Seat Belts

Tim M

PRESIDENT, Member # 015
GCC Member
Location
St. Charles
First Name
Tim
Last Name
Mauldin
Does anyone know IF the Simpson 4 point harness has a tag of expiration on them? I ordered a new set and wanted to know if belts "expire"

On another note related to belts, are 5 point harnesses required for most competitive racing?
 
Does anyone know IF the Simpson 4 point harness has a tag of expiration on them? I ordered a new set and wanted to know if belts "expire"

On another note related to belts, are 5 point harnesses required for most competitive racing?

Tim:

My RCI belts have expiration dates. I believe that all SFI certified belts do, including Simpson. I think they are good for two years.

I haven't participated in any event that required the submarine belt (5th point).

Steve
 
If you have ever been teched by nhra this is 1 of the areas they look at - you can send belts back to have re-certifired if out of date
 
I have to admit that I don't know much about drag racing. Thanks for the info and heads up.
 
I've actually sent an email to the Simpson tech support asking about replacements for my belts. Haven't heard back yet. I'm not finding my style on the website any more. They've all gone the "H" style and I don't want to re-do my whole backpanel. I'm looking for a "Y" replacement.
 
I've actually sent an email to the Simpson tech support asking about replacements for my belts. Haven't heard back yet. I'm not finding my style on the website any more. They've all gone the "H" style and I don't want to re-do my whole backpanel. I'm looking for a "Y" replacement.
they still have the v shoulder type &L 55" Roll Bar V Harness Bolt-in
55" Bolt-in seat belt pull down
V harness bolt-in
Polyester webbing
these should be what you are needing but 1st see if they will recertify them.
search simpson seat belts and they still show them. this is a bad time of the year due to everybody getting theirs recertified. The type you will have to get is for roll bar and they come with the hardware to correctly mount - I used the cam lock design - also found R.J.S. also has them - grab a summit book they are shown and price not to bad
 
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OK. I talked to someone at Simpson. They said that they no longer produce the Y harness for racing, but they do have it in the off road selection, but it's not SFI certified. Is that a major problem? it is for me. My panel behind the seat is currently cut for a single hole directly behind the seat. To purchase the H style would mean I'd have to cut new holes in my backpanel and have an ugly hole behind the seat. So in order to swap to the H style I'd have to
a.) Cut the new holes, Fill in the old hole and recover the backpanel.
b.) Buy the Y harness from the Offroad section and not have SFI certified belts
c.) Do nothing, keep my old belts and don't do track events.

I really don't like any of those options. I want the car to look nice and not all chopped up. I did ask about the V harness, but there is nothing behind the backpanel to bolt this in order to hold up. I may be able to extend a full metal flat bar stock up to the hole inside of the trunk. I'd then bolt the V to that. in the even of a crash, the force would travel through the metal brace to the link in the frame. Would that be sufficient? I'd have SFI rate belts showing and still have a single hole in my back panel.

Ok experts weigh in. Thoughts? Other options?
 
There are two slots for my belts to pass through, but one attachment point. Here are the cam lock v-type on Summit - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SIM-29108BK/Warnings/?prefilter=1 or the latch type - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SIM-29074BK/Warnings/?prefilter=1.

After reading my thread revival on FFC - starting at post #20 - http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206593 - I think there are other options out there. There are also other options for mounting too, just do a search on belts.

As for your single hole, I think that would work fine with either type of belts on Summit. I had been looking for A) an updated belt for safety reasons and B) a belt that is easier for Linda to buckle (e.g. Camlock version)
 
You will not have an issue at RnG Or Shelby event at Hallett. I do not know about Putnam or any others. I would highly suggest you just don't crash:D:D
 
Ok. One best advice is go down the track very fast, if something gets in your way...turn. Simple.

Really, my point was niether of the above events tech the seat belt for an expiration date. I don't know about the others.
 
Most of the events like Putnam allow street cars without so much as a second look. My buddies will be there for the 3rd year in a row with their 87 corvette with original seat belts. I would say until you move up to NASA or SCCA you won't have a problem.
 
Don't worry look at your passenger cars have you ever seen one of those brake NO. Only ones I have ever seen look at dated belts was nhra ( but the dumb ass didn't look at mounting ) many of these belts almost twice the width. Hmm look at them tie down straps you will see they hold alot. Many years ago a local based race car teams transport driver ran off the road, trailer came lose and rolled 3/4 the way over, quess what car was still attached to trailer 2300 lb car 4 tie downs, fiquire 550 lbs each dam I hope none of you all weigh that much, if so maybe a switch to chains would be in place.
Chains needed on this 1 belts don't go that big
 
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