I have a 6pt cage (lame boltin.. but still) on the way from Kirk Racing and was wondering what harness you guys suggest. Car will see duty in AutoX and track events. Looking to get a 5 or 6 point harness, cam lock prefereably. Some friends run simpson harnesses and have never had any problems but I figured I ask here and see what you guys use.

Thanks,

 

Sabelt, 5 pt, camlock.

 

Whatever camlock Racer Wholesale has on sale this month. Not too long ago the Sabelt ones were on sale for cheap (129? Don't remember). But definitely spend the extra money and get camlocks, they rule.

 

Agreed ... Sabelt 5 or 6 camlock

 

Look at nearly every F1, WRC, BTCC, etc. car and in 90% of them, you see the same belts.... Sabelt. I've used them for years in my ITA car and have been very happy with them. Racer Wholesale has them for sale too.

FWIW, I like the "pull up" belts rather than the "pull down". They're easier to tighten up since you can get a bit more leverage.

In nearly 3 years (~40 days on-track/yr.), I've NEVER accidently caught the camlock lever and released the belts.

Scott
'89 ITA CRX Si (#96)



[Modified by sjasmund, 12:27 AM 8/30/2001]

 

Are you sure thats what you meant,I thought "Pull Down" was better.

And whats Racer Wholsale web addy? I looked and "Harness" was BLANK!!??

 

I'm going to have to pipe in here and defend Simpson. Go here ( [ http://bbs.sccaproracing.com/cgi-bin/ubb/Ultimate.cgi ) and learn that it was the mounting, not the belts, that caused failure.

I am used the the latch-style buckle as used by old school racers. Hate to use them. However, they have a VERY positive engagement. Once you are in, you know you will stay in, and that confidence is worth a lot.

Having said that, I'll probably do the 5 point Sabelts with a cam lock for my own car...

-T



[Modified by il8apex, 2:05 PM 8/30/2001]

 

http://www.racerwholesale.com ... When you click on "Harnesses," you get more menu choices in the left-hand column.

 

I jumped all over the Racer Wholesale special they were running a few months ago on the 5 point cam lock Sabelt (cam lever points down). I agree with the "pull up" style lap belts. I posted that specific question before i bought, but the majority of responders recommended the "pull down". I'll order the "pull up" lap belts when I finally get a harness for the passenger seat and swap tham over.

 

I love my Simpson 5 pt. Its latch type, 80 bucks cheaper for the latch. Simspson makes great stuff, thats why Dale was using it. All this bull **** about Dale, **** nascar anyway.

 

FWIW your choice of pull up or down could depend on how (position) your seat is mounted. Pull down works better for me.

 

Sjasmund,

Sabelt/Sparco make many different levels of quality harnesses with the same general appearance but any thing you see in a F1 or WRX auto will be FIA rated and not SFI rated. FIA is much more stringent and the quality of the webbing and hardware is very different than most harnesses sold in North America under SFI standards. The webbing is finer with more threads of material and the hardware has a higher strength rating. If you want the greatest degree of safety look for a harness that is FIA rated but be prepared to pay more. Pull up, pull down a matter of personal preference and seating arrangement.

 

I would second the comment on the Simpson belts being of top quality. I was told by a SVWC racer that what I need to keep in mind with Simpson is that they are the most widely used by lower budget teams (because of locale and price) and with that, you have the highest chance of misuse thus lawsuits (none of which he had thought ever been won against Simpson). He went on to say that if this stuff (Earnhardt wreck) were to cause financial problems with the company, then you'd need to be concerned as far as replacement units and so forth. He told me this in April/May (long before the crash report was released).