Choosing harnesses?

[Frimley111R]

I want some for my Megane R26 for track work and the occasional weekend blat. The prices vary considerably and also I am not sure which width I should choose. I want 5 or 6 point harnesses. I appreciate that some will say its my safety and so spend £££ but is that really necessary?

[StreetDragster]

Are you ever going to use a Hans or similar device? If so consider that 3" wide shoulder straps don't work too well with them, so they make straps now that are 3" at the buckle and thin to 2" over the shoulders.

I have a 6 point, 3" TRS harness setup, personally if i was buying again, i'd go down to 2"s, but i would keep the 5/6 point setup.

Thanks
Matt

[dunc_sx]

2 inch straps are for HANNS only I think? Other head restraint devices are fine with 3 inch straps (simpson hybrid for example), so you'll not be completely suck if you do go 3inch.

Dunc.

[Frimley111R]

StreetDragster said:

Are you ever going to use a Hans or similar device?

No, or very unlikely

[StreetDragster]

dunc_sx said:

2 inch straps are for HANNS only I think? Other head restraint devices are fine with 3 inch straps (simpson hybrid for example), so you'll not be completely suck if you do go 3inch.

Dunc.

I use the Simpson fhr and it doesn't like my 3" harnesses, they sit over the 'groove' which it has got for the harness

Thanks
Matt

[StreetDragster]

Frimley111R said:

No, or very unlikely

I'd go for a 2" setup with the aircraft style rotating buckle

Thanks
Matt

[dunc_sx]

StreetDragster said:

I use the Simpson fhr and it doesn't like my 3" harnesses, they sit over the 'groove' which it has got for the harness

Thanks
Matt

That's odd I've never noticed this, I use 3" and simpson FHR and haven't noticed any problems? Would you be able to indicate the issue?

Really does look like there's room for 3" there:



Dunc.

Edited by dunc_sx on Thursday 20th September 12:33

[lewisr81]

OP, if you were willing to go down the used route I have a 6 point harness that I will need to sell at end of the year (competition expiry date reached). Its mint, used at 7 race weekends a year only.

[StreetDragster]

Yep, exactly where those arrows are, the harness rides over the 'lip' on the shoulder blade.

After a bit of movement on track, it then rides inwards towards your neck, hence i woudl stick to 2" belts if you plan to use any type of head/neck restraint.

Matt

[88racing]

Make sure you’re happy with the buckle release. I much prefer the rotating lever over push button.

Edited by 88racing on Thursday 20th September 13:29

[andy97]

StreetDragster said:

Are you ever going to use a Hans or similar device? If so consider that 3" wide shoulder straps don't work too well with them, so they make straps now that are 3" at the buckle and thin to 2" over the shoulders.

I have a 6 point, 3" TRS harness setup, personally if i was buying again, i'd go down to 2"s, but i would keep the 5/6 point setup.

Thanks
Matt

2" wide shoulder straps are HANS specific. That said, I have used 3" wide shoulder straps with a HANS device on a variety of race cars (Single Seaters, Hot hatches, Porsche 924 and now a Caterham) and have never had an issue when using a 3" shoulder strap. My HANS has the side "flip ups" to help keep the shoulder straps in place.

Whilst the risks on Track Days may be lower than in racing, accidents can still occur. If you are going to the trouble of fitting full 5/6 point harnesses then you should seriously consider using a HANS device - whip lash and far worse can be prevented by using one; I would not go on track without one.

[CrashBang]

Do you have a cage?

I run Schroth, my Caterham came from the factory with Luke, there is a cost delta, however both work fine.

I would say find those with a buckle and adjusters you like that you can work with in gloves and a helmet, belts are belts.

[dunc_sx]

StreetDragster said:

Yep, exactly where those arrows are, the harness rides over the 'lip' on the shoulder blade.

After a bit of movement on track, it then rides inwards towards your neck,

Not doubting this happened to you (you wouldn't say otherwise) but I've never had this issue with 3" straps. I use a single seater harness so it terminates directly behind my head so perhaps this helps.

Dunc.

[Frimley111R]

CrashBang said:

Do you have a cage?

I run Schroth, my Caterham came from the factory with Luke, there is a cost delta, however both work fine.

I would say find those with a buckle and adjusters you like that you can work with in gloves and a helmet, belts are belts.

No, not yet and no immediate plans

[Frimley111R]

lewisr81 said:

OP, if you were willing to go down the used route I have a 6 point harness that I will need to sell at end of the year (competition expiry date reached). Its mint, used at 7 race weekends a year only.

Yep, don't think I need new ones for the small amount of use they will get in my car. I do want some red ones though.

[lewisr81]

Frimley111R said:

Yep, don't think I need new ones for the small amount of use they will get in my car. I do want some red ones though.

Ah, mine are Takata ones in green

[Humour]

StreetDragster said:

Yep, exactly where those arrows are, the harness rides over the 'lip' on the shoulder blade.

After a bit of movement on track, it then rides inwards towards your neck, hence i woudl stick to 2" belts if you plan to use any type of head/neck restraint.

Matt

In wich case thats a pretty poor design, for what I speculate isnt a cheap safety device. All they had to do is incorporate some fixed or flip up tabs to stop the belt creeping on that shoulder moulding.

[Wingo]

Just be aware of the fakes about.


This is from 3 years ago but AFAIK its still a problem.
https://www.motorsport-safety.org/media/news/dange...

Loads of stuff of dubious quality still being produced and sold.

Wingo

[Steve H]

Frimley111R said:

CrashBang said:

Do you have a cage?

I run Schroth, my Caterham came from the factory with Luke, there is a cost delta, however both work fine.

I would say find those with a buckle and adjusters you like that you can work with in gloves and a helmet, belts are belts.

No, not yet and no immediate plans

If you haven't got a cage I wouldn't recommend a harness.

[veehexx]

Steve H said:

If you haven't got a cage I wouldn't recommend a harness.

ok, i'll bite... why?
Schroth specifically state (and thus recommend) in their fitment instructions on their Rallye 3 (and 4 iirc) harnesses for a non-caged install: http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/soloracerdotcom_1691_61108... fitment instructions can be freely obtained from schroths website if a google image link isn't good enough

much like the "only use harness on bucket seats" arguments i see from time to time, schroth also give instructions on fitting them to OE seats.

i'm not trying to be negative on your post, just when harness manufacturers are making the opposite claims on non-rollcage usage scenarios, i'm just trying to understand.

ok, i'm a bit OT based on 5/6point fitment requirement of OP, but figured i'd ask on the 3/4points..