Feel safe at the track without safety equipment?
 

Do you feel safe tracking the twins without safety equipment - cage, hans, seats, etc.? I am looking to liquidate my track, autox, & daily driver into one car - the BRZ or FR-S. My main concern is safety at the track. Granted I do not see myself heading back to the track anytime soon, atleast not until I move to California (1.5yrs out)... so the BRZ will be the autox & DD in the near future. I would like to avoid selling an already setup track car, only to start over again with the heats, harness, etc.

Yes and No...

I feel safe because I'm not racing the car and therefore am not seeking those last tenths (or hell even seconds). Can something happen? Absolutely. That's a risk I am taking and it's why I'm leaving all the OEM safety systems in place. However we all know that the chance of something going wrong goes up quite a bit the more you push so I do hold back more than I do in the race car (which of course has a cage, fire suppression, HANS being worn, containment seat, etc).

Honestly I'm toying with the idea of a full DE toy car which will have safety equipment in it but I like tracking the BRZ too much so far to do so :)

Unless you have a full HALO seat + 6 point + HANS (or similar) + airbag delete, you're probably better off leaving everything alone.

My only wish is to make a custom rail to lower the stock seat. The stock seat, frankly, is AWESOME for lateral support. 5'7", ~170lbs, and it fits me perfectly.

-Mike

I know to leave all OEM. But do you feel safe with OEM equipment?

I've only been to one track event (last weekend, still working on a writeup/videos from NOLA Motorsports park), but I felt safe out there on the track with OEM safety features. And the first day it was wet. Might feel different on a different track, but I doubt it.

I'd feel better with a roll bar, but that would go for any car. We haven't really seen any roll-overs with the FR-S/BRZ, so who knows how strong the A/B pillars are.

On the other hand, Subarus are known for exceptionally strong chassis...

We're back to discussing this again? lol :popcorn:
Aren't you building a STR s2k CR right now?

i have never feared for my life on a race track and i don't have any safety equipment outside my helmet.

i have, however, felt deep and crippling fear for my bank account whenever the car got squirly or (on rare occasions) left the pavement.

Nothing wrong with bringing a STR CR to SoCal... we have a GINORMOUS autox population (and an equally large track population...)

And it's just another thread for us to occupy the day with :p

Yea this is what happens when I don't drive the car for months. Stupid winter! I know I'll change my mind after the first autox event.
lol :D

I've noticed some AutoX guys come to the dark side.... :D

I'd go to the track over autox if I were in SoCal. It's cheaper to track & there are tons of competitors. :thumbsup: Plus it's like the wild west, there are no safety restrictions. lol

I could be on the track in the FRS completely naked at speed and feel safer than I do driving in traffic in WA State.

Just Sayin'

LOL I'm not sure I'd brag about that part.

You sound like the Sheriff...

I felt pretty safe at Barber in a '12 Mustang I borrowed from the Atlanta Airport

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...77632881_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...79088274_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...10763730_n.jpg

Id have to AutoX if I lived in Cali...Wouldn't be able to afford to go to the track!

Not bragging about it, but highlighting how polar opposite it is to track in Cali vs the Northeast.
I am the anti-hype, I'll believe it when I see it (only with regards to the 86), psychoazn nemesis.
If you can afford to track in the mid-west, surely it won't be far off in Cali. Edit: oh wait I guess you meant the cost of living. Then yes I have to agree.

More like won't have the disposable income if I lived in Cali to go to the track. :D

okay my .02 if you are coming from dual purpose street-track cars....then you will feel fine....

IF you are used to purpose built non street legal race cars....you will feel NAKED....

I haven't driven a street car on track in YEARS......my full race always routine when I get in my race car is burned in my mind.....I get in my FRS to test it and still put on my gloves and hans....then realize hans is pointless.....not being able to crank down the harness just feels weird....driving without GLOVES was really weird....haven't done that in YEARS....not to mention not sitting in a real race seat......

BUT get a harness bar and that should make things better....much better

Your pay goes up a long side the cost of living.

Yea I hear what your are saying. It's odd not being strapped in with harness. I can't do seats, harness, and bar since it will double as a DD.
I've looked at condo prices in SF proper and they are just as high (if not more) as NYC. Depending on your line of work, SF pays a little less than NYC but with just the same cost of living.

Moving to SF is actually why I want to consolidate into one car. The extra cash can help with the move to SF.

SoCal, not norcal!

SoCal is a little too ZZzZzZz for me. :)

I run a Scroth Rallye 3 harness and it doesn't get in the way of daily driving. It tucks away neatly when you don't need it. :party0030:

can you please take pictures of all the mounts for me?

i am about to order one. and im scared to order it without knowing how it mounts.

I'd only use the rallye harness for autox. I don't trust that harness at the track, especially because of the odd angle to the rear anchor. Either it's all done correctly or OEM. Definitely OEM over Rallye harness for the track.

I'd feel comfortable with just the OEM protection doing track days. Won't happen for me in the BRZ though until the car is paid off (I don't feel comfortable taking a car in track that isn't paid for), which will hopefully be next year. Of the two times I have been on track (Mid-Ohio), the first time was years ago with my old Neon with a full cage, race bucket, 5-pt harness, and Kumho race tires, the 2nd time was last year in my Mustang GT with all stock safety equipment, although I did use a CG Lock to help hold me in place. I felt safe in the Mustang with the level I and those around me were driving at.

I feel very safe in my stock FR-S with stock power. Not sure if I'll feel the same way if I get a supercharger :iono:.

I deleted my rear seats and it bolts down there now. No wierd angle. This harness was installed to help keep my body planted in the seat. Enhances driving experience and reduces soreness the next day. :)

pics of all the mounts pleaseee

Lol ok when I get my car back. Getting a trick custom exhaust!

can you please posta picture?

This is another forum member's:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15051

Mine is red and attaches different (at a rear seat bolt lower to the floor).

Mounted to the floor would be too much of an angle.

Its not mounted to the floor.... :bonk:

i want to see pics of the bolts etc. not just the general idea :p