RACING SEAT BELTS

[Stuart]

If I put a 3" wide 5 point safety belt setup in my t-bird project, is the date of manufacture going to be an issue? I bid on a RJS belt on ebay thinking it was new, then I found out it has never been installed but it was made in 1995....the guy had it for a project that never got finished. I haven't won it yet, but I am winning it for a VERY good price at this point. Should I try to get it or let it pass?...My car will likely be a 12 second beast for a year or two.

[Site Admin]

Here is what the rule on the web site says:

19- Drivers in all classes must wear a seat belt. Seat belts meeting SFI spec 16.1 5 point harness required on all cars running 11.49 or quicker and in all convertibles running 13.49 or quicker. All belts must be securely fastened to frame, cross member or reinforced mounting.

[professor]

IHRA rules state that aftermarket racing belts must be replaced
after 2 years intervals from date of manufacture, for all entries
requiring the system, Greenfield Dragway gives a 1year grace
period on belts in good shape, so you get 3 years from date of manufacture, in your case, a good set of factory installed belts
as were installed when the car was made are all you need to race, and there is no expiry on OEM belts if they are in good
condition. Professor

[Stuart]

here is a link to the belts that I won.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7926366460&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:CA:6

Professor, according to what you just said I might as well throw this belt in the garbage once it arrives. This belt was made in 1995 but never used. Isn't an out of date 5 point belt system still safer than an OEM shoulder belt?...I thought a date of manufacture was only important if you ran 11.49 or faster. I just raced my 63 Mercury with a lap belt bolted to the floor with eye-bolts....its the factory setup for 63 too. Maybe I can relist the belt on ebay for use in a dune buggy or something. This sucks because I got it for a good price too.

[Road Rage Racing]

professor said:

IHRA rules state that aftermarket racing belts must be replaced
after 2 years intervals from date of manufacture, for all entries
requiring the system,

He did say for entries requiring the system (IE: running a rollbar) so the outdated belt should be sufficient (SP?) for you as long as there isn't a roll bar in the car.

[Stuart]

I guess I'll just hang on to the belt until spring and see if we have the $$$ to put a roll bar in or not. I'd like to see one to help stiffen the chassis. I paid $55cdn for the belt with shipping so I should be able to get my money back out of it without too much trouble. ..I really don't see any way to mount it without a rollbar behind the seat.

[maritimedragracing]

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to not install a rollbar just because of belt date rules. I think you're all missing the point here - You can have a roll cage and out of date belts as long as you are not faster than 11.49(the"requirement" in the rulebook) Your ET determines the point at which the belt date rule applies - If you have a cage or rollbar you need belts - period. If you're faster than 11.49 the belts have to be dated. Simple enough?

[Stuart]

Thanks for the clarification. ...I kinda thought thats how you mean't it. I wasn't going to wait on the roll bar due to the belt issue, it would be a financial reason to wait....no money - no rollbar. the price of steel has gone insane in the last year. I'll use a stock belt if I don't have the rollbar installed. We have to get this beast running and rolling first.

[Site Admin]

Thank goodness that's solved. ;D ;D

[Stuart]

Yup...now to the next issue...LOL