Mike,
I took a look at the San Deigo rules. The rules for seat belts seems to apply only to Time Trials and DE's not AX. This is consistent with the National DE/TT Policy where if you opt use an aftermarket race seat, you must use a 5 or 6 point harness. Use of 4 point harnesses are verbotten and no harness is ok with a stock factory seat.
Sounds like you ran into a guy that cannot tell the difference between AX and DE and TT. Next time, ask him to "educate you" and SHOW you the rule so you know what is expected since when you read it, it appeared to not apply. Specific sections (
http://zone8.pca.org/rules/2008/Z8Rules2008.pdf) include:
"XIII A. For Time Trial and DE, five or six-point harnesses are required for all drivers
and passengers running in any Prepared class or higher and are strongly
recommended for all entrants.
Harnesses are required to be SFI or FIA"
and Section VXII "XVII RULE VARIATIONS FOR AUTOCROSS EVENTS
A. The following Rules Sections have exceptions or variances for Autocross
events:
1. Section I.B - participant qualifications
2. Section I.D - size of the car numbers
3. Section X.E - timed lap requirements
4. Section XII.A - medical response requirements
5. Section XII.D.1 - flag requirements at corner worker stations
6. Section XIII.A - seat belt requirements for entrants
7. Section XIII.B - helmets, face shields or protective goggles
8. Section XIII.C - entrant clothing requirements
9. Section XIII.D - roll bar requirements
10. Section XIII.J - fire extinguisher requirements
11. Section XIII.N - arm restraints
12. Section XIII.O - sunroof, convertible and removable or Targa
tops, arm restraints
13. Section XIII.P - brake lights
14. Section XV - flag usage
15. Section XVI.G - car grouping
16. Section XVI.H - passing rules
B. In most of the above exceptions or variations, there is a recommendation
that the Time Trial/DE requirement be followed."
so they RECOMMEND not REQUIRE you follow the TT/DE Rules. A recommendation means you follow if you desire but no harm/no foul if you choose not to.
BOTTOM LINE
If they meant for section XIII to aplly to Autocross, they would have said so in that section. After all they made sure it was clear that TT and DE was covered.
This is rules reading 101.