Just wondering from you more experienced people, I'm signed up for a two day class with Phil Wicks in a few weeks.

Since this is my first class and not actual race, is it worth me getting a CG lock or harness or should I just go with the stock setup the first time?

Thoughts from you more professional guys? I'm kinda thinking stock and if I decide to do it on a regular basis, then I'll look into a harness.

Watcha think?

Thanks,

Mark

 

BlueSmini showed me a trick that I use in Autocross all the time....Move your seat back, snap your seatbelt to lock it in place, then move your seat forward until it is tight on your body....Works pretty well.

 

Oh yeah, I'll see you at Roebling....

 

Have both the CG lock and Schroth harness, both well worth the price. For your first time go ahead and get a CG lock, you can feel what the car is doing way better and they are great for doing the Twisties, I keep it on all the time. Either way you will also be suprised at how much you are just holding on when you are pushing it, better to be relaxed. Do love the harness too!

 

Thanks guys, I completely agree Chad, when you're strapped in nice and tight, you literally feel like you are part of the car.

The seat belt trick is a great idea. Cya there...

Minimarks, what do you think of this product? Since I'm no professional, this harness isn't much more than the CG lock. I was talking to Phil and he said I didn't have to have one but if I wanted to get a harness, you could purchase one for about 100 bucks... I was assuming he meant one like this.



These harness are Corbeau harnesses, you can get 3 different styles plus each style comes either boltable or snap-in. They're only 68 bucks plus shipping.

The reason I was looking at them is because a CG lock is almost 40 bucks. I just figure like you, I'll probably keep it on there all the time.

Thanks,

Mark

 

Haven't seen or used that harness so I can't give you a honest opinion on it. I keep the CG lock on all the time not the harness... A harness would be uncomfortable for daily driving, you cannot move around or reach for anything with them on. Try keeping your back completely against the seat back and reach for the glove box or something.... Now I do use it sometimes in the twisties and move the lock over for the passenger as I did at the Phil Wicks at VIR.

 

I have the Schroth set up too, but needed to get a set for the passenger side. If I was going to pony up for the CG lock, I'd skip it and get the whole harness you have pictured. I just works better than the 3 points on the factory harness.

 

I think for now I'm going to just get the CG lock. If I decide to start going to the track, then I'll definitely get a harness.

Thanks guy,

Mark

 

 

Don't waste your money on the harness pictured. It is not a safe alternative to the stock belts. The only harness you should consider for the MINI is the Schroth quick-fit. It has all of the safety features needed.

 

Thanks but just out of curiousity, why is it not as good as the stock belts?

Mark

 

They are not designed to eliminate submarining under the lap belt. The Schroth system incorporates anti-submarine technology. This is a serious safety issue. The above belts would allow you to slide under them during a front end impact. Check out the spec's on the Schroth system for the whole story.

 

Thanks, I did not know all that... MUCH APPRECIATED.

Mark

 

Yes, good info...didn't know that anything could be worse than the stock belts...Just relied on the manufacturer to put out a safe product...

 

Those Corbeau harnesses look real pretty and that's about all they are good for. Do the CG lock if anything for the first date. If you like it and want to spend the time doing more dates then look into a Schroth thats designed for a MINI. Problem is they don't have the R56 ones out yet and the R53 ones don't quite fit right. The only thing more unsafe than an improper harness is a loaded gun pointed at you. At least with the gun you are lulled into thinking it will help you.

 

Thanks guys. I did order my CG lock from Apex today. I figure I'll try it since it's only a 2 day class. If I decide to do it again, I'll buy a decent harness.

Thanks for the education.

Mark

 

Just a two day ya say...... Just did the one day Phil Wicks at VIR and if you get the track time we did times two....you is going to be a very tired camper..