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Head-and-Neck Restraint

A head-and-neck restraint tethers the helmet to a support worn on the driver's shoulders, limiting how far the head snaps forward in a crash. Racing devices are certified to SFI spec 38.1, which carries a five-year recertification period.

Also called:
HANS device, HNR, head and neck restraint system

In practice

HANS is a brand name used generically, and the designs are not interchangeable. NecksGen markets its REV as having “no frontal yoke, with no pressure on your body or collar bone” — a different shape than a yoke-style device, and a different fit. Fit matters: NecksGen wants the device “as far back as possible,” not “up tight against your neck,” with 1” to 2” of slack in the tether, and ships “quick release helmet hardware” because the anchors have to match your helmet. On dates, SFI’s spec list gives 38.1 five years; NecksGen adds that tethers “should also be replaced every 2 years in between” and quotes 2-3 weeks turnaround. Rulebooks vary — IMCA’s 2026 Modified rules accept a “neck brace (or head and neck restraint).”

Why it matters

The tether is the part that stops your head, so a device that's out of date, sitting wrong, or bolted to the wrong helmet hardware is one you're wearing rather than using.

Go deeper

Read the full post:

Racing Safety Gear Expiration Dates: What Expires, When, and How to Track It

Sources

  • SFI Specification List (PDF) — SFI Foundation — SFI’s numerical spec list showing 38.1 “Head and Neck Restraint Systems” with a five-year recertification period.
  • Recertifications & Trade-Ins — NecksGen — manufacturer stating SFI requires all 38.1 restraints replaced or recertified every five years, the hole-punched SFI sticker, and the 2-3 week average turnaround.
  • FAQ — NecksGen — manufacturer fit guidance on device position, tether slack, quick-release helmet hardware, the no-frontal-yoke design, and replacing tethers every two years between recerts.
  • 2026 IMCA Modified Rules (PDF) — IMCA — a current dirt rulebook requiring a “neck brace (or head and neck restraint)” plus seat head supports, without naming SFI 38.1.