Interview with Dr. Robert Hubbard - HANS Device Inventor

FOX Sports Interview with Dr. Robert Hubbard, the inventor of the HANS Device.

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&brand=foxsports&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:f45549c8-2f23-4691-9819-43b71a3a7895&showPlaylist=true&from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_videosearch&fg=everyzing" target="_new" title="Wind Tunnel: Dr. Robert Hubbard">Video: Wind Tunnel: Dr. Robert Hubbard</a>

Taken from: http://multimedia.foxsports.com/m/video/30544424/wind-tunnel-dr-robert-hubbard.htm?pageid=15362&seek=3.009
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The Top 5 Stories that Changed Sports this Decade

The top 5 stories that changed the world of sports as we know it in the 2000s.
#5 – Dale Earnhardt’s death in the 2001 Daytona 500; February 18th, 2001.
Sports heroes are not supposed to be killed suddenly in a sport they love. However, it does happen. On Sunday, February 18th, 2001, on the final lap in NASCAR’s season-opener, the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt slammed the outside retaining wall in turn 4. As the field passed by, Earnhardt’s car slid to the infield, as the car he owned driven by Michael Waltrip won the Daytona 500. Rescue workers rushed to Earnhardt’s car, where he was airlifted to a local hospital, and later pronounced dead.
Sometimes it takes tragedy to find a fault in a sport. Following the incident, NASCAR took many steps to ensure driver safety. They began the mandated use of the HANS device, a head-and-neck restraint system. Just recently, the new Car of Tomorrow was introduced to make the car safer.
Unfortunately, it often takes tragedy to show that change is necessary.

Taken from:

http://section26sports.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/the-top-5-stories-that-changed-sports-this-decade/
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2010 Snell Ratings

Helmet technology will take another step forward as manufacturers begin to offer a new generation of helmets designed to meet the new Snell Foundation 2010 certification standard. This new standard, which incorporates a radical shift in the way that helmets are tested and constructed, will result in helmets that are both much lighter and much safer than ever before. In order to understand what this new standard will mean to you, here is a brief overview of changes you can expect to see.

Head Form = Circumference

A= 50 cm
C= 52 cm
E= 54 cm
J= 57 cm
M= 60 cm
O= 62 mm

The biggest change in the new helmet safety standard is they are going to adopt variable head form sizes. In prior Snell standards, they tested the helmets using a standard sized “dummy” head with a standard circumference to mimic the size, shape and weight of a human head. The new 2010 standard is going to require a number of variable head forms that will better approximate the cubic mass and circumference relationship of various head sizes. Everyone obviously does not have the same head size, so Snell is requiring the manufacturers to create six different head forms to test.

Every helmet size will be a little more unique. Manufacturers are going to have to change construction somewhat between sizes in a given model and this is requiring them to look at new, advanced shell construction methods to give them as light a weight shell as possible that’s also as strong as possible. For each helmet tested, it is dropped twice and there are different criteria for the first and second drops depending on head form size.

Since the helmets will be properly sized to the actual head geometry of the racer, it’s going to be a better helmet because it’s not going to shift or move during an impact.

With advances in head and neck restraint systems (HNR),such as the HANS Device, the new Snell standard will have a component that will test for compatibility of the helmet shell with the HNR. The attachment anchor points (where the device attaches to the helmet) will require proper reinforcement in those areas to withstand lateral shear force that they may see in an impact. Manufacturers will most likely view the helmets and HNR as part of an overall driver safety system.

Snell introduces new helmet ratings every five years. If you have an SA2005 helmet, it should be compatible for some time to come. When the SA2005 standard was introduced, most sanctioning bodies started phasing out the use of SA95 helmets. For those that will be interested in getting one of the new SA2010 rated helmets, availability from manufacturers will most likely begin in October 2010 and be phased in throughout 2011.

If you would like to read more about Snell testing and standards, you can visit their website at www.smf.org.

 

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Brands Hatch Makeover.

Brands Hatch has carried out a major resurfacing project, replacing over half the Indy circuit to improve the quality of the track surface for it's competitors, who can experience it on test days available throughout January and February.


The track has been resurfaced from mid-way down Cooper Straight, through McLaren, around Clearways and down the Brabham Straight to the centre of the pit complex using Prixmat surface material, well known for its high performance friction surface qualities.


