NHRA Rule on shoulder belts

[Dave Muller]

I was told by a tech inspector at my local track that shoulder belts have to bolt to tabs on the roll cage rather than have the belts loop around the bar. I'm about to travel to the Division 7 Summit Series finals where I expect tech inspection to be more thorough, and if I need to change this it has to happen in the next two days.

I've read the rule book on this several times, and I think the part he's thinking of only refers to lap belts wrapped around frame rails. I have the belts feeding through the opening in the seat, then they loop around the cross bar and immediately attach using the device that came with the belts. It's very solid, and I think much better than if I welded a tab on and used that.

But is it legal?

[Run to Rund]

I believe you are right. According to section 10:5, driver restraint systems, seat belts may not be wrapped around lower frame rails. Nothing is said about shoulder belt mounting and the drawing shows it wrapped around the cross bar. I have gone through tech many times with my setup that has the shoulder belts wrapped around the bar, between the vertical welded supports for the headrest--they are 6" apart and keep the shoulder belts from sliding around. You will need something on the bar to prevent sliding, according to the tech man I talked to some years ago.

[Sean Marconette]

Dave it would probably be a good idea to call the division tech director to get a definitive answer. If you do weld a tab on it needs to be installed at an angle that does not compromise the belts. From a safety standpoint what you described does not keep the belts from sliding around on the bar. A tab would prevent the movement of you and the seat, if there was an accident.

Good luck
Sean

[Dave Muller]

Thanks, guys.

I should have mentioned I've already emailed Pat Cvengros on this, but I haven't heard back and the clock is ticking loudly now.

As far as movement along the bar, that's true to a point, but there's a steel bar welded around this toward the back that you can't see in the picture (oops, I just realized I didn't get around to posting that picture yet, I'll try to revive my photobucket account later if I get time), that prevents the belts form sliding more than an inch or two side-to-side.

[Duster 7695]

Dave,
If you have a bar that limits side to side movement you are legal.

Will you send me a PM and let me know who inspected your car.

Raul

[Dave Muller]

I just got my response from Pat, he says the belts are good the way they are, I only need to add the seat brace, which I didn't metion before since I was planning on doing it anyway. (Ironically, I was told Saturday night that I didn't need the seat brace, but I planned on adding it anyway.)

Thanks, everyone!

[Mark Yacavone]

Dave, Looks like you've got the belt thing handled, but anyway ,
Congrats on the win Saturday night, from yours truly and Blue Streak Converters.

[Dave Muller]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Dave, Looks like you've got the belt thing handled, but anyway ,
Congrats on the win Saturday night, from yours truly and Blue Streak Converters.

Thanks, Mark. It's been a bit of a dry spell, and a real relief to finally win another Summit series race. Maybe I'm on the right track again now.