I've searched and read the FAQ's but I didnt find a real opinion on this particular topic...because its not about deep-pocket elite road-racers, and its not about ignorant bling bling.

The question is a dilemma:
If a 5-pt. harness is not an option, because it would ruin the comfort and convenience of an otherwise great daily driven car for all but a few days of the year, what is the "least unsafe" option for a daily driver occasional HPDE'r that doesnt want to be a trailer queen, ever?

1.) Supportive reclining seats, stock belts, no rollbar
2.) Supportive reclining seats, stock belts, rollbar
3.) Fixed back seats, stock belts, no rollbar
4.) Fixed back seats, stock belts, rollbar

For the record, HPDE means no wheel to wheel racing, and rollbar means 4-pt behind the front seats (not 6-pt cage), and finally supportive means less crappy than stock.

I know the best setup is a full cage in a car that is never taken on the street, but thats a waste, really, for a few days a year.


So...?

 

i would go with 1. that's all you need. Saying that, i've heard that you can pick up some time with a seat and harness. But you should have a roll bar. Fix back seat is the roll bar if you don't have one.

 

#1 & #2

 

Why not just buy the best you can get and only put them in when your tracking your car.

Id go with a fixed back, harness, and a cage lets say make it a bolt in.
That way when you are at the track and should something go awry.... you are more than covered.
When your done with your fun, you pull it out and store it till next time.
But thats me. I'll always err to the side of my safety. Cost doesnt even figure into the equation when it comes to being safe.

 

NASA's HPDE is fun and the higher up you get you can pass in corners with point bys. They also do fun on track sessions of driving side by side the entire track (at a lower speed than normal).

I would look into a good reclinable seat from a known mfgr (sparco, corbeau, recaro, netami, OMP, etc.). Skip the eBay / cheapo seats unless you can actually secure them to a proper roll cage. For seat belts - you may want to get the cg lock to help snug them in better. Of course check over the belts to make sure they are in good condition and the mechanism locks in place when pulled.

 

I feel 100% less safe now. (fixed-back seats, door-mounted stock belts, no rollbar)

 

Driving a caged car (not a rollbar) on the street (w/o helmet and harness) is not the best of ideas. I know people that do it (I did it for a couple years) but if you hit your head on that cage in a wreck, you're done.
Best setup for dual duity is all stock, then supportive recliner with stock belts, then rollbar, fixed back, harness (for track, stock belt for street)

 

If you're willing to make the seat and rollbar purchase, a pair of harnesses is not much more. G-Force ones can be found for a little over $100 new. IF you can make a stock belt work with a fixed-back where it actually contacts your body at all the proper points (meaning touching your shoulder, chest, and waistline), it might be ok. I have been doing this for years, and am like...85% ok with it. It is better than using a harness on the street, but not as good as using the stock belt with a stock seat. The lapbelt portion does get a bit too tight sometimes.

Best option is either 100% stock, or 100% non-stock. Adding just a rollbar to stock seats/belts is ok, but doesn't do anything for you as far as holding your *** in the seat.

Option 4: Fixed back, stock belts, no rollbar is the worst choice of all. fireant, you should know better, dude.

If you really want to keep things cheap and easy, just find reasonably supportive reclinable seats and leave the belts and stuff stock. Del Sol seats are my personal favorite, but there are others. A CG Lock would also help with the belt.

 

I'm looking into my options before the next event.

 

I just ordered the bar/pads/harness pack from Safedrives.

 

Good job!