First Track Day - Leather Seats and Helmet/HANS?
Discussion
<Please excuse my ignorance as I have never taken any car on a track before, used a motor racing helmet, or HANS device.>
I am looking at soon doing my first track day (including purchasing helmet and HANS) and was wondering if there is enough room to use a helmet with a HANS device together with the leather seats?
Would this push my head too far forward?
I'm 180cm (5'11" ish). Lowered floors, SV, and the 4 point harness shoulder straps mount about an inch lower than my shoulders onto the chassis (which I understand is important for a HANS).
Help or advise appreciated.
I am looking at soon doing my first track day (including purchasing helmet and HANS) and was wondering if there is enough room to use a helmet with a HANS device together with the leather seats?
Would this push my head too far forward?
I'm 180cm (5'11" ish). Lowered floors, SV, and the 4 point harness shoulder straps mount about an inch lower than my shoulders onto the chassis (which I understand is important for a HANS).
Help or advise appreciated.
Excellent tip with the reversing of the headrest. Like all good tips/ideas, it seems obvious in hindsight 
Because I have the leather seats, this gives me no option for a 6-point harness, correct?
I'm very keen to use a HANS device after recently hearing the details of an accident where such a device may have made all the (life and death) difference.
Even if the benefit is reduced when using the leather seats (as apposed to hard shell seats) I am still keen to use one. As long as I am not increasing any dangers.
It seems to me that using a 4+ point harness and a helmet would increase the risk of a severe whiplash injury in an accident as the head now weighs more and the belts have essentially no give in them.
Because I have the leather seats, this gives me no option for a 6-point harness, correct?
I'm very keen to use a HANS device after recently hearing the details of an accident where such a device may have made all the (life and death) difference.
Even if the benefit is reduced when using the leather seats (as apposed to hard shell seats) I am still keen to use one. As long as I am not increasing any dangers.
It seems to me that using a 4+ point harness and a helmet would increase the risk of a severe whiplash injury in an accident as the head now weighs more and the belts have essentially no give in them.
Thanks for all the advice everyone. It seems that it is more complicated than I first anticipated.
I'll be getting some gloves and a helmet (with HANS mounts for the future) this week, which covers my required gear for the track day. It's a bit ironic that wearing a helmet will likely increase my risk of a severe neck injury in a frontal impact due to the additional weight on my head, so I will still be looking into a setup with some sort of crash neck support in the not-too-distant future.
Perhaps it's time to start looking at some Tillet seats. The B6F seems to be a good option. Hopefully i'll be able to sit in one on the day...
I'll be getting some gloves and a helmet (with HANS mounts for the future) this week, which covers my required gear for the track day. It's a bit ironic that wearing a helmet will likely increase my risk of a severe neck injury in a frontal impact due to the additional weight on my head, so I will still be looking into a setup with some sort of crash neck support in the not-too-distant future.
Perhaps it's time to start looking at some Tillet seats. The B6F seems to be a good option. Hopefully i'll be able to sit in one on the day...
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