Important Note For 2006 Track Competitors

[R31Nismoid]

yeah you can use slicks far as i know.

but if its wet etc they wont let you out

[provo]

and how is that any different to a seat belt thats locked up (as they do)?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On review, this topic seems to be quite contentious. As far as I know, there are no scientific studies one way or the other concerning the safety of harnesses with or without roll cages, but the rationale for fitting the harness only when coupled with a roll cage is along the lines of my previous post. This is not only my opinion but seems to be a concern raised by several others...

"The rationale is that in a rollover, the racing harness will not let you get your head out of the way by bending over to the inboard of the vehicle as you could with a stock street seatbelt."

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/sch...em_for_the_mini

"Harnesses have their own drawbacks. First are roll-over concerns. You should NEVER, EVER use any 4, 5, or 6-point harness in your vehicle without a roll bar. In the event of a rollover a multi-point harness will hold your body upright as the roof collapses on your head. At a minimum you should use a good 4-point roll-cage to help prevent this from happening. The stock 3-point harness, however, does not suffer from this problem. During a rollover accident it will allow your body to move downards with the roof in most cases, helping to prevent crippling neck and spinal injuries."

http://www.corral.net/Tech/Interior/CG-Lock/Page_02

Cheers,

Neil

[Downforce]

it's one quick turn of the release buckle and you're free to move. a fixed back bucket seat also limits movement but at the end of the day if you're in a serious accident at speed where the car rolls, if you dont have a cage you will more than likely be injured in some way regardless of the type of safety harness fitted.

[inark]

hmmmm i have half a 4 point harness... is it possible to buy the bit that buckles into the back and connects to the mounting point of the car?

ie. the car came with a 4 point but nothing to connect it to the car with lol

[Snowman]

also snowy just on regs. wat tyres are allowed for the track days... am i allowed to use my cheater tyres or do i have 2 use semi's instead?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Full Slicks are allowed - but you need an FIA approved roll cage if you are going to run slicks.

[Snowman]

Because, when you are firmly secured in your harness, your shoulders are fixed and your head, pivoting on your neck becomes the highest part of the interior of the car unless there is a roll-cage installed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Neil,

Last year on the "Day of Madness" at Sandown there was a white STi that went into the kitty litter at Turn 1 and rolled. The car was a mess. The driver however was pretty much OK other than being shaken up and a couple of scratches.

He was wearing a harness. If you have a look at the damage to the car I have no doubt he would have been much more seriously hurt had he been wearing just a seat belt due to the extra movement in his body during the rolls.

Andrew reads these forums now (because he was smart enough to purchase a GT-R to replace the STi) so perhaps he can best comment on these thoughts but I have no problems with the requirement.

I'll also put in that I have been going to track days for 2 years now. During that time I know of the following accidents at the track in Skylines or with other club members.

Adz - Sandown

Emre - Sandown

Scotsman - Morwell

Al - Calder

Gareth - Sandown

Roy - Eastern Creek

Mark - Calder

Joe - Phillip Island (EVO 8)

And thats just in our club. But it's far from the end of the list of accidents I've seen. But I think all of the guys listed above would agree with the need for a harness in high powered cars.

[KamikazeR33]

Full Slicks are allowed - but you need an FIA approved roll cage if you are going to run slicks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yeah ive found that one out already. just gotta find sum time to book it into meridian

[phunky_monkey]

Went out and bought an FIA approved 4 point Willans on saturday... feck, guess those tyres are going to have to wait...

ahhhh well, as they say, in motorsport if you want to make a small fortune, start with a large one!

[Roy]

During that time I know of the following accidents at the track in Skylines or with other club members.

Roy - Eastern Creek

.... But I think all of the guys listed above would agree with the need for a harness in high powered cars.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree

[Snowman]

What?

[Ant97GTR]

Hey Snowie...so the rules have changed a little since last year and we've added the fuel pump to the modded list? I don't disagree as last years rules allowed quite a bit of mods before you stepped up to mod class.

[abcent]

there's a cost I wasnt expecting,....if it has to be it has to be.....

but since i wont be competeting in the first round, i have a biot more time up my sleeve. But i'll see you all at calder as an onlooker.

[INASNT]

I got my ERG 4 points in my car late last year from Meridian for $382 and they work sweet.

Mine bolt into the back seat belt anchor points and 1 through the tranny tunnel with an anchor plate.

