5/6 point harness fittings

[Nash]

I wouldn't use 4 point harness. 6 point is the only way to go but you need the seat for it.

As is a full rollcage with side bars but not all cars have those.

[jeffw]

Fundamentally you need 6 point harness to ensure the buckle is maintained in the correct place and to ensure there is no submarining. 5 Point harness allow a thing called 'de-gloving' in the event of an accident, I'll leave you to figure out what that means. I see loads of guys on trackdays with 4 point harness and the buckle is positioned under their sternum and not just above the pelvis. A 4 point buckle will naturally want to move up the body in a accident rather than maintaining its position

On the road you wouldn't use the straps anywhere near tight enough as, when they are at the right tension, it is almost difficult to breath or move.

Anyway, each to their own.

[Martin S]

The belts in your car chris are standard westfield ones..a lot of people replace these as they never sit right and seem to self adjust.....i would replace for trs or something similar. ....martin

[andyf]

I wouldn't use 4 point harness. 6 point is the only way to go but you need the seat for it.

Yeah but you get up to stupid speeds

[jeffw]

True....

[Weathers]

I do have the lower straps very tight now and they hardly move. But your right they really restrictive and not particularly comfortable though!

....and ouch to de-gloving.... "the skin and subcutaneous tissue are separated from the deeper tissue layers"

Thanks all for your input.

[jeffw]

....and ouch to de-gloving.... "the skin and subcutaneous tissue are separated from the deeper tissue layers"

Especially in the context of the area of the body that a crotch strap(s) are placed.

[Nash]

Just remember though when that 40ft trucker bed is coming at you head height, you'll take a bit of submarining and de-gloving.

Hopsons choice though

[Fury1630]

Just remember though when that 40ft trucker bed is coming at you head height, you'll take a bit of submarining and de-gloving.

...and there is the nub of the matter. Racing restraints are designed for racing - a "hard stop" is quite unlikely due to the design of the tracks, the most likely accident is spinning / tumbling, so keeping the body still in relation to the car & the internal organs well strapped in place is important & in the event of a crash / fire there'll be marshals about to help you out of the car.

Unless you're blatting exclusively in the north of Scotland or the Yorkshire Moors, a hard stop against a tree / house / 4x4 coming the other way is most likely - these are much less potentially survivable, so other things come into play, you need to be free enough to look over your shoulders, to duck out of the way of a low flying duck, to get out of the car on you own.

Just saying you need to think about what you want the car for & spec it accordingly.

[andyf]

I must agree Tony. I've considered fitting 4 point harnesses so the the lap belt could be kept tight with the shoulder straps relatively loose to allow some movement.