Author Topic: Is There A New Expiry Date For Belts (Read 1813 times)

jim martin · « **on:** April 29, 2006, 10:16:09 PM »

looks like i need a new nhra rule book.
i could of sworn i heard safety belts now have a longer expiry date before the previous 2 year expiration date, anyone know

AlanU · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2006, 10:51:51 PM »

I guess it depends on what category your in.

Talking to one of the guys teching my car at mission he said in the 11.49second class the belts have no expiry. I never really enquired about the faster category 'cause I'm only on pumpgas.

Maybe I'll need to get new seat belts one of these days

silas · « **Reply #2 on:** April 29, 2006, 10:52:08 PM »

he jim, i did a quick search on the cal-look forum and all i could find was 2 year old belts are ok, but they need to be replaced by the beginning of the 3rd year.

i see alan-san on here, so hopefully he can clarify this for you.

jim martin · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2006, 07:51:44 AM »

Quote

. I never really enquired about the faster category 'cause I'm only on pumpgas.

not for long

Shane · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2006, 08:20:50 AM »

Belts only have a 2 year life span. I have to replace mine this year.
there is also a helmet life span..
I am sure MR Tweedle will post all the info soon...

jim martin · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2006, 08:46:17 AM »

the reason i'm wondering is for some reason in the back of my head i remember hearing about a belt expiry date extension.not sure where or when i heard it .

btljuce · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2006, 09:17:25 AM »

i was just on nhra's site, and found nothing in the 2006 rule revision page. i was also on another site, and found this , Driver Restraint Systems A quick-release, 3-inch shoulder harness meeting SFI Spec 16.1, including crotch strap, is mandatory in all cars in competition required by the rules to have a roll bar or a roll cage. Driver restraint system must be clearly labeled as meeting SFI Spec 16.1 and be dated by manufacturer. System must be updated at two-year intervals from date of manufacture. All seat belt and shoulder harness installations must be mutually compatible, originally designed to be used with each other, and produced by the same manufacturer. Cars using OEM or OEM type seat may route crotch strap in front of seat instead of through seat. Only those units that release all five attachment points in one motion are permitted. When arm restraints are worn with a restraint system that utilizes a \"latch lever\", a protective cover must be installed to prevent arm restraint from accidentally releasing the latch lever. Protective cover not needed if system uses \"duckbill\" latch hardware. All harness sections must be mounted to the frame, crossmember, or reinforced mounting, and installed to limit driver's body travel both upward and forward. Seat belts may not be wrapped around lower frame rails. Under no circumstances are bolts inserted through belt webbing permitted for mounting. Check manufacturers instructions . hope this might help jim !!

Island bugs · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2006, 09:50:23 AM »

Several manufactureres last year released 4 year versions of their belts HOWEVER they still need to be re-certified every 2 years. In other words you just prepay for the re- inspection (rebuilding?) which of course doesn't work well when you are in Canada and the belt manufacturer is in the US. What Alan said about the tech guy makes some sense BUT you might find this is one of those \"discretionary\" calls that depends on which guy you get for tech inspection. Someone should ask for an official reply at the track. Wayne

jim martin · « **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2006, 09:56:57 AM »

i will phone mission raceway

Bruce · « **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2006, 11:38:56 AM »

Jim, John Sayer is a friend of mine and is one of the senior tech guys at Mission. He told me that there's no longer a 2 year life span for 11.499 and slower cars. You can now run your existing belts for the next 30 years.

Finally, NHRA has clued in. In the past, if you had stock belts, there was no limit on the age. But if you upgraded to brand new 3\" belts, they deemed them unfit after only 2 years. Where's the common sense in that?

Shane, all helmets must be Snell 95 or newer as of this year.

AlanU · « **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2006, 11:39:24 AM »

Quote

Quote

. I never really enquired about the faster category 'cause I'm only on pumpgas.

not for long

:ph34r:

Keep us posted on what they say Jim. Last year the tech told me for the street drags aftermarket belts had no expiry if under 11.49. Anything faster would require a manditory roll bar so thats a different category if the car is capable of faster times than 11.49 and with roll bar. I wonder if they make the distinction with a car with rollbar not faster than 11.49. rules rules rules

I think in Shanes case they know his car is faster than 11.49. Another thing is with roll bars theres probably a different rule that applies compared to my NON roll bar car with aftermarket belts.

So Jim when you do call mission ask them if that rule applies to a \"street car\" with no rollbar and a car that has roll bars.