Are Right Side Nets Required?

#1

So, I’m ordering my interior from Bimmerworld - I’m sure they and I would like to only have to do this once.

I was going to pass on the right side head net, because I was going to order the Sparco Circuit Pro seat (the Evo L with the head basket). From reading this:

15.17.9 Head Restraint – Side Impact
As of July 1st, 2007 it is required that all drivers employ a right-side impact head restraint system. A seat with a “bolster” to keep the head from moving to the right side in an impact is acceptable. A side-impact head-net restraint system, such as the Racetech
RTViperRP is also acceptable. Note- all side-impact head-net restraint systems must
have a quick-release mechanism to aid the driver in case of a necessary egress via the passenger side.

I think I’m legal without a net, but I am being cautioned that everyone in Spec E30 has the net. What I don’t want is this seat and a net. I want to avoid the net because I am not thrilled with mounting the front to sheetmetal, as I don’t have a knee bar in the cage.

I want to confirm I’d be legal without a net with this seat… Please help!

#2

My brother Tom raced this past weekend at CMP with the very seat your talking about (Sparco Circuit Pro) and no right side net! He was ok and no one said anything to him about it.

Do you want a Racetech? We are authorized dealer on Racetech just like we are with R3 Head and Neck restraints.

Jeff

#3

Jeff,

From your comments, I think I’ll stick with the seat. No net. If things change, I’ll ping you on the net.

Thanks for the clarification!

John

#4

I have the same seat (Circuit Pro) and didn’t plan on buying a right side net either. The way I figure is that I can add one later if it becomes an issue, but the head bolsters should satisfy the requirements.

Wait till you get a chance to sit in the Circuit Pro (if you haven’t done so already). It is simply a phenominal seat. It holds you in very nicely, even better than an Evo 2 in my opinion.

#5

It really depends on what seat you have, I have added head bolsters to mine and will have extra sets of head bolsters available at Road Atlanta. The primary focus of the rule is to contain your head on a side impact. Many of the H&N restraint systems are good for frontal impact but less than ideal for side impact. This fills that void created by side impacts.

#6

wildhorsesracing wrote:

So Jim, does this mean if you have a H&N that is "good for side impact" you don’t need these safety devices?

#7

I know that in the RM region, a question was asked as to whether the Isaac device satisfied the right side impact restraint requirement, and the answer from National was NO.
bruce

jhall1957 wrote:

[quote]wildhorsesracing wrote:

So Jim, does this mean if you have a H&N that is "good for side impact" you don’t need these safety devices?[/quote]