[5.M0NSTER]

Hi everyone, new member with a recently acquired 2018 1SS 1LE.

A bit background about me: I am a track rat, and an advanced driver. I'm coming from a 2017 BMW M2, and before that I had a 2014 Mustang GT. Both manual of course.

I did ~20 track days/ HPDE events over the last 7 years, and my most successful one resulted in 3 laps on Nurburgring Nordschleife under 8 minutes, with best being 7:52 BTG. That was in the M2.

I had a 4 point harness in both my previous cars. I find that no matter how supportive the seats are, the harness helps you feel the movement of the chassis better.

So what kind of harness do you guys use for the 1LE for track days? I'm looking for guidance from the community on what works well with the seats in our cars.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[weemus]

Curious as well

[MatthewAMEL]

Since it sounds like you track quite a bit, you probably already know that 4-points aren’t allowed at SCCA, NASA and Chin events. There is one exception I know of (Scroth QuikFit Pro).

I see a lot of folks installing the RSR cage or the Brey-Krause. At the risk of this thread devolving into the usual mess when harness bars are mentioned, I’ll go ahead and say ‘stay away from them’.

I agree with you about the seats. Early when I had the car, the Recaro was fine. As I have gotten more confidence, I find I slide around in the seat. I use a 4-point for AutoX (Scroth) but OEM belt with a Simpson Hybrid S on track.

[Uncle Sam]

Just FYI: If you pull the stock three point belt ALL the way out and then tighten it, it will remain taut until released. See owner's manual.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Is there a roll cage in your car?

[TrackClub]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

Since it sounds like you track quite a bit, you probably already know that 4-points aren’t allowed at SCCA, NASA and Chin events. There is one exception I know of (Scroth QuikFit Pro).

I see a lot of folks installing the RSR cage or the Brey-Krause. At the risk of this thread devolving into the usual mess when harness bars are mentioned, I’ll go ahead and say ‘stay away from them’.

I agree with you about the seats. Early when I had the car, the Recaro was fine. As I have gotten more confidence, I find I slide around in the seat. I use a 4-point for AutoX (Scroth) but OEM belt with a Simpson Hybrid S on track.

Agree. I am very much of an opinion of either going full on cage, seats and harnesses, or staying stock and relying on OEM safety of multiple airbags. The former for track only car. The latter for dual purpose car. None of organizers i run with permit 4 points. I find Recaros very supportive if used correctly (leaning into an opposite bolster to the travel direction (which is counter intuitive for many ppl) and sinching the belt per the manual). Done 7 venues and 65 days in past 4 yrs in my SS 1LEs. Would have been 80 if not for covid...
I had a 5 point in my track only C5Z. Surprisingly i dont find the stock set up in the Camaro that much off comfort wise.
Cheers!

[RamAir02]

Good info in this thread. I'm curious, what makes the Schroth QuickFit Pro acceptable for SCCA, NASA & Chin events? I also always understood harnesses that mount low like that as having the potential to break the seat and/or cause spinal compression injuries. Is this not the case with the QuickFit Pro?

I'm not ready to put a 4 point cage in my car since I still drive it on the street. Thus, I'll probably continue using only the stock 3 point belt system. However, I am interested to learn more about the QuickFit Pro and it's pros & cons.

[5.M0NSTER]

Thanks for all the input guys! Good conversation.

I do not have a harness or roll cage in the car. Part of the deal with the Boss (my wife). Current car has to have usable back seat for our 6yo daughter. Even if her legs are crushed Next car can be a 2 seater, and then roll cage fo-sho.

I run with local clubs which don't care if you use a 4 point, and I don't participate in SCCA or NASA. I know some of the options out there include anti-submarining measures. I don't plan to join those organizations. I time myself with a Garmin Catalyst, and that's all I need to compete with myself and increase driver mod.

My first track day with the 1LE is July 12th. Perhaps I'll try the seatbelt method to see how well I stay in the seat.

In my previous cars I found that even with the seatbelt tight, and seat forward after locking the belt, my hips would still slide left to right. And then I'm not sure if the rear end is moving, or if it's me. And bracing yourself with you knees while cornering and changing gears is not fun. In the mustang it was also ridiculous body roll on top of other factors, and that had Recaro seats too.

