Racing Harnesses

Hey guys I was wondering if there was a big difference in safety between a 4 and 5 point harness. I know it's a dumb question but if the submarine doesn't make a huge difference I think I'll go with 4.

legally, you can't run a 5 point on the street...
in a crash on the street, there's very little difference...
on the track, it might be different...
4 points are more than adequate

Thanks for the reply man. So it's illegal to run 5 points? Thats really dumb seeing as how it's a safety feature and what not. Is that a state law or what?

for either of them you need a secure way to fasten them. like... bolting them to a roll bar or something... not sure about the legality, but done incorrectly they can cause more harm than safety.

For sure you need to hook them to a roll cage. I'm having my buddy make one up for me

Why would a 5-point be illegal on the street?

Why would a 5-point be illegal on the street?


Cause it can crush your NUTS!


To be honest, I'm not exactly sure... It has to be one of those stupid laws that make no sense.

Cause it can crush your NUTS!





Wow.. that was cool... Nut crushing.. hrmm..

redneck... that's why u do a 6 point harness then!

Cause it can crush your NUTS!


To be honest, I'm not exactly sure... It has to be one of those stupid laws that make no sense.

I have never heard that before..... I was wondering if it is true or not cause I had RCI 5-point belts with ratchet release in my 393 Stang cause it was required at my Dragway. I never wore them on the street but I didn't know they were illegal either. So I'm curious now as to why they would be? and if they really are?

And yea the 5th belt is not exactly comfortable! LoL :grinno:

Some one make a hole body blet, you have to climb into it before you get into the car and then buckle your hole body to the seat :D

Can you run a 5 point but not use the 5ht belt? So basicly using the 5 point as a 4 point for street use?

I need some pics so I can understand how these 4,5 and 6 points all work and how they are different.

Some one make a hole body blet, you have to climb into it before you get into the car and then buckle your hole body to the seat :D

Can you run a 5 point but not use the 5ht belt? So basicly using the 5 point as a 4 point for street use?


Yea that's what a lot of people do. No1 loves the crotchbelt.

not sure on the reason for the legality...
you don't need a cage to mount to.
you can use the rear seat belt mounting points for the shoulder harnesses.
the seat bracket bolts can serve for the other 2.

i think the issue with the 5th has to do with an accident, like if someone's trying to get you out or something...
lame, yes, but law.

not sure on the reason for the legality...
you don't need a cage to mount to.
you can use the rear seat belt mounting points for the shoulder harnesses.
the seat bracket bolts can serve for the other 2.

i think the issue with the 5th has to do with an accident, like if someone's trying to get you out or something...
lame, yes, but law.


Well to have them to be NHRA etc.., the shoulder belts need to be going to a cage. But as far as getting me out they are designed to quick release. It is easier to get me out of my 5-points than a regular seatbelt cause it's one button and located right by my waste. So I don't think that is the reason.

Get a 5 or 6 point because they will prevent you from submarine. Also make sure that it uses 3 inch webbing and the shoulder straps are attached to a proper mounting point.

Last thing do not use a racing harness without at least a roll bar, because if you do and you roll over your head will be crushed.

Well to have them to be NHRA etc.., the shoulder belts need to be going to a cage. But as far as getting me out they are designed to quick release. It is easier to get me out of my 5-points than a regular seatbelt cause it's one button and located right by my waste. So I don't think that is the reason.

i'd recommend looking it up...
the anti-sub belt is an issue, and i've heard that it has to do with the difficulty in getting the belts off... doesn't make sense, but that's the law... ;)

neutrino:
why does everyone insist that your head will get crushed when you roll over?
you've got a B pillar right next to your head that supports the roof and your head if you get flipped.
have you seen cars that roll?
the top of the windshield caves, but for the most part, the B pillar stays upright.
you'd rather have your head go forward, to where the windshield is caving towards you?
most cages don't have the halo bar at the top of the windshield (unless you're going full drag), they've got the bar at the B pillar, which does the same as what i just said.
i'd rather have my body held back to where the upright section of the roof is, as opposed to forward, where it's getting pushed back at me...

neutrino:
why does everyone insist that your head will get crushed when you roll over?
you've got a B pillar right next to your head that supports the roof and your head if you get flipped.
have you seen cars that roll?
the top of the windshield caves, but for the most part, the B pillar stays upright.
you'd rather have your head go forward, to where the windshield is caving towards you?
most cages don't have the halo bar at the top of the windshield (unless you're going full drag), they've got the bar at the B pillar, which does the same as what i just said.
i'd rather have my body held back to where the upright section of the roof is, as opposed to forward, where it's getting pushed back at me...



I know for a fact that at least in some cars the roof will colapse even around the b-pillar area. I have a friend who I had to pick up one morning from a hospital 30 min south of here after falling asleep on I15 coming from Vegas. Well i got to see the car (mercury sable) and the entire roof was colapsed including around the b pillar. And it was colapsed past the point of the headrest.

So at least in some cases the roof will come down. It seems that manufacturers don't pay as much attention to roll overs as to normal impacts. I don't even know if you can check roll over testing of a car.


And you'll notice i never said don't wear I seatbelt. All i said was not wear a racing harness without a roll bar, but of course its imperative to wear the 3 point in that case. Of course flying out towards the windshield is not fun.

i didn't say you don't wear one...
i'm referring to a regular 3 point, that allows forward movement, towards the windshield...
i realize that in most rollovers, you're going to get hurt regardless.
i'm hypothesizing that with a 4/5 point on, you wouldn't get as hurt, provided that the roof isn't collapsed to the point you mentioned.
so, in a rollover where the roof is to the top of your head, you're less injured in a 4/5 point than a 3 piont, b/c you're not allowed to flop forward, or slide up towards the ceiling...
know what i'm sayin?

i didn't say you don't wear one...
i'm referring to a regular 3 point, that allows forward movement, towards the windshield...
i realize that in most rollovers, you're going to get hurt regardless.
i'm hypothesizing that with a 4/5 point on, you wouldn't get as hurt, provided that the roof isn't collapsed to the point you mentioned.
so, in a rollover where the roof is to the top of your head, you're less injured in a 4/5 point than a 3 piont, b/c you're not allowed to flop forward, or slide up towards the ceiling...
know what i'm sayin?


ah ok I get what you are saying. And i agree in most cases the racing harness will protect you better.

Its just that image (however unlikely) of the roof coming down your head and not being able to move freaks me out. :eek:

But anyway if you're racing and need a racing harness i think geting a roll bar or even better, a cage, is a very good ideea. especially since they can provide the perfect mounting point for the shoulder belts.