Race Belts
 

Everyone dislikes replacing their belts every two years including me. I seem to remember when NHRA started this policy that someone or a manufacturer claimed that only after 2 hours of direct sunlight ( uv rays ) that the strength factor is reduced by 70 to 80%. Now I would think that SEMA would be the testing org. Anybody got test results to validate ?

Re: Race Belts
 

Go to Schroth seat belts website ---totally explains in detail the difference between FIA and SFI certified belts---the different SFI ratings (16.1-16.5-16.6)for each belt and the problems with material degradation by the elements (water/sunlight/dirt/oil) and that by 30 months after the manufacture the material in the belt has lost 75% of its ability to do the job thus the 24 month /2 year time line that should be followed--bottom line is the "may look good" but SFI testing standards has proven that the belt material can no longer meet the testing guidelines--depending on the manufacturer of the "belt" and the SFI rating it is possible the belt may be re-webbed while in others the entire belt as well as all hardware must be replaced completely --NO RE WEBBING -- FED 387

Re: Race Belts
 

I've seen all of that information about deterioration before. Assuming all of that is true, how come street cars don't need new belts every two years? I wonder if there is any data showing regular every day seatbelts coming apart in an accident?

Re: Race Belts
 

I have often wondered that myself. If the OE belt material is better or lasts longer or ?

Re: Race Belts
 

From a racer's observation of the rule book, apparently OEM seat belts last longer and are safer than 2 year old aftermarket ones.

With that said, I wonder why the aftermarket seat belt companies just don't make their belts out of the same material as the OEM do ?

Re: Race Belts
 

It's my understanding that the reason for the two year rule is because of the way the NHRA rule is written. I believe that the NHRA is legally responsible for belt deterioration and NASCAR with their rule is not.

I could be wrong but I read an article about it a few years ago, doubt if I could find it now! LOL

Re: Race Belts
 

I thought NHRA was going to review the rule a few years ago,and maybe change it to three years.Just look at how many belts are available nowadays.Gotta feed SEMA!... gsa612

Re: Race Belts
 

Just guessing here, but could it be that OE belts use polyester rather than nylon webbing?

Re: Race Belts
 

one of the main reasons that NHRA mandates 2 years on seat belt is that SFI will not accept any responsibility whatsoever --what ever that means -- if the belt used fails and is more than 24 months old AND has a SFI label on it--- their(SFI) testing says that after approaching 30 months the materials used in the belt webbing has seriously started to degrade and is not at the same certification level as when it was manufactured and they recommend the webbing/belt be replaced---so NHRA follows the SFI guidelines --whether NHRA wants to or not makes no difference they are "forced" into accepting these(SFI) guidelines-- its a safety issue both by NHRA and SFI-- the end user (racer) uses the product as it is certified if you(racer) use the product contrary to the terms of certification then the certification is VOID--it isn't just about NHRA many forms of motorsports have requirements about replacing eat belts/harness at regular intervals ---you want to race you follow the guidelines/rules of the organization--- you don't want to adhere to the rules you do not get to race--FED 387

Re: Race Belts
 

Its a crock....

Nylon straps are used in a zillion applications from tie downs to lifting straps and they certainly degrade from abrasion and use but not from just sitting unused.

Racecars sit in garages and trailers and there is no way you will convince me the belts degrade the amount mentioned. Ludicrous....

If the strap or belt material is not cut or badly abrasion damaged, it will do the job....

Re: Race Belts
 

If you buy a set of RCI "platinum"belts (same price as reg.) there good for 4 yrs.You have to send them back at 2 years to have them re-certified,no charge just pay shipping.I have done this twice, got the same belts and hardware back (marked them).The only thing was a new date sticker sewn on.So if NHRA and/or SFI claim the webbing to have a 30 mo.service life, how can the belt be re-certified for extended service beyond that....gsa612

Re: Race Belts
 

I'm sure it is far more prevalent in roundy-round cars as I've seen more of them where they pull the motor in the fall and push the car out behind the garage. A buddy was a tech guy at the local circle track. First night out every year he said he'd climb in more than one car, put his foot on the seat and rip the belts out by hand, give them to the owner and send them home. The rulebook can't distinguish between a climate controlled garage and sitting in the yard with the windows down.

Re: Race Belts
 

Key point here...

Re: Race Belts
 

...And yet, every time I take my old "expired" harnesses to a swap meet, it is always a local round track racer who buys them , to use in his circle track race car. You know, the kind that are regularily crashing into each other, concrete walls etc.... I guess their rules makers deem 2, 3, or 4 year old belts totally acceptable.
Also would be curious to hear NHRA or SFIs reasoning for the need to send my thick steel bellhousing (scattershield) back for recertification every 5 years. It can`t be due to damage from the sun, as they are hidden under the firewall, and are painted (Lakewood), or anodized (McLeod), and I don`t drive my race cars on salt covered snowy roads in the winter. They must be made from an inferior blend of steel than the 80 year old bridge I drive over twice a day going to & from work!

Re: Race Belts
 

long time ago, I asked NHRA official about the two year rule, seems it was based on seat belts in jet fighters, they replace them every two years. boeing builds a plane and they don't replace seat belts every two years. in general aviation, there is no seat belt rule. I remember being around spray planes with 20 year old belts, never replaced, yet they held up in a turn over. I witnessed that. also, bellhousing rule is same boat.

Re: Race Belts
 

Lee Shepard and Darrell Gwynn are the reason.

Re: Race Belts
 

For 2018 roundy round racers in AZ can only have belts no older then 5 years. Even in Bomber class. Its contagious

Re: Race Belts
 

No....From what I remember Darrell did not use his arm restraints when he crashed in England while demonstrating the car to a potential buyer and Lee Shepard was not wearing his harness during a Goodyear tire testing session. The wind caught his chutes when he ran a full 1/4 mile at the end of the testing day instead of his usual 60 ft and 1/8 mile passes. and the chutes spun the car sideways. It threw Lee through the windshield at approx. 180 MPH. Several have died over the years for not wearing all they should during simple testing. Don Carlton of Motown Missile and Rod Shop fame did not wear his helmet and crashed while tire testing hitting his head on the roll cage. I could go on and on but you get the idea....WEAR YOUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT even if you are just testing.

Re: Race Belts
 

Lee Shepherd's wife posted this on Yellow Bullet a few years back...

As for Don Carlton...Don absolutely had his helmet on at the time of his accident. I know a few people who were there that day, Don's crash was caused by dehydration, and possibly having a heat stroke. It was not a tire test, but a Chrysler sponsored test.

Re: Race Belts
 

Thank you Steve for the Lee Shepherd details. I am not on Facebook and had never heard what I felt was a credible account of his crash.

Re: Race Belts
 

I was just relying on what was told to the tech guys in the Bristol tower at a safety meeting before the races many many years ago.

Re: Race Belts
 

Testing of seat belt degradation vs time by the European Aviation Safety Agency disagrees with the rapid degradation vs time.

Take a look at this chart:
https://i.imgur.com/tvXGCrM.png


Here is the full report:
https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/def...nal_5-2010.pdf