I think a good set of 3" belts from any reputable dealer is enough although I think that Stroud goes an inch or 2 further with the velcro that attaches the 2 shoulder harnesses together. Most major racing injurys can be directly attributed to the collar bones peeling back and allowing the torso to slide between them(Shoulder harnesses) meaning at least a broken collar bone and at most a catastrophic impact with the steering wheel etc. The diff. between a $350+ dollar set of belts and any of the others is the difference between 3 crotch straps (CCA and SCCA Racing requirements) and 1 as per NHRA ,NASCAR and most other sanctioning bodies. I don't see any benefeit from the extra crotch belts as most life threatening or life ending injuries are due to either not having the harnesses tight enough or PEEL THROUGH as mentioned before. Having said that I don't see either as a serious hazard in a HA/GR considering the RELATIVELY low speeds they operate at.
Guys: It's not the lousy $60.00 for the belts. In fact one of my sponsors on my race car is a safety prod.mfg.co. (belts). What my problem is, The NHRA controling this thing.NHRA(no hot rods allowed). Again. We did not have someone telling us what we had to have (or stay home) then,Why now?? Id love to be involved in the Hamb thing. But too, I don't want to have a car that is just a show piece. I want my car to look like it came from the 50s early 60s. Someone said something about being on your head. Friend, I used to race Sprinters and Midgets. Ive gone sky ground a couple of times. Believe me I know what its like. We didn't have cages like they do today, Or helmets like todays either.So I do know. But it didn't effect me, effect me, effect me.)))))))grin. So if I build my car like I want it, I can park it in my shop and stare at it.Gee that really sounds like fun...
So now we know what is wrong with you. I have been trying to figure it out for several years now I know. Hey you can park it next to the Woody an we can both stare and dream
Brent, I thought I answered that question in the last paragraph of my post. The ones I have are 3" belts, the difference is in the connecting device. The ones you are showing are the lever type belts, the ones I have are the cam-lock type, which in my opinion are a whole lot easier to get in and out of. This may be only a matter of conveinence, but I think they are worth it. A comment was made in an earlier post about the safety of these belts, they all have to meet a certain safety feature or they would not meet the SFI certification. At the speeds we are running, any of these belts would be alright, in my opinion.
Oh I apologize!! I did not understand nor interpret it that way. The cam-lock is the type that you just punch the center to release it where this type must be pulled upward. Is that correct? I am a believer in that there is a reason why stuff costs more but I was not seeing the extra $200.0 value. Thanks again!!
The cam-lock design is made so that when you get all the belts adjusted, you turn the cam-lock to release them all at the same time. You can push them in one at a time and they will lock in also.
hey ****... i know we already had this converation, but i think it really comes down to not so much the goons from glendora having theier sticky little fingers all over it, but the cars just having to meet tech. if there were non-sanctioned tracks in so. cal we wouldnt even have this discussion, but since the only tracks within a days drive are all under the thumb, then its meet basic tech. dont let it kill your enthusiasm. i was feeding off you for the motivation to put that boat anchor from butch in something......
Hey Mitch Boat anchor my **** one of them is a genuine WW II proven truck motor and the other is a full blown 8000# forklift motor. now lets go racing. See you Saturday. Butch
I quit running, and sold my rear engined alcohol dragster, because of the NHRA rules that required me to buy new belts every 2 years when they weren't even dirty. Thats not to mention all the other pieces that had to be replaced even if the car was never raced. Safety is important but some of the NHRA rules are dumb. I think rules are necessary, however clean, serviceable belts should be ok at the discresion of the tech guy at the track.
The Jalopy Journal
