sk8world

iTrader: (5)

Anyone have info or can tell me what you are using for road/ autocrossing for racing harness/ seat belt? I want to add one connecting to my rear strut bar but not sure what brand or kit to buy?? Also I here the rear strut bar really is not strong enough for this but I have seen a few guys using it?? Thanks

Mr. ImportGuy

For road racing SCCA requires a 5pt harness. The strut bar is NOT a safe place to mount the harness. You need to find somthing stronger that maintains the correct angle on the belts. Also on the street without a rollbar or cage in a roll over you are probaly screwed with a harness. As you will stuck sitting upright as the roof comes in on you... Also just because others have done put the belts on the strut brace, doesn't mean it's correct.

CarmonColvin

With out a rollbar/cage or a racing seat I suggest you just stick with the stock seatbelts and possibly add a "racing" lap belt.

The only thing strong enough to mount belts to are the stock locations or a rollbar, otherwise they can become useless on impact.

But the seat is most important. To use a 4 pt harness your seat must have cutouts for the shoulder straps. If it does not, on impact the belts could/will slide down the side of the seats and crush your spine as your body is moving forward. And to use the 5th point of a 5 pt harness your seat must have a cutout between your legs for the harness to come through. If it does not your crotch belt is just laying over the front of the seat and by the time it has become usefull your body hads already slid underneath the lapbelts by 6 or more inches and you most likely will already have a broken lower back or hips.

In a daily driven, weekend warrior track car I recomend you buying a 4pt rollbar, a hybrid racing seat and a 5 pt harness. There are quite a few companies that sell adjustable, reclining seats that have the harness cutouts. They will not pass a true SCCA racing inspection but will be much safer than the stock seat for occastional track time.

I had a KirkRacing 4 pt Roll Bar in my car. I think they are under $400 for the FD. Give them a call and get a price on their "Solo I roll bar". www.KirkRacing.com

sk8world

iTrader: (5)

Thanks, not sure what I am going to do yet. I have considered just getting another car to race rather than convert my FD. I noticed Rag (with the red FD at Talladega this weekend) had a harness conected to his rear strut bar.

C. Ludwig

iTrader: (27)

Another problem with using the rear strut bar is the physical length of the belt. Belts are designed to stretch a small amount to disipate energy. If you're using an excessively long belt you will introduce more overall travel when the belt is tensioned. Could be the difference between your face and the something hard.

Chris

maxpesce

M2 builds a stronger Strut bar desgined for harness mounting. Also the Stock FD seat is very strong (for a stock seat) and the "hole" under the head rest is properly positioned for a 4 point harness.

Crack Monkey

Regardless of the strength of the strut brace and seat, it is still a VERY BAD IDEA to have a harness in a car that lacks rollover protection.

With the stock belt, your body can slide to the center if the roof collapses. With a racing harness, this is not possible - if the roof collapses, you neck goes snap.