Harness query

Author
Discussion

Vocal Minority

Original Poster:

8,582 posts

157 months

Monday 14th March 2016
quotequote all
Guys

I have purchased a car with which to enter into the Midland Hillclimb Championship in the road-going production class.

The car was fitted with a 4 point harness by a previous owner. I am personally satisfied with said kits integrity.

However. The Harness does not appear to be dated, with manufacturer labels etc.

Now. I know I am not obliged to have a harness in the class. However, if one is present, does it need to be up to a certain standard?

Namely, will I be able to use it regardless, or do I need newer ones?

xjay1337

15,966 posts

123 months

Monday 14th March 2016
quotequote all
Most events would require FIA Harnesses if they stipulate harnesses are required.
I have Schroth ASM Clubsport 4 pointers in my car, they're great and the ASM technology is simple but clever.

Shaun_E

748 posts

265 months

Monday 14th March 2016
quotequote all
In road-going production there are no mandatory harness specifications and where fitted they do not have to be in date. Occasionally you might come up against a scrutineer who is only race experienced and you may have to point them to the blue book but it's pretty unusual. In classes where harnesses are mandatory it is recommended that they are FIA compliant.

Vocal Minority

Original Poster:

8,582 posts

157 months

Monday 14th March 2016
quotequote all
Perfect - thanks for the clarification guys

Trev450

6,399 posts

177 months

Monday 14th March 2016
quotequote all
As above - no need to worry. My harness expired in 2013 and none of the scruts have even mentioned it over the following seasons.

Richair

1,021 posts

202 months

Monday 14th March 2016
quotequote all
Agree with the above: for road going hill climb you don't require an FIA harness so there's no mention of dates. From memory it's only rally events that are mandated by the blue book for an in-date seat/harness, for everything else it's just advised.

Weslake-Monza

461 posts

188 months

Monday 14th March 2016
quotequote all
An example of the fundamental difference between motorsport and the MOT. For an MOT if you don't need something (like an old car not needing a rear fog light) but have one fitted but it doesn't work, it's a fail. In motorsport if you don't need something (like a harness in a vintage car) and the harness is out of date or not FIA homologated at all it doesn't matter unless it's a hazard/dangerous.

Vocal Minority

Original Poster:

8,582 posts

157 months

Monday 14th March 2016
quotequote all
Weslake - that was the exact motivation behind my question. Bob on answer, sir/ma'am.

Thanks all - piston heads in action

P-1

62 posts

220 months

Friday 1st April 2016
quotequote all
I race in the Midland Championship and that does differ to most Hillclimb Championships in that you have to have an MSA logbook for the car - even in roadgoing.
My MX5 has race seats and harnesses fitted and at every event I competed last year, the scrutineers made a point of checking belt dates.

If I were you, I'd ask a scrutineer before your first event just to be clear; you don't want to fail and regardless of how right or wrong they might be, they hold your ticket to race at an event.

jeffw

845 posts

233 months

Friday 1st April 2016
quotequote all
Road-Going Production class does not require in date harness. I wouldn't use a harness without a rollbar/cage though...

Vocal Minority

Original Poster:

8,582 posts

157 months

Friday 1st April 2016
quotequote all
P-1 said:
I race in the Midland Championship and that does differ to most Hillclimb Championships in that you have to have an MSA logbook for the car - even in roadgoing.
My MX5 has race seats and harnesses fitted and at every event I competed last year, the scrutineers made a point of checking belt dates.

If I were you, I'd ask a scrutineer before your first event just to be clear; you don't want to fail and regardless of how right or wrong they might be, they hold your ticket to race at an event.
Well my logic on this front is that it has an inertia reel seat belt and according to the blue book that is satisfactory - that's my safety net

P-1

62 posts

220 months

Saturday 2nd April 2016
quotequote all
That's your catch all then and you should be ok. I removed my inertia belts as the seat & harnesses meet MOT standards so I took the deliberate decision to take them out.
See you on the hills then.

Trev450

6,399 posts

177 months

Saturday 2nd April 2016
quotequote all
Vocal Minority said:
Well my logic on this front is that it has an inertia reel seat belt and according to the blue book that is satisfactory - that's my safety net
I've always adopted this line of thinking but have never had to put it to the test.