Crotch strap difficulties

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Posted this Q last week on trackday forum, but got little response, so trying here (where I should have tried first anyway!)

I have a Schroth 4 point harness which is upgradable to a 6 point harness with the simple addition of the crotch bit (one clip into buckle, holding two adjustable straps with clip fasteners on the end).

Now, when positioning myself in my bucket seat to see where I'd need to weld eye-bolt plates to attach these to, the crotch straps don't seem to have room to clear my family jewels.
It's as if the slot in the seat isn't wide enough, so the belts and plastic adjusting buckles 'bunch' together somewhat, leaving little clearance for 'gentleman's comfort'.

The hole in the seat looks pretty standard, about 3" wide, but the straps are about 1" wide, and pretty stiff.

Anyone else solved such a problem?

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I hope you're joking.

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Not played cricket for many years, but I do recall having to re-adjust the box after every movement.

Not a good idea doing this driving round a track, I wouldn't have thought.

So box has ridden up. Tackle half in, half out. Have a shunt. Crotch strap tightens with force of impact, and bisects said tackle.

That would be my major concern over your suggestion.

Do you actually use a box!?

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teamHOLDENracing said:

Some crotch straps come with a T piece which spreads them slightly. However anything which come up between your legs when in a seated position is, by definition, going to interfere with your wedding vegetables.

Yes, mine has the T piece, which keeps it off the 'meat', it's the 'two veg' that feel nervous being in the firing line of the two straps converging on the seat-hole.

I agree that the function of the crotch strap is mainly to keep the lap belt sitting in its intended position on the pelvic bones (and prevent submarining).

I am comforted by your observation that 'they all do that'. I was concerned that I was missing a trick somewhere.

Thanks.

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It's a hatchback, so only option would be a different seat...but as mentioned above, I think the hole in mine is pretty standard.

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jellison said:

Can't really see (even at very high speed) how you can submarine in a upright race seat (I could be wrong! - It does happen), not talking F1 Lotus 72 here (you know what I mean).

I know what you mean, but I think the main purpose for a 6 pointer for me would be to keep the lap belts down over my hip bones.
As a 4 pointer, the lap belts ride up and, in the event of a big impact, would compress my lower intestines and other soft tissue leading to horrendous internal injuries.

The Schroth instructions make for some interesting reading on the subject:-

http://www.schrothracing.com/docs/Competition_Inst...

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s.m.h. said:

What height is the buckle set at?
If its too low the stiff webbing is around the groin area.
My Schroth belts are the same, though I raised the buckle and it improved the comfort.

The main buckle has to sit low if the lap belts are tight over your hip bones though surely?
Adjusting it up will mean the lap belts are over your 'tummy'.

I'll risk my nads rather than liver and kidneys I think.
I am a father, so are surplus to requirements now