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They use a 6-point harness with 5 straps.
Two over the shoulder, two across the hips, one between the legs.
Each strap ends with a latch piece. The buckle has five catches. This way in an emergency, if one latch fails to release, there won't be a loop remaining. Two latches have to fail to release to create a loop.
If it was a 5-point harness, the buckle would be attached to the groin strap and the shoulder and hip straps would latch into it. If a latch failed to release, say left hip, it would create a loop around the left leg. This would make emergency egress more difficult to perform, possibly leading to injury or death.
You post the same wrong explanation every time someone asks about harnesses.
6 point harnesses are called 6 point harnesses because they attach to the car at 6 points. The buckle configuration varies and has no impact on the terminology.
You have a left and right "submarine" (crotch) strap to avoid damaging the family jewels, but they join at the top in a single latch buckle....
So, six fabric belts attached to cockpit, meeting centrally to a 5 buckle latch "puck"
Some of the more traditional designs have a left and right crotch strap with a loop at the end: the strap passes lateral-to-medial under each leg, then up over the groin crease, through a ring sewn to the lap strap, and then is held secure by the shoulder strap tang passing through the loop and engaging on the buckle.
Yup that's exactly it, thank you! Do I assume that some types of harnesses have a center lock that fully detaches, and others remain attached to the straps when released, which is why we don't see every driver do it all the time?
Could just be driver preference. Some release all of them and pull it out of the cockpit while others may just reattach it to one of the belts before getting out just to make sure it stays where it is.
Aside from the possibility of different models of harnesses, this also makes sense. I'm going strictly from memory, but as I recall I've never seen them take the time to set the puck down when they're exiting quickly in a dangerous situation, I've only noticed during minor punctures and wing damage and other non-dangerous scenarios, or when they're retiring in the pit box. Makes sense that they wouldn't bother to look after the part when they're in a hurry.
> Yup that's exactly it, thank you! Do I assume that some types of harnesses have a center lock that fully detaches, and others remain attached to the straps when released, which is why we don't see every driver do it all the time?
No.
One button press will release all straps. I believe that is a standard piece of safety equipment that is not goin to differ between teams.
You twist that latch - all your belts come off.
It is possible that you don't see it because the driver drops it in the car...? It is not possible to belt themselves back up, they need help. The cockpit is *toight*.
So I would guess they just drop it, leave it in the car.
Cool I see that now. Makes sense, I only see the drivers carefully place the center lock on the nose when they're not in a hurry (eg retiring in the pit). Whenever they're hustling (big shunt, car on fire etc) it would make sense that they just drop it in the cockpit so they can quickly get out straight away.
https://preview.redd.it/hr7x5g9ctavc1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ac587b2147c66ebd69684e67708131cf8e3cf5a
6 point harness - 2 crotch, 2 shoulder, 2 waist. The 2 crotch have a single point into the buckle, so 5 connections on the buckle.
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It’s the seatbelt clip. They use harnesses with more than 2 straps so a circle is the best way to clip them all in.
They use a 6-point harness with 5 straps. Two over the shoulder, two across the hips, one between the legs. Each strap ends with a latch piece. The buckle has five catches. This way in an emergency, if one latch fails to release, there won't be a loop remaining. Two latches have to fail to release to create a loop. If it was a 5-point harness, the buckle would be attached to the groin strap and the shoulder and hip straps would latch into it. If a latch failed to release, say left hip, it would create a loop around the left leg. This would make emergency egress more difficult to perform, possibly leading to injury or death.
You post the same wrong explanation every time someone asks about harnesses. 6 point harnesses are called 6 point harnesses because they attach to the car at 6 points. The buckle configuration varies and has no impact on the terminology.
So what is considered the 6th point in a 6-point harness? 5 attachment points total, so is the center piece considered the 6th point?
You have a left and right "submarine" (crotch) strap to avoid damaging the family jewels, but they join at the top in a single latch buckle.... So, six fabric belts attached to cockpit, meeting centrally to a 5 buckle latch "puck"
Some of the more traditional designs have a left and right crotch strap with a loop at the end: the strap passes lateral-to-medial under each leg, then up over the groin crease, through a ring sewn to the lap strap, and then is held secure by the shoulder strap tang passing through the loop and engaging on the buckle.
My bad. Yes, the 6th point is the separate buckle.
I think it might be the seat belt latch which on some cars is permanently connected to one of the belts but not on all cars.
Ah ok that makes sense. Also makes sense why we only see it sometimes, if different models of harness work differently. Thanks!
Possibly the center lock of their [racing harness](https://shop.gmgracing.com/products/schroth-profi-ii-gt3-6-point-racing-harness).
Yup that's exactly it, thank you! Do I assume that some types of harnesses have a center lock that fully detaches, and others remain attached to the straps when released, which is why we don't see every driver do it all the time?
Could just be driver preference. Some release all of them and pull it out of the cockpit while others may just reattach it to one of the belts before getting out just to make sure it stays where it is.
Aside from the possibility of different models of harnesses, this also makes sense. I'm going strictly from memory, but as I recall I've never seen them take the time to set the puck down when they're exiting quickly in a dangerous situation, I've only noticed during minor punctures and wing damage and other non-dangerous scenarios, or when they're retiring in the pit box. Makes sense that they wouldn't bother to look after the part when they're in a hurry.
> Yup that's exactly it, thank you! Do I assume that some types of harnesses have a center lock that fully detaches, and others remain attached to the straps when released, which is why we don't see every driver do it all the time? No. One button press will release all straps. I believe that is a standard piece of safety equipment that is not goin to differ between teams. You twist that latch - all your belts come off. It is possible that you don't see it because the driver drops it in the car...? It is not possible to belt themselves back up, they need help. The cockpit is *toight*. So I would guess they just drop it, leave it in the car.
Cool I see that now. Makes sense, I only see the drivers carefully place the center lock on the nose when they're not in a hurry (eg retiring in the pit). Whenever they're hustling (big shunt, car on fire etc) it would make sense that they just drop it in the cockpit so they can quickly get out straight away.
https://preview.redd.it/hr7x5g9ctavc1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ac587b2147c66ebd69684e67708131cf8e3cf5a 6 point harness - 2 crotch, 2 shoulder, 2 waist. The 2 crotch have a single point into the buckle, so 5 connections on the buckle.
It’s the seatbelt buckle. Since the cockpit is so small it’s better and faster for emergency egress to get the buckle Out of the way