Other circuit improvements include the addition of new kerbing at the exit of Druids, reinforcing the area behind the kerb on the exit of Graham Hill Bend and reducing the width of the tarmac run-off at the bottom of Paddock Hill Bend.


MotorSport Vision Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer said, “This resurfacing project represents a major investment in Brands Hatch. Even in these tough economic times, MSV is committed to developing and improving our circuits. It will be interesting to see what effect the new surface has on lap times.”



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BREAKING NEWS: SCHROTH Racing in a new class - HANS GT

SCHROTH Racing announces the release of a brand new series of HANS device, the HANS GT and an extension to their current range.

Continuously striving to offer their customers the best technology and the best prices SCHROTH Racing have produced the new HANS GT which does just that! The HANS GT is a major development in affordability and performance, offering customers a high performance, lightweight design at low cost. The HANS GT incorporates all the key features of the PRO version including SlipStop and Vision advantage (sliding tether) and is only 200gms heavier than the carbon PRO.


The HANS GT line from SCHROTH Racing offers an exceptional blend of carbon fibre and Glass fibre Technology (GT). Starting at around 700g the HANS GT is 400g lighter than the entry-level Sport models and just 200g heavier than our PRO line. The HANS GT is the perfect balance of high-tech and cost savings!

The new line of HANS GT from SCHROTH Racing are designed on the proven shape and forms of
their PRO Systems as tried and tested in the lab and on the track. The newest versions of the HANS GT includes a 20° Medium and 20° Large as well as a 30° Medium for the majority of drivers and one additional model in the works for early 2010 will be a 10° Medium.

New for 2010 SCHROTH have also launched new sizes of their existing range to suit a wider variety of drivers. These include a 20° Small, a 20° Extra Large.

Overview of features of the entire SCHROTH HANS product line for 2010 include:

HANS Pro - HANS GT - HANS Sport
* Vision Advantage Plus Sliding Tether System - Standard on ALL HANS.
* Patented SlipStop™ Plus contact surface on PRO and GT; retaining winglets on Sport
* Proven comfortable shapes to fit all types of drivers and seating positions
* Wide range models (10°M, 20°S, 20°M, 20°L, 20°XL, 30°M, 30°L, 40°M)
* Free carrying bag to protect your HANS
* Interchangeable Padding System (Foam and Gel padding kits available)

Click here for more info
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Rally Crash - Thumbs up for HANS!

After years of circuit racing and rallying, whilst running 3rd fastest overall on day 2 of 5 on the 2009 Targa Newfoundland Rally, my first event using the
HANS device you guys supplied, it happened! We left the road at approx 90mph and did some kind of end over end with a few rolls to end up 300ft in the Bush. Apart from my Navigator’s broken arm we both walked away without any other issues which can only be attributed to the Schroth HANS Device used in conjunction with the correct Harnesses and Sparco Pro ADV Lateral Head Restraint Seats. I’m 100% sure it would have been a very different outcome without the HANS! Thanks for all your help, support and up to date knowledge when the decision was made to purchase HANS Devices for the team, I’ll never get in a race car again without it, it saved us for sure!

Thanks
Roger Tillotson

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Ecclestone pessimistic about Donington

Bernie Ecclestone now doubts that Donington Park will be ready in time to host the 2010 British Grand Prix even if the circuit bosses can secure the required funding package.

Donington had been given until the end of this week to prove to Ecclestone that it had the finance in place to complete the comprehensive rebuild required to host Formula 1 next year.

The F1 commercial rights-holder hinted that he had not written off the circuit completely at this stage - replying "wait until Monday to write the truth" when asked by the Daily Telegraph if the latest deadline had been missed.

But he admitted that he was now very pessimistic about Donington's chances.

"It's not good, is it?" Ecclestone told The Times. "Even if they get the money, I cannot see how it will all be ready in time to go.

"It is very disappointing because we thought it would happen, but they cannot go on missing deadlines.

"They could still come to us saying they have the money, but there is no way the circuit would be ready at this late stage. It looks as though we will have to start planning again."

Donington has a 17-year deal to hold the British GP, but needed to make substantial changes to its infrastructure, access, and paddock facilities as well as redesigning the circuit to feature an additional infield loop. This work began earlier in 2009, but is a long way from completion and has been delayed by both planning and financial issues.

Ecclestone had initially been adamant that Donington was the only option for the British GP's future, but he has since indicated that present home Silverstone would be allowed to step in if Donington was not ready.

Next year's British GP is provisionally scheduled for 9-11 July.

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