First Track Day Questions - LotusTalk

daysineuropa · 08-21-2009, 11:22 PM

I have my first track day coming up in a few weeks.

Where can I go get fitted for a helmet in the LA area?

Does anyone recommend the CG-lock device from BWR?

ads_green · 08-22-2009, 12:56 AM

Personally, I don't like the CG lock. In the event of a serious accident you want the seat belts to work as designed and they are not designed with a foreign clamp involved. Until I see formal crash test fottage of the CG lock in action and working then I'd advise not to bother.

Sh4rkattk · 08-22-2009, 01:43 AM

Check out Werks II out in burbank. Werks II Motorsports - Sparco, Alpinestars, Momo, Hans, Oakley, Arai, Bell, HJC

kestrel74 · 08-22-2009, 07:53 AM

Track Hints for Newbie Track Junkies

daysineuropa · 08-22-2009, 08:08 AM

Thanks folks, good inputs.

Scott Bowman · 08-22-2009, 08:55 AM

I bought a CG-lock from BWR last fall, but only used it for a couple track sessions before deciding a harness system was worth the investment. It's probably worth trying as an interim solution to keep you in your seat, but you'll probably want to swap it out if you do track or solo events with any regularity.

bgsterling · 08-22-2009, 09:32 AM

If you want to see what it's like to use a CG lock without spending the $40 or so, get a seatbelt clamp from a baby/kid car seat. It's a metal clip that's used to hold the seatbelt in place when you attach a car seat with a 3-pt harness. It's not as convenient as the CG lock, which can be released easier, but has the same effect. I used one at my last track day and it made me feel more planted in the seat compared to using the seatbelt alone. If you or a friend have a car seat laying around (or one attached to a car using the LATCH system), you'll find the clip somewhere on the back of the frame of the seat. I think Babies 'r' Us sells them too. All that being said, a real harness is probably in order if you're going to spend any real time at the track.

-Brad

spectre · 08-22-2009, 10:14 AM

The other thing with CG Lock is that some clubs or associations don't allow them so check your rules on that.

ads_green · 08-22-2009, 11:59 PM

I don't know if the federal elises's have seat belt pre-tensioners - if they do then do you really want a super tight seat belt clamped in place and then in a crash have what is effectively an explosive bolt fire to pull the seat belt even tighter? All that will happen is the seat belt will stretch more than it was supposed to and at best removing some of the energy absorbing effectivness of the belt and at worst increasing the risk of total belt failure.

bgsterling · 08-24-2009, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ads_green

I don't know if the federal elises's have seat belt pre-tensioners - if they do then do you really want a super tight seat belt clamped in place and then in a crash have what is effectively an explosive bolt fire to pull the seat belt even tighter?

That's an interesting point. I hadn't considered that. I happened to be looking through the service manuals today for something else and came across the seatbelt section. The Federal Elise/Exige do have pretensioners.

Not to hijack the thread, but...
Thinking this through, if you're in an accident with the CG-Lock or the cheap-@$$ version I mention above, the effect of the pretensioner will be similar as if you weren't wearing one:

With a CG-Lock, you get in the car, put on the 3-pt harness, pull up on the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap belt, and then close the lock.
The lap belt portion is now "racing harness tight" and the shoulder belt portion is unaffected according to the Blackwatch website.
With the CG-Lock locked in place, pulling on the shoulder belt does not impact the tightness or looseness of the lap belt.

Now, an accident occurs that triggers the safety devices (not that I'm wishing that on anyone). The pretensioners fire and tighten the belt. If the CG-Lock is locked in place, only the shoulder portion of the belt tightens. If the CG-Lock is not being used, both the shoulder and lap portions of the belt tighten. Isn't the net effect the same since the lap belt was tightened when the CG-Lock was applied? Of course, this assumes you're using the device correctly.

I don't sell the CG-Lock or work for anyone that does. Heck, I don't even own one. I'm just kind of thinking out loud here. Thoughts?

