Racing Seatbelt Guide

[Safe Drives]

Hi All,

There is some really good information here in this article.

http://www.circletrack.com/safety/ctrp_0901_stock_car_racing_seatbelt_guide/index.html

FYI, all of the harnesses sold at www.safedrives.com (http://www.safedrives.com/) are Polyester webbing including the $69.99 G-force Latch and Link type.

One major point that the article touches on but I'd like to stress is the proper mounting angles. In fact I suggest often to my customers that they should optimize the mounting angle and positions to make them perfect and not just within the tolerances that the rule books allow.

[Safe Drives]

Continuing on this theme.

I think that the word is getting out that the shoulder belt is critical and the ideal angle is 0 to 10 degrees negative from what I have learned from experts in the racing safety field.

A big mistake I see a lot is the lap belt mounting. I've learned that the entire arresting function of the harness starts at the lap belt. Here are some big tips that I have learned recently;

1) Keep the lap belts as short as possible.

2) Never have your harness webbing make a "turn" through the seat. You want a strait run across your lap. Avoid mounting points that create a situation where the webbing bunches up where it comes through the seat.

3) Mount the lap belt mounting point so that it is in the "Sweet Spot" of the mounting guide provided by the harness manufacturer.

4) Make sure your adjusters are strait and never crooked. Crooked adjusters can cause a point of failure or even cause a webbing tear in an accident.

5) Make sure the mounting point is very, very strong.

6) Use safety wire if using the Snap Hook and Eyebolt mounting type.

[dazed driver]

Good articles Charles, and sneaky, shameless self plug :D