New HANS device anchor types?

[Audi UrQ]

Anyone know anything about the new anchor types being shown as now available/available soon on HANS's website (see http://hansdevice.com/s.nl/it.I/id.413/.f?sc=2&category=3879)?

It seems rather ridiculous that there are now 7 different combinations of anchor & tether system:
- Post Anchor (traditional HANS type, with fixed/fixed disconnect/sliding tethers)
- LW2 Anchor (with fixed/sliding tethers)
- Quick Click Anchor (with fixed/sliding tethers)

I'm all for further safety innovation, but why 3 separate different anchor system types available simultaneously? Anyone know why the 2 new anchor types (LW2 and Quick Click) are being introduced, and what their respective advantages and disadvantages are vs. the traditional HANS post type anchor system?

It just seems like a mess to have 3 different post types simultaneously available w.r.t. being able to borrow and/or share helmets and HANS devices if and when necessary.

Sidenote: I wonder for those of us with FIA-approved helmets, that came with HANS posts pre-installed from the factory, whether if we retrofit our helmets with one of the new anchor types (assuming the new anchor types prove beneficial for some reason) that our helmets would no longer be strictly FIA-appoved?

[Jgardhouse]

Sidenote: I wonder for those of us with FIA-approved helmets, that came with HANS posts pre-installed from the factory, whether if we retrofit our helmets with one of the new anchor types (assuming the new anchor types prove beneficial for some reason) that our helmets would no longer be strictly FIA-appoved?

Do you mean:

a) A helmet that is homologated by the FIA
or
b) A helmet with the silver FIA "factory installed" decal on it but is not FIA homologated.

Note a does not equal b - I had to explain this at length to my local HANS/Peltor dealer.

If a) the answer I got was yes it would void the homologation
if b) I never got a straight answer on that.

[Carl S]

Maybe so they can get all these attachments types out there and then file more patent infringement lawsuits against other HNR companies when they come out with similar designs?

[bentmettle]

from: http://rallysport.ca/blog/

Some good explanations there.

I like the notion that the QR will now work with the sliding tether.

[hbennett76]

Carl S: black helicopters maybe???

Audi UrQ, the reason for the different anchors is options. As a quick description:

Quick Click anchors: the sliding tethers we introduced last year has proven to be VERY popular. Unfortunately, we could not implement the sliding tether with the older Quick Disconnect tether. A lot of racers wanted the advantages of the sliding tether but with a quick disconnect feature. We developed the Quick Click anchor which now allows the sliding tether with a quick disconnect function. They have proven to be very popular. We received 650 sets of the new anchor a couple of weeks ago. They were gone in just a few days. We are waiting on another supply. The Quick Click anchors are SFI approved, not FIA approved.

LW2 anchors: This is just a quick and inexpensive anchor option probably of more interest to formula car drivers. If you watch any IRL/F1 type racing, you see a majority of these racers never removing their HANS Device from their helmet. They leave it attached all the time but they can still take advantage of the sliding tether. The LW2 anchors are SFI and FIA approved.

standard Post Anchors: these have been around for years and will probably be around a few more because there is such a large base of users of these. The older Quick Disconnect fixed tether is still available with this anchor system. The standard Post Anchors are SFI and FIA approved.

Jgardhouse is correct on the FIA anchor installation certification. Believe it or not, we have nothing to do with the FIA anchor installation certification. That is all FIA. I know this has caused some confusion with helmets from Europe. I know some helmets, such as Stilo (I believe), that have anchor positions drilled for the HANS Device that are a lot different than what we recommend. According to Stilo, they are approved by FIA. That is between the helmet manufacturer and FIA. As far as North America, it's how the rules are written. I remember one rally organization in the U.S. was going to go strictly by FIA rules until I pointed out the issue with FIA certification of anchor installation. I recommended they just word the rule to read "installed per manufacturers instructions".

If anybody has any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I can be reached at hbennett@hansdevice.com.

Howard Bennett
HANS Performance

[Bjorn240]

As someone who has been using the non-quick disconnect post-type anchors since 2004, I'd say for rally you don't really need anything else. They work fine with sliding tethers, and can be connected and disconnected in <2 seconds once they're slightly worn in.

[Morison]

What I find odd is that after very little time getting used to them, I can latch and unlatch the standard connector from the standard post, single handed in almost no time at all. I originally wanted quick release tethers but decided I had absolutely no need for them.

[simoniac]

Ditto. Even with the big wings on our RaceTech seats I can latch/unlatch the connector very easily. If you apply a small rotation while disconnecting they pop right off.

Simon
USUK Racing