Harness regulations

[Tom.H]

Hi

I am about to buy some harnesses for my vehicle.

For MSA speed events (Safari / XTC) what are the regulations?? Do the actual belts need to be MSA or FIA spec? What's the minimum width for the chest and lap belt?

Cheers

Tom

[Boothy]

Why not read or check the MSA regs?

[nik 1]

hope this helps, by the way all three point harness' have been banned for speed events

57.2.1. All vehicles must comply with K.2.1.2, K.3.1.2

(not plumbed in), K.5, K.6, K.8.

2.1. All seat safety belts must be must be complete

units sourced from a recognised manufacturer and

fitted in accordance with the manufacturers

instructions, MSA recommendations or FIA

requirements. (See FIA Drawing Nos. 253–42, 253–43,

253–44 and 253–45)

Seat belts, in the following specified configurations,

must be worn and be correctly adjusted at all times

during events:

2.1.1. Three point. One diagonal shoulder strap and

one lap strap, with three anchorage points on the

chassis/body shell or roll over bar of the vehicle on

either side and to the rear of the driver’s seat.

2.1.2. Four point. Two shoulder straps and one lap

strap, with four anchorage points on the chassis/body

shell or roll over bar of the vehicle. One either side of

the driver and two to the rear of the driver’s seat.

2.1.3. Six point. Two shoulder straps, one lap strap and

two straps between the legs, with six anchorage points

on the chassis/body shell or roll over bar of the vehicle.

One either side of the driver, two to the rear of the

driver’s seat (or one symmetrical for the two shoulder

straps) and two between the legs.

2.1.4. Where safety harnesses are mandatory it is

recommended that those described in 2.1.2. and 2.1.3.

are homologated by the FIA and carry their label.

2.1.5. It is permitted to make a hole in series production

seats to allow secure anchoring of seat belts.

2.1.6. All seat belts used on International events must

be homologated by the FIA, and carry their label.

2.1.7. It is not permitted to mix parts of seat belts. Only

complete sets as supplied by manufacturers should be

used.

2.1.8. Only one release mechanism is permitted on

each seat belt configuration and this must be available

for the wearer to operate whilst seated in the

competing position.

2.1.9. The anchorage points to the rear should be

positioned so that the strap from the shoulder is as

near horizontal as possible. It should not be located on

the floor directly behind the driver/co-driver.

2.1.10. Seat belts once involved in a serious accident

should be discarded as they are likely to have

stretched. Belts subjected to oil, acid or heat should be

replaced.

[Henry Webster]

In my mind for off road speed events you really want 75mm harnesses. Makes sense to get FIA but don't necessarily need to be in-date in the UK. One thing I would avoid is buying second hand, you never really know the history and as it says belts stretch in an accident!

[j90 mud]

depending on the regs most clubs used to accept 50mm eg 2 inch widebelts.

some now ask for 3 inch shoulder belts and 2 inch lap belts.this is what we run in all the cars we use off road.

you also need to be able to unlock them when you are hanging upside down etc easily after an off.not all belts release easily as we found out last year.

[nik 1]

In my mind for off road speed events you really want 75mm harnesses. Makes sense to get FIA but don't necessarily need to be in-date in the UK. One thing I would avoid is buying second hand, you never really know the history and as it says belts stretch in an accident!

Spoke to Mr Palmer( A MSA scrutineer) and for speed events FIA harnesses must be in date .nik

[Henry Webster]

I'm certainly not going to argue with such an authority as Vic or his son, but I genuinely didn't think that was the case. I bought some homologated in-date harnesses to compete in France where they are mandatory as well as for international events in the UK, but I believe my old belts remain fine for club events here, right up to National A level.

My understanding seems to tally with the blue book snippet above. Rally events are different and do require in date harnesses. Note that the snippet posted here is only the general harness reg and needs to be read in conjunction with the technical part of the off road regs.

[nik 1]

I'm certainly not going to argue with such an authority as Vic or his son, but I genuinely didn't think that was the case. I bought some homologated in-date harnesses to compete in France where they are mandatory as well as for international events in the UK, but I believe my old belts remain fine for club events here, right up to National A level.

My understanding seems to tally with the blue book snippet above. Rally events are different and do require in date harnesses. Note that the snippet posted here is only the general harness reg and needs to be read in conjunction with the technical part of the off road regs.

hi I'm currently training as a scrutineer under Vic and you are right and was misinformed by Mark on Thursday or i asked the question wrongly most likely.

57.2.1. All vehicles must comply with K.2.1.2, K.3.1.2

(not plumbed in), K.5, K.6, K.8.

this is from cross country events , technical regulations , all vehicles , to find the other regs .

2.1.2. Four point. Two shoulder straps and one lap

strap, with four anchorage points on the chassis/body

shell or roll over bar of the vehicle. One either side of

the driver and two to the rear of the driver’s seat.

witch there is no mention of dates .