Safety Equipment Discussion (Seats, Harnesses, HANS, Rollbars/cages) [MERGED]
Dec 30, 2010, 09:20 AM
#16
+1 On everything mentioned. Sync of the sholder/seat/bar/belt level is very important. It's always best to go sit in the seat first, but if you cannot you can have someone measure you sitting down and compare that to the specs. Also check out HMSmotorsports.com as they have all of that plus they usually hook up a club discount if your a member of one. I believe they're the only US distributor/service center of Schroth so everyone else gets it from them. You can score fiber/kevlar FIA seats in the $550 range as well from various sources. Only other thing i'd mention is if you are going to get a HANS, i'd also look at the 2 inch sholder/3 inch lap hans compatible combo's as they fit a bit better then a standard 3 inch.
Dec 30, 2010, 09:28 AM
#17
A couple years ago when I got my HANS, I was advised by a well regarded shop here that, while there are HANS specific harnesses (which they sold) with the narrowed shoulder belts, that HANS themselves recommended a 3" belt over the device. Not sure if that is still HANS' recommendation...
Dec 30, 2010, 10:49 AM
#19
He's recommending the Hybrid or Hybrid Pro Rage. Here's his .02 for input:
They are far superior to a Hans or Dfender (same technology for both of these) in SFI certification crash tests. * see attached chart. Also, I Hans was only designed to work up to a 45* angle of impact. The Hybrids protect at all angles including side impacts. A Hans will not protect you here. That is why Grand Am and ALMS have required right and left side head nets. Also, the Hybrids are much kinder to your body in the event of an impact. A Hans or Dfender uses your chest for leverage to hold your head back potentially resulting in broken collar bones and ribs. A Hybrid uses the straps to dissapate the load without injuring your body.
Dec 30, 2010, 11:34 AM
#20
Evolved Member
iTrader: (20)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wear glasses but think I could work it out
I assume you had snap sub belts for the eyebolts and bolt in for the lap? That's one reason I liked the Schroth, is you can choose which attachment method it comes with. Granted, you could always just swap them to your liking as you apparently did with the G-Force. If I had to do that anyway, I might as well save the $100 and get the G-Force.
Cheap seat, but still FIA rated.
You can get quality belts a little cheaper, Scroth is a good name, but a LOT of people use G-Force and you can get the camlock belts for $150 here:
http://www.saferacer.com/g-force-pro...?productid=952
http://www.saferacer.com/g-force-pro...?productid=952
I have an Autopower 4pt bar - with reinfored backing and G-Force harnesses myself. I've had a range of seats, but after the stocker it's always been FIA and Sparco.
I have my belts mounted to the stock holes seatbelt holes. Below are some OLD pics from 2008 when I first set everything up. I used grade 8 bolts from Lowes/Home Depot.
I have my belts mounted to the stock holes seatbelt holes. Below are some OLD pics from 2008 when I first set everything up. I used grade 8 bolts from Lowes/Home Depot.
Dec 30, 2010, 11:48 AM
#21
Newbie
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was reading posts in the past about bolt on roll bars vs. welded in cages..
Most people were arguing that a bolt on wouldn't protect you in the case of a roll..Not sure how accurate this is, but maybe some of the road course races in this thread could give you some insight.
Most people were arguing that a bolt on wouldn't protect you in the case of a roll..Not sure how accurate this is, but maybe some of the road course races in this thread could give you some insight.
Dec 30, 2010, 12:03 PM
#22
Evolved Member
iTrader: (20)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well of course a bolt in roll bar won't compare to a welded in cage. The backing plates will help prevent a potential 'Mustang roll bar through the floor pan' incident.
Dec 30, 2010, 12:33 PM
#24
on the side note i dont understand how people can compare the shroth to the g-force...
I mean not just the weight and look itself....
about FIA rated seats price, if its too cheap then check date on them, they might be already expired or you have a half year left....
I mean not just the weight and look itself....
about FIA rated seats price, if its too cheap then check date on them, they might be already expired or you have a half year left....
Last edited by Robevo RS; Dec 30, 2010 at 12:35 PM.
Dec 30, 2010, 12:44 PM
#26
Evolving Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having a reputable cage builder weld in 4 reinforcements shouldn't be that expensive, and it does quite a bit to mitigate the potential "Mustang" event.
Dec 30, 2010, 12:51 PM
#27
Evolved Member
iTrader: (20)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I said it's not for racing. I don't care if it expired a decade ago, I don't have a rulebook. Of course nothing's 100% with a dangerous activity, but expirations are a non-factor for an HPDE car.
Dec 30, 2010, 01:09 PM
#28
Evolved Member
iTrader: (132)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Important read:
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/art...fighting-fire/
I realize that you might feel a bit silly in a suit during an HPDE, but when I first started out, mostly driving with PCA HPDE's, I was surprised by how many of the drivers would have a suit or at least some form of fire protection.
A good majority of my instructors had on Nomex under cotton pants and shirts, full balaclava, SFI gloves and shoes. Anything that buys you a few more seconds in a fire......
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/art...fighting-fire/
I realize that you might feel a bit silly in a suit during an HPDE, but when I first started out, mostly driving with PCA HPDE's, I was surprised by how many of the drivers would have a suit or at least some form of fire protection.
A good majority of my instructors had on Nomex under cotton pants and shirts, full balaclava, SFI gloves and shoes. Anything that buys you a few more seconds in a fire......
