How to mount shoulder belts on DD car?

[SYT_Shadow]

I have a E92 M3 which I will start using for the track next year. I am retiring the E46 M from track duty.

One option is to use the stock cloth seats and Quikfits.

A better option is to use the Sparco Ergo halo seats and install a 6 point harness.

I do not want to install a half cage as it's a DD car.

Originally I thought of getting the Challenge harness bar but the people who sell it do not recommend I use it for actual tracking as it's a bit flimsy.

So, how can I mount the shoulder harnesses?

I track with BMWCCA and PCA, so any solution has to be compatible with these clubs.

Thanks for the help

[bigjae1976]

Why can you use the quick fits and a fixed seat? The QFs will work so long as you retain the OE belt tensioner.

[SYT_Shadow]

I'm concerned this won't be accepted by PCA. It is an option and I know it's what you run and I may not have any other choice.

[Estoril Blue]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I'm concerned this won't be accepted by PCA. It is an option and I know it's what you run and I may not have any other choice.

You have reason to be concerned about PCA and BMWCCA - at least most of the chapters that I go out with.

Pull their Tech Inspection sheets and see what they say. If they aren't detailed enough - email a specific question to their Chief of DE Tech.

Be sure to ask about harnesses in cars without at least a roll bar. And ask about whether you need to leave the original 3 point belts in if you have no roll protection. And remember the oft-used "same protection" rule.

[SYT_Shadow]

Thread resurrection

Check this out
http://www.bkauto.com/R_1203_BMW_E92...r_p/r-1203.htm

It seems like someone has finally made a TRUE bolt in harness bar for track use! And this one is DOT certified!

I have checked with the 4 PCA groups I run with and this is fully permitted. Obviously they mention it's best to have a roll cage etc etc, which I'm fine with.

I wish I had found this out earlier. Well, next year this is clearly my future!

[nicksm3]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Thread resurrection

Check this out
http://www.bkauto.com/R_1203_BMW_E92...r_p/r-1203.htm

It seems like someone has finally made a TRUE bolt in harness bar for track use! And this one is DOT certified!

I have checked with the 4 PCA groups I run with and this is fully permitted. Obviously they mention it's best to have a roll cage etc etc, which I'm fine with.

I wish I had found this out earlier. Well, next year this is clearly my future!

Wow, curious to see what it looks like set up.

[SYT_Shadow]

I'll post some pics next year when I get this.

Finally there is a way to use track/race seats, 6pt harnesses and not do any permanent modifications to the car!

[dmw16]

I am not a big fan of that approach, especially with stock seats. With stock seats the harnesses could fall off the shoulders (compared to a fixed back seat with belt eyelets).

At the very least I think a half cage is appropriate when using harnesses and a fixed seat. The risk of spinal compression in a roll over is minimal, but roll overs do happen at track days...look at the Audi @ Buttonwillow (?) a few weeks back...

Generally Brey Krause offers well thought about products, but I don't like harness bars.

<steps down from soap box>

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by dmw16

I am not a big fan of that approach, especially with stock seats. With stock seats the harnesses could fall off the shoulders (compared to a fixed back seat with belt eyelets).

At the very least I think a half cage is appropriate when using harnesses and a fixed seat. The risk of spinal compression in a roll over is minimal, but roll overs do happen at track days...look at the Audi @ Buttonwillow (?) a few weeks back...

Generally Brey Krause offers well thought about products, but I don't like harness bars.

<steps down from soap box>

Just to clarify: this will be used with fixed seats. 6pts with oem seats don't make much sense

[dmw16]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Just to clarify: this will be used with fixed seats. 6pts with oem seats don't make much sense

I don't think that makes it any safer from a roll over standpoint, but at least the harnesses are guided.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by dmw16

I don't think that makes it any safer from a roll over standpoint, but at least the harnesses are guided.

Correct rollover safety is a step under bolted in half cages which are considered heresy by many

[KillrM3]

I have a BK Harness Bar and belts for sale.

FS: Brey Krause Harness Bar, Schroth Hans Belts, and Fire Extingusher http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1126495

[LiM3y]

An option for a 4-point harness with anti-submarine straps is the Team Tech Jet-Pilot (http://www.teamtechmotorsports.com) harness. It is a 4-point install with anti-sub belts attached top the lap belt, providing 6-point capability in a 4-point format. The question of a 4-point harness is the submarining issue, and if tech inspectors don't buy the Schroth ASM, this fixes that.

You can talk directly to the owner, Curt, by e-mailing or phone. Team Tech works directly with Ford SVT for their demo cars, this is how I became aware of them after seeing their 6-point harness fitted to standard Ford recaro seats in SVT demo cars at a Mustang track event. In that case, they had a 6-point harness clipped and wrapped onto a bar fitted across the rear of the seat rail, and the driver/passenger sat on the anti-sub loops. In the discussion of fitting their six-point Rampac harness to my car this way, they said "Actually, have you seen the Jet Pilot harness?". This clips in like a 4-point, but has anti-sub loops stitched into the lap-belt. All six straps release at the buckle. Pretty cool. You also have custom color and HANS shaping options.