Check your Hans or other neck devise. Some clubs (new 2018 rule) are inspecting for sticker expiration. Rules are for every 5 years they must be recertified. Mine was dated April of 2006 and was never inspected until I just sent it off. Prices are 25 bucks plus shipping if no defects are found. Lots of different vendors are SFI approved.

Which clubs?

Dick

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Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

SVRA. Check their web sight. Probably VDCA also since they follow their rules, I think.

Hopefully SVRA will agree with the 5-year rule. At VIR in September I was told that I had to get my NecksGen re-certified (it is dated Feb 2014). The tech inspector insisted that SFI ratings were only good for 2 years. (that rule applies to harness belts - SFI = 2 years, FIA = 5 years).

I printed out the relevant page from SFI & also from the NecksGen web page to bring with my log book.

http://www.sfifoundation.com/wp-content/pdfs/specs/Spec_38.1_031615.pdf (see item #2.7)

http://www.necksgen.com/recertifications/

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Eric Russell ~ Mebane, NC
1961 MGA #61, 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6, 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1991 Honda ST1100

This is another example of a money grab IMO, just like the seat belt expiration concept. My question is how do seat belts or HANS devices 'expire' if they are not abused?

Lawrence, everything degrades. The HANS equipment certification and inspection is similar to OSHA regs for fall protection devices, seat belts, etc. IF the materials are exposed to the elements, or sit in the sun regularly, the sun's rays will degrade the material and eventually render is unsafe.

Parts age. Webbing degrades, including seat belts. There are specific, physical and visual inspection procedures that should be followed for all safety equipment. It's clearly outlined on the OSHA website for workplace safety equipment.

It's not a "money grab": $25 is a bargain for such a certified inspection.

Mark, don't get me wrong. I'm 100% for safety, after all, we are doing this for fun.

The majority of us vintage racers, race a handful of times a year and our cars and race equipment are kept in doors when not in use. So I don't see the UV argument hold too much weight. However if we went along with this line of thought, when was it the last time that one has replaced their seat belts in there daily driver?

Add CVAR to that list.

2017 SCCA GCR doesn't/didn't require recert. However at Barber's last Aug. got dinged by tech on mine... Talked with Jim D. at track, said they'd do it for $25.00, send or bring by shop. Once home checked GCR + on-line fst track updates, failed to find anything about recert. required (wording same as before...might have changed, but I failed to find).

However, $25 bucks seemed reasonable to keep future/all happy, so sent it off to Downing Atlanta. Cost 20 bucks each way to ship...cert was 25, and they said all good, however my sliding teether was "dated" so that got replaced for another 40.... total cost was about $105 (plus a bit more for insurance), turn around was great, less than a week.

Understand some resellers provide the service at the track...don't believe there's any physical testing...all visual. Haven't seen any done at races I've attended, so shipping still a likely cost. (As a ME/PE with composite testing (including AE) in my background, I feel likely qualified to make those "looks"...as, I do with all systems on car.)

Rather doubt that VDCA will get that picky...they haven't blindly followed SVRA in past. (Think SVRA still does 2 yrs on belts, where most went back to 5 yrs. VDCA used to check condition as acceptable or not..not just a date tag)... However, you never know.

Personally, I hate the things. Can't turn head to see to side without getting jerked. Slips around under belts (different cars); not sure belts are tight enough to really work; have forgotten to cinch helmet more than once, (belted in with it on all feels secure....worse in closed cars, where had to remove helmet to crawl in/out thru the cage)... Biggest worry: I'll back into a barrier/wall/something unforgiving, and it will shear my neck when stuff hits the head rest and body keeps coming back... Haven't done that yet, but have that "strange" feeling where HANS tickles my neck; more likely backwards than running head on into something...

Yes, they do work in many cases and often do a great job. Like everything else, not fool proof.....sort of like exploding air bags on the street, when belts would do as well, yet all new cars now have them as dummies rather text than belt up to drive...

Ah well, it's a matter of the times in which we still race.... learn to live with all this.....and added cost.

Finally, even with re-certification, there is no guarantee against failure or injury; by mfgr., race organizer, or insurer...

Bob L.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-01-15 10:04 PM by Elva Bob.

How about SNELL dating on Helmets. I was pretty unhappy when they said mine was no good and they handed me a loaner that was ??????? Well I hoped not COOTIE infested. ??????

The 2018 SCCA GCR doesn't have a date restriction.

pg. 72
"2 Crash helmets approved by the Snell Foundation with Snell sticker 2010 or later Special Application
SA2010/SAH2010, or SA2015/SAH2015, or by the SFI with a SFI Sticker SFI 31.1, or by
the FIA standard 8860-2004 or later, or British Standards Institute BS6658-85 type A/FR. Each
driver’s helmet shall be labeled with a minimum of the driver’s name. The use of a head and neck
restraint system that has been certified in accordance with SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858-2002 or 8858-
2010 is required; an SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858-2002 or 8858-2010 label must be properly affixed to
the device. Accident damaged helmets should be sent by the driver or his or her representative to
the Snell Memorial Foundation, 3628 Madison Ave., North Highland, CA. 95660 (ph.) 916-331-
5073 (attn. Edward B. Becker). Details of the accident should be included. Freon based total loss
helmet cooling systems are not allowed.

From the SFI page (see link in reply #4):

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Eric Russell ~ Mebane, NC
1961 MGA #61, 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6, 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1991 Honda ST1100

Neither VDCA nor VRG are checking as of the close of last season.

But VRG's rules do state:


So they could easily decide to check dates...

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Eric Russell ~ Mebane, NC
1961 MGA #61, 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6, 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1991 Honda ST1100

Eric--

In response to a question posed by one lister earlier in the string I was merely reporting on what my experience has been. BTW I had my HANS inspected early last year when I first became aware of the issue and in addition to affixing the sticker the tether was replaced, so this is a non-issue for me.