New Harness Rules. 5 and 6 point Harness Standards:

If the participant chooses to install a 5 or 6 point driving harness several changes to the automobile must be made to create a safe occupant restraint system. Harnesses must include an antisubmarine strap and be mounted in an approved manner consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions. The Harness system must be used in conjunction with a seat which has the supplied routing holes for the shoulder and anti-submarine belts. All pieces of the restraint system must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

This means that a seat is required to have the proper routing holes for the harness as supplied by the seat manufacturer for the shoulder and anti-submarine straps. The shoulder straps should be mounted at 90 degrees to the axis of your spine or at most 40 degrees down from horizontal. Because the addition of the harness system means that the occupants are fastened upright in the vehicle, a properly padded roll bar or roll cage is strongly encouraged to complete the SYSTEM. The use of one without the other may result in an unsafe environment and is not a COMPLETE SYSTEM. Due to UV degradation and wear the harness webbing must be replaced every five years.

4 Point Harness Standard:

                Four point harnesses are not allowed in vehicles with factory supplied seats containing integrated headrests, unless the seats also have routing holes for shoulder harnesses. 

In addition to the standard SFI and/ or FIA approved five and/or six point system, the standard will allow a four point system that meets the following requirements:

1. Meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 209

2. Attaches to the factory seat belt mounting points

3. Each belt is designed to work in a specific vehicle and that vehicle tag must be attached to the belt system

An example of a system that meets the above criteria is the Schroth Quick Fit system.

Equal Restraints: Both student and instructor shall have an equivalent restraint system. For example, if the driver has a 5 point system, the passenger must have the same.