Inexpensive New seat belts and recertification

[N Mortimer]

I am now a dealer for Crow Seat Belts, suits, gloves, window nets, shoes etc.
Please visit their web site here http://www.crowenterprizes.com and be amazed at their prices.
They are located in California and build an excellent and inexpensive product.
For example I can supply 6 point cam lock belts for formula car that are hans compatible for $190 and in five years time the re webing and re certification is $50. The 6 point for sedans is cheaper, and of course there are many colour choices. They even do custom belts to your design.
Contact:
nigel@mortimer-racing.com
613 277 2203

[luker]

Nigel, which of their belts are FIA certified? I'll be looking for a 6 point set of belts for the BMW in the late spring early summer. The only thing I see on their site is the SFI belts, which I thought were only good for 2 years before needing re-certification. Any info you have would be greatly appreciated.

[N Mortimer]

Their belts are only SFI certified and as far as I know CASC and ASQ allows SFI certification for 5 years unlike the SCCA which is 2 years.
Dont get me started as to why belts expire after 5 years.

[luker]

Their belts are only SFI certified and as far as I know CASC and ASQ allows SFI certification for 5 years unlike the SCCA which is 2 years.
Dont get me started as to why belts expire after 5 years.

Time Attack and Autocross in Ontario also have the 2 year rule. So any car that might be used in those disciplines needs to look for FIA belts which still have 5 year life spans.

[N Mortimer]

I checked the CASC Race Regs for 2012 and the SFI and FIA certifications are both valid for 5 years.
We should probably be concerned about our street 3 point belts with 2" webbing as they are far more exposed to the elements of the environment than our race cars, but dont tell your insurance company !

[GoesFilled]

What 3 point belts?

[luker]

I checked the CASC Race Regs for 2012 and the SFI and FIA certifications are both valid for 5 years.
We should probably be concerned about our street 3 point belts with 2" webbing as they are far more exposed to the elements of the environment than our race cars, but dont tell your insurance company !

For Road Racing your are correct it is 5 years for both SFI and FIA belts.

For Time Attack the 2012 rules section 1.1.4 state:

v) Restraint systems using SFI certification shall show a date of manufacture
that is indicated on all SFI labels to be within two (2) years of the date of use,
e.g., if the restraint system is in good condition and a label shows a "Date of
Manufacture" of June, 2008, then the entire restraint system shall not be used
after May 31, 2010. (Note that many SFI harness manufacturers will remanufacture/
re-certify their belts.)

And for Autoslalom the 2012 rules section 3.7.3.3 state:

Restraint systems using SFI certification shall show a date of manufacture that is indicated on all SFI
labels to be within two (2) years of the date of use, e.g., if the restraint system is in good condition and a
label shows a "Date of Manufacture" of June, 2008, then the entire restraint system shall not be used
after May 31, 2010. (Note that many SFI harness manufacturers will re-manufacture/re-certify their
belts.)

So any car that might be used across disciplines needs to know that the dates are not aligned across those disciplines. Are you carrying any other belt manufacturers?

[N Mortimer]

As I am a distributor for Perry Auto in Montreal, I can get Sparco etc that they sell.
As a vehicle safety investigator for the federal government for 30 years I get a good laugh from these various disciplines and their seat belt requirements.

[luker]

As I am a distributor for Perry Auto in Montreal, I can get Sparco etc that they sell.
As a vehicle safety investigator for the federal government for 30 years I get a good laugh from these various disciplines and their seat belt requirements.

Good to know, and I won't disagree with you on the last statement.

[BBQMAN]

Just want to chime in here and say that the universal rule for most regions, including SCCA and NASA as well as ASQ, is that FIA approved belts have an expiry after 5 years and SFI are good for 2 years.
I do not argue what the CASC rule book says, but there must be something overlooked if they accept SFI for 5 years in RR, but not in autocross and TA.

Maybe someone should mention to the Ontario rule makers .....

[MNilson]

Race commitee did discuss this issue at length. I called SFI and asked what thier test criteria was. Leave the belts out in the elements 24/7 for two years, in California, and guess what, the belts were severely compromised! Just like the graph on thier web site.

We felt that most belts in Canada are not subjected to that kind of abuse. We do inspect race belts every year and if the scrutineer has any concerns, they can have them removed.

Mike, one of the Ontario Rule makers.

[BBQMAN]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the answer and quick as well.
I understand the logic of the test and canadas weather etc, but why would Timeattack and autocross have higher standards than Roadrace?
Why doesnt CASC follow industry leading standards?

I guess in the end, why have something different than everything else? It would be a pity for a Ontario based racer drive to New York or Quebec for an event and have his SFI belts refused because of date.