Harnesses for US Trackdays

[Ferrino]

I need to pick harnesses for my Caterham build: are there any special requirements for FIA certification etc. to get onto a track day in the US? Specifically the main California tracks. I ask because my car will be mainly road use and I was looking at some non-FIA 4-point harnesses:

 

https://caterhamparts.co.uk/seatbelts-harnesses/4175-seatbelt-4-point-quick-release-black-rh.html

[yellowss7]

FIA certification gets you 5 yr belts. SFI cert gets you 2 yrs. Tom

[Kitcat]

It seems Caterham sells 2 types of belts and the FIA belts, with their expiration date tags, are required by many track organizers. The belts you reference may not have expiration dates on them. If not, you risk flunking inspection.

 

Typically the bigger the organization, like Porsche Club, the pickier they are. For instance, the folks at NJMP, where we have our annual event, won't let cars on track with expired or no belts tags. Others, like the small clubs I run with in the Midwest, never check belts.

 

To be safe, I'd say use the FIA belts. As you will discover, once assembled, it is a huge PITA to change belts out in a Caterham.

[Vovchandr]

It seems Caterham sells 2 types of belts and the FIA belts, with their expiration date tags, are required by many track organizers. The belts you reference may not have expiration dates on them. If not, you risk flunking inspection.

 

Typically the bigger the organization, like Porsche Club, the pickier they are. For instance, the folks at NJMP, where we have our annual event, won't let cars on track with expired or no belts tags. Others, like the small clubs I run with in the Midwest, never check belts.

 

To be safe, I'd say use the FIA belts. As you will discover, once assembled, it is a huge PITA to change belts out in a Caterham.

 

The pictured ones are the ones that I bought and I fell into that trap. They are NOT date stamped or FIA approved. As the description (now) reads.

 

They will have no date stamps on them.

 

Don't be like me and have to buy belts on the way down to the track and have to swap them at 11:30 at night in the hotel parking lot. (not fun)

[fatallightning]

FIA just for the recert spans, and not much spendier than SFI. G-Force and Racequip make well priced ones. What seats are you using? I wouldn't like to be on track without an anti sub belt personally.

 

Speaking from experience, at my last Track Night in America at NJMP, which is pretty lax as far as SCCA goes (self tech sheet, etc), they wouldn't let me use my 6 point harness in my Elise because they were out of date. I had to wear my 3 point stock belt instead. Theoretically I suppose I could have worn my harness OVER the stock belt, but that just seemed silly. They also broomsticked me even though targas aren't supposed to be subject to that, so as always, YMMV.

[Ferrino]

Thanks. I run the original Tilletts:

 

https://caterhamparts.co.uk/race-seats/4498-composite-bucket-seat-race-academy-b-bird.html

[fatallightning]

Yeah, definitely get something with an anti sub belt. Many tracks probably wouldn't let you on with a 4 point.

[Black Hole]

You may want to consider the Schroth Profi II ASM that I have in my car. It is FIA certified and they are designed to be used as both a four or six point system. That way you can use it as a four point system on the road and six point when required on the track. Downside is they are pricey.

 

https://www.schrothracing.com/products/profi

[JohnCh]

Pricey, but much safer than normal 4-points and comfortable. Unlike some of the cheaper brands, Schroth webbing is quite pliable and their 1/4 turn buckles are easy to use. For track driving I use sub belts in a 6-point configuration, but for street driving, I stick with the 4-point option.

 

The ASM technology is actually very simple: an extra flap of material is sewn into the inner shoulder belt. In a collision, the stitching breaks, leading your torso to slightly rotate outward, thereby placing your inside pelvis over the lap belt and preventing you from sliding underneath. The big danger from submarining is the lap belt effectively rides up your torso and can crush your unprotected organs. This video spotlights the safety difference:

 

[video=youtube;8nsg_ze-CG8]

 

-John

[Ferrino]

The pictured ones are the ones that I bought and I fell into that trap. They are NOT date stamped or FIA approved. As the description (now) reads.

 

They will have no date stamps on them.

 

Don't be like me and have to buy belts on the way down to the track and have to swap them at 11:30 at night in the hotel parking lot. (not fun)

 

Which FIA ones did you end up with?

[rnr]

Schroth enduros are my fav harnesses. Much faster to put on and take off than any other set o have used. Fia and sfi rated

[senna223]

You may want to consider the Schroth Profi II ASM

 

 

I have the Profi II ASM for my 7. (not fitted yet). I plan to run just the four harness, would contemplate adding the extra two for the track but it's not necessary.

[Black Hole]

I have the Profi II ASM for my 7. (not fitted yet). I plan to run just the four harness, would contemplate adding the extra two for the track but it's not necessary.

 

The USA7s event is held in New Jersey and they do not allow a four point system. Either the factory three point or you need to go with the sub straps, hence why I have them. I don't know how common it is for states / tracks to not allow the four point. I use the snap in connectors for the sub belts so they can be removed or just left on the floor. I have a SV chassis so I have plenty of room to get at the belts with the seats in.

[Ferrino]

Thanks all - I think I will order the Schroth Profi II ASM.

[Croc]

The USA7s event is held in New Jersey and they do not allow a four point system. Either the factory three point or you need to go with the sub straps, hence why I have them. I don't know how common it is for states / tracks to not allow the four point. I use the snap in connectors for the sub belts so they can be removed or just left on the floor. I have a SV chassis so I have plenty of room to get at the belts with the seats in.

 

Sorry Jay - thats no longer correct. Its 5/6 point only now in open cars at NJMP. No 4 points unless closed roof. The formerly allowed DOT 3 point belt usage in a Caterham was taken away 2 years back after I had a hissy fit with NJMP inspectors around 4 point Caterham belts without an expiry date (they changed the policy without notifying people). They would not let me run the 4 pointers so I held them to a strict legal read of their belts policy and went out using the DOT 3 pointer belts in my old maroon Caterham. Won the day but lost the war.

 

Yet they let 50 year old Porsche 911 DOT belts out on track without an issue.... The screwed up logic is impressive.

 

The NJ rules have tightened up in recent years as the State Trooper who oversees the NJMP track has changed and the new individual applies a strict constructionist legal interpretation. I don't mind strict safety rules but I do object to inconsistent interpretations applied willy nilly as you cannot prepare effectively in advance without some consistent policy being worked out with the circuit in advance.

Edited December 6, 2019 by Croc

[Anker]

Be aware that more and more organizations, including PCA starting in 2019 require a HANS device if you have a harness other than a three point seat belt. If you show up at a PCA track event without the HANS device you will not be able to drive. This also applies to passengers, not just the driver. Pretty much kills parade laps in race prepared cars.

[Croc]

I had heard this. PCA needs it I think. Their accident rate for their track days is fairly well known for being quite high - possibly due to so many cars being in a session. Other groups don't have the same level of incidents unless you look at SCCA Spec Pinata...sorry Miata or any NASA event.

 

Anyway, turn up in a Caterham at a PCA HPDE event and you will not be able to run even if you have a HANS. Thanks to a forum member redecorating his Caterham at Lime Rock, they were banned nationally as PCA policy in the aftermath.

[fatallightning]

Does njmp require arm restraints this year as well?

[Croc]

Yes. They always have required arm restraints for the last 5 or so years. I would never expect they would dial that requirement back.

[Anker]

How do you do point bys with arm restraints?