Making the Car Safe for You
Seat Belts
Enduro Rules only recommend that you can use a Five Point Seat Belt. Yes, you can run stock seat belts.
You want to make sure that they are in going working condition. Check them and then have someone else check them again.
Check your seat belts for the following:
1) The belt buckles and lock correctly
2) They are securely mounted
3) The bolts are tight and not rusted.
4) Floorboard is solid, no rust around mounts.
5) No rips, tears, or discoloration in the seat belt material.
6) That you can adjust them.
All these apply to any seat belt in your racecar or any car.
Racing Type Seat Belts
Personally, I would NOT recommend using stock automotive seat belts. One, I don't think that are safe, because of there age and wear and tear. Two, I don't feel they are safe enough for racing. A stock seat belt does not hold you body in place during a crash. You are only being held at 3 points on you body. I think this increases your chance of being injured. Stock automotive seat belts were designed to protect you in a head on crash. In racing, you will be hit from any side.
Five point - Aircraft Type Seat Belts can be purchased for about $60 and up, per set. These are 3 inch wide belts that mounted properly, in conjunction with a racing type seat, will hold you in place in the event of an accident.
Racing seat belts come in two types. A latch type buckle and a cam type buckle. Both are good. The cam type allows you to release it quicker, if you have to get out of the car fast. But,. they are a little more expensive.
With the latch type be sure that the latch is secure. In the first race in my red car, my seat belts came undone. I had to pull into the infield and fix my belts. That may have cost me a Top-5 finish (7th - 190 Laps). Now, I use a little piece of velcro to secure the latch, so it will not come loose during a race.
Seat belts should be mounted securly to roll cage and not the floor pan.
Racing seat belts are dated. Selt Belts manufactures recommend that you replace the after two years or after a really hard crash. The tend to streatch after a hard hit and my not be as effective the next time.
Be sure to check your seat belts before you go racing. A broken seat belt may have cost Dale Earnhardt his life. Remember, you've got to go the work on Monday.
ENDURO RULES
4) Safety Equipment: Five point race harness in good condition for driver and passenger recommended.