Quantitative third-party testing has proven that the CG-Lock can make a bigger difference to track time performance than a variety of car modifications costing thousands of pounds. That's according to the maker of the £45 seatbelt add-on anyway. PistonHeads covered the launch of the device last July (see link below).
Vendor CG-Lock said that drivers wanting to improve their overall performance can get the same improvement from a five-minute add-on to their existing seatbelt. The company quotes test driver/reviewer Dale Lomas as saying that "the extra stability and control offered by the CG-Lock really does provide the ultimate benefit: significantly faster lap times. The CG-Lock improves the performance of the driver, not the car."
Using Driftbox GPS technology accurate to 0.01 sec, Lomas took a 2006 VW Golf GTI with paddle shift and a manual 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec-D around Bruntingthorpe both with and without the CG-Lock. After warm-up laps with each car, ten laps were timed, first with the CG-Lock tight, then with it disengaged.
The result according to the company was that, with the CG-Lock tightened, each lap was consistently faster by over 1.7 seconds with the Golf GTi and 0.6 seconds with the Subaru WRX STi over an average lap time of 1:43 and 1:37 respectively. It concludes that since other variables were kept constant, this improvement in lap time is attributable to the device.
Lomas said: "I felt more secure, was able to brake later into corners and drive with more confidence. I was able to concentrate on taking the right line and changing gear, instead of wasting valuable concentration on bracing myself against the doors and bulkhead. Almost like wearing a race harness, the CG-Lock allowed more delicate steering inputs uncluttered by attempts to hang on to the steering wheel. The steering wheel is a delicate instrument, not a hand-hold."
Lomas said: "I was very impressed with the CG-Lock. It strapped me into the car solidly and let me get on with driving it. Without that 'locked-in' feeling, you're going to find smooth consistent driving that much harder. There's no doubt in my mind -- a CG-lock gives a lot of the benefits of a race harness with little of the cost and it's fitted in minutes."
According to the company, the data showed that longitudinal acceleration was greater between gearchanges through corners, which, according to Driftbox boss Mike Broadbent means that with the CG-Lock tight, Lomas was "not struggling to hold the car on a given line - he was simply driving it."
Calum Lockie -- 2006 Silverstone 24hr Champion, British GT Champion, Britcar Champion and Le Mans 24hr driver -- has previously voiced the potential benefits of the CG-Lock leading to faster lap times, said CG-Lock.
Lockie, who owns track day company Goldtrack, said: "CG Lock has taken another great step forward by proving at Bruntingthorpe that its device leads to better lap times. This makes perfect sense, as stability in the seat leads a driver to feel 'at one' with the car, giving greater confidence, better feel and hence better lap times. As a bonus, safety is increased and back strain is reduced. At that price it is a 'no-brainer' - get one fitted."
CG-Lock reckoned that the results reflect the many anecdotes over the past year from track day drivers (both professional and amateur), where they reported feeling more 'at one' with their car after fitting the CG-Lock onto their standard seatbelts and -- as a result -- could get the immediate feedback from the tyres to make necessary minor adjustments to the steering wheel. This helps with taking the circuit's perfect line and achieving faster lap times.
"Without a full racing harness, or a CG-Lock, cornering at speed can only be achieved by bracing elbow and knee to 'lock the body' against the g-forces. Bracing significantly reduces the ability to change gear and steer, as it effectively 'takes out' the right hand and left foot," said CG-Lock boss Graham Cox.
"Advanced techniques such as left-foot braking are impossible without being pinned in the seat, and driver/coach Pentti Airikkala, recommends the CG-Lock to all his students."
CG-Lock reckoned the device has added benefits off-track, too. A lightly tightened lap belt holds your spine in the proper position against the lumbar support of the car seat. The company claimed that, on longer journeys, this has led to elimination of lower back pain.
Links