Did I miss something in the Fastrack News? Can anyone clarify this for us?
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JimFMRacer |
New seatbelt update rules |
Lead | |
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Over on the Formula Continental forum, there is some discussion about the SCCA changing the period that SFI seatbelts will remain legal.
Did I miss something in the Fastrack News? Can anyone clarify this for us? |
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Terry Hanushek |
Re: New seatbelt update rules | ||
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Jim
++ Over on the Formula Continental forum, there is some discussion about the SCCA changing the period that SFI seatbelts will remain legal. Did I miss something in the Fastrack News? Can anyone clarify this for us? ++ There is a proposed rule change in the 25-27 October Comp Board minutes which appeared in the January FasTrack (Item 3, Page F1). The rule proposes that starting on **1/1/04** seatbelts be replaced every two years per SFI Standard 16.1 (The current requirement is replacement evry 5 years). There has been considerable discussion on several sites regarding the significant reduction in seatbelt life. Terry |
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kverges |
Seatbelt longevity | ||
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I'd sure like to know the authority for a two-year service life for belts. I think I heard somewhere about UV exposure - well how many folks leave their FMs out in the elements for any significant amount of time?
For my street car that I A-X and run at the Motorsport Ranch I have 1992 Simpsons that show no signs of fraying or other degradation. And somehow OEM belts seem to have an indefinite service life and lord knows the products liability frenzy over belt decay would be huge if 5 year old OEM belts broke in crashes, but I have never heard of such a thing. Unless I see scientific data, I say BS. I don't suppose Simpson and others have a mole in the comp board . . . . |
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glenn cooper |
beltage | ||
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And you guys were thinking perhaps that I was the "Lone gunman" re: Conspiracy Theorist?
Way to go Keith, me and you buddy. We'll prove the existence of extra terrestr... DAMN! Wrong site! I'm outta here... Coop |
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glenn cooper |
Re: beltage | ||
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Yep!!
Busted! |
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glenn cooper |
Re: beltage | ||
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Ya know, I got to thinking about this the other day.
All the stuff I read in regard to the Earnhardt tradgedy (which most likely prompted all the interest in this subject) pointed to improper installation, ie. the angle of the belt was not at 90 degrees to the belt end. The belts are of course designed to be mounted correctly for a reason. Now, on the FM, they come premounted, with 2 (a fore and aft) locations available, depending on the size of the driver. I don't think we've got much to worrry about. It would appear to me that an inspection of the mountingme[/i] and location be of greater significance than the date of manufacture! I've seen some cars with some fairly bogus mounting methods: anti-sub belts mounted to an eyebolt going through the floor pan, backed up by a fender washer. Other allegations are that Big E. used to run his belts loose, especially towards the end of a race; who knows? In the end, it almost seems pretty knee jerk on the SCCA's part to require a 2 yr replacement schedule. Has anyone heard of a belt failure, other than E's. I've not... Coop |
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JimFMRacer |
Re: beltage | ||
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Coop
I hear ya brother on this one. I am sure the insurance issues are also involved here as well. So we all get to spend wasted money so our belts look nice and new. Yippee! |
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glenn cooper |
Re: beltage | ||
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Uhh, clarification is needed; that should read "mounting method", that's the last time I go for the itallic's!
Coop |
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ted arken |
Re: big "E" belt failure? | ||
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The story I heard was that #3 was on the chassis dyno extensively the week before the crash, and that the harnesses were laying on the floor, right above the hot exhaust pipes, essentially melting them in the process.
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