FIA Extends HANS Device Mandate to All International Events

ATLANTA, Dec. 14, 2005 -- HANS Performance Products, inventors of the International Award winning HANS Device, will once again be supported as the preferred leader in head and neck restraints by the FIA.

The World Motor Sport Council of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) met in Monaco on December 9, 2005. The following was among the decisions taken:

"SAFETY - From January 1, 2008, an FIA-approved head restraint - HANS(R) Device - will be mandatory for all drivers and co-drivers in all FIA championships, trophies, cups and challenges. From January 1, 2009 it will be mandatory for entrants in all other events entered on the FIA International Sporting Calendar."

HANS Performance Products are the inventors and sole worldwide marketers of the HANS Device. Commenting on the announcement, Mark Stiles, CEO, said: "This is tremendous news for racing safety and a ringing endorsement of the class leading performance that HANS Devices offer in head and neck restraint technology. The FIA's strong leadership position will significantly benefit many racers." He added: "This covers over 200 major international events from stock car to drag and formula. In the US it includes all the major NASCAR, IRL, Champ Car, GrandAm, and ALMS events. It also covers things like the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and the Ferrari Challenge Series."

Dr. Bob Hubbard, biomechanical engineering professor at Michigan State University and co-inventor of the HANS(R) device, said: "This is a moment that

Jim Downing, my partner and well known racer, and I have worked for since we started designing and using HANS(R) Devices in the 1980s." He added: "Experience tells us that, without rules, racers do not always put safety first. Sanctioning bodies can play a major leadership role to reduce competitors' injuries so they can keep racing for many years."

Further information on the FIA is available at http://www.fia.com/

Details and information about HANS Performance Products are available on the company's website http://www.hansdevice.com/ or by calling 1-888-HANS-999 or 770-457-1046.

The acronym HANS and its derivative styles (uppercase, lowercase, logo, etc.) is a trademark, registered in the US and other countries worldwide to Hubbard/Downing, Inc., d/b/a HANS Performance Products, Atlanta, Georgia.