2" competition lap belts

[kurquhart]

While shopping for a competition harness, I came across this article on Schroth's web site on why 2" lap belts are safer than 3":
http://www.schrothracing.com/tech/10

I also noticed that PCA Club Racing rules for 2006 include this change:
2. Allow FIA-approved harnesses with 2” lap belts in all cars.

I don't see any such change proposed for Z8 in 2006. Is this intentional or an oversight? Will I be turned away from an event if I show up with an FIA-approved harness with 2” lap belts?

[Steve Grosekemper]

This is not an intentional oversight. In order for the rule to be put in place for 2006 it would have had to be proposed early in 2005.
Rules are constantly in flux and this one will most likely be in place next year with the new helmet and HANS requirements.

This rule could be in place no earlier than 2007 at this point.

Yes, if you show up with 2" belts you will be turned away.

Steve Grosekemper
PCASDR Rules Chair.

[kurquhart]

On a related note, why does DE require 3" shoulder belts but TT only 2"?

There are some HANS specific shoulder belts that are 3" at the buckle but only 2" over the shoulders. Seems strange that this would be OK for TT but not DE.

Is there a process for petitioning an exception to a rule when safety is in question?

[Steve Grosekemper]

I can't tell you why.
SDR DE Rules are different from Z-8 so we can change them more quickly if need be.
Who ever wrote the 3" rule thought it was better safety than the 2" rule I would imagine.

For Zone 8 rule petition you should contact the Zone 8 Rules chair
Richard price
rtp356@thecarriagehouse.net

For SDR DE's you should contact
ax@pcasdr.org