Safety was paramount to our operation. I stopped driving in 1995 after the Chili Bowl and the Hans was just starting to come about.
I am planning on doing some HPDE's when I get my car prepped with the help of Randy from DRM. I have never done any road racing, so it should be a steep learning curve. Before I forget, jlucas, what do you want for your Sparco neck collar? PM me!
Thanks guys,
Scott
I am planning on doing some HPDE's when I get my car prepped with the help of Randy from DRM. I have never done any road racing, so it should be a steep learning curve. Before I forget, jlucas, what do you want for your Sparco neck collar? PM me!
Thanks guys,
Scott
05-26-2007, 09:58 PM
#19
Race Director
Guys, My name is Scott Frew and I raced Midgets, Sprint Cars and Silver Crown Cars for 15 years. Most of my racing was in midgets on both asphalt and dirt. I was driving both before and after the advent of the neck collar. I saw the collar evolve in several configurations over the years. I had one of these collars in whatever configuration was current while I was racing. I had some very violent accidents with a few constant reminders. I can't say the collar prevented injury, but I can say it DID NOT contibute to injury. I would not hesitate to wear one at any time. Our operation was family run and owned. Safety was paramount to our operation. I stopped driving in 1995 after the Chili Bowl and the Hans was just starting to come about.
I am planning on doing some HPDE's when I get my car prepped with the help of Randy from DRM. I have never done any road racing, so it should be a steep learning curve. Before I forget, jlucas, what do you want for your Sparco neck collar? PM me!
Thanks guys,
Scott
I am planning on doing some HPDE's when I get my car prepped with the help of Randy from DRM. I have never done any road racing, so it should be a steep learning curve. Before I forget, jlucas, what do you want for your Sparco neck collar? PM me!
Thanks guys,
Scott
Andrew
05-26-2007, 10:10 PM
#20
Safety Car
Thread Starter