Drivers Ed rules?

Well, I was all charged up about doing my first DE event this spring (Intermountain Region joining another Region at Willow Springs next month), but my car does not pass that regions rules. I was told I had to have a 5pt harness. This would mean replacing my seat, belts, and would also need a harness bar. That's $600 or more! When our region (Intermountain region) had an event in Las Vegas 2 years ago, nothing like this was required (not even a fire extinguisher). I was planning on running a few DE events over the next couple of years, then buying a race prepared SC or Carrera to move into PCA Club Racing. I just hate to spend a bunch of money on my street car just to do a few DE events each year. Have the rules changed in the last couple years, or is each region making up there own rules for each event?

My PCA region (Schattenbaum) does not require 5/6 pt. harnesses for DE events. We recommend that drivers in the advanced run groups have harnesses, but it's not required.

My personal opinion - requiring harnesses in ALL run groups (i.e. Green) is excessive and will deter new drivers from coming out and trying a DE event. Who wants to spend $500+ to modify the interior of their car, and then find out they don't like Driver's Ed.

Bruce

I don't believe Potomac requires a 5 point ,but they do not allow a 4 pt -it's either 3 or 5 . I am going to my first event and I agree that i am not interested in making any capital equipment expenditures! If I was doing a club race I WOULD want all the protection possible .

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Bob
1982 911SC Targa
PCA - Founders Region

The last thing I would want is a five or six point harness in a coupe without a roll bar! Imagine rolling hte car only having the restraint system hold you in the upright position to have the roof cave in.
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Paul
78SC Targa

Thanks guys, I thought that the rules seemed over the top. Maybe it is an insurance issue with that track or something. I am all for safety, but these rules seemed too much for a Drivers Ed event. I may go to Denver this year instead of Califonia. The Rocky Mountain regions website gives all the rules for their events and they seem much more accommodating.

Paul
81 911SC

Blackdiamonds: The Rocky Mountain Regional has great group of people! Enjoy.

Most harness requirements are generated by the mods to the car that generate points, elevating the car to a higher than stock class. I agree, the requirement of a harness to a stock car is a little much.

Michael Zois
Safety and Autocross Chair
Santa Barbara PCA, Region 8