Autocross Chest Strap

[TomoHawk]

In my autocross 101 DVD the host mentioned using a chest strap to help your upper body stay fixed when going through the course, but there was no mention about how the chest strap is designed.  I assumed it was just a length of wide belting with a buckle or clip, or some wide Velcro with a D-ring.  You put it around the seat and across your chest, then tighten it.

Has anyone had one or have some information I can read?  The only thing I have trouble with is keeping the belt in place around the back of the seat, unless you install something up hold the trap up, like some D -rings.

[grannyknot]

This will do the trick,

 

[Fred Sigarto]

Made a chest belt out of a 3'' canvas strap back in 91, burned the ends to keep the fabric from coming apart. Fastened Velcro strips on the ends, worked quite well until I installed a 5 point cam lock in 94 when Hp increased to 218. Didn't move a bit in stock seat.

[TomoHawk]

How id you keep it from slipping down behind the seat?

 

[Fred Sigarto]

Mine didn't slip, most of the runs were 45+ seconds, butt still moved with normal seat belts. One strip of duct tape on the seat back should hold it up if it does slip. There's a set for $22.88, google cheap racing seat belts. I installed mine in 94, still use it. 

[TomoHawk]

the duct tape should work with vinyl seat covers, but mine are cloth, so I will have to think of something else.  Maybe I can add a sort of loop with some dog-rings, or just sew something on.

See you at Mid Ohio June 21-23

[psdenno]

17 minutes ago, TomoHawk said:

the duct tape should work with vinyl seat covers, but mine are cloth, so I will have to think of something else.  Maybe I can add a sort of loop with some dog-rings, or just sew something on.

See you at Mid Ohio June 21-23

Consider using adhesive backed Velcro strips on the cloth seat back and belt.  Fairly easy to remove when not needed and the Velcro should hold the belt tight.

Dennis

[TomoHawk]

On 5/5/2019 at 7:05 AM, grannyknot said:

This will do the trick,

 

The duct tape would be fine if tyou had vinyl seats, but my seats are cloth, so I would need something that will not tear or mar  the fabric or fall off.

Edited December 4, 2020 by TomoHawk

[heyitsrama]

A search for ‘leather body straps’ might put you into a strange part of the web, but something like that might work.

 

just gotta figure out how to tie it to the seat and not pinch your skin.

OEM seats w/ cloth covers?

[TomoHawk]

I use aftermarket (JY) seats that are recovered, and have foam added for bolstering, but it's not enough when you go to autocross or any other performance-type event.

That's the problem. to attach something to the back of a cloth seat that doesn't ruin the custom work, looks like it belongs, or won't fall off if you accidentally tug on it, and has a slot to put the strap through or in.

BTW - this is also called a Torso Strap.  G-Force sells them, and it's just a strap made from Nylon webbing with a big plastic pinch clip.  They just sell them, and don't tell you how it's used or installed.

Edited December 4, 2020 by TomoHawk

[heyitsrama]

It looks like that would need to strap around the backside of the seat to be effective. Have you considered adding a pad in the seat made of those toolbox liners or kitchen drawer liners? 
 

https://www.harborfreight.com/solid-nonslip-drawer-liner-65565.html That might help your torso out a bit. 
 

Planning on going racing on Sunday maybe I’ll give it a try I have some left overs.

[Derek]

Letterman has you covered.