How attach front of a right-side net?

#1

From the diagram in the NASA CCR (thanks Skeen for making me go back and look harder) it shows the front of the net connecting into the dash about about shoulder height. How are you guys fastening the front of the net? How are you doing it in such a way that it can be easily detached?

#2

I was going to tell you to search for prior posts, but I tried it and you don’t get many good results…

Some put an eyebolt through the firewall, some attach to the cage crossbar. There is generally a short part (eg. steel cable) that ends just outside the dash. Then, you attach the right-side net which must have a quick release attachment at that point (you buy the net with that part included).
cheers,
bruce

#3

If you have a center crash bar, most guys are attaching to that and feeding the net out through the radio or center vent hole. Depending on what brand net you have and exactly where the crash bar is located, you may come up a little short in stretching the net to the crash bar. In that case, some type of clamshell or weld-on bracket may be needed to give you the extra working length.

Every net I’ve seen has some type of quick-release mechanism at the dashboard end.

If you don’t have a crash bar, the other approved (I think I saw this in the BMWCCA regs) method is to attach a steel cable or eyebolt to the firewall and back it up with steel plate (like a seatbelt mount), and attach to that.

The slickest solutions I’ve seen, for guys with newly-built cages, is to have a mounting tab welded onto the crash bar.

Some have opted for mounting the forward end above the dashboard, through some kind of eyelet or bracket protruding through the dashboard. I think this gets down to geometry, and the height of your seat and your person, in terms of having the right-side net oriented where it partially protects your helmet and also catches your shoulder (without being so high as to block your view of the right-side mirror.)

Whatever you have in mind, I’d strongly suggest test-fitting it with your helmet on, your seat and belts in place, and have a helper to try different mounting geometry.

#4

Ya I did a search. I hate it when I ask a question and then realized that the answer was there already. There is a lot of interesting reading here about side restraints, but you just provided the best "how to"…Thanks.

Ever hear of someone adding a side head bolster to a standard fiberglass seat? I mean a seat that wasn’t origonally designed for it. Like maybe there is some kind of bolt on bolster device that attaches in some way that is not only sufficiently strong, but also doesn’t compromise the integrity of the seat. That sort of thing exist?

#5

I haven’t seen any add-ons that would bolster a non-bolster seat, and I wouldn’t have guessed a fabricated job would be legal. The rules don’t mention this one way or the other.

However, I seem to recall a thread somewhere on this site where somebody wanted to make something. I did a quick search but couldn’t find anything.

I think your choices are to buy a bolstered seat or a commercially-available center net. (or both)

#6

I’ve seen bolt-on side wings for the metal seats but not for composite ones. The ones for the metal seats are worthless for actually restraining your head in a lateral impact and I have heard of getting hung up on the outside of it with nasty results.
bruce

#7


I think Momo or Sparco is selling add-ons side impact bolsters to attach to their seats.

#8

We all (Beertech) went with an eyelet over the dash. We had it welded to the firewall when the cages were built. I sit very tall in the seat so it is the perfect hight for me. However, it may be a little high for shorter drivers. If you are shorter, the way that Victor has it mounted would work a little better.

#9

I have the eyelet like the one JP posted. But ended up installing mine very similarly to how Victor has his… only my ratchet is behind my seat.