froggy47

I was thinking of a lap belt setup for autox. I had a 5 point - harness bar set up in my c4 & I don't think the shoulder straps are needed for autox.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

USAsOnlyWay

Somewhat off topic, but from what I have heard from people is that really being strapped in with harnesses allows you to not steady yourself with the steering while and thus be much lighter and smoother with your inputs as you aren't keeping yourself from moving with the wheel as well.

This is why I am switching up to full harnesses for auto-x. I am sure you already have your opinion, I just wanted to bring light to this incase you hadn't thought of it.

Good luck!

Lancer033

if that's all you're going to do, keep the stock belts and just pull it all the way out and let it lock back in.

Bill Dearborn

The C5 has a cinch mode for its belts just as the C4s had. The C5 mode is activated by pulling the belt all the way out Vs the push button on the C4 belts. Best way to get tight in the seat is to run the seat all the way back, pull the belt all the way out and fasten it and then use your hand to guide it in as far as it will go. Then run the seat forward as far as possible. If it feels like the lap belt is going to cut you in half it is just about tight enough. When you let the clutch out to start the shoulder belt will also latch tight and you will be held in. My belts on both my 97 and 03 got tight enough that I had trouble breathing after running a long and demanding course. A 6 point harness does not offer much better restraint since without a good seat you are still using your legs to brace your lower body which translates into upper body movement even with the additional belt going over the right shoulder. Just remember to wear long pants since the left shin gets pressed against the left door speaker grill and after a couple of runs the cheese grater surface starts to abrade the skin.

Bill

froggy47

Sometimes its too much of a good thing. In the higher levels of autox you need some free shoulder movement to cut the wheel fast l/r l/r etc.

In road race the extreme fast action & severe steering wheel movements do not happen.

When I compete with the 5 point I always left the shoulders full loose to allow movement.

You should try it for yourself. Do a few autox runs strapped in really tight & then loosen the shoulders & compare.

Also try & find out how many national champion guys/gals use shoulder belts & let us know.

A lot also depends on the seat & it's bolsters (or lack of bolsters).

My c4 sport seats really hugged me, the c5 z06 ones much less so.



MHO

froggy47

I've used the cinch of course, I am just thinking a thicker 3" belt will be better than the thin 1.75 (or whatever it is).

It (thicker-wider) should be both more comfortable and hold you in the seat better.

I use a knee pad thing on the left knee for the grater.

7Bob3

Hey Bob, congrats on the championship. Get the B-K lap belt mounts. After using a 3 inch belt I went to a 2 inch. Alot more comfortable and you can actually get it tighter. I agree on lap belt only for autocross. You can get a 2 inch latch and link from Wesco Performance. http://store.yahoo.net/wescoperformance/index.html

EDIT: I have a G Force 3 inch latch and link lap belt you can have if you want it.

Bill Dearborn

Actually they are going to 2 inch lap belts for racing harnesses. The 3 inch belts do not fit the notch in the human pelvis and so either ride up or down from the notch and tend to curl over just a bit. The 2 inch belt fits right in the notch so makes for a more comfortable belt and doesn't lose any strength to the 3 inch belt.

http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/store/s...ition/profi-II

Bill

froggy47

Makes sense.

froggy47

Thanks, I'll take it. Toss it in your truck & I'll see you at an event. I'd like to try a 2 vs 3 inch.