Racing Harness + Airbag = ?
#1
Thread Starter
Racing Harness + Airbag = ?
I don't understand why people always recommend turning off the airbags once a racing harness has been installed.
I have just purchased Scroth Profi II ASM with an additional 2-pt sub-belt. My car already has fixed back racing bucket seats and roll bar w/harness bar.
My car sees dual duty for street and track, and please don't lecture me about the compromises involved, I know them all and have assessed all my options. I just want to know what the harm is in leaving the airbags on.
I have just purchased Scroth Profi II ASM with an additional 2-pt sub-belt. My car already has fixed back racing bucket seats and roll bar w/harness bar.
My car sees dual duty for street and track, and please don't lecture me about the compromises involved, I know them all and have assessed all my options. I just want to know what the harm is in leaving the airbags on.
#2
u actually don't need airbags..
racing harness are woven so that the fabric stretches under load. (if it didn't, during those 100+mph crashes, necks would rip off from the force. The harness will elongate the force time).
that's why it's also recommended that they are replaced after couple years or an accident.
i'm not sure why they say to turn off airbags,
but as far as the human reflexes work, i think people tend to crouch and shrug their heads inbetween their 2 arms that are still on the steering wheel (basically they look down and close their eyes until the crash it over). this way your head is pointing right at the airbag combustion which is dangerous.
racing harness are woven so that the fabric stretches under load. (if it didn't, during those 100+mph crashes, necks would rip off from the force. The harness will elongate the force time).
that's why it's also recommended that they are replaced after couple years or an accident.
i'm not sure why they say to turn off airbags,
but as far as the human reflexes work, i think people tend to crouch and shrug their heads inbetween their 2 arms that are still on the steering wheel (basically they look down and close their eyes until the crash it over). this way your head is pointing right at the airbag combustion which is dangerous.
#3
Registered User
Originally Posted by krnmike,Sep 11 2008, 04:06 PM
that's why it's also recommended that they are replaced after couple years or an accident.
Replacement after a hard crash is for a different reason. They will be both less strong and less stretchy due to microtears and melting/fusing of the fibers in the weave.
#4
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I think the rule is no racing harness without a roll bar. The racing harness will not let you duck if the car starts to roll over so you also want a roll bar with the harness.
#6
Thread Starter
Okay. Thanks for the quick responses.
So, from my understanding, removing the airbags is more an issue of weight savings than a safety issue. Or, put another way, leaving airbags in a car with a full 6-pt harness is not going to cause any additional safety concerns.
And thanks for not jumping down my throat. I heard that posting in the RaC forum can be a bit rough.
So, from my understanding, removing the airbags is more an issue of weight savings than a safety issue. Or, put another way, leaving airbags in a car with a full 6-pt harness is not going to cause any additional safety concerns.
And thanks for not jumping down my throat. I heard that posting in the RaC forum can be a bit rough.
#7
Administrator
not exactly a harness problem. The issue is with helmets and air bags.
In some cases an airbag can break your neck when deployed in to a helmet.
Googling, this was at the top:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78914
In some cases an airbag can break your neck when deployed in to a helmet.
Googling, this was at the top:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78914
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#8
Registered User
Originally Posted by krazik,Sep 11 2008, 04:45 PM
not exactly a harness problem. The issue is with helmets and air bags.
In some cases an airbag can break your neck when deployed in to a helmet.
In some cases an airbag can break your neck when deployed in to a helmet.
#10
Registered User
The issue was that somebody thought there was a chance that airbags would cause jaw fractures (not neck fractures) when used with full-face helmets. SCCA investigated a bit and decided there was no real evidence this was a likely problem. But it lives on in memory.
There was an SCCA advisory in 2004 warning about possible rulemaking in 2005, but I don't have any links.
There was an SCCA advisory in 2004 warning about possible rulemaking in 2005, but I don't have any links.