A HANS device is a type of head restraint and a safety device in motorsports. Head restraints are mandatory when competing with most major motorsports sanctioning bodies. They reduce the likelihood of head or neck injuries, including the often fatal basilar skull fracture, in the event of a crash. There are many such devices on the market today, but the HANS is the original and the most common.
2005, 2006, and 2007 WTCC Champion Andy Priaulx with a HANS device
NASCAR driver Ken Schrader wearing a HANS device
Roland Walter Ratzenberger was an Austrian racing driver who raced in various categories of motorsport, including British Formula 3000, Japanese Formula 3000 and Formula One. Having had sporadic success throughout the lower formulas, Ratzenberger managed to secure an F1 seat in 1994 for the new Simtek team, at the unusually late age of 33. He was killed in a crash during qualifying for the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix just three races into his F1 career. The weekend became notorious for also seeing the death of Ayrton Senna, a three time world champion, during the race the following day.
Ratzenberger in 1994
Roland Ratzenberger on his last day (30 April 1994) at Imola during the San Marino Grand Prix. Later that day, Ratzenberger was killed during qualifying.
As a tribute, Ratzenberger's name was left on the Toyota 94C-V which he intended to drive at Le Mans.