Race Belts

[FED 387]

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

[Rich Biebel]

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....

[gsa612]

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

[Tim Kish]

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.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Tim Kish

The rulebook can't distinguish between a climate controlled garage and sitting in the yard with the windows down.

Key point here...

[Rory McNeil]

...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!

[older racer]

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.

[Jeff Stout]

Originally Posted by Tim Kish

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.

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