I want to open up a discussion again about the sector 111 seat grommet modification for the stock Elise seats.
First let me say that I have nothing personal against the company or the owner of this business. When I had my car they were helpful with questions, and the owner himself even got on the phone to speak with me about an item I bought.
That said, it has been no secret that I think the seat grommet, for modifying the stock Elise seat to accept a harness, offered by sector 111 is not a safe product, nor do I believe that it has had any testing other than "it fits the seat" prior to it being marketed.
I seriously doubt that there has been any kind of test on this product as to how it performs when its actually used, and if it has been tested, please publish the results and show us the testing process. By used I mean, not "a guy sitting in the seat and buckling his harness", but performing in an actual impact.
I know that there is testing of any racing seat before it comes to market, and ultimately recieves any type of FIA/SFI certification.
The manufacturers of safety gear clearly state to NEVER MODIFY A SEAT BY CUTTING HOLES IN IT FOR A HARNESS.
http://www.schrothracing.com/docs/Competition_Instructions.pdf
I bring this up in light of the recall of a tow hook that was just offered for sale, and then very quickly recalled. I guess there was something wrong with the tow hook when its was used to function, not just being attached and fitted to the car, but to actually function as a tow hook.
This makes me see that this product (tow hook)was not tested BEFORE being sold to its trusting customers. That being said, it makes me think even more strongly
(than before) that the sector 111 Elise seat grommets are in the same catagory, tested for fitment only, but never actually tested for their applied usage, which is protecting the user in the event of a wreck.
I am not trying to bash sector 111 with this post, only trying to protect the users of this product(seat grommet), and make them rethink their choice of using it.
This seat grommet in question cost $25, so do you think that low price includes any R+D testing for safety?
Sadly, I do think that this product will ultimately be tested, but it will be done by the end user(customer). I feel its bad enough that this product is being marketed, but you guys buy it instead of protecting yourself with other methods that are more $, and used with sucsess, as well as being safety certified(SFI/FIA)........... But worse, I think that it would be horrible for someone to buy a second hand Elise, that has this modification, and doesnt even know about this subject to trust this product, and take his car to the track and think he is protected, and ultimately find out he is not.
I guess even if a sense of responsibily were to surface, that the seat grommet could also not realistically be recalled, since it would also mean the vendor having to replace the many seats that were modified at the vendors instructions.
I guess being a small corporation in america ultimately protects the owner of the company, personally, from liability, but my concern is for the safety of the user, not the reputation of a vendor that would do no wrong according to some.
IMO, these grommets should be removed from the market place, and also recalled until they have actually been tested (in a wreck) by someone other than the customer for function, rather than just fitment.
Too many people take simple safety issues very nonchallantly. I am all for driving cars hard on the track, but I am also one who prepares for the unexpected (as best as I can) before it happens, by using equipment that is tested and provides confidence because of it.
If I am wrong about this item, I will publically appologize to the vendor, here on this site.
I just want people to think about their choices in their approach to safety modifications. You do get what you pay for most cases in life.
First let me say that I have nothing personal against the company or the owner of this business. When I had my car they were helpful with questions, and the owner himself even got on the phone to speak with me about an item I bought.
That said, it has been no secret that I think the seat grommet, for modifying the stock Elise seat to accept a harness, offered by sector 111 is not a safe product, nor do I believe that it has had any testing other than "it fits the seat" prior to it being marketed.
I seriously doubt that there has been any kind of test on this product as to how it performs when its actually used, and if it has been tested, please publish the results and show us the testing process. By used I mean, not "a guy sitting in the seat and buckling his harness", but performing in an actual impact.
I know that there is testing of any racing seat before it comes to market, and ultimately recieves any type of FIA/SFI certification.
The manufacturers of safety gear clearly state to NEVER MODIFY A SEAT BY CUTTING HOLES IN IT FOR A HARNESS.
http://www.schrothracing.com/docs/Competition_Instructions.pdf
I bring this up in light of the recall of a tow hook that was just offered for sale, and then very quickly recalled. I guess there was something wrong with the tow hook when its was used to function, not just being attached and fitted to the car, but to actually function as a tow hook.
This makes me see that this product (tow hook)was not tested BEFORE being sold to its trusting customers. That being said, it makes me think even more strongly
(than before) that the sector 111 Elise seat grommets are in the same catagory, tested for fitment only, but never actually tested for their applied usage, which is protecting the user in the event of a wreck.
I am not trying to bash sector 111 with this post, only trying to protect the users of this product(seat grommet), and make them rethink their choice of using it.
This seat grommet in question cost $25, so do you think that low price includes any R+D testing for safety?
Sadly, I do think that this product will ultimately be tested, but it will be done by the end user(customer). I feel its bad enough that this product is being marketed, but you guys buy it instead of protecting yourself with other methods that are more $, and used with sucsess, as well as being safety certified(SFI/FIA)........... But worse, I think that it would be horrible for someone to buy a second hand Elise, that has this modification, and doesnt even know about this subject to trust this product, and take his car to the track and think he is protected, and ultimately find out he is not.
I guess even if a sense of responsibily were to surface, that the seat grommet could also not realistically be recalled, since it would also mean the vendor having to replace the many seats that were modified at the vendors instructions.
I guess being a small corporation in america ultimately protects the owner of the company, personally, from liability, but my concern is for the safety of the user, not the reputation of a vendor that would do no wrong according to some.
IMO, these grommets should be removed from the market place, and also recalled until they have actually been tested (in a wreck) by someone other than the customer for function, rather than just fitment.
Too many people take simple safety issues very nonchallantly. I am all for driving cars hard on the track, but I am also one who prepares for the unexpected (as best as I can) before it happens, by using equipment that is tested and provides confidence because of it.
If I am wrong about this item, I will publically appologize to the vendor, here on this site.
I just want people to think about their choices in their approach to safety modifications. You do get what you pay for most cases in life.