Racing Harnesses. What where when why

[Turismo]

I"m looking here to learn about when or when not to use a racing harness, advatanges / disadvantages. I've half ass searched the internet to get some basic info but i'm sure you guys that are using them or are more in-tune with that type of motoring will have a better insight then trying to read radom pages.

What i've come to understand is that to take advantage of them you need to install them properly, many say only with a roll cage, but there are types that are meant to be installed without them. I see the posibility of back injury if the angle of the straps are incorrect.

Reason for asking is that where i live there is an abandoned airbase that's open for use as long as you respect some rules. 5000ft of runway can mean a LOT of fun, oh and there's 3 of them in a triangle with connecting roads...can you say Top Gear style test track? Anyway, i thought something simple like a 3 point harness might be a good way go keep my ass tight in the seat.

What do you guys know about this?

[Browny_R31]

ive been in racing accidents with harnesses attached to a harness bar as well as at a 45 angle and yeah the harness bar version was better even though the crash was bigger. Personally 3 point harnesses are a waste of money. Go AT LEAST a 4 point so your shoulders and hips are firm to the chair. If ur seriously tall then the 45 angle might hurt alittle in a crash as they tend to pull down. Im 5'10 and the 45 degree ones havnt ever hurt me in a racing crash.

If you dont have a racing seat then dont bother with any.

[mcfly]

if you don't have a cage/roll bar i would say stay away from a harness, if the roof collapses during a roll over your head will be getting the full weight of the car.

A 3 point harness is an OEM seat belt.

[Wolfattak]

if you don't have a cage/roll bar i would say stay away from a harness, if the roof collapses during a roll over your head will be getting the full weight of the car.

A 3 point harness is an OEM seat belt.

+1 Keep a 3 point if you don't have a cage.

[Turismo]

this is the style i was wondering about. I see why the roll cage is so important, not only for the mounting but also to keep you from getting pinned or trapped when in a rollover.

[Turismo]

how about this type of application? is it good enough or kinda shady?

[Browny_R31]

if you don't have a cage/roll bar i would say stay away from a harness, if the roof collapses during a roll over your head will be getting the full weight of the car.

A 3 point harness is an OEM seat belt.

in any case id way still prefer a 4 point harness. A 4 point is requested for non roll cage cars cause yes if u roll and the force is that strong, u will be pushed out the bottom of the harness..... gonna take alot to force u under but still..... when u roll and ur roof collapses..... its gonna hurt harness or no harness. (we have drift events where a roll cage isnt required but 4 point harnesses are as a minimum).


the setup in the picture is designed for people wanting harnesses without taking out their rear seat. works fine but for the cost id get a proper harness bar fitted.

[R32_TDOT]

how about this type of application? is it good enough or kinda shady?

if your willing to become paralyzed from the neck down.. sure go for it.. :hit_head:

[Browny_R31]

how so?? the bar is there so act pretty much as a rear harness bar but not as good. If that bar breaks..... well ur ******

alot of topless cars use this kind of setup for racing. Not my personal preferance at all but its still safe

[Sheldon]

If your at the point where you require a racing harness, is a cage not required also?

Highly doubting its a drag car, but if your want to ever drag race it, and you have a harness you must have it mounted to a cage says NHRA rules.

11.5 & faster in the 1/4 and faster require a minimum 4pt roll bar (hoop and 2 supports) and a race harness. You get into alot of requirements when you dip below 11.49s, and a massive list when you get below 9.99.

If your looking to the harness for support in the seat, buy a racing seat, if you want to be held in the car, cage it also.

I know its a drag racing thing, but i like to know that if my camaro ends up on its roof at 130mph, theirs a bar thats holding the roof up. Not to say i abide to everything, my vette has no harness, cage etc, so its far from legal to run the times it does. 1 run and i get the boot