I was thinking about getting a helmet support like this one:

http://www.gforce.com/products/helme...etsupport.html

I hope it might help prevent some sore neck muscles the next time I got to the track.

Are there any drawbacks to something like this? The only reason I ask is because I don't see a lot of people using them. A light-weight helmet might be another option, but not in the budget right now. For now I've been trying to strengthen my neck by wearing the helmet for a few hours each day while I'm on the computer. My wife thinks I'm crazy

Jim

 

It's mandatory in karting...nothing wrong with that...

 

They are good. The only negative is that you are not getting something better. They are mot really made to 'support' the helmet, but made to help prevent injury in an accident. The Hans has taken the place of these collars.
Now, if you do get a collar then don't get the G-Force. they do little. Get a Simpson, Sparco, or others that have a bit more 'beef' to them.

 

Thanks for the tips! I'll look into the Simpson one, I think Summit carries them and I might be able to test it.

 

I think it depends on the helmet you buy. Will the helmet be large enough to make positive contact with the neck brace?

 

I too, was interested in one of these collars, not being as young as I think I am, a long track day can be a work-out on my neck. I have a G-Force Hybrid helmet, live close to Summit Racing and would be interested in your findings.

Thanks.

 

I race shifter karts and have to wear one of those. You get used to it after a while and don't even notice it's on. This type of neck brace is designed so that your helmet doesn't break your collar bone in an accident.
If I had the option to not wear one I wouldn't wear it. I use a Sparco spy05 helmet that is pretty light and never get a sore neck when I go without the neck brace.

 

There's a lot of chatter on the Rotary forums about SCCA requiring HANS devices in the near future. May be better to save your money and put it towards the $750+ for the HANS.

 

Tell her you're in good company Jim! I'm crazy too!

 

Looks like "The Great Gazoo"!


Don't worry, I do,too!!
Jim

 

+1

I have one from Sparco. It is a bit thicker, but much wider than the G-force. The G-force one makes hardly any contact with my helmet, but with the Sparco, there is contact nearly all the way around the collar.