expired harness for DE
02-22-2004, 11:10 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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expired harness for DE
looking to buy a harness for my car which will be used for DE's, no racing of anykind, except for maybe a few autox's. there are several harnesses on ebay which are over the 2yrs old listed as "outdated" - that racing harnesses must be replaced every two years or something. does this mean that they are not safe for DE use or would it be ok if i used a harness for that purpose?
02-22-2004, 11:16 PM
#2
Nordschleife Master
Like any fabric, it does break down with UV light. I believe PCA has a 5 year limit for club racing and others like SCCA might be different. I don't see any difference between true racing and DE as far as safety goes. Incidents in DE aren't favored over racing.
Harnesses are not that expensive to begin with so I find it hard to make sense trying to save money here. Most likely you won't know the TRUE history of used belts. However, if they looked Ok with no signs of wear or chemical contact, 2yr old belts would probably be fine.
Harnesses are not that expensive to begin with so I find it hard to make sense trying to save money here. Most likely you won't know the TRUE history of used belts. However, if they looked Ok with no signs of wear or chemical contact, 2yr old belts would probably be fine.
02-22-2004, 11:20 PM
#3
Thefu
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Do you have race seats with holes for the harness? If not, stay away from these. If you do, spend the money and get a new set. Are you worth ~$200?
(Jumping up on my soapbox now) With the speeds in DE approaching what is run in some race classes, I think it's foolish to run with inferior safety equipment. Out of date harnesses with stock seats is a foolish combination.
(Jumping up on my soapbox now) With the speeds in DE approaching what is run in some race classes, I think it's foolish to run with inferior safety equipment. Out of date harnesses with stock seats is a foolish combination.
03-08-2004, 09:04 PM
#5
Race Director
The harnesses have to be re-stitched after 5 years, while the fabric is good for 10 years. At least that's what the industry folks recommend.
As such, most DE organizations will accept harnesses that are up to ten years old. They are assuming that they have been re-stitched after 5 years.
Personally, I do not recommend purchasing USED any safety device one wears: be it a helmet, a harness...etc. You have no assurances that the harnesses haven't streched after an impact, just like you cannot tell visually if a helmet has been dropped.
HTH,
-Z-man.
As such, most DE organizations will accept harnesses that are up to ten years old. They are assuming that they have been re-stitched after 5 years.
Personally, I do not recommend purchasing USED any safety device one wears: be it a helmet, a harness...etc. You have no assurances that the harnesses haven't streched after an impact, just like you cannot tell visually if a helmet has been dropped.
HTH,
-Z-man.
03-09-2004, 10:18 AM
#7
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As most would agree, do not skimp on safety. My recent times at Sebring during DE (which is all I do) were comparible with what racers in my class were doing, so it is obvious that DE can be just as dangerous.
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03-09-2004, 11:25 AM
#8
Lifetime Rennlist Member
There have been some new positions taken by SFI, and resulting changes in rules. SFI has said that belts made to their standards are only good for 3 years, I believe. SCCA has responded to this by expiring SFI belts at the end of the 3rd year of the mfg date. (This means SFI belts are good for 2-3 years, depending on month of mfg.) FIA belts continue to be good for 5 years in SCCA.
Seat belts should be replaced after any significant impact. For that reason, I would not buy used belts - you have no idea if they have been stretched in an accident. It is not (IMO) worth the small savings to risk your life.
Seat belts should be replaced after any significant impact. For that reason, I would not buy used belts - you have no idea if they have been stretched in an accident. It is not (IMO) worth the small savings to risk your life.
03-10-2004, 01:39 AM
#10
Interesting that competition belts are mandated to be so fragile as to need replacement after 2-3 years, while your street belts seem to be functional nearly forever while experiencing far more wear and tera. The belts in my Porsche are nearly always in a dark garage and even when outside are for the most part tucked away in the depths of the car, while the belts in mosty street cars are constantly exposed to UV and subject to much greater wear.
I understand the CYA of the regulations and the economics when you are in a competition situation (the cost of belt replacement is really very small, especially if you're only replacing one set) but the comparison still seems kind of funny.
I understand the CYA of the regulations and the economics when you are in a competition situation (the cost of belt replacement is really very small, especially if you're only replacing one set) but the comparison still seems kind of funny.
03-10-2004, 10:33 AM
#11
Race Director
Tom:
One reason racing harnesses are so 'fragile' compared to street belts is that racing harnesses do not have UV protection built into them like street belts do. I believe that's also the biggest reason they don't get DOT approval: lack of UV protection.
-Z.
One reason racing harnesses are so 'fragile' compared to street belts is that racing harnesses do not have UV protection built into them like street belts do. I believe that's also the biggest reason they don't get DOT approval: lack of UV protection.
-Z.
