[Cloud9...68]

When I sold my car's stock seats, the seat belt latches (the things bolted to the inboard sides of the seats that the buckle latches into) went with them, so I'm debating what to do for when I'm driving my mostly-track purposed car on the street. Obviously, I'll use a full harness when driving on the track. I've heard two arguments:



1. Driving with a harness on the street is a bad idea, because by being held into the seat very tightly with the harness, you can't lean forward at intersections to allow you to get a good look to your extreme right and left.



2. Driving with a conventional intertia reel seat belt in a car equipped with a roll cage, or even just a roll bar/harness bar, is a bad idea, because by not being firmly held into the seat, there's increased risk that in a collision, you could get flung against one of the bars in the split second before the seat belt catches, causing severe injury or death, so you should never drive a roll bar/cage equipped car without being strapped in. That goes for the passengers, too.



I could definitely see the case for 2) in a car with a full cage, but I'm sure most people with roll bars (e.g. the DiR units) keep their stock seat belts. But for me, this would mean buying a set of latches, and somehow adapting them to work with my racing seats. Thoughts (other than that this is another reason a dual-purpose car is a bad idea - I know, I know, but I can't afford/don't have the space for another car right now, especially with how little driving I do)?

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[flash]

i run them both. i ran just harnesses for a while, and it's a real pain.

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[Rap]

Having just done this I have found that stock belt is not something that I use. I did use it for my granddaughter because the harness was rubbing on her neck and hurting her. Now the harness in the racing seat is a pain in the butt. You can see to look left, right and behind. Once your in though you can't reach for much. So you sort of have to make sure everything is where it needs to be once you start. I have a double whammy in that my size requires the seat to be moved up to drive and of course moved back to get out. Then add an overcoat at this ttime of year and well you get the picture. I would just go with the racing harness because you in all probability will not use the stock belt. Just my current experience!

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[Cloud9...68]

Hmmm... Two replies, two different opinions. Either way, using the harness on the street sounds like a real pain. Good thing I won't be driving it on the street all that much. Gotta think on this some more...

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[Rap]

I like to have the harness on street driving. Just a pain!

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[craigawoodman]

Cloud,



I left my seat belts in the car, and have an XXL wide seat and can still use them. Much easier than the harness, and more comfortable. You should be able to get both the clasp and belt in there.



I always use the seat belt when on the road.



Not sure bout a side impact, but padding on the bars around your head would be a good idea. Also, try to position the seat away from the upright bars as possible, this should remove the head to bar contact scenario (not good).

Sorry, should have also added, I don't have a roll bar, only a harness bar behind the seats.

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[pmason]

In my 911 have have both, originally thinking the same thing as you, but I always use the harness. Now granted I just take the car out for joy rides and that is about it.

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[Cloud9...68]

On thing I neglected to mention was that in my case, I also have the passenger seat to consider, because I carpool with a co-worker who lives up the street to the vanpool pick-up point, so I plan to use the car (at least until I buy another car - will see how long I can stand the stiff ride) every other day for this purpose. Not sure if I feel right about asking him to strap on a harness for a four-mile ride - the ride will be enough to put up with! Once I get the car back with the roll bar, I'll assess how much risk there is of striking the bar in the event of a collision if not held firmly into the seat with a harness.

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[94'968]

i run with harnesses on the street... i have both, but just got used to using the harnesses. would suck to get in an accident and think to yourself, if only i was wearing my harnesses, and they were right there!

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[Cloud9...68]

OK, another vote for the harness. I had an Austin Healy BJ8 years ago (wish I still had it, as it would be owrth a ton of money today), and I installed a harness in it, and it was fine. Given how little I'm likely to be driving the 968 on the street, I suppose using just the harness wouldn't be a big deal.

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[pure&simple]

One theory regarding the harness is that by holding your body in so effectively, more impact energy would be directed to your head and neck. Not sure if i agree or not, but perhaps something to consider.

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[Rap]

If your worried about side impact and potentially hitting the side bar, you might consider wearing a helmut with a hans device. Then you would only have to worry about surviving a side impact and not worry about hitting your head. Just a thought!

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[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='Rap' timestamp='1365089807' post='140903']

If your worried about side impact and potentially hitting the side bar, you might consider wearing a helmut with a hans device. Then you would only have to worry about surviving a side impact and not worry about hitting your head. Just a thought!

[/quote]

No side bar - I only have a main hoop, harness bar, and diagonal bar, plus the support bars that connect the main hoop to the floor of the luggage area. So all the bars are either well behind me, or well above my head. Seems like the risk of using the stock seat belts for street driving is pretty minimal.

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[flash]

agreed. as much of a pain as it is to install the OEM stuff, i would run both belts. that's what i am doing now. in fact, i am waiting for the cool little pockets i am having made to be finished, which will hang from my harness bar and capture the harnesses when not in use

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[Rap]

Yes the harnesses are a pain. I flip the two top ones over the seat sides. Works ok as long as they are there. The bottom ones hmm. The left bottom is always getting caught on the parking brake while the right one seems to stay available. One needs to make sure before harnessing that all are reachable because if you need to unhook. Its just the getting used to having everything in place and reahable that takes some time!

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