Great seatbelt gadget!!!

[Bill]

Though I've always toyed with the idea of tossing a cage and a harness into my daily driver, I just can't rationalize the expense or the safety risk (no helmet during daily commutes). As such, I'm left with the stock three-point belt to keep my ass planted in the seat. A fairly poor substitute in any situation other than sudden stops/impacts. In an effort to try and work with the stock belt, I usually twist the belt loop a few times and then latch it. This helps to secure the lap belt and prevent it from moving but becomes cumbersome and annoying quickly. Luckily while browsing some motorcross forums I ran into a gadget called the CG-lock. Basically it works the same way as twisting the lap belt would however makes the process much simpler and offers a greater degree of control over belt tightness. Intrigued, I ordered one and installed it the other day. I'm damned impressed. Easy to install, easy to use, and at only ~$35 it's a great mod for any autocrosser. Check out the following site for more information on the product or for clarification if you've no idea what the hell I'm talking about.
http://www.cg-lock.com/


I'll be at the Sunriders event this weekend in a black Subaru STi. If anyone wants to check it out, just stop by and I'll let you test it out.

[Leonard]

something else that helps alot is a torso harness

http://www.racerwholesale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RW&Product_Code=MAT4290&Category_Code=Restraints

14.99

[PseudoRealityX]

keep in mind that neither of these products can be used in a convertible car without rollover protection.

[Loren]

The chest strap can't, but I don't see why the CG-Lock couldn't. Most OE belt reels can be locked if you yank on them the right way, and they all are designed to lock in the event of an accident. The CG-Lock just locks in the lap belt, anyway. Not going to have an effect on the upper body, which is what you're worried about in an open-top car.

[Bill]

Originally posted by Loren
The chest strap can't, but I don't see why the CG-Lock couldn't. Most OE belt reels can be locked if you yank on them the right way, and they all are designed to lock in the event of an accident. The CG-Lock just locks in the lap belt, anyway. Not going to have an effect on the upper body, which is what you're worried about in an open-top car.

Agreed. In the event of a roll-over, though the CG-lock locks the lapbelt, the driver/passenger is still able to slump to the side of the seat.

[Leonard]

Yeah, but with the lapbelt unable to move, it's going to limit the ability of the driver to slump to the side. That could make a difference.

[PseudoRealityX]

If it attaches to, and or locks the upper portion of the seatbelt, it's illegal. This was a rule that went forth right before 2003 Nationals. It applies to T-top cars also.

[Loren]

Originally posted by PseudoRealityX
If it attaches to, and or locks the upper portion of the seatbelt, it's illegal. This was a rule that went forth right before 2003 Nationals. It applies to T-top cars also.

Good to know.

Of course, to be clear, we're talking about SCCA Solo II rules here. Not the only set of rules to play by.

[neurovish]

I've seen the ads for these in Sportscar, I was wondering if they made that much of a difference. Usually i feel like it's my torso that needs to be held in more, not my ass. Another thing you can do is move your seat all the way back (if you don't usually drive liek that), yank on your belt so it locks then move the seat up to where you normally sit. I don't do this though, seems like the locking mechanism on the seat belt is something that could wear out if you keep doing that, and that is something I really don't want to wear out....I did this at mazda rev it up though and it seemed to help out a lot. Can anybody confirm or deny if this is something you really shouldn't do in the car you drive around everyday?

[Loren]

I wouldn't worry about it. If you've never looked at that mechanism, it's pretty stout. The spring tension on the locking pawl is very light when it's not engaged by the inertia thingy (that's a technical term), so it's not going to wear when you extend or retract the belt. And when it's engaged, it's REALLY engaged.