Free track-day seatbelt "mod" | FerrariChat

Free track-day seatbelt "mod"

Discussion in 'Tracking & Driver Education' started by DCNSX, Jun 30, 2011.

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  1. DCNSX

    DCNSX Formula Junior

    Feb 5, 2007
    639
    Winston-Salem, NC
    #1 DCNSX, Jun 30, 2011
    This is an old track-day trick that many are still not aware of.

    If you have OEM setbeltbelts- not harnesses- here is a good way to stay planted in your seat. You'll stay planted better, be safer, and won't have to use a "death grip" on the wheel to stay in your seat.

    The "trick" is using the centrifugal lock in the belt to hold you in place - tightly.

    1. Position your seat in track-ready position. Hands and feet at the correct distance.
    2. Move the seat rearward 5-6 inches. (if you have power seats, count to "three" while moving rearward.
    3. Angle the seatback rearward a similar amount.
    4. Cinch up the belt so that it is tight at your waist.
    5. "Lock" the belt, using a quick pull on the belt. Or, with your right hand, reach over your left shoulder and "snap" the belt until it locks.
    6. Now return the seat and seatback to your prior driving position. If you feel that you are held really tightly in this position, you're doing it correctly. You'll get used to the tightness. (Remember how being cinched into an Instructor's car's harness felt the first time?)

    Good luck and have fun on the track.
     
  2. docster

    docster Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 14, 2004
    267
    Oregon
    Full Name:
    David
    #2 docster, Jul 4, 2011
    +1. Simple, and surprisingly effective...
     
  3. kverges

    kverges F1 Rookie

    Nov 18, 2003
    3,179
    Dallas
    Full Name:
    Keith Verges
    #3 kverges, Jul 5, 2011
    If you have a corvette simply pull shoulder belt all the way out and it will ratchet back in securely
     
  4. HH11

    HH11 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 4, 2010
    3,317
    #4 HH11, Jul 5, 2011
    I haven't heard of it before but the belt has gotten stuck on me a few times(just from normal seat belt pulls) and while it wasn't on the track I never thought of doing it there. It certainly would work. Thanks for the tip.
     
  5. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ
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    Nov 1, 2003
    11,260
    Mountains of WNC...
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    David S.
    #5 David_S, Jul 6, 2011
    If you can move your seat even a quarter inch rearward while sittting behind the wheel, you must be quite a bit shorter than I am... :)
     
  6. Brian C. Stradale

    Brian C. Stradale F1 Rookie
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 17, 2002
    3,612
    Dallas, TX, USA
    #6 Brian C. Stradale, Jul 8, 2011
    That's a cool feature! Any other cars have that?


    I've done the centrifugal trick... but I find it awkward to get it tight enough that it never releases but not so tight that it is uncomfortable and still manage to get the driving position exactly where I want it to be.

    Far easier is a combo of cheap toys:
    = a simple belt clip that often comes with child car seats
    = a torso strap that you can get from racing / autocross supply

    I get my seat where I want it... put the belt on... pull the lap part tight across my hips/lap, pinch it together with my left hand, release the buckle, and then put the belt clip on to lock the lap part down. Then whenever I snap the belt in, my butt is locked in place in the seat tight... no movement.

    Then I grab the torso strap and wrap it around the seat and my chest, and clip it together... holding my torso in the seat adequately (given my butt is NOT moving), without need to restrict breathing.

    The net effect is far closer to a full harness (four-point support) than the three-point belts centrifugally locked, and its far more comfortable... and the two toys are easily stored in the car such that they're always available.
     
  7. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,264
    #7 Mitch Alsup, Jul 9, 2011
    Another trick:

    Take the seat-belt catch and turn it 180 degrees and inset it in the lock. Presto-done. This rotation locks the indound and outbound belts so that they don't move while you are driving.
     
  8. DCNSX

    DCNSX Formula Junior

    Feb 5, 2007
    639
    Winston-Salem, NC
    #8 DCNSX, Jul 11, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. DCNSX

    DCNSX Formula Junior

    Feb 5, 2007
    639
    Winston-Salem, NC
    #9 DCNSX, Jul 11, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    And here is the C G seatbelt lock. I tried one but unfortunately it didn't work in my NSX (fitment problem). ~ $50.00 from CG dash Lock dot com
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     

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