-Brad

08-21-2009, 11:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
daysineuropa Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Malibou Lake, CA Posts: 179	First Track Day Questions I have my first track day coming up in a few weeks. Where can I go get fitted for a helmet in the LA area? Does anyone recommend the CG-lock device from BWR? __________________ 2007 Elise - BRG (Full Ventureshield front by SCC, LSS wheels, polycarbonate chin guards, V1 on Mr.C bracket, LETSLA and Janspeed Stage II). 2005 Volvo XC-70 (Beagle carrier) 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Coupe

08-22-2009, 01:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sh4rkattk A pound at a time. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: LA SFV Posts: 559	Check out Werks II out in burbank. Werks II Motorsports - Sparco, Alpinestars, Momo, Hans, Oakley, Arai, Bell, HJC __________________ 07 Exige S - PhB., TP, TP, LSD, S111 Rear Panel Delete, 2Bular De-Cat, 2Bular 8x24 Burnt GT3, Custom AEM Intake, 6k HID's, Schroth 4pt ASM Harnesses, Milled Steering Arms, Bronze Volk TE37 w/ RE-01R's, Carbon Craftsquare Mirrors, Carbon Front Lip, Benetec Dry Carbon Undertray/Diffuser

08-22-2009, 07:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,312	Track Hints for Newbie Track Junkies __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

08-22-2009, 08:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
daysineuropa Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Malibou Lake, CA Posts: 179	Thanks folks, good inputs. __________________ 2007 Elise - BRG (Full Ventureshield front by SCC, LSS wheels, polycarbonate chin guards, V1 on Mr.C bracket, LETSLA and Janspeed Stage II). 2005 Volvo XC-70 (Beagle carrier) 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Coupe

08-22-2009, 08:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
Scott Bowman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Leander, TX Posts: 425 Images: 21	I bought a CG-lock from BWR last fall, but only used it for a couple track sessions before deciding a harness system was worth the investment. It's probably worth trying as an interim solution to keep you in your seat, but you'll probably want to swap it out if you do track or solo events with any regularity. __________________ 2006 Elise British Racing Green; LSS, LSD-TC, 2bular exhaust, Blackwatch Racing front bar, BWR Supercharger, Tillett Seats

08-22-2009, 12:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
ads_green Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 365	Personally, I don't like the CG lock. In the event of a serious accident you want the seat belts to work as designed and they are not designed with a foreign clamp involved. Until I see formal crash test fottage of the CG lock in action and working then I'd advise not to bother.

08-22-2009, 09:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
bgsterling Excess ain't rebellion Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mulino, OR Posts: 456	If you want to see what it's like to use a CG lock without spending the $40 or so, get a seatbelt clamp from a baby/kid car seat. It's a metal clip that's used to hold the seatbelt in place when you attach a car seat with a 3-pt harness. It's not as convenient as the CG lock, which can be released easier, but has the same effect. I used one at my last track day and it made me feel more planted in the seat compared to using the seatbelt alone. If you or a friend have a car seat laying around (or one attached to a car using the LATCH system), you'll find the clip somewhere on the back of the frame of the seat. I think Babies 'r' Us sells them too. All that being said, a real harness is probably in order if you're going to spend any real time at the track. -Brad __________________ '07 Exige S Graphite Gray, LSD w/ TC, Track Pack, Star Shield

08-22-2009, 10:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
spectre the designer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 768	The other thing with CG Lock is that some clubs or associations don't allow them so check your rules on that. __________________ 2008 Exige S 240 For Sale: 2005 stock shifter console and change holder. PM if your interested.

08-22-2009, 11:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
ads_green Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 365	I don't know if the federal elises's have seat belt pre-tensioners - if they do then do you really want a super tight seat belt clamped in place and then in a crash have what is effectively an explosive bolt fire to pull the seat belt even tighter? All that will happen is the seat belt will stretch more than it was supposed to and at best removing some of the energy absorbing effectivness of the belt and at worst increasing the risk of total belt failure.

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