Dedicated Track Without Cage

[jflogerzi]

As I embark down this journey, I have a question? For this season I plan to run a proper Racing Seat, harness bar, and 5 point harness with Anti Submarine support and a Hans device. This car is no longer street driven and will be trailered to all events. Is it advisable to leave Airbags in or remove with this setup. I plan to get a cage at some point in the future just not this season. This car is being used in HPDE's only and not any sanctioned events.

This aspect of Racing is completely new to me.

[norcalpb]

Stock safety equipment imo until you get a cage. If you roll your car and your roof collapses, that HANS device may prevent your neck from bending and bad things may happen.

[Pat]

If he rolls his car he will probably have an impact hard enough to benefit from the HANS, too.

[SCFD]

Why not just run the factory seats and safety equipment? Once you get a seat and harness I'd want to get a roll bar at a minimum.

[EndlessAzure]

Opinions vary, but for me the moment a 5/6 point harness goes in the car it's time for a roll hoop.


The roll hoop (otherwise called a half cage) can prevent spine compression in the event of a roll-over and the roof comes down over you. With a multipoint harness, your body has nowhere to go. In a stock or close to factory configuration with 3point seat belt, there is still enough flex room for your body to move downward since there isn't the leg loop keeping you constrained. The factory seatbelt pretensioner system keeps you from submarining


If you ever elect to go for a full cage, the car will not likely safe for street use anymore as the structures goes over the front door frame. You risk head impacts in street conditions because you won't have a helmet on

[jflogerzi]

Thank you for comments. Mainly I want to remove as much weight. Car will not be driven on any public roads. Strictly for HPDE. But this has given me things to research.

[jflogerzi]

New Question.

I have decided to not use a harness or Bar but the OEM 3 point. With this and the HANs would it be advisable to use stock airbag in the searing wheel?

[EndlessAzure]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Thank you for comments. Mainly I want to remove as much weight. Car will not be driven on any public roads. Strictly for HPDE. But this has given me things to research.

I would say, exercise caution when trading safety and weight savings.

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

New Question.

I have decided to not use a harness or Bar but the OEM 3 point. With this and the HANs would it be advisable to use stock airbag in the searing wheel?

I'm not as well read on this part, but my impression is that the factory 3 point system is intended to be used with the airbag. If you swap to an aftermarket steering wheel without airbag, it would not be advisable to use on the street since you risk head impact to the wheel. When you're on track with a helmet, maybe it's passable?


With regard to frontal head restraints, it can be used along side the airbag. Not every collision will trigger the airbag, but the sudden deceleration of your head PLUS the weight of the helmet can cause serious injury even at low speed. That being said, the only type of FHR that I am aware of that are marketed as 3-point compatible is the Simpson Hybird line, which isn't technically a traditional HANS that requires harness over-shoulder belts.

[SCFD]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Thank you for comments. Mainly I want to remove as much weight. Car will not be driven on any public roads. Strictly for HPDE. But this has given me things to research.

In my opinion, this sounds like overkill for anything short of a race car. A simple way to reduce weight without affecting any of your safety equipment would just be to remove the passenger seat and rear seats.

Even as a dedicated track car that gets towed to events, parts failures can really ruin your day so I'd focus on being able to run the car for extended periods reliably. Have you looked into things like oil coolers, track pads, brake ducts, and fire extinguishers?

I currently have limited seat time in this car but in terms of safety equipment, I plan on going with a Simpson Hybrid Sport (3 point compatible Hans).

[ka-t_240]

Make sure to look into what your event organizers allow, more and more I see restrictions on organizers not allowing fixed back seats/harnesses with out at least a roll bar.

[fminicooper]

IMO

Stock seat with Schroth Rallye 4 (ASM technology and the ability to install the belts to stock harness mounting locations)
Hans (Hybrid is posible)

Just my two cents. As samebody was saying, opinions vary.

Welcome to the track.

Do no fix what is not broken, change brake fluid.

[norcalpb]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

New Question.

I have decided to not use a harness or Bar but the OEM 3 point. With this and the HANs would it be advisable to use stock airbag in the searing wheel?

That should be fine to still run the airbag but definitely don’t crack your visor on your helmet. If the airbag goes off and hits your visor, it can knock your head back pretty far up and back.

[CSG Mike]

You can break this down into 2 stages

1.

Hybrid S + best helmet you can afford
Optional: full fire gear

2.

Full cage + seat + harnesses

[jflogerzi]

Just strip the interior minus safety systems and use stock seat and 3 point for now. Next stage will be roll cage, seat, etc... BTW not new to tracking my FRS and I have the car pretty dialed in

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