5 pt harness purchasing

kdfoust · 09:58 PM

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campbellcj · 10-07-2002, 09:46 PM

Hi Kevin,

I'm not sure I am qualified to answer your questions but your best bet for any particular race group is to check directly with the tech guys or competition director. I've forwarded several of my "nit-picky" questions to Steve Vandecar w/ POC and gotten polite, prompt and definitive answers back.

Also FWIW I have heard that the POC GCR's are being amended again for 2003. Last year they significantly tightned up safety equipment and licensing stuff and I would expect more of the same. Note however that they are a bit more "lax" (relatively speaking) for short-track events. When you get to the club race level, the tech with all of the major groups is pretty hardcore from what I've heard.

John Rogers · 10-07-2002, 10:18 PM

What they mean is you have to have a seat with guide holes for the straps to come through and if the straps go around the head rest there has to be an "H" or cross strap to hold the two straps together before they get to your body. The sternum strap doesn't work very well it has been shown. The man that wrecked in the VW at the March vintage race had a sternum strap and came right out of it! I agree with Chris's comment about getting hold of the tech chair, although many do not like to tell you how to do it, they just like to inspect! Good luck.

Brad Roberts · 10-07-2002, 10:21 PM

Call me crazy, but before I dumped the bucks into a Renegade seat, I would have check the rules with whom I planned to run.

We put those seats in a conversion car here in the shop... the support compared to a real race seat is close to worthless. I like the seats and would use them in a street car, but wouldnt use them in a autoX or road race car. Not enough support and race belts will tear up the top of the seats.

B

campbellcj · 10:29 PM

Yeah, as John says, if you "bug" the tech guys with a question, be sure you have a very specific and concise point to clarify, preferably with a yes/no answer. And cite the GCR section/clause too.

Like "if I have an XYZ company widget installed like umptiump in my Q3 class 914, is it legal per 34.5.6?"

These guys are volunteers, and they're very busy, but they are "god" when it comes to the rule book (and they know it, LOL)

With specific regard to POC STS (short-track), you can run any "safe" street or lightly modified car without having to have harnesses and full race seats...IF you fit into the stock or improved classes. Once you hit production or modified (V, Z) classes the safety requirements notch up significantly. Like $2-3+K worth.

HMeeder · HMeeder's Garage

Wouldn't a "halo" keep the shoulder straps in the proper position around the head rest? I understand some 911 guys with stock seating and 5 points use them due to the harness bars being so far back from the seat back.

Better or worse that an "H" or sternum strap?

Curious what the regs or a safety chair would say to that.

campbellcj · 10-08-2002, 11:53 AM

Kevin,

For autox and short-track TT (POC STS) you should be fine with the Renegade seats and a basic harness setup.

Vandecar's email is poorshanut@aol.com

Their site's contact page has little icons for mailto links - it's a little confusing as opposed to just printing the addresses IMHO

http://www.porscheclub.com/about/staff.shtml

Other way to go is to contact one of the official tech stations. Hergesheimer is one that I believe is somewhat in your vicinity.

Zeke · 10-08-2002, 12:25 PM

Kevin, I don't think anyone directly answered your question, "What is a sternum strap?" This is a connecting piece between the two shoulder straps right at the mid chest. The purpose is to keep the shoulder straps from spreading apart as your shoulders roll back with the force of a frontal impact allowing the shoulder straps to slip off your shoulders. Maybe not everyone needs them, probably depends on the seat and the shape of your upper body. I see that most, if not all NASCAR drivers wear sternum straps.