[nonalcoholicrwd]

Just to clarify, this seems to be a Supp Regs thing, so whilst CAMS allow you to enter a Club Sprint with a non - FIA approved harness, or an expired harness provided it is installed correctly and in good condition...

Roy,

You will NOT be allowed to run any non-CAMS/FIA approved or expired harness in any CAMS speed event if the scrutineer follow the CAMS rules. You would most probably be asked to removed them and use you OEM seat belt if equiped, most OEM 3 points seat belt is ok for CAMS non-race speed event.

You cannot compare the effectiveness of the standard OEM seatbelt to a 4/5/6 points harness, when you are in a rollover.

This car was 3 meters in the air rollover a few times the car had no rollcage but the driver had 4 points harness. He survived and was very glad to have had the harness.

[provo]

Amazing photo - if the driver got out of that with no roll-cage and only a harness you've convinced me!!! (Talk about "A picture says a thousand words").

A couple of Q's to Andrew..

Do you have a roll cage in you car?

If not, what sort of harness will you be fitting, who will fit it for you, and is such a thing street-legal?

I've seen some ingenious roll over protection fitted to cars (not a full cage) which offer some protection and preserve rear seating - do you know of any GTR's fitted out like that, still allowing the rear seat to left in place?

Cheers,

Neil

[provo]

PS - photo looks fake

[tom_g]

Last year on the "Day of Madness" at Sandown there was a white STi that went into the kitty litter at Turn 1 and rolled. The car was a mess. The driver however was pretty much OK other than being shaken up and a couple of scratches.

He was wearing a harness. If you have a look at the damage to the car I have no doubt he would have been much more seriously hurt had he been wearing just a seat belt due to the extra movement in his body during the rolls.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had forgotten how bad that car looked after the roll. Heres a few pics of it. As Andrew said the driver walked away unscathed.

I think in a roll like that you would definitely want a harness.

[Roy]

Roy,

You will NOT be allowed to run any non-CAMS/FIA approved or expired harness in any CAMS speed event if the scrutineer follow the CAMS rules.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually you are right...its the skidpan days that arent classified as speed events that you can get away with running non CAMS approved harnesses. But im pretty sure they do not have to be FIA approved, as there are some other recognised standards, though why buck tradition when the safe thing is to just get an FIA approved harness.

As for legality on the street, you dont need too manu guesses . FIA approved harness and installed in accordance to CAMS guidelines doesnt make it ADR approved, so be sure to keep your std belt for day to day driving

[BBGTR]

Hey Neil,

Last year on the "Day of Madness" at Sandown there was a white STi that went into the kitty litter at Turn 1 and rolled. The car was a mess. The driver however was pretty much OK other than being shaken up and a couple of scratches.

He was wearing a harness. If you have a look at the damage to the car I have no doubt he would have been much more seriously hurt had he been wearing just a seat belt due to the extra movement in his body during the rolls.

Andrew reads these forums now (because he was smart enough to purchase a GT-R to replace the STi) so perhaps he can best comment on these thoughts but I have no problems with the requirement.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the reminder Snowy, yes, I'm thankful that I had a harness that day.

And no, the picture of the silver rex is not fake, I'm the one on the flag point telling the CoC to red flag the session!!

I have always worn a harness on the track from day one and am glad I did.

The GT-R has one and will have a cage as well. I can only speak from personal experience, if you're going hard - use a harness at the very least.

See you at Calder boys.

Regards

Andrew B)

Edited January 16, 2006 by BBGTR

[Snowman]

Well if you have been reading this thread and have somehow not been scared off coming to the track then you are definitely worthy of joining Team Wang!

Anyways....

Neil,

I used all of last season a 4 point harness from Meridian made by ERG. Its fantastic. Basically it is an exact copy of the Sparco 4 point harness - just cheaper. I installed it myself - its dead easy. The 2 rear shoulder points go into the rear seat belt mounting points, and the waist belts bolt into you normal seat belt mounting points (the kit comes with a replacement bolt so that you can still reinstall the normal seat belts as well as using the harness). As mentioned by Ash the harness don't meet ADR complience so you can wear your harness on the street BUT you still have to put on the normal seat belt as well.

Meridian are also the guys to speak to if you want a cage. I think its ALSGTR on here who has a nice R32 GT-R that has a beautiful cage made by Meridian.

They can do the full FIA approved cages but if you are after a simple 4 point rollover hoop with tags to the B pillars they quote to do that for only $1050 fitted.

<- I'm so glad this is back!