So I'm just looking to stay strapped in more snugly, without increasing my risk for injury if siht hits the fan. Also something that's easy to get out of the way for street driving, and doesn't require a bar or cage.

[N Camarolina]

I am still on the lower end of experience, but have found that that Recaros hold well, with no obvious need to brace, even at 1.25G.

I am safety conscious as well and am wondering about if synching the seat belt per the manual compromises the safety of belt and airbag system in the event of a crash. If you do this, will it release as intended in the event of a frontal crash and allow your body to move forward toward the airbag? If not, I would think basil scull fractural would be a real risk.

[TrackClub]

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

I am still on the lower end of experience, but have found that that Recaros hold well, with no obvious need to brace, even at 1.25G.

I am safety conscious as well and am wondering about if synching the seat belt per the manual compromises the safety of belt and airbag system in the event of a crash. If you do this, will it release as intended in the event of a frontal crash and allow your body to move forward toward the airbag? If not, I would think basil scull fractural would be a real risk.

Good question, but i think GM would not recommend anything that would compromise safety on purpose, even remotely.
All seat belts lock in case of a crash btw. And all belts stretch as well. Even racing harnesses. To an extent, of course.

[MatthewAMEL]

Originally Posted by RamAir02

Good info in this thread. I'm curious, what makes the Schroth QuickFit Pro acceptable for SCCA, NASA & Chin events? I also always understood harnesses that mount low like that as having the potential to break the seat and/or cause spinal compression injuries. Is this not the case with the QuickFit Pro?

I'm not ready to put a 4 point cage in my car since I still drive it on the street. Thus, I'll probably continue using only the stock 3 point belt system. However, I am interested to learn more about the QuickFit Pro and it's pros & cons.

The Pros are:


It is certified for use with everyone I know of...


It's incredibly easy to install and then use when needed, completely out of the way when not.


It has legit ASM tech that works.


The Cons are:


Not compatible with the 6th Gen Camaro.


I ran one in my Mustang and then in my Focus ST and loved them.


When I bought my 1LE (November 2016), I started begging them to make a version for the 6th Gen.


After two years of pestering, they replied that they had looked at fitment and the angle between the shoulders and the rear attachment points was too steep and it failed the sled test (negated the ASM benefit).

[5.M0NSTER]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

The Pros are:


It is certified for use with everyone I know of...


It's incredibly easy to install and then use when needed, completely out of the way when not.


It has legit ASM tech that works.


The Cons are:


Not compatible with the 6th Gen Camaro.


I ran one in my Mustang and then in my Focus ST and loved them.


When I bought my 1LE (November 2016), I started begging them to make a version for the 6th Gen.


After two years of pestering, they replied that they had looked at fitment and the angle between the shoulders and the rear attachment points was too steep and it failed the sled test (negated the ASM benefit).

Great info, thanks for sharing

[RamAir02]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

The Pros are:


It is certified for use with everyone I know of...


It's incredibly easy to install and then use when needed, completely out of the way when not.


It has legit ASM tech that works.


The Cons are:


Not compatible with the 6th Gen Camaro.


I ran one in my Mustang and then in my Focus ST and loved them.


When I bought my 1LE (November 2016), I started begging them to make a version for the 6th Gen.


After two years of pestering, they replied that they had looked at fitment and the angle between the shoulders and the rear attachment points was too steep and it failed the sled test (negated the ASM benefit).

Yeah, thanks for this. Exactly the info I was looking for. It's a shame they can't make one for the 6th gen Camaro. Stock 3 point it is until my ZLE is relegated to track duty only.

[funked1]

Originally Posted by Uncle Sam

Just FYI: If you pull the stock three point belt ALL the way out and then tighten it, it will remain taut until released. See owner's manual.

For extra tightness, move your seat backwards slightly, lock and tighten the belt, then move it forward to the original position. I do this and use a Sparco alcantara harness pad over my collarbone, and don't have issues with moving around even at 1.25g. The car is my daily commuter so bars and cages and harnesses are out.