“There were so many high-speed turns at Sebring where
you build up a pretty good g-load,” said Downing. “During
a long afternoon, your neck really takes a beating. The
original HANS had three attachments, one in the back and
two on the sides, which is why we had the wrap-around
collar. You could reach up and tighten the two straps on
either side so that the HANS would hold your head straight
up. It took all the strain off your neck. It was so nice to have
that support!”
By the mid-1990s, reducing the incidence of basal skull
fractures became the prime goal of the HANS. This led to a
smaller, more universal device that could be used by drivers
in a reclining position in an open-cockpit car as well as
drivers in an upright position in stock cars.
The universal HANS eliminated the “Elvis” or “Darth
Vader” collar — and led to Downing’s election to the Hall
of Fame at Sebring for safety innovation and for 25 years of
successful participation as a team owner and driver.
(Jonathan Ingram is the author “CRASH!” For more information,
visit www.jingrambooks.com.)
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