Blog
“Hybrid”; a word that conjures up many images and divides motorsport fans like a hot knife through butter. The first instinct when you hear the word Hybrid associated with motorsport is to either cower in the corner in fear at the potential loss of the raw, pure, visceral sounds of the sport we love, or to grab the crucifix and display it towards this potential automotive Dracula.
However, despite this petrolhead writer’s clearly unbiased opinions on internal combustion; the word Hybrid has recently become a far more positive breakthrough in the world of competition. Simpson’s Hybrid device; designed as an alternative to the well established HANS device; which has become compulsory under the governing of most national ASNs. It was first approved by NASCAR in 2011 for competition and shortly afterwards received FIA approval in early 2012. In recent years it has continued to grow its share in the FHR (Frontal Head Restraint) market; predominantly in closed cockpit disciplines such as Rallying, GTs, Saloons and Drifting.
But damn it man, enough about the history of the Hybrid; tell us what it’s like, I hear you shout!! Well fine, ok, I’ll tell you. To be honest, I am of the generation lucky enough to never know motorsport without compulsory FHR devices. I’ve gone from using various incarnations of the HANS device down through the years, from the very heavy early models, right up to the latest lightweight models, but I just had to see what this Hybrid was about. To date I have done 5 events with the Hybrid, but the true test of its comfort was most recently on the Donegal International Rally. The first thing I had noticed on the rallies that I had competed on this year was the bizarre felling when strapping myself in with the Hybrid on.
As I tightened my harness belts, there was a surreal absence of pressure on my shoulders and collarbones. To paraphrase Ned Flanders from the Simpsons, it was like wearing nothing at all!! Forest rallies are by and large 1 day affairs, whereas Donegal for us was a 2 day event and as such, a long term road test (all going well!!) of the device.
My Hybrid Sport is equipped with the Quick Release tethers and my Stilo WRC DES had the HANS anchors swapped to the M61 quick release anchors, which allow the driver/co-driver to remove the helmet quickly, with one firm pull of the fluorescent drawstrings. This is an ideal fitment for rally competitors, who need to remove their helmets in between competitive sections, in often confined spaces. This quick release feature, much like the previous HANS post, takes a small bit of getting used to, but once you have the hang of it, you can do it with your eyes closed. The Hybrid, is also available with traditional HANS post tethers for those who do not wish to opt for the quick release option. It must be noted though that in order to fit the QR posts, the helmet needs to meet at least the Snell 2010 standards.
When I first put on the Hybrid, the first instinct was to feel mildly self conscious of the feel of it over the race suit, but after a very brief period, you forget that you have it on, hence why you see so many competitors walking around service parks and paddocks with theirs on, as it becomes second nature.
Compared to the HANS device, I personally still remain shocked at the increased level of comfort I feel with the Hybrid, to the extent where previously I would have experienced a tightness and pressure on the shoulders and collarbones after a day’s rallying, let alone 2 or 3; now I get out of the car as fresh I entered it that morning, and lacking the fatigue previously experienced with the HANS device, now that might sound like an exaggeration but you’d be surprised how much your body fighting against any kind of discomfort can tire you, especially over long periods of time, but again, this is only a personal testimony.
With top athletes such as Thierry Neuville, Jari Matti Latvala, Petter Solberg, Valentino Rossi, Tom Coronel, Johan Kristofferson, James Deane, Stephane Peterhansel, Steven Kane, Rob Collard and ahem, yours truly of course, competing in a wide range of disciplines varying from rallying to drifting, from Dakar to Endurance racing and rallycross; the versatility and pedigree of the Simpson Hybrid is clear for all to see.
Personally, I have never felt safer and having asked fellow users would they go back to another FHR device, we all agreed in saying that we would never look back from the Simpson Hybrid! Why not drop in to Murray Motorsport HQ and try one on for yourself or view the Simpson Hybrid range online
Tommy Hayes
However, despite this petrolhead writer’s clearly unbiased opinions on internal combustion; the word Hybrid has recently become a far more positive breakthrough in the world of competition. Simpson’s Hybrid device; designed as an alternative to the well established HANS device; which has become compulsory under the governing of most national ASNs. It was first approved by NASCAR in 2011 for competition and shortly afterwards received FIA approval in early 2012. In recent years it has continued to grow its share in the FHR (Frontal Head Restraint) market; predominantly in closed cockpit disciplines such as Rallying, GTs, Saloons and Drifting.
But damn it man, enough about the history of the Hybrid; tell us what it’s like, I hear you shout!! Well fine, ok, I’ll tell you. To be honest, I am of the generation lucky enough to never know motorsport without compulsory FHR devices. I’ve gone from using various incarnations of the HANS device down through the years, from the very heavy early models, right up to the latest lightweight models, but I just had to see what this Hybrid was about. To date I have done 5 events with the Hybrid, but the true test of its comfort was most recently on the Donegal International Rally. The first thing I had noticed on the rallies that I had competed on this year was the bizarre felling when strapping myself in with the Hybrid on.
As I tightened my harness belts, there was a surreal absence of pressure on my shoulders and collarbones. To paraphrase Ned Flanders from the Simpsons, it was like wearing nothing at all!! Forest rallies are by and large 1 day affairs, whereas Donegal for us was a 2 day event and as such, a long term road test (all going well!!) of the device.
My Hybrid Sport is equipped with the Quick Release tethers and my Stilo WRC DES had the HANS anchors swapped to the M61 quick release anchors, which allow the driver/co-driver to remove the helmet quickly, with one firm pull of the fluorescent drawstrings. This is an ideal fitment for rally competitors, who need to remove their helmets in between competitive sections, in often confined spaces. This quick release feature, much like the previous HANS post, takes a small bit of getting used to, but once you have the hang of it, you can do it with your eyes closed. The Hybrid, is also available with traditional HANS post tethers for those who do not wish to opt for the quick release option. It must be noted though that in order to fit the QR posts, the helmet needs to meet at least the Snell 2010 standards.
When I first put on the Hybrid, the first instinct was to feel mildly self conscious of the feel of it over the race suit, but after a very brief period, you forget that you have it on, hence why you see so many competitors walking around service parks and paddocks with theirs on, as it becomes second nature.
Compared to the HANS device, I personally still remain shocked at the increased level of comfort I feel with the Hybrid, to the extent where previously I would have experienced a tightness and pressure on the shoulders and collarbones after a day’s rallying, let alone 2 or 3; now I get out of the car as fresh I entered it that morning, and lacking the fatigue previously experienced with the HANS device, now that might sound like an exaggeration but you’d be surprised how much your body fighting against any kind of discomfort can tire you, especially over long periods of time, but again, this is only a personal testimony.
With top athletes such as Thierry Neuville, Jari Matti Latvala, Petter Solberg, Valentino Rossi, Tom Coronel, Johan Kristofferson, James Deane, Stephane Peterhansel, Steven Kane, Rob Collard and ahem, yours truly of course, competing in a wide range of disciplines varying from rallying to drifting, from Dakar to Endurance racing and rallycross; the versatility and pedigree of the Simpson Hybrid is clear for all to see.
Personally, I have never felt safer and having asked fellow users would they go back to another FHR device, we all agreed in saying that we would never look back from the Simpson Hybrid! Why not drop in to Murray Motorsport HQ and try one on for yourself or view the Simpson Hybrid range online
Tommy Hayes