Ear Plugs
A race harness is a specially designed seat belt for racing cars to minimise injury in high-speed accidents. Favoured by NASCAR for their drivers' safety, the harness can be designed to have four, five or six points of attachment to the car frame, with four or five or six straps to secure the wearer; two straps on the shoulders, two across the hips and perhaps one or two at the crotch where the buckle attaches. There is no better accessory for a sports car than to equip it with the harness it was meant to have.
Getting the right harness for your needs comes down to three choices; four, five or six point attachments, but we have thrown in a couple of other points for you to consider too.
Four point harnesses are considered the bare minimum in racing terms, and are often not enough restraint for legal races. They consist of two straps for the shoulders, and two straps for the hips and certainly limit movement at high speed and in cornering, however, they do not provide an additional strap at the crotch which prevents "submarining" or slipping under the belt in the event of a collision. If nothing else, the four point harness will upgrade your ride to the racing look and give you added security when you are really moving.
The next step up would be the five point harness. This design does provide an additional strap at the crotch to prevent the slipping and keeps the driver secure in the seat, even in the event of a high-speed crash. It is often race legal and will give your car street-cred with real racers. However, some users complain that the fact that there is only one sub-belt, effectively from the seat straight up to your waist, can cause discomfort in the crotch when braking which limits movement and causes unnecessary distraction.
The safest and most commonly used race harnesses in official races are of course the six point harnesses. Since the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001 when his the single sub-belt of his five point harness failed causing him to break his neck, NASCAR has mandated six point harnesses in all their races. So, if you want your ride to look official, or are a serious racer, six point is the way to go. With the two straps over the shoulders, two straps over the hips and two split straps between the legs from the crotch, they are definitely the more comfortable and secure way to go.
There are a couple of other points to consider when selecting your harness. Firstly, be sure and factor the belt width in you decision. Harnesses come with 2" or 3" straps, 2" may be more suitable for smaller drivers, while 3" will definitely give you more support.
Secondly, harnesses come with two basic buckle designs; cam lock (a simple twist or lever release mechanism like a standard seatbelt) and latch and link (Sliding metal loops over a link one at a time). The choice can just be down to preference and the look you want, but in a real emergency, the cam lock has a quicker release. Also remember, if you are a hard-core racer, be sure to find out which design your officials favour as they normally require one design over the other.
There are two main reasons why people buy race harnesses for their cars. Firstly, if you are a racer of any description; drag, drifter, circuit, hard-core or weekend warrior, safety comes first. Most tracks will require drivers to have a certain standard of harness to prevent serious injury. In addition, at high speed, when you need to have your head in the game, you don't want to be distracted by the movement in the car. A harness will keep your body secure while you focus on winning your race.
Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, it is the upgrade your ride needs if you want to look like you mean business. Every sports car deserves to look like it is ready to race.
Both cam lock and latch & link buckles secure your harness, but they operate differently. Cam locks are similar to standard seatbelt buckles - a simple lever or twist releases them quickly. They're easy to use and often preferred for their speed in emergency situations.
Latch & link systems use sliding metal loops that engage with a central locking pin. They’re considered slightly more secure as they require multiple steps to release, reducing the risk of accidental opening. However, they can be slower to unbuckle than cam locks.
The choice often comes down to personal preference and racing organization rules. Some sanctioning bodies mandate one type over the other. For most street/track use, either will work well – just ensure you’re comfortable with the operation before hitting the track!
Street legality varies significantly by location, so check your local laws. Many jurisdictions require a roll cage or reinforcing structure when installing a harness in a street car—this is because harnesses hold *you* securely, but don’t allow the seat to move like it would with standard belts and crumple zones.
Proper installation is crucial. You’ll need strong mounting points on the vehicle's chassis (not just the seats!) and hardware rated for racing applications. It's highly recommended that a professional installs harnesses, ensuring correct angles and torque settings to maximize effectiveness.
Also consider harness pads for comfort during street driving, as they can dig in without them. Lastly, remember a harness is meant to be used *with* a proper racing seat – the two work together!
The number refers to how many attachment points the harness has—both at the car frame and where it contacts your body. A 4-point harness features two shoulder straps and two hip straps. It’s a basic upgrade over standard belts but offers limited restraint against “submarining” (sliding under the lap belt).
A 5-point adds a single strap between the legs, preventing submarining. This is a common choice for many racers offering a good balance of safety and comfort. However, some find that single crotch strap uncomfortable during braking.
6-point harnesses use *two* straps between the legs, providing even greater security and comfort. They’re now standard in NASCAR due to improved safety performance, particularly preventing injury when combined with proper seat design. If you’re serious about racing or want maximum protection, 6-point is the way to go.
Racing harnesses are specialized seat belts designed to securely restrain a driver or passenger during high-speed maneuvers and, critically, in the event of an accident. Unlike standard seatbelts, which primarily prevent ejection from the vehicle, harnesses focus on distributing impact forces across the strongest parts of the body—shoulders, hips, and pelvis.
They're essential for motorsports because they minimize movement within the seat, allowing the driver to maintain control and reducing the risk of injury. Think of it like this: standard belts keep you *in* the car, harnesses hold you *securely in your seat* during aggressive driving.
Beyond racing, enthusiasts often install harnesses for spirited street driving or track days to enhance safety and provide a more connected feel behind the wheel.
