kluge

I've been looking around for something to keep me in my seat for autocross/track usage. This below is probably the best option I have seen so far.

http://www.gforce.com/products/netsanres/4290.php

I'm not looking at 4-5 point harnesses because I don't have a roll cage, and I think the harnesses thread in this forum has already reiterated the reasons why this is bad many, many times over.

So does have anyone have any experience with a belt like this? Does it actually hold you in place reasonably well? Are there any safety issues? (Just by looking at it, it seems like there is a chance that it might ride a bit too high) Anything else I should know?

Of course, I'll be using the regular factory belt in addition to this.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Don't care for it myself

Have you tried the "locking in the factory shoulder belt and sliding the seat forward" method?

expo1

For occasional use that belt will be fine, you can have my like new black one for $12.00 shipped. PM me.

WRXtoRX8

a friend of mine used one in his sts civic at local events. My co-driver used to have a back support brace that we used to use in his tiburon.

costello

DO NOT USE THE TORSO BELT WITH THE STOCK RX8 SEATS! I myself have though about this and I think this could be a serious safety issue with the stock RX-8 seats since the seats contain a side airbag. Look at the side of the RX8 seat. The torso belt would have to wrap around you and the seat and would cover where the side air bag deploys. If it goes off it would probably kill you.

I used the torso belt on my Prelude (no side airbag) only during track events and it worked well and was quite snug. I can't imagine the force of an airbag expanding under this belt while I was in it

expo1

The risk of a T-bone type accident during Auto-X is quite low. He could disconnect the wires under the seat and the side bags will not deploy.

fullsmoke

A cheaper alternative is velcro straps. I bought a set at Homedepot for $4.97, which included 2 velcro straps 2" wide, 36" long. I too am concerned with the safety issues it brings up, but the plastic "O" connector holding the two straps (when you attach them together) cannot hold an excessive amount of force, so I believe it will break away in extreme situations.

If you are using stock seats, as long as you place the strap underneath the two side protrusions (behind your shoulders), it should not be able to move any higher. And I have not experienced it moving down.

The velcro strap really doesn't hold me that well. It prevents me from leaning foward under braking (so does the factory belt), but when turning I still feel myself bracing with the steering wheel. The reason for this is because the strap is not entirely "hugging" you due to the shape of the sides of the seat (the strap only holds the very front of your chest--not your sides). This is hard to describe--I can take pictures if you want.

FS

timaf

I know I'll probaby get a lot of grief but I use a 3 point Sparco Harness that attaches to the rear car seat mount. Holds me absolutely secure. Yes, I know the rear mount wasn't made for that. No, I don't use it on the street.

Michael

+1, I've got corbeau harnesses of the same variety, they were cheaper.
+1 to never using them on the street. Spinal compression = bad.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

I still say this is adequate, I even use the factory belt with my race seat for autox. Bets thing is it costs nothing. You just have to get the hang ot how to set it.

kluge

cool, thanks for all the advice guys. the side airbag thing was something i didn't think of. i'll double check to see if i can deal with the airbag properly, and if so, i guess it can't hurt to pick up one of these things

Michael

I used to do that cinch and scoot forward method - you can't truly appreciate being held to your seat till you've run a '95 SC400 in F-Stock.

Assuming you don't spin, it's like racing Kirstie Alley for a donut, and you've only got one lung.

kluge

on second thought, i just came across some webpages that suggested using a child seat locking clip...brilliant idea, and it only costs $1.50. i'm probably going to go with that instead for the sake of simplicity...no need to clip multiple belts, etc.

fullsmoke

That will only secure your lap belt, not your torso belt. It's enough for autoX but it will not help for your upper body on the track.

I use the locking clip, the velcro strap, AND the factory seatbelt when I'm on the track. For autoX, I just use the factory belt with the locking clip.

FS

kluge

For my torso, I'm just going to have to rely on situps and work on my 6-pack.

I've read a number of sites that say you shouldn't use the locking clip on the upper part of the harness. None of them offered an explanation as to why this is the case, but my guess is that by locking the shoulder part there is no remaining slack to activate the *real* locking mechanism in a crash. Presumably, the clip doesn't offer as much holding power as the factory belt anchor.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

dude, just pre-activate the OE lock in advance as I tried to suggest several times already ...

visitor

brah, you don't understand, it's not blingin'. you can't be champion with such a simple solution. you gotta be dropping keywords and companies like "harnesses" "3/4 points" "sparco" "corbeau". otherwise that's "teh ghey!"

timaf

Just trying to offer some help to someone who asked, "brah". clearly you have nothing to add but a poor attempt at humor and sarcasm. Pay attention little boy and maybe even you can learn something.