This will affect some of you fast guys

[Ben Holt]

AH/SM "was" the only class in comp that did not require a head/neck restraint device. That was due to the rules for AH/SM mirror the SS/AH (super stock) rules. It is still, technically, going to be that way. If you have an SS/AH/AH/SM car that does not go over 150 you still don't need it.

I think this a great rule change. If you are going 150 + in a car over 3000 lbs (which is the majority of Stock/Super Stock that can go that fast) you should be wearing a HANS-type device. It's only your neck/brain that you're trying to protect.....

The reasoning for the wording of the neck collar along with the HANS is that you must have something to protect your neck in case of a fire. The neck collar satisfies that requirement, but if you wear a HANS and no neck collar you are exposed. Hence the skirted helmet/head sock/neck collar options. Most everyone I have seen runs a sock

[Mike Volkman]

I believe its a great idea. I watched my close friend, Wes Leopold, barrel roll in SGMP. Quit counting at 10 times and was praying that he'd be alright. Walked away with some shoulder pain that he had before the incident. I'm sure the Hans device played some role in saving his neck, literally speaking.

[Hacksaw]

Just so guys understand that if you run in SS and only go 148 MPH's and think you won't need a head & restraint , think again. If the class/record holder goes faster than 150 than you will be required to comply. No differentt than running 10.20's in SS/JA but because the record is sub 10.00 you need a SFI chassis cert.

[JeremyDuncan]

Originally Posted by Hacksaw

Just so guys understand that if you run in SS and only go 148 MPH's and think you won't need a head & restraint , think again. If the class/record holder goes faster than 150 than you will be required to comply. No differentt than running 10.20's in SS/JA but because the record is sub 10.00 you need a SFI chassis cert.

Not how the 150mph+ parachute rule or 8.50 or quicker funny car style cage rule are applied. These are only applied if meeting or exceeding the performance requirements. Not by class record. Would think head and neck restraints would be same way.

[NHRA1926]

Just another racer expense that NHRA is passing down from the big classes. I'll bet their liberal lawyer out there in California instituted this. NHRA is becoming more and more like the democratic party almost weekly now. I understand we participate in a dangerous sport, but when are they gonna stop making everything mandatory and making it more and more expensive for the Sportsman racer to compete at their events? And, WE, the Sportsman racers, still have to pay that MANDITORY insurance at EACH national event that we enter. Never had to pay that separate fee years ago. And everyone needs to know and understand, that insurance pays for the life flight helicopter just in case one of the pros needs to be life flighted out of the facility. Do some research on that. How come the Sportsman racers are required to pay this separate insurance cost? It used to be included in our membership fee. How come it's not a once per year fee, instead of an every national event fee? And, if they claim this insurance fee is NOT just provided for helicopter for the pros at the national events, then how come they don't have the helicopter at the divisional races for us Sportsman? Getting harder and harder to justify attending their events.

[Mike Mans]

I've been wearing a HANS device for a few years now, I see no problem with it. I agree with Ben Holt, these 3000lb+ cars going 150mph+ will hurt like hell if something bad happens. Cost is irrelevant and anyone that says otherwise should probably get their head checked BEFORE the accident. If you have a car going 150+, you can spare a few hundred bucks on a safety device. If you think that little foam neck collar is going to do anything, you're only lying to yourself. My kid's bicycle helmet has more protection than those flimsy foam pads - they are worthless.

I agree with this rule change. One of the small number of instances that a sanctioning body may actually be protecting racers from themselves.

[Jeff Stout]

Remove blidder and install Hans device while driving in pits. It's a jungle out there.

[james schaechter]

I don’t agree with some of the rule changes or even the lack of leadership NHRA displays at the top, but I don’t know why anyone would tag this to politics. Technology has allowed a lot of easy horsepower to increase speeds across most classes. Look at the super street super gas etc speeds. Etc. Why not take advantage of safety technology?

I recall having to put a parachute on our old 69 camaro back in the 90’s because the class record was 150. We would be lucky to hit 140 back then. So they could just assign hans type devices to more classes. At least this way racers can prepare for it knowing their own cars performance. .

I don’t like the extra charge either for the pros but I have seen sportsman line flighted at national events before so…..

Originally Posted by Mike Mans

I've been wearing a HANS device for a few years now, I see no problem with it. I agree with Ben Holt, these 3000lb+ cars going 150mph+ will hurt like hell if something bad happens. Cost is irrelevant and anyone that says otherwise should probably get their head checked BEFORE the accident. If you have a car going 150+, you can spare a few hundred bucks on a safety device. If you think that little foam neck collar is going to do anything, you're only lying to yourself. My kid's bicycle helmet has more protection than those flimsy foam pads - they are worthless.

I agree with this rule change. One of the small number of instances that a sanctioning body may actually be protecting racers from themselves.