Seat Belts

[Alex Denysenko]

Originally Posted by Bob Mulry

Is it truly a “Commitment to Safety”?

When was the last time that you saw an NHRA tech inspector check the seat belt mounting hardware and installation to insure that it complied with NHRA rules?

I believe that the seat belts used in NASCAR have a set procedure for the mounting of the seat belt hardware and routing of the belts and that was the cause of the belt failure. The belt failed, as I remember the news accounts, due to the installation not being in compliance with NASCAR rules and the belt was worn which caused it to fail.

Just having a 2 year rule on seat belt replacement doesn't free NHRA to not inspect and certify that the belts are installed per NHRA guidelines.

Correct installation and proper quality control of the seat belts is what turns them into safety equipment.

The 2 year rule is nothing but a money maker.

Just my thoughts,
Bob

Funny how NASCAR has to replace their belts every FIVE (5) years

[Mickey Whaley]

Originally Posted by Alex Denysenko

Funny how NASCAR has to replace their belts every FIVE (5) years

That is funny how many miles do they race compared to the miles we race? But the out of date belts have many uses like pulling tractors out of the field, pulling engines with the cherry picker, even picking up and setting 40 ft light poles.

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by Mickey Whaley

That is funny how many miles do they race compared to the miles we race? But the out of date belts have many uses like pulling tractors out of the field, pulling engines with the cherry picker, even picking up and setting 40 ft light poles.

Every time I have ever taken an expired 5 point harness to a swap meet, they have always been purchased by a circle track racer, you know, the type of racing where hitting the wall or another car is a constant occurance. Apparently, my 2or 3 year old belts that have never experianced any impact loads are not safe anymore in NHRAs eyes, but are just fine for a roundy round racer.

[Ed Wright]

Maybe some of the "bomber" classes. When I had my sprint car, back in the 1980s, we had to have new belts every year.

[Adger Smith]

I've been told that we have the plastic seat rule as well as belt certification because of Lee Shepards crash. Those one piece molded plastic seats had the belt slots cut with a "Hot Knife" leaving a sharp edge that cut the belt. I have seen a few lately that are cut with a router blade that leaves them smooth.
You will never hear me grip about the belt rules. I had a crash a few months before Dale Earnhardt's & I had exactly the same belt system that he had in his car. Mine didn't fail and probably contributed to saving my life. I also had a brand new Simpson neck colar thanks to Mike Baker @ IHRA. He checked mine and it had gone soft. He made me go buy a new one before I raced. It is just the price one has to pay for safety, even though it may be "over kill" on the 2 years. Humm, Over Kill is probably not the best word to use....

[Alex Denysenko]

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

Every time I have ever taken an expired 5 point harness to a swap meet, they have always been purchased by a circle track racer, you know, the type of racing where hitting the wall or another car is a constant occurance. Apparently, my 2or 3 year old belts that have never experianced any impact loads are not safe anymore in NHRAs eyes, but are just fine for a roundy round racer.

X10 ten four on that our used expired cam lock belts bring $100+ from the local dirt or short track dizzy racers, Cam locks to them are such a luxury item they'll pay a little more most latch locks bring $50-$75 clams tops

[Rick Bailey]

In regard to the life of the belts (2 yrs) that was not mandated by NHRA but rather the manufactures themselves by vote.

As I was told, by reliable source........


Rick

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Rick Bailey

In regard to the life of the belts (2 yrs) that was not mandated by NHRA but rather the manufactures themselves by vote.

As I was told, by reliable source........


Rick

They want to sell more belts, or re-certs. Gotta generate revenue.

[Bill Bogues]

I was running the Dallas pts. meet this year. I.m running U/SA and I was paired with Fred Henson's mustang 1st round (14.52 vrs 8.95 dial) .When he cameb y me at 150mph it literally blew a piece of trim off the back of the Monte Carlo. The more I thought about it the more it bugged me . The Monte Carlo now has a roll bar in it.Whether it makes a lot of difference or not I hope I don.t have to find out , but I'll feel better the next time I'm in the car.