Schroth Rallye harnesses

[marcrx5]

Are Schroth Rallye 3 harnesses, which are DOT certified, acceptable for time trials? The Time Trials rules state I must use a 5, 6, or 7 point harness, but I didn't see where in the rules it mentions factory seat belts and/or DOT certified harnesses.

Basically, I'm looking at possibly picking up two seats (for a great deal!) for my car, but they only accept a 4-point harness. I use this car, a 1989 Honda Civic Si, primarely for autocross, but I do track days as well. The seats will be fixed back, non FIA certified (I'm not racing wheel to wheel), and will be installed on sliders and mounted to the factory mounting locations. There will be no roll cage installed in the car, so I need other harness ideas that will be acceptable for the track.

[jhadler]

Mark,

The simplest answer is this: 4-point harnesses -are- allowed. However, they must meet both of the following criteria:

1) They must carry SFI/FIA certification.
2) They must provide some form of submarining protection.

To date, and the best of my knowledge, the Scroth Profi is the only 4-pt harness that meets those criteria. The Schroth Rallye does not. Yes, is has the ASM technology, but the Rallye does not carry SFI or FIA certification.

Yes, you can run the harness without a rollbar, provided the harness and seats (as they are non OEM) are installed properly (according to the Time Trials Rules (http://www.scca.com/documents/Club%20Rules/2008TTR.pdf))

Personally: I'd much rather have 5, 6 or 7 point restraints as opposed to a 4 point system.

-Josh2

[marcrx5]

Thanks for the info. If I end up with these seats I'll have to look into the Schroth Profi harnesses. If not, I'll look for seats that will accept anti submarining straps. Can I mount the harnesses without a harness bar or cage? I know the rule book has maximum angles allowed, but, if I can achieve these angles from the rear seatbelt locations, would I then be allowed not to use a harness bar / roll bar? That's why I was hoping to use the Rallye 3, because I'm not going to have a bar in my car.

[jhadler]

Thanks for the info. If I end up with these seats I'll have to look into the Schroth Profi harnesses. If not, I'll look for seats that will accept anti submarining straps. Can I mount the harnesses without a harness bar or cage? I know the rule book has maximum angles allowed, but, if I can achieve these angles from the rear seatbelt locations, would I then be allowed not to use a harness bar / roll bar? That's why I was hoping to use the Rallye 3, because I'm not going to have a bar in my car.

If you can safely, and properly, mount the harnesses without a harness bar, then sure. But keep in mind that the seat itself cannot function as a guide for the harnesses. More to the point, the harnesses cannot drop precipitously from the slots in the back of the seat. The concern is then requiring the slots in the back of the seat to support the full load of compression in the event of an impact. And they won't.

If you're concerned, I would get one of our tech inspectors to look over a potential installation before you spend the coin. There's always someone at a local autox, and you can always go to one of the shops that do tech inspections for TT as well... Bimmerhaus, SCR, Built-by-bones and others are all places that can help you out.

-Josh2

[GingerGSR]

I'll look for seats that will accept anti submarining straps.
Mark,
FYI, the anti-sub strap(s) go through the seat and are mounted to the floor of the car.