opinions on no-name crappy harness?

[paktinat]

I've wanted to get a harness to keep my self from bumping around the cabin so much, but I'm a cheap bastard.

Does anyone have any opinions of the no-name 'ricer' harnesses like this one:
http://www.handhelditems.com/point-seat-belt-black-logo-p-118660.html
or
http://www.handhelditems.com/point-harness-camlock-seat-belt-black-logo-p-118665.html

I know I wouldn't trust my life to it on the street, but would it be sufficient on a rally-X course?

I understand dot, fia, what ever ratings for saftey, but shouldn't something like this be enough to keep a body in a seat at the slow rally-x speeds?

[MConte05]

Looks exactly like my sparco stuff, and the scroth stuff too. I use mine only for RallyX as well. I am sure some will disagree, but i'd say go for it.

[dirty]

Why risk it for $55? What are you saving IF you have to use them? If you were building a show car maybe, but your not.

I'd also look for out of date belts from stage guys. I just gave two old belts to a friend.

J.

[WAM]

Your question isn't about crash safety but just the driving. I've never found a competition advantage to shoulder harnesses. Instead, I install an aftermarket lap belt and use it in conjunction with the stock seat belt system. With my butt firmly lashed into the seat and my hands on the wheel, I've never needed more restraint than that.

And it meets your "cheap" criteria.

[MConte05]

I know my sparco harness has helped a lot in RallyX. Scoot the seat up, put the back a little more upright, and strap myself down tight. Makes for a much more "connected" feeling to the car. I got my harness for $60 used on NASIOC. I know my friend has about four or five expired harnesses. But they would require harness bars in the car to install.

[I Like It Sideways]

For rallycross, I don't see a problem. As you said, you won't be using them on the street. If the purpose is to keep you from sliding around, then these would suffice.
However, I do not see any rating (DOT or other).

[Daniel B]

Do me a favor and try this first.

- scoot your seat back
- pull your 'stock' 3 point belt tighly accross yourself with your right hand (if you are in the driver's seat)
- now tug hard and fast on the belt - if you do it right, it will catch and lock
- now carefully slide your seat forward
- if you did it right, you now have OEM safty but you are also LOCKED tightly into your seat
- I promise you it will make you feel WAY more connected to your car

Best of all, it's safe and FREE :mrgreen:

[Newk_Rally]

^^that's what i do as well...but it's not the same feeling as a harness i say for 20 bucks give it a shot and let us know how it worked out for you

[paktinat]

I will think about it.

I've already tried the 'cheap' options(locking belt and scooting forward, CG-Lock) but still find myself sliding left and right due to the side bolsters in both cars being too wide for my body (although the 25yo gti seats are much skinnier than the 6 year old wrx)

I guess I should have clarified that I'd like to control the left and right motion, as that seems to be what bothers me, thats why I was thinking of a 4-point.

ALso, I didn't think about used out of date harnesses. I guess that gives me a reason to look around nasioc.


thanks everyone

[noisycricket]

Shop around. I paid $50 new for my camlock 5-point. (Summit returns and overstock bin, I love you) There's always deals to be had if you're patient.

That said, in my upright-sitting Golf, I did just fine with a $25 NAPA lap belt, which was required to meet rules since my Golf was one of the ones manufactured with the 2 point shoulder belt. The generic lap belts do not have retractors so you can cinch them super-tight, and once your hips are secured, you're not going to move around very much.

While driving Tim's most excellent 2.5RS last weekend, I had no problem driving with the stock slack seatbelt. I didn't want to use his 4-point, to minimize the driver-changeover drama. The QSW has Side Bolsters from Hell. Maybe find a Quantum or Audi 4000 in a boneyard?

[geekmonster]

there's always that g lock think that works with your stock seatbelt which keeps tension on the belt. i know aaron (409industries) had one, maybe he'll chime in on it.

also, if you're still set on safety harnesses, take a look at the g-force brand. i know a lot of stage rally guys get them because of the price and since harnesses usually expire sooner than other safety items, they go with the more reasonably priced ones that are still good pieces.

[Draco-REX]

Definitely get them, just don't use them on the street. If you want that option, get a Schroth harness.

I MUCH prefer a harness to a tight OEM belt. Strapped into a well bolstered seat, I don't need to use the steering wheel to keep myself upright in the corners, so I can have a relaxed grip on the wheel. At the last RallyX I even caught myself steering with my fingertips a couple times.

Even with a CG*Lock or really tight lap-belt, I'd either have to use the wheel to keep myself in my seat, or use my legs which would impede my footwork. (Try to heel-toe while bracing yourself against the center console.)

Oh, as for which of the two, the 4-point should be fine. It's easier to get into and you're not likely to submarine on a RallyX "off." You should watch noisycricket get into his harness, and he'd had a lot of practice. Me, I just sit down, pull the straps over my shoulders like pulling on a backpack, and then snap the belt like a lap-belt.

[thewizard]

Harnesses are not gonna prevent you from moving/sliding around.(A 4 point definitely is not gonna do much) You need better seats first!

I have a set of out of date Simpson harnesses (5 point) if you want but like I said they are not gonna do wonders unless you use the sub strap and sit in a better seat.

[noisycricket]

Harnesses are not gonna prevent you from moving/sliding around.(A 4 point definitely is not gonna do much) You need better seats first!

I have a set of out of date Simpson harnesses (5 point) if you want but like I said they are not gonna do wonders unless you use the sub strap and sit in a better seat.

:bs:

I have to lay back in my RX-7 because I gangle. With the 5 point in the car, I do not move. Repeat: I Do. Not. Move. I do wear it so tight that I find it hard to breathe, and my headroom increases an inch when strapped in, but this should be done anyway.

And yeah getting into the harness is "fun". First dig out the three belts, lay the shoulder belts on the seat back and the sub strap on the cushion. Sit down, close the door partway, and dig the shoulder belts out. Thread the arm restraint loops over the sub strap and then try to clip it into the buckle. Then clip the left lap. Make sure the shoulder belts are both UNDER the foam collar and then clip those in. Start the car (cannot reach the key while buckled), exhale, cinch shoulder belts tight, ask someone to close the door...

I'm not being asocial when driving, it's just a PITA to get situated :) Unless there's a mechanical problem or some other emergency, once I'm in the car, I stay in.

And yes you have to use the sub strap in a 5 point. The sub strap is critical to the operation, it stabilizes the buckle. Not using it is worse than using a deliberately slackened 3-point.

[rallyimprezive]

god that website is full of crap. They sell fake Sparco seats that actually SAY sparco.