Seat Harness

[TVRSH]

I need to buy a new harness (mine date expires at the end of 2010), but if I buy this year does that mean I shall get one year's less life from it than if I buy in 2011? How do you know that you are maximizing its date expiry - I assume a harness is stamped for a 5 year life or is it less? Maybe companies sell off less than full 5 year harnesses cheaply!
Richard

[Chassis 33]

Richard, much of it depends on stock levels etc, you may buy one in January that was still produced in 2010 so the 5yr date would be 2015 not 2016. That said, its what £200? if you split that across 4years its £50 a year, across 5years its £40, stop fretting over it and buy one early next year before the car is next entered into competition, it's really not something you should be giving a second thought.
Regards
Iain

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

If your really need to make every penny count you can even ebay the old one for someone to use in a trackday car, and get some money back.

eta changed tight to (make every penny count)

Edited by TVRleigh_BBWR on Monday 1st November 12:24

[Chassis 33]

If you're that tight on money that you have to eBay off old harnesses you must question whether you can afford be out there at all. What corners is this thriftyness causing you to cut?
Regards
Iain

[teamHOLDENracing]

Enough of the lecturing boys. Apart from the money its a hassle to change these things.... when I bought my last exinguisher I was less than impressed that 6 months of its 2 year service life were up.... condeming me to have the thing serviced mid season rather than out of season when it is more convenient. Belts are a pain to change in my car and I'd rather do them as infrequently as possible thanks.

[tbdgriff500]

hi Richard
if you come to the autosport show in january i reckon you could get a show deal and save a few quid + it will then be 2011 so you can buy the latest!
see simples init

[tbdgriff500]

also along the same lines how long do the race suits last, mine was made in 2007, anyone know when that expires for motorsport.
regards
tim.

[Chassis 33]

Suits and helmets aren't life'd as such unlike belts, but the standards expire periodically.
IIRC the 1986 suit standard expired a few years ago (2004???), but the 2000 standard is still good for a good while yet.
Regards
Iain

Edited by Chassis 33 on Monday 1st November 15:48

[Graham]

Chassis 33 said:

IIRC the 1986 suit standard expired a few years ago (2004???)

1986 standard was ok untill 2010 I only changed my suit this year...so 2000 standard should be good for a while yet.

although interestingly in the last year or so the FIA mandated that suits have to have the year of manufacture on them as well, so presumerably at some point they will life suits, but thats not happened yet..


stuff like belts and even extinguishers are an fia money making scam.. they are fine for much longer than the fia life them for... with an extinguisher as long as the pressure is in the green and the weight is ok its fine... I just take mine to the local fire ex place and thats all they do same as they do for fire ex in the work place...

[grumpy bear]

tbdgriff500 said:

hi Richard
if you come to the autosport show in january i reckon you could get a show deal and save a few quid + it will then be 2011 so you can buy the latest!
see simples init

What day are you going TD, I was aiming to be there on Friday

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

I think most things last 5 years, I know they extended the life of the helmets though, and extinguishers have to be re-filled every 2 years (but our level only requires it to be in the green AFAIK), also the seats are not currently date checked in our level of racing, best check the blue book for upto date info.

[Graham]

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

I know they extended the life of the helmets though

IIRC they extended the life of the one of the snell certified helmets ( 2000?)as they cant agree on the new snell standard.. most helmets dont have a year od manufacture.

[tbdgriff500]

hi Mal
sure everyones going on the friday as per last year,
also my two extinguishers say they need a service in feb 2011
but are both well in the green, the reason i bought a spare was incase the original got pulled by mistake, therefore stopping you racing!
so can you race if it is in the green but out of date for its service ?
can't imagine you can or they would not put a date on it.

[TVRSH]

Well if I'd known I was turning up such a hornets' nest I would never have asked the question!
However thanks for the input guys and whilst on extinguishers, mine's a Lifeline 2000 and was still in the green when I had it serviced 2 years ago (by date expiry)on buying the car. I paid a call to the factory near Coventry and, while they said they would still re-charge (only £50) the tank up to 3 months over date, it was clear that it was the date stamp that mattered, not just being in the green , but then they would say that wouldn't they!

[Graham]

TVRSH said:

Well if I'd known I was turning up such a hornets' nest I would never have asked the question!

dont worry its off season nothing to do but bh on the internet..

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

tbdgriff500 said:

my two extinguishers say they need a service in feb 2011
but are both well in the green, the reason i bought a spare was incase the original got pulled by mistake, therefore stopping you racing!
so can you race if it is in the green but out of date for its service ?
can't imagine you can or they would not put a date on it.

I asked on here at the start of the year, as mine was out of date, I got my refreshed, but after was told that our class of racing only requires it to be been green, but stuff like Britcar etc. need it also to be in date, similar to seats, we only need a valid seat but they need one in date also etc.
Things may change though so always worth checking the new blue book once it comes out.

[Graham]

Dont forget the Vat increase in Jan, that will hit the autosport prices.

might be some deals in Dec


If anyone is looking for Harnesses ( willans), Fire-ex (Willans) or seats ( cobra)

I have some trade deals in place so can get discounted prices If i can put an order together

G

Edited by Graham on Tuesday 2nd November 10:39