Just wondering just how invincible I am with the harness. And then how much more invincible I am with the helmet on while in the harness.
I’ve been doing some digging on whether racing harnesses are safer than regular seat belts... I’ve read countless threads of people arguing this and that without a real conclusive answer
One argument was that seat belts are designed to work in conjunction with other safety systems like airbags, but racing harnesses don’t utilize those systems which can result in neck related injuries, (yet apparently harnesses matched with bolstered seats were better in other kinds of impacts) but what about in vehicles that have no safety systems at all? If convenience isn’t a concern, which is actually safest?
Context: I have acquired 2 projects, a 1989 CRX and 1997 Integra... they have zero safety features what so ever, so I’ve been trying to get an answer as to what my best options would be to make them a bit safer as they are going to be modified (faster)... I’m planning on bolstered seats anyways but I’m debating on what belt set up to go with
I know whatever I choose there will be risks regardless, question is which devil should I dance with?
So I know this is a bit of a crazy question, but are there road legal 5 or 6 point racing harnesses?
I do metal detecting, and my research recently led me to a farm field that was the home of a county fair back in the mid to late 1800s. Old aerial photos from the 1930s showed the remnants of the track, and old newspapers verified that indeed there was a lot of harness racing going on at that spot back in the day.
So, this weekend, some friends and I went there and did our metal detecting thing and yeah, we did find some old stuff. But we were very puzzled to see how uneven the field was... the track would have gone up and down and around some fairly hilly ground. I found that very surprising. All the photos I can find online show wide, flat tracks.
A few years ago when my project first came in I scored a good deal on some Braum racing seats and harnesses, I still need the bar to mount the 5 pt harness HOWEVER , I’ve read that harnesses and racing seats are only safe to use with a helmet and a roll cage, I don’t intend on racing and it was mentioned that shoulder/lap belts and cushioned seats were the best way to go.
I initially assumed that harnesses were overall safer in modernizing classic cars that had poor crumple zone design . Additionally, even if I cage the vehicle for a safer outcome when driving - i read that without a helmet , my head will likely impact the cage at some point...
I guess my question is - do I forget about the whole racing seat/ harness and bar setup? Do I fabricate a cage?
The car is a 72’ mustang Fastback with a 351C with 4 barrel EFI Setup
