Are stock seat belts safe with race seats?

drsimonwong · 05-13-2005, 07:15 PM

I'm assuming most guys with race seats (recaros pp, sparcos evos, etc) have harnesses for the track. Because of the high side bolsters do they prevent the standard seat belts from working properly?

Is it safe to change the standard seat but only run with the standard seat belt?

Simon

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I guess we need to define 'race seat'

I've seen SRD's with stock belts. I haven't ridden or driven this combo, but it looked nice. NWIH would stock belts work with my Kirkey race seat, though.

2.7RACER · 05-13-2005, 08:37 PM

Going to the track? Going to go a lot faster than you go on the street? Going around corners at much higher G-forces than you usually see on the street? Going to wear a helmet? If any of the above answers are yes, then install a five or six point harness.
I've seen too many people hanging on to the steering wheel to keep from slipping around. A harness will hold you in place and allow you to focus on your driving.

drsimonwong · 05-14-2005, 04:53 AM

Been tracking my car on clubdays and am finding that I do indeed slide around on my leather seats so have been considering some aftermarket options.

I know since my car is going in for a fairly aggressive suspension upgrade (23/30mm torsions, custom valved Konis, Elephant Racing etc) that the correct progression would be the seat upgrade.

Looked at Sparco seats mainly, Pro2000 seems to fit best but I noticed it especially has very high side bolsters. Apart from being the most difficult of the many seats I tried to get in and out of I was wondering how these high sides would affect the placement and hence function of the stock seat belts.

Wondering if the seats with slightly lower side bolsters might be better for a prodominately street driven car.

My plan was to initially get the seat first, then later set up a harness bar and a 5 or 6 point harness. I was wondering if I delayed the harness setup what would be my consequences.

From the safety point of view will the normal belts still function correctly if the sides hold the lapbelt up higher than it is design for?

From the track point of view surely I would still benefit from the seat alone upgrade?

Simon

jaydubya · 05-14-2005, 04:57 AM

I have Corbeau fixed back race seats and use the stock belts around town and 5-pt on track. The seat has high side bolsters and shoulder bolsters. Depending on your girth, the high side bolsters may or may not be a problem for positioning of the lap belt. The shoulder bolsters are a bigger problem - they force the shoulder belt higher up on my torso toward my neck. Not good, i know.

carmad · 05-14-2005, 05:00 AM

I have Recaro SRD with 5-point and stock belts in place. The stock belts work fine around the higher bolster of the Recaro with no issues.
Definitely get some seats with 5 or 6 point, makes a tremendous difference to your ability to control the car on the track, you won't have to keep bracing yourself in turns.

stefang · 05-14-2005, 05:37 AM

Note that some organizations will not let you on the track with a harness if you don't have a roll bar. From a driver location POV there are 2 devices out there that may help. One is a torso strap, the other one is a clip that secures an automatic 3 point belt in one position. Schroth 4 pt harnesses function in kind of a dual mode. They keep you strapped in, but in case of a crash one side has an expansion mechanism, so that you no longer are totally fixed in position.

Stef

porschenut · 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drsimonwong
Wondering if the seats with slightly lower side bolsters might be better for a prodominately street driven car.

My plan was to initially get the seat first, then later set up a harness bar and a 5 or 6 point harness. I was wondering if I delayed the harness setup what would be my consequences.

From the safety point of view will the normal belts still function correctly if the sides hold the lapbelt up higher than it is design for?

From the track point of view surely I would still benefit from the seat alone upgrade?

Simon

It all depends on the seat you buy. A lot of guys, myself included, opt for the Recaro Pole Position seats which work great with the stock 3-point seat belts. They are also an excellent seat for track and very comfortable for street driving.

If you get a bucket like the PP, you will not slide around at all, regardless of what kind of belts you use, unless you drive in the fastest classes. I use the PP with the stock belts for DE, and I don't move an inch.

drsimonwong · 05-14-2005, 06:53 AM

Thanks Dave, just what I needed to know! Looking at some pics it seems these Recaro PPs have a lower side bolster than the Pro2000. I go check out seats that fit me with this criteria in mind.

Simon