Seatbelts or Harnesses?

[driveclimbslide]

This is one of those newb questions that I've been wondering about. Obviously race rules require a certified, non-expired harness to race but what about in between stages when you have to drive on the open road? Most harnesses aren't street legal so how does this work?

[Bananarama]

The only DOT approved harness I can think of is the Schroth Rallye belts. Most people who are racing in stage rally trailer their car in so its not a problem. I guess if you're really worried you can leave your oem belt in..only would add a few pounds.



Edit reading > me. I didn't see you posted asking what people do in between stages...I thought you meant like normal driving when not in a rally.

[carl]

transit stages you will keep the harnesses on

[sniper1rfa]

The "street legal" thing is kindof a joke. Remember, you won't be on DOT tires between stages, either. Nor is a modified exhaust legal in many (most?) states, as it is part of emissions control. Same thing with a modified airbag system and modified steering wheel.

Are you planning on having a functional horn? In MA, you need one to pass inspection. ;)

[carl]

The "street legal" thing is kindof a joke. Remember, you won't be on DOT tires between stages, either. Nor is a modified exhaust legal in many (most?) states, as it is part of emissions control. Same thing with a modified airbag system and modified steering wheel.

Are you planning on having a functional horn? In MA, you need one to pass inspection. ;)
reminds me we need to wire my horn back in

[UP2MTNS]

you need to have a working horn for stage rally too, iirc....blinkers, headlights, brake lights...they check all that in tech.

as far as belts go....it'd take a real douche of a cop to give you a ticket for that, and even then, I'd think it would be a fix-it-ticket.

the only reason most race harnesses aren't DOT legal is because they're not as easy to use as a regular 3-point seatbelt....they need to be idiot proof.

[Draco-REX]

you need to have a working horn for stage rally too, iirc....blinkers, headlights, brake lights...they check all that in tech.

as far as belts go....it'd take a real douche of a cop to give you a ticket for that, and even then, I'd think it would be a fix-it-ticket.

the only reason most race harnesses aren't DOT legal is because they're not as easy to use as a regular 3-point seatbelt....they need to be idiot proof.

I think it's also because the safety systems in a car are tested WITH the car. If you change how it works, I think the DOT wants the car tested with the new belts. Since you can't crash test every car with every belt system, they aren't DOT legal.

I think the Schroth harnesses aren't really DOT legal either. But they meet DOT requirements. There's a distinct difference there.

The only other argument I've heard as to why harnesses aren't legal is that the greater number of belts means it might be harder for EMTs to pull you out of the car. But every EMT I've talked to has laughed saying they can cut through nearly anything to get you out.

[409industries]

Yeah, i have never heard of anyone switching to OEM belts just to go through transit stages.

[carl]

i've never even seen a rally car that still had the oem belts in it lol. in my car they'd be very in the way

[driveclimbslide]

Same here. Well, it's not really an option anymore any way unless I get really creative.

Same thing with a modified airbag system and modified steering wheel.

So would you keep the OEM for state inspection purposes? Just seems silly to me.

[carl]

no idea, we have no inspection in mn

[sniper1rfa]

Same here. Well, it's not really an option anymore any way unless I get really creative.



So would you keep the OEM for state inspection purposes? Just seems silly to me.

Nope, i would probably register the car in new hampshire. :P


I actually have no idea what you might do - probably just not keep an up to date inspection. The cops aren't going to hassle you between sanctioned stages.

You basically couldn't inspect the car in good conscience - the only thing that would pass would be lights and horn. :eek:

[UP2MTNS]

Same here. Well, it's not really an option anymore any way unless I get really creative.



So would you keep the OEM for state inspection purposes? Just seems silly to me.

what about states that don't have 'inspection'? ie CA.

also, technically, I bought my car with a salvage title....so cops should be lucky I have a steering wheel that works and 4 tires, much less an airbag.