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Willans harness question

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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 11:00 AM
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Default Willans harness question

In every thread about what harness to buy, Schroth is the #1 choice by a huge margin (have a set in my track car).

At the track, it seams Willans is the most popular belt, especially in vintage cars.
I want to dump the Simpson harness in my replica cobra, thinking about a set of these since very vintage real Cobra I see has a Willans harness.


Call me curious.
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 11:06 AM
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So....what's your question?

FYI. I have Willans 6 points on my driver's side & Schroth 5 points on my passenger side.
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Veloce Raptor
So....what's your question?
Curious why they are so pupular with the vintage crowd and some pro drivers when it seams Schroth are considered "the best".

My first thought was that maybe they were used back in the day so not only are they FIA certified, they retain the vintage look?

It's just something that always caught my attention at the track, felt like asking.
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 11:10 AM
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I like the design feature of the Willans that has "the boys" well-protected, by having the sub straps come up and then to the sides, attaching well wide on the lap belt rather than directly to the buckle.

Of course, I have yet to pony up for that myself; still being cheap with the old mil-spec style latch buckle on my 6-point belts! But hey, they're rugged, if not cute and trendy, and will last through more impacts than my body will! That said, I will probably upgrade to at least a camlock next time I buy (next year), since my wife keeps complaining that the big buckle of the milspec latch keeps digging into her thighs...
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 11:13 AM
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I am not sure why people consider Schroth the "best".
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 11:19 AM
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Willans is also very popular with the open wheel crowd as well.

I spent a fair amount of time at PRI looking at things like harnesses. Schroth was very nice but I personally like Willans better. I for one really don't like the release mechanism on the Schroth.

My thoughts on why Schroth is more popular is because it is sold at more places. Willans has a more limited dealer chain in the US. Lots of Johnny-tuner shops have Schroth.

FWIW I get a number of harnesses at cost but I don't have a way of getting Willans at cost right now. I'll still buy Willans.
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 11:26 AM
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Personally I always liked Sabelt......maybe becuase that is what I saw in the Ferrari's when I was younger
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by 924RACR
I like the design feature of the Willans that has "the boys" well-protected, by having the sub straps come up and then to the sides, attaching well wide on the lap belt rather than directly to the buckle.
That's a standard "open wheel" type belt setup. Schroth and others have similar offerings. Actually, Schroth's Hybrid setup works quite well in sedans.
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 12:09 PM
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It's all fashion. 99% of the racing community has no idea which product works best.
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by gbaker
It's all fashion. 99% of the racing community has no idea which product works best.
So that means Willans is the Gucci of harnesses?
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 01:38 PM
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Versace.
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 01:51 PM
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Sabelt = Armani
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 02:27 PM
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Then G Force = K-Mart?
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Bryan Watts
....Actually, Schroth's Hybrid setup works quite well in sedans.
^ +1 Love the Hybrid setup.
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Old Feb 29, 2008 | 06:51 PM
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IIRC, back after Dale Earnhardt died at Daytona and Simpson belts were "implicated" (something that Simpson to this day still has bitter feelings about, but I digress), a lot of the teams switched immediately to Willans harnesses and still run them.
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