Lately the PCA (Porsche Club of America) has updated their Minimum Standards for Harness Systems for vehicles participating in PCA Sanctioned High Performance Drivers Education (HPDE) events. Some of you are wondering what this has to due with a Mini. Many of us track rats attend events sponsored by other Marquee Clubs such as PCA and BMW-CCA.

The research was conducted due to comments found in the thread First Track Experience

Thanks to the HPDE Director. Maverick Region PCA for pointing me to the right place to find the standards.

PCA DE Minimum Standards

Effective Jan 1, 2008

 

Clothing: All car occupants must wear a Snell approved helmet , which has the current available Snell rating or the one previous Snell rating. Footwear must be enclosed, non-slip, with a relatively smooth sole. Hiking type deep lugged soles are not acceptable.

You can drive naked.

 

I would suggest asking PCA directly about the use of the Schroth harness. It is tested and (TUV) approved for use with the stock MINI seats. I have a hard time believing that they could deny it's use as designed.

 

From the way it was explained to me each region is free to set their own regulations but to be included in the PCA insurance they need to at least adhere to the minimum standards.

Don't assume that because the Schroth is designed for the Mini and is TUV approved it will be allowed. Best practice would be to check with your region.

 

I just find it hard to believe that they could deny the use of a product that has been tested and proved to be safe for the intended use.

I really hope someone can point them in the right direction.

 

Isnt TUV europe standard and not US standard. Which even if it is a TUV approved product (such as lights) IT won't Pass US INSPECTIONS. Also being an Ex-racer I do understand the importants of an Anti-Submarine belt. With the position that can be had with an adjustable seat. A restraint without the belt would be worthless in almost everytype of accident found on a High Speed track.

 

Well, the Schroth 4-point harness is USDOT approved as well, but like TUV certification, that's neither here nor there when it comes to what PCA will allow.

Along the same lines, my Schroth harness isn't legal for SCCA events, because I have a convertible.

 

True Scott. But as stated earlier it comes down to each ruling body and what type of cars are under it care and the type of events. SCCA covers a wide range of catagories and also allows for stock restraints. The PCA is mainly covering Porsche which in the most part High Powered cars and from going over there rules seem to be in the mind set of Race Car safety VS. Bring any ol thing off the street and have fun.

Now dont get me wrong im not knocking on SCCA nor Trying to say PCA is the Best thing out there. You know me Scott im a GrassRoots racer coming from the Sprint car field and personally with exception when im racing I don't like Seat belts at all. Now with a new rule or state law which will not allow me to change my seat due to it having an Airbag in it. Unless I get the scanner that resets the Airbag light and switch seats when I want to go racing with them. I cant do it at all even if I did run the 5-6 point Harness

 

You're absolutely right, Tony. I was agreeing with you - DOT or TUV certification isn't binding on PCA, SCCA, or any of the other organizing/sanctioning bodies. Their game - their rules.

 

I know someone who is a PCA DE instructor with an '02 MCS that has Schroth harnesses (5pt) with his stock seats. He works many events in Zone 4 (Great Lakes) and has been told that he won't be allowed to use them when the new rules take effect. Either use the factory seatbelts, or he has to get new seats. Now I don't know if he can get away with using the stock belt on top of the schroth and keep the stock seats (technically compliant), but he has been warned.

These rules are giving fits to everyone in my PCA region who has a harness bar in conjunction with stock seats. The bar permits the belt angle specifications, but there are no routing holes for the lap belt, and the anti-sub wraps around the front of the seat cushion. At Mid-Ohio last month, I rode with an instructor who's 993 was so equipped, I never slid around nor felt unsafe (and it was raining most of the day).

 

My concern has to do with the supposed problems with the 4 point systems. As I understand it the concerns are unfounded with the Schroth harness. Trying to lump the Schroth harness in with all of the other 4 point systems out there is unfair. The Schroth is designed to address all of the deficiencies of the other 4 point systems. It offers anti-sub protection while using the stock seats and pre-tensioners.

 

When I started DEs, I had a Porsche 924s, stock seats and belts...
Next DE, I had installed a 5-pt harness and harness bar with stock Recaros, as the stock seats and belts didn't do jack to hold me in place with all-season radials on the stock suspension.

I've since sold the 924S, and use a 944 Turbo.
The Turbo started with stock seats, 924 Harness bar and belts
(the Turbo has bigger side-bolster than the 924S, but also full leather, which is slipperier than the cloth/leather combo of the S).
Anyway, as Time Progressed, I got faster (next DE) and wanted to increase my safety as well...
First I put in Koenig buckets (with harness ports), then (the DE after that) I replaced the harness bar with a roll bar (or 1/2 cage)... for better fitment with the new seats.

Point being its VERY pricey to go swapping seats and adding a cage for a street-driven car that sees some DEs, but I've seen some bone-headed harness setups and understand for the simplicity of safety inspections, harness need the correct seats...

Then again, my first DE with NNJR had an IMSA GTP 962 and a 1980 Can-Am UOP Lola show up at Mid-Ohio... they lapped me, oh, 6-times in 20 min. (maybe it was 10).

Point is, as stated above, each region is different as is each zone.
And as people are getting toys that exceed their driving ability, (and insurance is getting less likely to cover them), they are requiring more 'racing' safety equipment as standard... see the issue with the Carerra GT crash in CA during the Ferarri event... Porsche, the track, the GT driver's family, the Ferarri driver, and the club all had to pay out to the passenger's family. (Interestingly, the flagger was not included).

It won't be too long before HANS devices are mandatory with newer SNELL SA rated helmets (currently no older than 10 years)

 

Great info guys for all the track dogs.

 

Just for the heck of it, here is the Schroth page in English http://english.schroth.com/. Not that it will change any groups mind about their rules, but the page has a lot of good information on their designs that individuals might find interesting.

 

It's also important to remember that the primary purpose of a harness is not to hold you in place while driving. It is to hold you in place when you crash.

Lots of things can hold you in place while driving... The forces involved in a crash are huge, and you will want a good belt solution when that time comes.

I have run a 6-point harness on stock seats a couple of times. I'll never do it again. Nothing happened, but it could have.