For a 5-point safety harness, must one anchor the shoulder straps to a separately-purchased harness bar, or is anchoring to the factory rear seat belt mounting points OK? I have read that, in general, shoulder straps must be anchored to points that are within angles of not more than 35 degrees below nor 5 degrees above the driver's shoulders (in order to prevent the possibility of spinal compression in a crash). That would seem to rule out anchoring to the rear seat belt mounts. However, the Evo has those pass-through slots near the top of the front seats which, while they are not anchoring points, would seem to provide the shoulder straps a slope that is within the 5-35 degree rule. So, do I still need a harness bar? I do track days (not wheel-to-wheel racing or drag racing) for which I suppose a basic 4-point harness anchored to the back seat belt points would be all right. The trouble is that I see some event sponsoring clubs getting more restrictive about harnesses (requiring 5- or 6-point harnesses). Your guidance would be very helpful - thanks.

 

hey man, its a lot of explaining to do. I would recommend for your easiest advice to call HMS Motorsport at 888 467 3269 and ask for Joe Marko. Tell him Joe H. told you to call. He is the harness guru. Importer of all Schroth harnesses into the USA, has installed and taught etch safety to 15 NASCAR teams, including Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, etc. Unbelievably knowledgeable. Not just a plug for where I work... trust me.

 

Basically, Schroth 4-point street legal Rallye 4 can be anchored to rear seat belt anchor point without issue. Angles are appropriate and approved to prevent spinal compression. 5 or 6 point belts require a cutout in the stock seat in order to achieve appropriate mounting angle for the sub strap to prevent submarining. Schroth 4 point belts include ASM technology on the onboard should strap which causes different rates of elongation, causing a slight rotation in the upper torso during impact, which prevent submarining (sliding under the lap belt and causing it to ride up into the liver and kidneys causing organ damage). Furthermore, a harness bar is ideal, but the c-pillar mounting point is also approved for a rallye-3 style, which is sort of like the rallye 4, but instead of 2 tail straps coming down to the seat belt mounting points, on strap goes to the c-pillar. But like I said, calling is much easier, plus talking withhim is always interesting and you can learn a TON about track safety in these cars. He has been in mine, prepped it for the track, and knows how to do an Evo safely.