Six point belts mandatory in 09

Already did it last year.

 

Hey- How does a 6 point belt work? where does it attach? Also but the way the tech guys in Div 6 were enforcing the rule that the shoulder belts have to have a full wrap over the mounting point. That means the belt needs to be longer, especially when you consider the fitted seat and hans type device. I had a really tough time getting impact to simply make the shoulder portion of the belts longer. I hope all the manufacturers have realized the shoulder part of the belts needs to be longer? Dave Germain

 

The full-wrap of the shoulder belts does make them a little shorter, but you can adjust the anti-sub belt (crotch belt) to make up for it. I run DT's 7-point in my funny car. The only difference between the 6 and 7 is that with a 6 there is no middle strap. The 2 extra straps whether it be on the 6 or 7 point deal mount through the same hole in your seat as the side belts, you'll have to make the hole in your seat and foamed seat insert a little wider to accomodate this if it doesn't fit. They wrap around the tube just in front of where your side belts do.

All that being said, after next season (when my belts expire) I was thinking that I would talk to DT about going to the bolt-in belts...the wrap arounds are just so difficult to work with if your seat is close to tight with the rails they are wrapping around. Something to think about anyways....

 

The 7 point harness system is some what complecated untill you see it and understand how and why it works. Dave, we work with racers and their individual needs all the time. If a racer needs a longer shoulder strap we just make the center piece longer. Belts "off the shelf" just won't work for everybody.

If someone has our 5 point belts and needs to upgrade to 7 point, We can send them the pieces needed to do this. I have run the 7 point in my own car for 5 years now. It is a much better system.

DT

 

Apparently I somehow wasn't very clear with my post. I had intended no slight whatsoever to the Div 6 tech guys. They have always treated me fairly and have certainly applied the rules appropriately. What I meant with my post was that they actually had enforced the rules as they are written- correctly. I had a long discussion with the tech guys at impact about the rule concerning a full wrap of the shoulder belt. They felt that because it was written in the TAD portion of the rule book it didn't apply to TAFC. The div 6tech guys showed me where it was written in black and white. No problems with that at all. I know the rules are written in an effort to keep us all safe and the application of those rules are intended in the same manner. My only point was to gently tip off the seat belt makers that they needed to make the shoulder belts longer to fully comply with the rules. I know that I can lengthen the crotch strap to make the shoulder belts reach but that has some issues also. Lap belts truly need to be in the lap. When lap belts ride up unto the torso or down unto the thighs it places stress in places that can result in mid thoracic spine fractures in the event of accidents. I have seen it a ton of times in kids wearing lap belts only in car crashes in my work as a firefighter/paramedic. Now my next question- Dennis are you going to the PRI show? I will be there to talk to you about the belts and make an order.
Dave Germain

 

Hi Dave,
Yes I will be at PRI, booths 4917-4921. I can answer all your questions about 7 point belts.

Anyone comming to PRI are welcome to use our booth as a home base or meeting place. I added to our space this year so we will have more space to BS. I think I can get Will to sponsor the breakfast for 3 days also. Come one come all!

DT

 

Seat Belts and other rules for 09

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed sometimes.....where do you guys find the rule amendments for 09?? I just cannot find the current stuff. Also, where can I find the nostalgia funny rules??? How about info for the "special fuel" crossover license?? Thanks for your help. Scott

 

Dennis Taylor

Dennis
Since we have the 5-pt harness now and we have to switch to either a 6 or 7-pt
Do you recomend we just go to a 7-pt and be done with it, is it the best of the two?
Will we have to weld any additional attachment points for this or cut the seat,
where does the 2 extra straps on the 7-pt harness attach??
John Hart

 

http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/safety-restraints

You can find good info here on proper placement of 6 & 7 point.

 

John,

If you have our 5 point belts now, we can send you every thing you need to make it a 7 point. If you give me a call I can explain to you why the 7 point is so important, and how to mount it. 800 320-2988 DT.

 

I was at the PRI show and stopped by Dennis Taylor's booth and he took the time to demonstrate how the 7 pt belts worked and it was so simple after he went through it. I would recommend to anyone to call him and go over it.