Anyone using arm restraints instead of a window net?

Vipergrün · 02-02-2010, 11:27 AM

If so, how's it working out for you? Do you wear the restraints on both arms?

I only have a roll bar, not a cage and am struggling with ideas for mounting a net.

Thanks
-Brad

racer · 02-02-2010, 11:36 AM

I've never know it to be an either/or issue (ie nets or arm restraints). I think of arm restraints more for "open cars" and nets for closed cars.

What group would allow you to run with just a rollbar these days? what type of events?

Grantsfo · 11:54 AM

Being an open car guy I use them all the time. I forget I have them on most of the time. They work very well. Absolutely both arms for me. Just remember to bring them with you!

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

I used them for a while. Uneventful...

Vipergrün · 02-02-2010, 02:55 PM

I'll be running in 'V' class with Porsche Owners Club STS and perhaps Time Trial events. They allow a rollbar and either a window net or arm restraints. If I interpret the GCR's correctly, if a window net is attached to the door itself, arm restraints must still be used. Clear as mud, eh

Craig S. · 02-02-2010, 04:38 PM

Hey Brad,

I have a G-Force arm restraint that you can have. It is unused and about a year old. I only use one on my left arm in my Carrera Coupe JI R7 car. I'll be at Willow Feb. 13-14 if i doesn't rain.
The arm restraint works for me, and it was easy to get use to. It is harder to point people by however.

Vipergrün · 02-02-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig S.

Hey Brad,

I have a G-Force arm restraint that you can have. It is unused and about a year old. I only use one on my left arm in my Carrera Coupe JI R7 car. I'll be at Willow Feb. 13-14 if i doesn't rain.
The arm restraint works for me, and it was easy to get use to. It is harder to point people by however.

Thanks Craig! I appreciate the offer. I wont be at WSIR that weekend, you know, valentines and all

So left arm only will satisfy POC rules? Cool. Yeah, point by's must be interesting.

I'd gladly pay for shipping if you want to send it, or just wait for another event.

cheers!
-Brad

Craig S. · 02-02-2010, 07:25 PM

Any of your racing pals in Socal I can hand it off to. I'm still looking at the weather and negotiating with my Valentine

Hope to be there!

chapo · 02-02-2010, 07:55 PM

VARA requires a window net or two arm restraints. I like the arm restraints, better vision out of the window. Don't even notice them during the race.

eric523 · 02-03-2010, 02:27 PM

I'm not a big fan of arm restraints personally. Never was comfortable in them and it can be a little difficult getting out of the car in a hurry if need be with a hans and all.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

I'll be running in 'V' class with Porsche Owners Club STS and perhaps Time Trial events. They allow a rollbar and either a window net or arm restraints. If I interpret the GCR's correctly, if a window net is attached to the door itself, arm restraints must still be used. Clear as mud, eh

That's a fairly common rule. IN a barrel roll situation the doors often come open. If the window net is attached to the door and not the roll-cage, your arms are then free to flail outside the car and get crushed.

Craig S. · 02-03-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric523

I'm not a big fan of arm restraints personally. Never was comfortable in them and it can be a little difficult getting out of the car in a hurry if need be with a hans and all.

I think arm restraints make more sense for some cars. Part of our drivers clinic with the POC, to get our Cup License was to see how fast we could get out of our car with all of our gear on. The arm restraints come loose as q.uick as you release your harness latch. Bet with practice I can get out of my car in 5 seconds without car damage

naparsei · 02-04-2010, 06:20 AM

You won't notice them.

Due to the massive seat (a Cobra) I have in my SWB, it was tough to get the window net where we wanted it. I use arm restraints now. I use a window net in my Spec Miata, and arm restraints in SM#2.

eric523 · 02-04-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig S.

I think arm restraints make more sense for some cars. Part of our drivers clinic with the POC, to get our Cup License was to see how fast we could get out of our car with all of our gear on. The arm restraints come loose as q.uick as you release your harness latch. Bet with practice I can get out of my car in 5 seconds without car damage

I know they come loose at the base, but the arm restraints i had still held your arms together. The Crow units are a "V" shape, so yes they release at the bottom, but your arms are tethered 2.5 ft apart even after you release the belts. I felt the risk of them getting caught around the steering wheel, window net mounts, or any of the other junk I need to get past on the way out. I thought the chances of me getting out of the car quickly are more likely than flips or rolls. I have a cage mounted window net as well so I gave the restraints away.
I think having two separate arm restraints would be safer. Not sure how the other manufactures are set-up.

naparsei · 02-04-2010, 10:41 AM

It's good to practice exiting the car. I have 2 fears exiting the car - (1) that my HANS will catch on the tubing (top of the rollbar above the door) (2) that I won't be able to get the window net released. I COMPLETELY hear you on the arm restraints (they do make ones that are separate), but I think that is a lesser evil. Plus, in a rollover, the window net system is more likely to be impaired than the seatbelt release.

Comfort level is really important. Arm restraints worried me until I used them. To get out of the car, you will need to undo your belts. I see not having to do the window net release as one less step. YMMV.