[DeTomaso] 5 or 6 point harness with out dedicated racing seat

[David & Marilyn Bell]

I have two vehicles with 5 and 6 point harnesses.  One is my Pantera, which
has C-4 Corvette seats, and a 5-point harness attached to a bolt-in harness
bar, the stock mounting plates in the door sills, and an extra bolt through
the floor pan (with big washers) for the anti-submarine belt.  The Pantera
harness fits nicely (not obtrusive) and secures me extremely well in the
seat during track or spirited driving.  But I'll have to admit the harness
is sort of a PITA to hook up every time I get in the car - loosen every
belt, hook them into one lap belt, engage the lap hook, then pull the lap
belt tight equally on both sides and finally pull the shoulder straps tight.
It takes literally 20 or 30 seconds vs maybe 2 seconds for a stock type
3-point belt.  The release as it should be is almost instantaneous however
by flicking open the center latch.

The other vehicle is a mostly street-legal but track prepped Miata.  For the
street, I use the stock Miata 3-point belt and factory drivers seat.  For
the track, I use an aluminum racing seat and 6-point harness attached to a
harness bar on my 4-point roll bar, the factory side bolts, and another bolt
in front with big washers for the anti-submarine belts.  The racing seat is
bolted to factory Miata seat sliders so removing the seat and one lap belt
(the one with the bulkier cam lock) and putting the stock seat back in takes
maybe 5 minutes.  The shoulder straps hang down behind the stock seat out of
the way, one of the harness lap belts is removed and the other gets pushed
down invisibly between the seat and console, and the anti-submarine belts
tuck nicely under the stock drivers seat.  This way I have the security of a
harness for the track but the ease of use of the stock set-up for everyday
driving.

In fact in 2007, I drove the Miata all the way to the Fun Rally in Vegas
towing my little baby tire trailer (including a cooler, race slicks, tools,
aluminum jack, lawn chair and 10X10 folding awning).  For the trip, I
removed the passenger seat and bolted the racing seat down in it's place.
When I got to the track, I just switched the racing seat over to the drivers
side, bolted in the extra harness strap, installed the slicks (15 minutes
max) and went racing for two days.  When the Fun Rally was over, I switched
everything back and drove home to Houston.  I got 25 mpg from the Miata
while running 75-85 mph and towing the trailer, all with the AC on and
several books on CD to pass the time.  It was an absolutely great trip.

Sorry I digress - I much prefer the Miata seat belt set-up over the Pantera.


Dave Bell

-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com
[mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com]On Behalf Of boyd casey
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 8:55 PM
To: De Tomaso List
Subject: [DeTomaso] 5 or 6 point harness with out dedicated racing seat


How many people are using a harness with anti submarine belts with out a
dedicated racing seat? Did you modify your seat to allow the sub belt to
come up through the seat bottom? I have recaro style seats and I have seen
people modify their seats to allow the crotch belts to come up between the
calf support cushion and the thigh cushion and add a grommet around the belt
hole. Has any one done this?
Boyd
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