Harness Accessories

Harness accessories are the parts that anchor, protect and release a harness. This section holds eyebolts and an FIA nut plate for the mounting points, shoulder pads, a belt cutter and a replacement tether set for a head-and-neck restraint. They matter because a harness is only as strong as the points that hold it.

In a crash, each anchorage passes the belt load into the car’s structure. A bolt through a thin floor panel alone can tear out, so a plate behind the panel spreads the load over a wider area. The eyebolt must engage its full thread, and its eye should line up with the strap so the end fitting is pulled straight rather than twisted.

The range lists:

• Eyebolts: harness eyes in 23, 32 and 50 mm lengths, with the 7/16-20 UNF thread used for most harness anchorages. Choose the length from the thickness of panel and plate.
• Nut plate: a 65 × 65 mm plate, 3 mm thick and threaded 7/16-20 UNF, listed as FIA. FIA rules set a minimum area and thickness for such plates, so check it against your series’ current regulations.
• Pads: 3-inch shoulder pads ease pressure on the collarbones on long runs, in black, blue or red.
• Belt cutter: a shielded hook blade that cuts webbing when a buckle cannot be released, for example with the car on its side.
• Tether set: replacement tethers with dual end fittings, for the head-and-neck restraint they are made for.

Fit the plate under the floor and seal the hole against water, then tighten the eyebolt fully and secure it as the instructions show. Make sure each snap hook closes fully on its eye, and check end fittings and stitching at every event. Keep the cutter in a holder that both crew members can reach while strapped in. Replace pads and tethers when worn, following the restraint maker’s interval for the tethers.