Hey. I am entering the autoX scene for the first time this year. I was wondering about a harness. Although it is not mandatory (not here anyway) some people say it will help with your time. The theory is it plants you firmly in your seat thus allowing you to feel more in control or in tune with the car and be able to take corners faster. So can anyone clarify this or give your own personal experience with/without a harness.

Thanks and I'm sure I will have a ton of questions over the next little while (and yes I have read the FAQ's)

Beefy

 

I always just use the lapbelt part of the harness for auto-x.

edit - in before the lock

 

It helps keep me from getting chucked around the car like a ragdoll. Some people really like to be able to move around in their seat to get better sightlines around the car (Darrin Disimo comes to mind) but I prefer to stay bolted to the car. I find that with the harness, I can left foot brake without having to brace against the deadpedal to keep from getting chucked forwards and I can make more precise steering inputs without having to use my arms to steady my torso.

 

Buy and just use the labelt portion ( http://www.ogracing.com ). Get some of that rubber kitchen shelf matting stuff from wally world and duct tape a l00p of it around the seatback.