RELEASE HARDWARE

Latch mechanism or aircraft type "quick release" are the two most common types of releases systems. Latch assemblies are considerably lighter than aircraft releases and they do not contribute to any confusion when it comes to buckling up or releasing the latch. If there is a drawback to this type of mechanism, it is accidental opening. Although this might be a remote possibility, it can happen. Some manufacturers offer a revised latch "bill" to solve this issue.

Two systems that are currently available are the conventional latch mechanism like this or an aircraft type "quick release". Basically, the latch mechanism (as shown in this photo) is simple and extremely easy to use. There's no confusion when it comes to buckling up or releasing the latch.

SHOULDER HARNESS CONFIGURATIONS

There are a number of different styles of shoulder harnesses available. Included in this group are the loop style, the twin style, and the more traditional "Y", "H" or "V" configurations. The correct attachment point for the shoulder harness is immediately behind the driver. The attachment point should then be between one to four inches below the driver's shoulder line.

There are many different types of shoulder harnesses on the market. One system is the twin style harness. Basically, two single "belts" or harness's make up the twin. Twin shoulder harnesses can either be wrap-around mounted (to a roll cage back brace) or mounted directly to the roll cage brace, using bolt-in or snap-in hardware. At the front, the twin harnesses fasten to the latch mechanism, or in this case, directly to the quick release.

The best shoulder harness arrangement is the "twin" style. Two single "belts" or harnesses make up the arrangement. The attachment is by a wrap-around mount or by a

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snap-in mount on the roll cage brace behind the driver's shoulder. The twin harness assemblies then fasten to either the latch mechanism or the quick release hardware.

The "H" style of harness is very similar to the "twin" with one addition. The added piece of webbing between the pair of shoulder harnesses connects the respective halves of the twin assembly. This keeps the harness straps parallel to each other. Another style of harness sometimes found in racing circles is the "loop". This harness attaches to the roll cage by a slip-knot.

The worst possible shoulder harness arrangement is a long "Y" configuration that mounts to the floor immediately behind the driver. It's not great because the webbing can stretch. The longer the harness, the more the stretch, and the more the stretch, the more danger a driver faces in being forced forward during impact.

If the car is equipped with a shoulder harness, it absolutely must be equipped with a suitable anti-submarine belt system. At no time should a race configuration shoulder harness be buckled up without a proper anti-submarine belt.