I read something recently where someone mentioned that harness bars will probably kill you in a roll over if your roof pancakes (which S197's do frequently). You're trapped sitting straight u[p in your seat by the belts/ harness bar, roof pancakes, you get a lot shorter.

I know lots of people run harness bars. Do they not know the risk? Are they just willing to take it?

I have a S550. I'm not sure if the rollover protection of them is a lot better than a S197.

I'm 99.99% going to go with the Watson bar. But I wanted harnesses in before next weekend and I don't have the time to put a bar in (as nicely as I would like to do it) and I started thinking options. I really don't want a harness bar. But I really do want some harnesses. My first track day wore me the fork out trying to stay in the seat! And holding my whole body back with my left foot while on the brakes was getting pretty tiring by the end of the day.

And roll bars look cool.

I'm going to attempt to make a poll........Hey look, I did it!

I would go for a roll bar instead of the harness bar. Some track day organizers will say you have to run a roll bar if you have a harness. Some also say you have to have a HANS device (or similar) if running a harness.

Do yourself a solid and get the roll bar and a neck support and if the things go upside down you will stay in one piece to tell the tell

I would say that a harness bar is a really good option for autocrossing because belts really keep your butt in the seat. Keeping yourself secure and steady is key to going fast with all those transitions flopping your body around if you are not fastened down to the max. Once you are doing plenty of track time a rollbar is the best choice and it will give you support for harness belts, cameras, and even some structural stiffness that could be helpful for your car under high g's.

Nice idea and congrats on getting your poll up and running.

Most important imo with any harnesses is the neck brace / HANS device. I’m not sure about oem s197/s550 roof structures regularly pancaking. I think they are actually quite strong and provide significant protection. But the chance of missing a turn and plowing into a tire barrier is significant in any track day, and that’s where the neck restraint comes in.

Depending on your year s550. (Up to ‘17 I believe) and local rule set, the schroth 4 point with ASM is a viable and easy next step and big improvement over stock belts.

Once you feel harnesses are appealing for HPDE go ahead an invest in a Watson or CMS 4pt Bar with a HANS. I'd stay away from harness bars with Auto X as the exception.

stevbd said:

I’m not sure about oem s197/s550 roof structures regularly pancaking.

Click to expand...

I have a good memory for pictures.
Even then it pays to get properly engineered equipment.
When it comes to safety, go big so you get to go home.

And proof i didn't lie on the poll. Watson half cage with double diagonals caus i like my passenger as well. They had to add the extra bar for us Australians on the correct side.

So..general rule of thumb, if you're autocrossing where the chance of a rollover is basically nill, the harness bar is a good option as Bill stated. Once you start tracking the car, then that harness needs to be attached to a roll bar. Also keep in mind that once you start using a harness, you've negated the air bag effectiveness in frontal impacts so a HANs will be required. I would also attach all that to a decent competition style, containment seat, but if the car is also your daily, you may not have that option. If you do drive the car often, then keep the stock belts with their inertia reel intact, because you won't be able to reach the A/C in a harness. I would also recommend a fire extinguisher and bracket as well.

I have used my CMS bar in 2 cars now. It is a difficult install, drilling into the structural beam in the rear seat area is not for the faint of heart. But the color match and solidity is great. It also was a net weight savings after removing the rear seat, rear belts, and adding the schrader RSD kit.

The Competition Motorsports bar is the Lincoln Continental of rollbars and the color match is solid for all makes. I have a good friend with a GT4 RS and his CMS bar is so well done folks think it is a factory unit.

Further props for the owners as the Company is a Midwestern one. CMS started in West Des Moines and the home office is still there though they are building a new warehouse in Waukee, Iowa as their growth continues!!

Another vote for roll bar + fixed seat + HANS (+ fire extinguisher).