What did you do to your Polo today?

**sambb** · 24-08-2015, 03:01 PM

For a seat belt lap tension holder, I used one of those clam shell clasps that you get with kids car seats for holding the belts tight in much the same way. Works perfectly at least for keeping your hips locked in.

Just did the Ringwood hillclimb again on sunday on the new two lap circuit. Was torrential rain and lightning on the way up from sydney - nearly turned around at one stage. Turned out to be really worth it though. Was bucketing for first two runs and I was actually sitting in 4th overall for a bit till it backed off to a sprinkle and guys started getting their semi's to work. All the quickest runs went in on the 4th run when it had stopped raining for a bit and that shuffled me down big time. Main thing was that my times kept improving (see the last image), and that I managed to stay ahead of lots of type 2's and up cars while still on street tyres.
The handling balance was bang on for the wet, dependable and really adjustable and the RE003's were unbelievable - actually squealing in the wet and way more forward grip than the dunlop sport maxx r/t's I'd had. Softer sidewall than the dunlops so they wouldn't last long on a patchy/damp track I don't think.
really happy with the car and that I kept it off the trees!

**rgvlee** · 24-08-2015, 03:52 PM

As an aside, for the quick fits schroth state

These belts are only approved for use in the designated
VW-A-S-S models in conjunction with the factory provided
seat and factory provided DOT mounting points. This belt
must not be used if either the seat and/or the factory
mounting locations or mounting hardware have been
changed or modified in any way. SCHROTH approved after
market seat may be used in place of the original OE seat.

The 9n polo appears in the list.

**seangti** · 24-08-2015, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by rgvlee

As an aside, for the quick fits schroth state

The 9n polo appears in the list.

I'll do more research into this "option" as I'd like the extra support, just want to make sure I'm opening myself to increased risks elsewhere. Will probably go a bucket seat once the car has proven reliable, which would negate some of my concern re spinal compression as the holes to run the straps through are above shoulder height. If you're upper body is taller than your seat back, you're in compression when locked in.

**h100vw** · 24-08-2015, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by seangti

I'll do more research into this "option" as I'd like the extra support, just want to make sure I'm opening myself to increased risks elsewhere. Will probably go a bucket seat once the car has proven reliable, which would negate some of my concern re spinal compression as the holes to run the straps through are above shoulder height. If you're upper body is taller than your seat back, you're in compression when locked in.

You could easily do something with the headrest posts to alleviate that Sean. Didn't you make a camera mount. Even a block of wood with 2 holes in would hold the belt up.

**seangti** · 24-08-2015, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by h100vw

You could easily do something with the headrest posts to alleviate that Sean. Didn't you make a camera mount. Even a block of wood with 2 holes in would hold the belt up.

But bucket seat is cool

Beyond coolness, running a harness over them is beyond their engineered intent and the direction of the loads that would apply in the usual course of an accident. i.e. seat backs aren't engineered for the vertical force that running a harness over the top would induce. I don't know, perhaps just call me paranoid, or uneducated

**rgvlee** · 24-08-2015, 05:11 PM

There is a lot of 'internet' consensus about using harnesses with HANS and a racing seat.
There are also opinions about only using a HANS in a car with a cage (where with no cage there is the potential issue of it doing more harm than good in a rollover).
I've read a couple of articles from manufacturers saying that it's ok to use the harnesses with stock seats provided certain criteria are met. The gti seats meet these requirements.
I'm ask more when I catch up with the distributor tomorrow. Either way I think you've at a minimum convinced me to get the quick fit pro so I can run HANS either now or later. It can be converted to a 5pt easily as well.
I have looked into the cg lock before but I would like the upper body support as well.

**h100vw** · 24-08-2015, 05:16 PM

I'd be all over a bucket seat for sure but in the interim, surely a real harness can't be worse than just a seat belt?? I'd even go to the trouble of stripping the seat apart to bend in the wings on the backrest to remove some of the slop. Probably better than eating maccas non-stop until christmas to get the same effect.

Gavin