Race Seat and Harness Mounting

[Captain_Stangin']

For those you with racing seats, what did you guys use as a mounting solution?

I recently bought a OMP WRC racing seat, with side mount brackets. I believe that the Sparco floor bracket will work, but here's the thing: I have a track day on the 27th, and shipping to Canada is slow as all hell. What should I do? Modify the factory power seat bracket? Get someone to weld a custom bracket on the floor?

Once that is done, I will mount a 6pt harness. I understand that I can wrap the shoulder belts around the harness bar section of the roll bar, but where do I tie the shoulder and anti-submarine belts in?

Thanks guys.

 

[Tay]

Try Speedware Motorsports for the floor bracket. Here's the link to the Mustang brackethttp://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/performance-seats-accessories/seats-mounting-supplies/supplies-mounting-brackets/speedware-ford-mustang-05-bracket

 

[DusterRT]

Try Speedware Motorsports for the floor bracket. Here's the link to the Mustang brackethttp://www.speedwaremotorsports.com...ng-brackets/speedware-ford-mustang-05-bracket

If those are the Planted brand brackets, they are pretty nice pieces. If they have them in stock and can't get them to you on time, maybe I could meet you at the border with them or something.

I have my 4-point lap belts at the factory mounting points. For the anti-sub belt, I'd refer to the manufacturer's installation guidelines..for getting the geometry and routing taken care of. Here's Schroth's for example: http://www.schrothracing.com/sdocs/2009_Competition_Instructions.pdf

 

[Captain_Stangin']

Hmm, not a bad idea. I suppose I would still have to modify this bracket? I am a shorty (5'8"), and tend to sit with the stock seat rather close, kind of like those guys in the Mustang Challenge cars.

 

[pcdrj]

There's a reinforced area that runs behind the seats. You can slip in a nut and a thick washer into the slot to hold the bolt.

 

[Philostang]

I fabbed up my own bolt-in brackets. They're MUCH beefier than anything I've seen in the aftermarket, but I paid about a 4 lb weight penalty for each of them compared to the bent-bar style designs.

If I had to do it again, I'd use a slightly different design but I'd still use tube stock over the bent-bar approach.

I think Steve Poe once posted a nice pic of his brackets, so he might share again. If I recall, it was very similar to the FR500S units, including being fully welded in (something I didn't want).

Best,
-j

 

[Captain_Stangin']

Interesting, thanks for the pictures you guys.

PCDRJ, did you mount both anti-submarine belts to the same point? And I suppose you mounted the right side lap belt to where the seat belt buckle would originally bolt in? I see that you used the original bolting location on the left side. Having equal length mounting points doesn't matter because you can always adjust the straps, right?

 

[pcdrj]

Interesting, thanks for the pictures you guys.

PCDRJ, did you mount both anti-submarine belts to the same point? And I suppose you mounted the right side lap belt to where the seat belt buckle would originally bolt in? I see that you used the original bolting location on the left side. Having equal length mounting points doesn't matter because you can always adjust the straps, right?

Mine is a 5 point so only one anti-sub... if you mean both sides, then yes they are the same. I drilled holes in the center tunnel for inside location and installed large washers underneath. I had to position them up a little to avoid e-brake hardware. It's best to have equal lengths but not always possible.

 

[Captain_Stangin']

Right on, what diameter washers did you use for the drilled locations? I see some cars have what appears to be 2"x2" squares on the underside of the body.

 

[Axes-Of-Evil]

ultrashield sells them as 2.5" washers. http://ultrashieldrace.com/prod.php?id=59 if this helps at all.

 

[Philostang]

Just as a safety heads up, these are not "just" large washers, etc. The eyebolts in these kits are forged, not bent, and the washers are at least 1/8" thick. Don't cheap out and get something from the local hardware store.

If you're going with square or rectangular plates on the bottom, be sure to round the corners off with a good radius. Sharp corners can act as a shear and cut right through thin sheet metal. You want forces evenly distributed across a large area.

Pegasus Racing and many other race shops carry similar kits. Heck, hit up Sam, he might have them as well (I got my harnesses from him - he carries A LOT more than what's on his site), and just about everybody sells them in the same price range.

Best,
-j

 

[Captain_Stangin']

Understood, cars can be replaced, my body can't, so I don't plan on cheaping out for proper safety equipment.

I have now gotten word that for my local timed events, starting in the 2012 season, a HANS type device will be mandatory. Do they require a special type of shoulder harness?