5/11/2013 UPDATE:
Queensland Raceways have confirmed that this only applies to racing events. Sprints, Drifting and General Practise are excluded.
 
 
As of the 01/01/2014, it will be mandatory for all drivers at Queensland Raceway and Lakeside Raceway to use a HANS Device.
What is a HANS device? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HANS_device

 
These are not a particularly cheap item to buy as they range from $500 - $1200, it's pretty hard to put a price on your life. All the top forms of motorsport have moved to using these, WRC, F1, V8SC, Nascar and more.
 
This unfortunately raises the price of entry level motorsport, but such is life :(

Wow - that's pretty nuts that they've gone compulsory with this. I think they're a fantastic invention, especially when it comes to preventing head and neck injuries, but man like entry level motorsport needed to be any more difficult to get into in QLD...

There have been two people killed this year, one at each track and I would say the insurance companies have clamped down hard on this, forcing the requirement for HANS device a minimum for even amateur motorsport.

I hear what you're saying, Boof, but as all the entry passes say . . .  "Motorsport is Dangerous".  It's a fact of racing life, sooner or later, no matter how careful you are, how well prepared your car is, there will be THAT moment when circumstances start lining up on the wrong side.
 
That's when you're thankful for investing in your continued future with all the right gear.  And I can now speak from personal experience.  After many years of rally navigating I've finally had my first off.  Although it wasn't super high speed stuff, around 70/80ish when we hit the tree I'm sure my HANS device played a big part in reducing the "injuries" to just a couple of belt bruises.
 
And, looking at it from another perspective, if the management of QR and LR don't take every possible step to ensure the safety of those who play (and work) on their premises there will be some miss guided individual who will sue them for his ( or her ) misfortune.  The world we live in.

And by way of an example . . .
 
http://youtu.be/Uxueb0hGKC8
 
trimmed from a longer clip, posted some time ago.

For all 'Race Events'
 
I think its great, altho obviously they will only work with properly installed harnesses (correct angle ect)
 
I have one and think its a good of them, im realy passionate about Motorsport safety.
 
Do a youtube search on HANS, there lots of good videos.
 
Also http://aimss.com.au/you-really-do-need-hans-full-story/

Knightrous, is it the use of a HANS device that has been made mandatory, or is it a requirement for a certified head and neck restraint?
 
There are a number of different types of devices that do the same things as a HANS, so it seems restrictive to make one particular approach to the problem of these injuries the mandated solution. The analogy here is helmets, the type and brand of helmets is not specified, but be they open face, closed face, lift up, etc. they all have to meet the ASO/ISO rating standard to be accepted for use.
 
The WIKIPEDIA article referenced states that: "Starting in July 2007, many sanctioning bodies have approved any head-and-neck restraint which passes the SFI Foundation Specification 38.1 standard. They are the HANS, Moto-R Sport, R3, Hutch-II, Hutchens Hybrid, or Hybrid X." I know that the latter are American requirements but where did the information come from about the HANS at LR and QR?
 
As Dennis said we should all be for safety in these cars and I would certainly support anything that reduced the risk of injury. It's just handy to know exactly what will be required, and under what conditions.
 
Walter

The press release from Queensland Raceways states in part that :
 
". . . HANS devices or other suitable neck restraints will be compulsory . . . " (the highlighting is mine)
 
The full announcement can be read here - http://www.qldraceways.com.au/files/HANS%20Device%20Announcement.pdf

The details in the article above are a little light, however I assume it means that non-race events (those which do not require a CAMS licence to attend) and practice days will be exempt from the HANS device requirements.  Would this imply public non-competitive events held by the likes of Downshift, Track Attack and Stokell Motorsport would not require a HANS device?

dennis the menace
The press release from Queensland Raceways states in part that :
 ". . . HANS devices or other suitable neck restraints will be compulsory . . . " (the highlighting is mine)
 The full announcement can be read here - http://www.qldraceways.com.au/files/HANS%20Device%20Announcement.pdf

I'm keen to get some clarification on this too, because in the paragraph before it, they outlined:

In an unprecedented move in Australian Motorsport, Queensland Raceways has today announced that all drivers competing in any race events at Queensland Raceway or Lakeside Park in 2014 will be required to wear a HANS Device, in the latest move to further improve the excellent safety record between the two venues.

 
I'd hate to buy another form of protection gear and get turned down at the first track day over a technicality of wording and paper work.
 
Fredhoon: I believe you are correct on the non-race events* not requiring it, events like DownShift Circuit & Coffee and Stokell training days would be free. However, any timed track day is essentially a race event, as places and general competition is generated. You have multiple cars on track (some times door to door), people pushing their cars to the limit and all the inherit dangers of full racing are there. I'm going to make a phone call to Queensland Raceways shortly to see if I can get some clarification on this :)