Driver safety is critical when it comes to motorsports and some of the equipment used for this are harnesses and restraints so that the drivers can be protected during high speed races. These will keep the drivers in their seats securely and prevent injuries during a collision or a sudden stop. It is very useful in high impact situations.
The primary function of a racing harness is to prevent the driver from being ejected from the vehicle if they get into an accident. In a high speed crash, there will be great forces that can throw the driver out of the vehicle if they are not restrained properly. You need to have a five-point or six-point harness system to secure the torso, shoulders and legs of the driver. Harnesses and restraints are designed in such a way so that the forces experienced during an accident or impact will be distributed across the strongest parts of the body such as the chest, pelvis and shoulders. This can help minimise injury. By distributing the force, the risk of getting severe injuries from the accident such as internal injuries, damage to the spine and broken bones is lower. When it comes to normal driving conditions, the harnesses and restraints can help the drivers be more in control of the vehicle as this keeps them in the seat securely. Excessive movement is prevented by these systems when it comes to sudden manoeuvres. And by giving them this stability, the driver is free to focus on controlling the vehicle and steering with a high level of precision.
In professional motorsports
You will see that harnesses are used with Head and Neck Support devices. These are designed to reduce the risk of injuries to the neck and spine. It achieves this by limiting the movement of the head during a crash. By working with the Head and Neck Support devices, harnesses will ensure that the head and neck of the driver are properly supported. You can find modern harnesses that are designed to be adjustable. This will make it much easier to achieve a custom fit. This will increase the effectiveness of the harness. The adjustable straps of the harness ensure that it can be tightened to the right tension so that maximum protection can be provided. It will also allow for some movement that is needed when driving.
You have to consider
The materials used in the construction of the harness and restraint systems as this affects their performance. You can look for nylon webbing and metal buckles when selecting high quality materials. You need to check the construction of the harness especially when it comes to the attachment points and stitching. If you do get into an accident while driving, you will need to exit the vehicle quickly and this will need the harness to have a quick-release mechanism. This has to be easy to operate even during a stressful situation so that you can easily escape in an emergency.
