HANS Device Guide for HPDE & Time Trials
The HANS device is the most consequential piece of safety equipment after your helmet. It's also the one where the physics are most concrete: in a frontal impact, the HANS prevents the head from continuing forward after the torso has stopped — which is the mechanism behind basilar skull fractures, the leading cause of fatalities in otherwise survivable motorsport crashes.
This guide explains what HANS is, when it's required at HPDE and SCCA events, how to buy one that fits, and how to verify your helmet is compatible before you place an order.
What Is a HANS Device?
HANS stands for Head And Neck Support. It's a carbon fiber or composite yoke that sits across your shoulders and collarbone, with two tether straps that anchor to clips on the sides of your helmet. In a frontal impact, when your body is stopped by the harness, the helmet tethers limit how far your head can travel forward relative to your torso.
Without a HANS device, a frontal impact can cause the head to continue moving forward at speed even after the chest has stopped — a motion called "basilar skull" or "hangman's" injury. The HANS prevents that specific motion. It does not restrict your normal range of head motion during driving; you can still turn your head normally to check mirrors and blind spots.
In a 60 mph frontal impact, your car's crumple zones and harness stop your torso in roughly 100–150 ms. Without a HANS, your head — anchored only by your neck — keeps traveling forward. The HANS tethers mean your head stops with your shoulders. That difference in deceleration rate is what prevents basilar skull fractures.
When Is HANS Required?
Requirements vary significantly by event type and organization. Here's the breakdown as of 2026:
| Event / Run Group | HANS Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SCCA Solo (Autocross) | Not required | Speeds and course design don't warrant it at national ruleset level |
| SCCA Time Trials — Club | Required at most | Check TTR rule book; required for all runs with harness installed |
| SCCA Time Trials — National | Required | Mandatory for all classes |
| NASA HPDE 1–2 | Not required | Optional; recommended for drivers with existing harnesses |
| NASA HPDE 3 | Required at some regions | Strongly recommended; verify with your specific NASA region |
| NASA HPDE 4 | Required at most regions | De facto standard at this level; some regions enforce it strictly |
| GridLife Track Nation 1–2 | Not required | SA2020 helmet only for TN1-2 |
| GridLife Track Nation 3+ | Required | Enforced at tech; no exceptions |
| GridLife Time Attack | Required | Full kit required; HANS part of mandatory equipment list |
| Any Wheel-to-Wheel Racing | Required | Universal requirement across SCCA, NASA, and most sanctioning bodies |
Helmet Compatibility: Check This First
HANS devices connect to your helmet via two anchor clips called Hybrid clips (the standard) or HANS clips. Before buying a HANS device, verify that your helmet has these anchor posts installed. Most SA-rated helmets manufactured after 2010 include them, but not all — and older helmets sometimes don't have them.
To check: look at the lower sides of your helmet near the cheek area. You should see two D-ring or post-style anchor points, one on each side. If your helmet doesn't have them, some helmets can be retrofitted with an aftermarket anchor kit — but it's not guaranteed for every helmet model.
If you're buying a helmet and a HANS device at the same time, confirm the helmet includes HANS clips. Most modern SA2020 helmets (Zamp RZ-42Y, Bell Sport5, Arai) include them standard. The product listing or manufacturer spec sheet will say "HANS-compatible" or list anchor posts in the features.
FHR: The HANS Brand and Alternatives
HANS is a brand name that has become genericized, like Kleenex. The category is called FHR (Frontal Head Restraint). Any SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858-2010 rated FHR device is accepted at events that require "HANS." The clip system is standardized — all FHR devices use the same Hybrid/HANS clip interface and work with any compatible helmet.
The three main FHR devices in the market:
- HANS Performance Series: The original, widely used, available in multiple angles and sizes. Carbon fiber construction. The industry benchmark.
- Simpson Hybrid PRO: A hybrid carbon/composite design that some drivers prefer for its slightly different geometry and lighter weight. Popular in NASCAR and IndyCar feeder series.
- Schroth HANS: Licensed HANS design from a well-regarded harness manufacturer. Good value compared to the HANS Performance Series.
Sizing a HANS Device
HANS devices are sized primarily by collar width — the distance from the tip of one shoulder to the tip of the other, measured across the front of your collarbone. This determines which size yoke fits your frame. Getting this wrong is common and makes the device uncomfortable or less effective.
Standard HANS sizing:
- Small: Collar width 13–14 inches (fits most smaller drivers, some women)
- Medium: Collar width 15–16 inches (fits most average-build drivers)
- Large: Collar width 17–18 inches (fits broader-shouldered drivers)
- XL: Collar width 19+ inches
HANS devices also come in different post angles — 10°, 20°, and 30°. The angle determines how the yoke sits relative to your body when you're in driving position. A 20° post angle works for most standard HPDE seating positions. Very upright seating positions (like a GT3-style seat with headrest) may benefit from a 30° device. Reclined positions in sports cars often work better with a 20° device.
Sit in your normal driving position. Have someone measure the straight-line distance from the outside edge of your left shoulder (acromion) to the outside edge of your right shoulder. This is your collar width. Most medium-build adults measure 15–16 inches and fall into a Medium HANS.
HANS Device Picks
The HANS Performance Series is the most widely used FHR device in club racing. It's the benchmark everything else is compared to. Available in sizes Small through XL and 10°/20°/30° post angles. If you're unsure what to buy, buy this.
HANS Requires a Proper Harness
This is the most important caveat about HANS devices that many new drivers miss: a HANS device is significantly less effective with a factory seatbelt. The HANS tethers clip to the helmet and the shoulder portions of your harness. With a factory 3-point belt, the single diagonal shoulder belt provides weak and inconsistent force distribution. The HANS was designed to work with a 4-point or 6-point harness where two separate shoulder straps provide symmetric restraint across both shoulders.
If your car runs a factory seatbelt (as most HPDE 1-2 cars do), wearing a HANS is better than not wearing one — but the full benefit requires a proper racing harness. When you move to HPDE 4 or any competition event where HANS is required, a harness is also required for the same reason.
| Setup | Head Restraint Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| No HANS + factory belt | None | Head fully unrestrained in frontal impact |
| HANS + factory belt | Partial | Better than nothing; asymmetric restraint reduces effectiveness |
| HANS + 4-point harness | Full | Designed configuration; proper symmetric shoulder restraint |
| HANS + 6-point harness | Full | Best configuration; anti-submarine crotch straps add further protection |