Have You Heard About the Leatt MRX?

Just introduced in 2014 with SFI certification and at $549, currently the lowest priced adult head and neck restraint available.

http://www.racedaysafety.com/leatt-mrx-head-and-neck-restraint.html

In reply to RaceDaySafetydotcom:

Any input on a really good "how to choose a head and neck restraint" article?
Do you have anything up on your site?

The profusion of different distinguishing features and capabilities is starting to make it a complicated decision, and it's clearly a critical one.

Ransom, agreed. A few years back racers had only 2 choices, the HANS and Safety Solutions. Both the Leatt MRX and the redesigned NecksGen are already new for 2014 and there is another possible debut on the horizon, the Z-Neck Tech. While the influx of new products is making the purchase a more complicated decision, the positive aspect is the pricing of head and neck restraints should become more affordable. There is a brief overview of the different brands and models on the website. The newer models have not yet had pros/cons posted because we have yet to receive customer feedback or worn them ourselves in competition. Hope this helps and always feel free to contact with questions. Thanks. http://www.racedaysafety.com/whhenere.html

Cool, thank you!

Quicky YouTube video on some of the Leatt MRX features, from RaceDaySafety.com.

http://www.racedaysafety.com/leatt-mrx-head-and-neck-restraint.html

Kart Racers...we are extremely impressed with Leatt's MRX head and neck restraint for auto racers, so it was a very easy decision to begin stocking Leatt's Karting Neck Brace. Sizing covers drivers from 3 foot 6 inches to well over 6 feet tall. http://www.racedaysafety.com/leatt-karting-neck-brace.html

Thanks for sharing - the product videos are particularly useful.

RaceDaySafetydotcom wrote: Kart Racers...we are extremely impressed with Leatt's MRX head and neck restraint for auto racers, so it was a very easy decision to begin stocking Leatt's Karting Neck Brace. Sizing covers drivers from 3 foot 6 inches to well over 6 feet tall. http://www.racedaysafety.com/leatt-karting-neck-brace.html

Interesting... looks pretty much identical to the one I have for MX/DH cycling.

In reply to Ian F:

Agreed, I've had nothing but good experiences with Leatt, via biking at least.

Thanks for the excellent feedback...it is very much appreciated, Kevin.

The Leatt MRX proved to be very popular with racers, but as you may know, it was recalled in late summer of 2014 due to a few structural issues. This is the New, 2015 model of the Leatt Head and Neck Restraint which has been sled tested and certified by the SFI Foundation and will be currently accepted by most tracks and/or sanctioning bodies which require an SFI 38.1 device.

http://www.racedaysafety.com/leatt-mrx-head-and-neck-restraint.html

Do you happen to know the requirements for re-certification? As you may be aware... the nickel and dime economics of racing safety have infected the two big players in this arena such that we now have to mail them in to have them inspected on an interval and "re-certified" at some cost to be determined by the mfg.

I'd buy the first 38.1 product that called a halt to that nonsense.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker, thanks for the comment and I appreciate your dilemma. Sorry for the question that may precede any answer, but what group are you racing with that requires the re-certification? We deal with a variety of motorsports (road race, oval, drag, rally, muddin',etc.) and most tracks/clubs/sanctioning bodies do not have any re-certification guidelines concerning head and neck restraints...they're just glad that you have one. Typically, only the upper echelons of pro racing have a re-certification requirement and usually these drivers have enough coin that they just buy a new device every year or so anyway. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm inaccurate or the rules have recently changed, but the SCCA only recommends re-certification every 5 years. NASA's current rulebook states mandatory use of a SFI 38.1 device but does not indicate re-certification.

RaceDaySafetydotcom wrote: Giant Purple Snorklewacker, thanks for the comment and I appreciate your dilemma. Sorry for the question that may precede any answer, but what group are you racing with that requires the re-certification?

The SFI requires it to keep the 38.1 and so groups that adhere do also. As of 2012 NASA does require it. Here is the C&P from the CCR:

NASA CCR 2012.1 EDITION ©

29.1 Head and Neck Restraint Systems 29.1.1 General There is an up to date list of devices that are SFI 38.1 certified located here:
http://www.sfifoundation.com/manuf.html#38.1. If the device is not on this list it will not fulfill the use mandate. As of April 1, 2012 all devices that have and SFI certification and are more than five (5) years old should be sent back to the manufacturer for rectification per SFI 38.1 specifications. Those devices that have an FIA certification, whether they also have an SFI certification or not, are not required to be re-certified.

BMWCCA Club Racing requires the same. I am unsure about SCCA as the last time I raced with them the H&R wasn't even mandatory yet. So, basically, it's up to the manufacturer to say "it's fine, don't send it to us so we can charge you for a new sticker".

RaceDaySafetydotcom wrote: The Leatt MRX proved to be very popular with racers, but as you may know, it was recalled in late summer of 2014 due to a few structural issues. This is the New, 2015 model of the Leatt Head and Neck Restraint which has been sled tested and certified by the SFI Foundation and will be currently accepted by most tracks and/or sanctioning bodies which require an SFI 38.1 device.

Are the latches on the MRX Pro the same as the HANS sliding post style? They look like it but it is hard to tell.

I am looking at upgrading from HANS to the Leatt MRX Pro or IMPACT Accel for the lateral control. There seems to be very little information on how each restraint controls movement, how much movement is allowed, etc. I did follow your link and it was helpful but I am hoping for something a little deeper than the marketing material. I suppose some day, someone will do a magazine comparison (hint hint GRM!).

The tether hardware that connects the Leatt MRX to the helmet is not the "same" as the HANS post anchor, but somewhat similar in design and operation.

Over the past year, some manufacturers have suggested the use of full containment seats and/or side nets to assist the head and neck restraint in side impacts.

Agreed that some details ("There seems to be very little information on how each restraint controls movement, how much movement is allowed, etc.") are hard to come by. It's probably by design. A company that claims their H & N Restraint will allow the head to move "X" or "Y", would possibly open themselves up to litigation if any injury occurred and the attorney could prove "Z". Some manufacturers will release their SFI sled test numbers and some do not. Supposedly, the sled tests are very difficult to pass as I am aware of a half dozen prototypes that were scrapped because they could not meet the minimum standards.

Thanks for your response.

Kevin