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RE: Harnesses

To: Autox List <autox@autox.team.net>
Subject: RE: Harnesses
From: "Moore, John" <jmoore@spyglass.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 17:49:11 -0500
> > I really like my Schroth harness that uses a 2" pull UP lap belt and
> >3" pull down shoulder straps. Makes it really easy to adjust and the 2"
> lap
> >belt is much more comfortable than a 3". Only problem is cost ... $219.
> >
> 
> 
> What I will never understand is why anyone would buy the Schroth system
> described above for $219 -- which has a skinnier lap belt and an
> illegal-for-anything-but-Solo-II Y-type shoulder strap -- when you can get
> a
> legal-for-anything complete system from Simpson for $89.95?
> 
        [Moore, John]  Ah sir, but you are mistaken, this Schroth system
does not use the Y-type shoulder strap and is from the Schroth Competition
restraint System Profi III line which gives you an option of a 2" or 3" lap
belt and H type shoulder belts as well as optional single or double sub
straps. According to Schroth, with either lap belt, the System meets all SFI
16.1 and FISA requirements which would make it acceptable for use in other
competition as well. The straps even have the SFI 16.1 labels on them. The
shoulder straps attach to a harness bar behind my drivers seat individually,
and are only not attached to the roll cage because the cage comes too close
to the seat to allow proper attachment angles. 

> That price buys you the lap belts, sub strap and H-type shoulder belts,
> with
> either the Latch F/X or the Latch & Link buckle (if you want the Camlock
> buckle it's $169.95). Direct from Simpson. All mounting hardware included.
> Similar prices are found in other catalogs like Racer Wholesale, Speedway
> Motors, Summit, etc.
> 
        [Moore, John]   And why would someone spend the $219 for the
Schroth? The first is the Anti-submarining technology they have built into
the belts. This allows the belts to be only attached at 4 points yet still
be able to avoid submarining in most cases. And I have seen the reasearch to
prove it works. Second is the cam lock. Cam locks are so much easier to deal
with than a latch type, and the Schroth cam lock is especially easy. While
it requires a full quarter turn to disengage, it can be done with little
effort.


> BTW, for those who think they might ever go on a track (including Solo I),
> the mandated lap belt is 3". Schroth fails that spec too.
        [Moore, John]  I don't see anyplace that requires a 3" belt. Just a
requirement that it meet SFI 16.1, or am I missing something?

> I am not dissing the Schroth product or workmanship, which from all I've
> heard is quite good.
        [Moore, John]  The workmanship and materials used on my Schroth
harness are much higher quality than on most harnesses I have seen. It seems
to be designed to last. When I look at it, I trust that it will hold me in
during the worst possible of accidents. With some of the others, I'm not so
sure. Note though that Simpson was my choice in the past for Drag Racing and
they do make some high quality harnesses, I just feel more comfortable with
the Schroth for Solo II.

>  Just that it does not meet rulebook specs for any SCCA
> competition in which specs are established. It may not be legal, but it
> costs more.
> 
> But yes, if you just want a 2" lap belt for Solo II because 3" feels too
> wide, you can get that from Simpson also. It's their
> quarter-midget/mini-dragster system (obviously intended for kiddie racers,
> but easily as good as whatever OEM belt came in your car) for $59.95.
> 
        [Moore, John]  So I guess I'll stick with my Schroth with the
"obviously intended for kiddie racers" 2" belt and be comfortable and safe
during Solo II and you can use whatever you want for whatever other kind of
racing you desire to do. If I go do some other form of racing, my Solo II
car is not what I would choose to run anyway, so even if my 2" lap belt may
not be legal for Solo I, what difference does it make?

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