SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1543953
SAFETY INSIDE THE CAB Properly Tucked-In Before A Race By Dan Sanchez Whether you’re competing in a lengthy Baja race or simply testing your abilities in a new UTV, comfort and safety should be top priorities. Manufacturers of racing seats and harnesses are constantly improving their products for greater safety, but also to make your time inside the vehicle cool and comfortable. RACING SEATS When it comes to racing seats, comfort and adjustability are the latest factors that seat manufacturers are adapting to. Some of the important features racers want in a good racing seat are: Adjustability: Driver changes during a long race, requires the seat to be repositioned. Racers want to ensure that, regardless of who is in the seat, the safety harnesses are positioned correctly across the pelvis and shoulders. Lumbar Support: For long endurance races, lumbar support is essential for comfort. Some seat manufacturers have an adjustable lumbar support with a hand-pump, and/or a lumbar support with cooling properties and airflow. Containment: Racers want to fit securely in the seat to avoid any movement during an off-road race. The problem is when the foam around the seats is too firm. Many manufacturers use firmer foam where it’s needed, and softer foam where pressure points can cause discomfort. Lightweight: As with most racing components, the lighter the better. Most off-road racing seats are made from fiberglass or carbon fiber. The difference in cost depends on the team budget and whether the lighter weight of a carbon fiber seat can make a noticeable difference in the overall weight of the vehicle. In many cases, the difference in weight is negligible, but teams often check with the manufacturer to be sure. Most racing seats weigh between 15 and 25 lbs. Cooling: Heat is a major factor in desert racing, so seat manufacturers have found ingenious ways to keep drivers cool. From air mesh back pads to breathable foam cushions, and even air and cooling blower systems, seat manufacturers have various means of keeping the seat passenger cool. PRP PRP’s new Nano Seat is a composite UTV racing seat with high hip containment and wider shoulder bolsters. It’s designed to fit smaller cockpits and has a fully molded cushion and larger harness slots. MSRP N/A PRP The extremely popular PRP Kilo seat has two options for either an air-adjustable or foam lumbar support, and is designed from high-strength composite. Deep thigh bolsters and hip support reduce lateral movement and driver fatigue. It also includes a thick, injection-molded bottom cushion that absorbs energy but maintains comfort. The Kilo is also fully customizable with 60+ colors and material options. MSRP $1399.99 HMS HMS Motorsports has a Cobra Sebring Pro Fit seat designed for ergonomic fit and safety. It is FIA homologated to 8855-1999 safety standards, and is made of a composite construction weighing in at 20 lbs. Cobra’s Spacer fabric aids in comfort and cooling and features harness slots for FHR devices. MSRP $1149 OMP OMP’s WRC-R Racing Seat features a fiberglass shell and a large shoulder harness slot that accommodates various height occupants. High side bolsters provide lateral leg support for higher protection, while a removable back, base, and leg cushion offer seating comfort. Upholstered entirely in high-breathability AIRTEX® material. Upholstered customized on demand, and it’s HANS® and HSC PATENT compatible. MSRP $999 UPR UPR makes a popular Seat Pad for off-road racers to transition from the antiquated suspension seats to modern shell-style racing seats. The proprietary Multi-Density foam (increases in firmness as it is depressed) greatly reduces the energy transfer through the racer’s body to improve safety, comfort, and endurance. It also features an oversized anti-submarine strap hole from stock pads to make adjustments easier, along with an ergonomic shape that conforms to most body types, giving it an unlimited fitment range. MSRP $239.99 UPR UPR’s Seat Pad Air-Mesh Cover is made with durable 5mm thick AMB Air-Mesh High-Flow Fabric that will promote airflow between your body and seat to help wick heat and moisture. The cover also prevents sliding around in a debris-filled seat and works with the Tall or Standard UPR Racing Seat Pad. MSRP $79.95 SAFETY HARNESSES No one races without a safety harness attached, but it’s important to make sure they are SFI-approved, not worn out, and that they function properly. Most harnesses must be SFI certified (16.1 or 16.5) for racing applications. In addition, two-inch belts work better with neck restraints, and according to SCORE Tech Officials, there’s no evidence that a three-inch belt is stronger than a two-inch. Hip position is key to proper seat and belt positioning. Cam-lock-style safety harnesses are popular and are preferred by SCORE race tech inspectors, as they offer a quicker exit when released. Racing harness manufacturers also recommend changing harnesses every two years for racers, or whenever there is a severe strain put on the webbing during an accident. Racing harnesses also have date tags with an expiration date and should be changed just before they expire. PRP PRP Camlock Harnesses are 2-inch belts that have EZ adjusters for quick driver changes, sewn-in pads, and a removable sternum strap. The Clean Latch technology keeps out dust and prevents dirt and mud from getting into the camlock. MSRP $314.99 HMS HMS Motorsports offers the SCHROTH Racing Enduro 2x2 harnesses with extra-large yellow hand loops and a rotary cam and latch guides. These also feature a T-bar adjustable sub strap and ZIP adjusters integrated into the lap belts. The harness is designed for fast and smooth driver changes. MSRP $860 WINDOW NETS & FIRST AID One of the first things racers and teams encounter when an accident occurs, is removing the window net and reaching for a first aid kit. Window nets should be high quality to avoid tearing, while first aid kits should be easily accessible to the crew from chase vehicles and inside the race vehicle. HOSTYLE Hostyle window nets are used by the top racers in off-road motorsports. Made with the highest quality craftsmanship, durability and function, these are the standards that set Hostyle above the competition. Hostyle America, Mexico, and Australia logo are options, and ordering is quick and easy with simple proven methods for measuring, allowing for the fastest turnaround times available. MSRP- visit the website. HOSTYLE Hostyle’s Chase Safe Kit is a duffle with built-in backpack system for moto mobile transit capabilities! The Chase Safe has four removable pouches designed to treat specific injuries including trauma, bleed, fracture, burn and small common injuries. Ease of use, content security from contamination while in use and transport make the Hostyle Chase Safe the perfect safety option for your race team or family adventure. MSRP- visit the website. HOSTYLE Hostyle’s Race Safe Trauma Kit is designed specifically for off-road motorsports enthusiasts and racers. Designed to treat multiple injuries, it is the most complete trauma kit for vehicles on the market. The Race Safe individual compartments keep contents free from contamination when in use. MSRP- visit the website.