Harness with 'folding' seat

[DanielJames]

Hi guys

I've been fancying getting some harnesses in my DC2, but a friend is claiming using a harness with a folding seat is a very dangerous idea.

Can anyone elaborate?

Thanks
Dan

[andyiley]

It is not particularly the fact that the seat folds, but the protection afforded (or not) by the car's shell that is the problem.

Seats/airbags/seatbelts are all part of a system of restraint designed to work hand-in-hand with each other.

The theory goes that without the additional protection of a roll cage with side protection, in either a roll-over or heavy side impact your body will be held in a more vulnerable position (increased risk of neck/head injury in roll-over, or side injury in side impact) when harnesses but not a cage are fitted.

Edited by andyiley on Thursday 7th November 13:04

[DiscoColin]

To be honest, a bucket seat will confer more benefit to the driving experience than changing the belts... (install just on the drivers side if you need to retain access to the back). Once you have done that, then is the time to pick up this discussion IMHO...

[weed]

I have experienced gradual seat failure of the back rest mechanism in a volkswagen Golf GTI 16v and a bmw E30 M3.
I was using Schroth ASM harnesses.
One tends to cinch up the belts tightly, which does the recline mechanism no favours.
I would use the factory belt/seat combo or switch to race type shell/ 5pt harness set

m

[andyiley]

I think you now have a few replies all pointing out potential issues & what you need to do now is ask the guy what he meant, as I don't think the amswers you have sound like what he was saying to you.

Let us know what he says.

[framerateuk]

Have you considered using a CG-Lock instead?

For trackdays in my road car I've found it an ideal solution. It holds your lap in where you need the extra support, but with none of the drawbacks of fitting harnesses in a car without a rear strut bar or cage.

[DiscoColin]

framerateuk said:

Have you considered using a CG-Lock instead?

For trackdays in my road car I've found it an ideal solution. It holds your lap in where you need the extra support, but with none of the drawbacks of fitting harnesses in a car without a rear strut bar or cage.

Just to give a counter opinion - I am not a fan of those. It will hold your backside in place but what you really want is lateral support for your hips and torso and that is a matter for the seat. So they sort of work, but I found it a waste of time for me. It is a cheap solution with a price-proportional amount of benefit IMHO.