Blue book, scrutineeering, harnesses, "complete set"

[BertBert]

blue book said:

2.1.8. It is not permitted to mix parts of seat belts. Only
complete sets as supplied by manufacturers are to be
used.

So my new Scroth belts got rejected by the scrutes this weekend. After I bought them last winter and before fitting, they were subject to a Schroth recall. They sent me two new shoulders and I sent the old ones back. The key though is the date of the shoulders is one year different from the rest. Apparently this contradicts sec k, 2.1.8.

Now I kind of disagree as 2.1.8 only says it must be a set, not that the dates need to be the same. I got let out, but was told to turn up next time with matching date belts.

I think Schroth will refuse to do anything as they will say the regs are not contravened.

Anyone got any views?

Cheers
Bert

[BertBert]

Trev450 said:

Could be you were unlucky and got an over-zealous scrute. You could contact the MSA and see what they say on the matter.

I did think that someone might pick up on it, but both scrute and boss-scrute were of one mind. They let me out, but said come back next time with matching dates. I can't imagine Schroth wanting to do that!

I've emailed MSA technical to see what they say.

Bert

[BertBert]

Weslake-Monza said:

Schroth and perhaps other belt manufacturers will supply a brand new set of belts that have differing dates on each belt. Aside from having a discussion with the scrutineers about this, the other problem is that belt set life for racing will be as short as the oldest date. So, you might find you have a 4 or 3 year life on a set of belts that ought to have a 5 year life. I suggest you return them to Schroth for a refund and next time not only buy best, but buy British and buy Willans.

The life isn't really a problem as the new parts have 1 extra year. Willans don't do a harness that I want to use, so I'm happy to stick with the Schroth belt which is superb in many ways.

I suspect I'll just have to have conversations with the scrutes as the years go by as the regs don't say they need to be the same date. I think that Schroth would argue they are supplied as a set even if they came in two parts with different dates. But we'll see.

Bert

[BertBert]

ridgey said:

If you buy a specific set of belts because they are FIA/MSA compliant and they turn out not to be , they are "not fit for purpose" so you should be entitled to replacement or refund . Thats how I interpret trading standards rules

Agreed, but I'm not sure the rules are actually contravened. Hence the question.
Bert

[BertBert]

And the answer is...

MSA technical said:

a set is identified by matching FIA homologation numbers on each strap and then it is complaint with K2.1.8

[BertBert]

djroadboy said:

So, the scrut was wrong! Why am I not surprised!

Dan

Yup. Mind you I've still got to check the numbers to see if they match as I've not got the car in front of me at the moment.