Safety Equipment for Track Days?

[Open Loop]

Hi Everyone - I am running my car in SSC but have taken an interest in doing time trials with the new SCCA time trials program. It permits me to run with my three point stock seatbelt but I am seriously considering more in the way of restraints.


I am interested in whether anyone is running a four-point harness with their stock seats, and how that should be set up to be safe.


I am also considering whether I should use a HANS device or the Simpson Hybrid device when running on the track.


Thank you for your thoughts!

[nico_rsx]

A harness in a car with no roll bar/cage and stock seat, is actually less safe than the stock seat belt. If you just want it to move less in your seat, you could consider a CG-Lock, which lock the lap portion of the belt.

[Open Loop]

Thank you. I am running a lap belt over the three point belt to hold me in place already. I am interested in additional safety. Perhaps the only other addition I should make is a Simpson Hybrid S restraint, which while not cheap is marketed as compatible with a three point belt.

[justinco]

The Simpson Hybrid-S is probably your best bet if you are not going to add a roll-bar.

If you are going to use a HANS device, you need a harness, and then you are going to want a roll-bar for safety reasons nico mentioned.

I have a Schroth harness in my BRZ for autocross, but do not use it when on the track. I also only do casual (non-TT) track days in my BRZ. On my full time track/TT car I have a roll-bar, harness, HANS, and better helmet. For me, that is the minimum safety gear I like to have when track driving with other cars on track.

[CSG Mike]

I use a Simpson Hybrid S., which is compatible with OEM 3 point, as well as 4/5/6 point harnesses.

PM me to order safety gear.

[nico_rsx]

While we are on the subject, a couple of people in my local AutoX group use kart style neck brace/collar (the ones that look like a simple foam donut).
Do those have any real safety benefit (to prevent or reduce neck injury), or are they only to reduce strain in high G cornering?

Keep in mind I have no intention to spend 1000$ for the Simpson thing, but wouldn't mind paying 50-60$ for the kart collar (I also do some rented karting 2-3x per year).

[Mr.ac]

Originally Posted by nico_rsx

While we are on the subject, a couple of people in my local AutoX group use kart style neck brace/collar (the ones that look like a simple foam donut).
Do those have any real safety benefit (to prevent or reduce neck injury), or are they only to reduce strain in high G cornering?

Keep in mind I have no intention to spend 1000$ for the Simpson thing, but wouldn't mind paying 50-60$ for the kart collar (I also do some rented karting 2-3x per year).

They help in a few ways.
One they help take the weight off your neck. They help keep your head from going to far forward/backwards aka whip lash. And just general overall fatigue.

Cheap way to add a bit more safety.

Although you do have to get used to. When I first got mine it was a chore looking left and right. Maybe cause it was new and super stiff.

[ubernostrum]

Originally Posted by nico_rsx

While we are on the subject, a couple of people in my local AutoX group use kart style neck brace/collar (the ones that look like a simple foam donut).
Do those have any real safety benefit (to prevent or reduce neck injury), or are they only to reduce strain in high G cornering?

It has been my understanding that they are for comfort and don't have any profound safety benefit. The collar helps support the weight of the helmet to lessen fatigue on your neck muscles. But in a crash of any severity it isn't going to make a dent in absorbing the energy of the weight of the helmet being tossed around.

[Open Loop]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I use a Simpson Hybrid S., which is compatible with OEM 3 point, as well as 4/5/6 point harnesses.

PM me to order safety gear.

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, or I would have contacted you.

[dpaqu]

Originally Posted by justinco

The Simpson Hybrid-S is probably your best bet if you are not going to add a roll-bar.

I have a Schroth harness in my BRZ for autocross, but do not use it when on the track. I also only do casual (non-TT) track days in my BRZ. On my full time track/TT car I have a roll-bar, harness, HANS, and better helmet. For me, that is the minimum safety gear I like to have when track driving with other cars on track.

I guess you don't trust the ASM on the Schroth? I was about to pull the trigger on one for some HPDE events at Dominion Raceway. I don't want to cage my car and hope to purchase a dedicated track car as my skills increase. What would you recommend?

[justinco]

Originally Posted by dpaqu

I guess you don't trust the ASM on the Schroth? I was about to pull the trigger on one for some HPDE events at Dominion Raceway. I don't want to cage my car and hope to purchase a dedicated track car as my skills increase. What would you recommend?

It's not the ASM, I just don't want to be stuck upright if my car lands on its lid. If I have my shoulder harness on in the solid race seat, it would be bad news. I want to be able to flop to the side in the event the car rolls, the OEM belt will let you do that.

The Simpson Hybrid S is the way to go I think, especially if you are going to be getting faster and more competitive (w/out a roll bar). In fact, I might get one of those to use when I track my BRZ more and more.

[imhereforthecar]

Originally Posted by nico_rsx

A harness in a car with no roll bar/cage and stock seat, is actually less safe than the stock seat belt.

I have seen this posted enough to believe it, but I haven't found anyone describing why. Can someone elaborate?

[Joesurf79]

Originally Posted by imhereforthecar

I have seen this posted enough to believe it, but I haven't found anyone describing why. Can someone elaborate?

Factory seats are designed to function as part of a safety system. The factory belts "slowly" decelerate your body in a frontal impact, working in conjunction with airbags, etc.

Factory seats are designed to be loaded in specific ways as a part of that system. Harnesses on the other hand have no give. They are designed to keep you firmly in place, and deform less. Which means that the factory seat would be loaded in ways it's not designed for. Then there is routing. Are you going to pass the straps between the head rest posts? Not a solid option.

Then there is the mounting problem. What would you mount the harness to in order to accommodate factory seat? A bolt in " harness bar " may work great as an anchor for the harness to hold you during spirited driving, but I'd hate to see what happens in a crash when one takes full g load.

Fixed back race bucket in a car with no roll protection - justinco covered that. Just dont.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by imhereforthecar

I have seen this posted enough to believe it, but I haven't found anyone describing why. Can someone elaborate?

A 3 point belt is designed to allow some lateral movement in the event of the top collapsing. With a harness, you're getting your spine compressed in that event. A case prevents that event from happening, which is why I consider a cage mandatory for a harness.

Likewise, a HANS device or equivalent is also mandatory. A harness will hold your torso in place, but not your head, and your head is heavy. A HANS type device will prevent you from breaking your neck in a frontal impact.

I recommend you use a Hybrid-S. I use one in any street car I sit in.

PM me to order.