Too tall for the stock WRX seat + harness?

[frostyTSM]

So I got my hands on a harness (one of the Schroth ones) and am realizing that I may be too tall for the stock seat with a harness. I'm 6'3" and my shoulders are a couple of inches or so above the gap in the back of the WRX seat. When I tried the harness out, the straps were pulling my shoulders down, which isn't good for my back.

So the question is, what do I do? I don't think this would be fixed by a harness bar instead of the hole as the straps would be far to the side of my shoulders. Do I go with a sport seat? Are there some designed for taller drivers, or is it just a matter of fit? Are there ones that would not break the bank (more than any sport seat will), but will be comfortable enough to use as a daily driver AND not look like a racing seat at first glance?

Edit:
Two things I forgot to mention. I'm racing in the STX class for autox and I did use the forum search tool but didn't find anything.

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[Mr_Snips]

generally speaking harnesses without a roll cage are bad juju.

With an actual harness it holds you in place so that if the car flips you dont move at all, the roof comes down some and it breaks your neck...the end.

Also if your in a front end collision it makes your body absorb the entire impact, the seatbelt doesnt move forward at all causing you to slide under the belt and under the dash...the end.

[02wrbrex]

Originally Posted by Mr_Snips

Also if your in a front end collision it makes your body absorb the entire impact, the seatbelt doesnt move forward at all causing you to slide under the belt and under the dash...the end.

And that's why you should ALWAYS have a 5-6 point harness.

[MidLifeRally]

I'm 6'5" and had the same problem. You definitely do not want the
angle from your shoulders to the hole in the seat to be down. I ended
up with seats from Racetech designed for taller drivers. The difference
when driving spiritedly for extended times was amazingly different
on the lower back. These seats were not adjustable/daily
driving seats though. They are comfortable enough however. Sit in as
many seats as you can and take measurements as most manufacturers
have specs on their web sites. Good luck!

[Counterfit]

Originally Posted by Mr_Snips

Also if your in a front end collision it makes your body absorb the entire impact, the seatbelt doesnt move forward at all causing you to slide under the belt and under the dash...the end.

I don't know which specific harness frosty has, but Schroth's 4 point harnesses are designed to prevent that.

[KC]

If you are only wearing if for auto-x (not on the street), you want a harness that just limits your movement and should not consider it a safety 'improvement' much different than the stock belts, so they are fine without a roll-cage. While rolls at auto-x are very rare, they do happen. All one has to do is know the limits and back off before anything bad 'can' happen. (It's those that push too hard/try to save things that get over their head).

What do you have them attached to? If the back seat lower anchors, then a harness bar will work much better for you in an auto-x environment and will have them anchored much higher. Outside the auto-x environment, all bets are off.

--kC

[Mr_Snips]

Originally Posted by KC

If you are only wearing if for auto-x (not on the street), you want a harness that just limits your movement and should not consider it a safety 'improvement' much different than the stock belts, so they are fine without a roll-cage. While rolls at auto-x are very rare, they do happen. All one has to do is know the limits and back off before anything bad 'can' happen. (It's those that push too hard/try to save things that get over their head).

--kC

I know your very knowledgeable but that is one of the stupidest things i've ever heard.

thats like saying well if i knew i could stop i would have. If i knew i couldnt make that turn i would have slowed down.

Just becuase rolls are rare doesnt mean you should put yourself in danger because "it'll never happen to me".

[Mavrik]

I'm 6'3" and have the same issue. my harness pulls me down as well.

[delongedoug]

Originally Posted by Counterfit

I don't know which specific harness frosty has, but Schroth's 4 point harnesses are designed to prevent that.

I just ordered the Schroth Rallye 4 harness a couple days ago. I am only going to use it during autoX and use the seatbelt mounts. Like KC said, I'm using it to help keep me in place, not for safety.

[KC]

Originally Posted by Mr_Snips

I know your very knowledgeable but that is one of the stupidest things i've ever heard.

thats like saying well if i knew i could stop i would have. If i knew i couldnt make that turn i would have slowed down.

Just becuase rolls are rare doesnt mean you should put yourself in danger because "it'll never happen to me".

It is? It's covered well in any drivers meeting at an auto-x. "If you're getting out of shape, don't try and save it. Just gather yourself up and slow down. Both feet in."

Accidents happen due to driving beyond the limit of driver and car. As I said:

All one has to do is know the limits and back off before anything bad 'can' happen. (It's those that push too hard/try to save things that get over their head).

is exactly that. In auto-x, it's really easy to see you're getting out of shape (really late, sawing the wheel, etc...). Those that push 'too hard' are the ones that are dangerous to themselves and others, all for a $2 trophy. So yes... you should know the limits and not exceed them. I stand by what I said.

A level head should prevail. Keeping a level head, you won't encounter anything that could be harmful from you wearing a harness instead of a stock belt. It just ain't worth it to NOT back off.

--kC
(Has been at events where incidents have happened.)

[Hondo88]

I'm surprised you don't have a problem with your helmet hitting the roof. I'm 6'1" and I had to remove my "oh **** handle" as I kept hitting it with my helmet.

I agree with KC, I think it's instinct for a noob to try and slow down when he gets out of control, it's the guy who's allready been there that try's to save it.

[frostyTSM]

You guys all raised really good points. Thanks for your responses.

To answer a few questions raised:

1. It's a Schroth Rallye 3 (got it "opened but unused" for $50), which is DOT approved (for what it's worth). I'm connecting it to the child safety seat mount (which might not be perfect, I haven't decided).
2. I'm only using it for autox, and I know not to try and salvage things once I've lost it. My first autox I dodged a sideways corvette who tried to save his lap, and another time someone else drifted a circle around me when they lost it on the slalom.
3. I know it's not for added safety, but to keep me in place.
4. At 6'3", I sometimes bump my helmet on the inside of the car

So my next step I guess is to go sit in some seats. There is a shop that Sparco lists on their website, so I'll start there. I'd rather get it through a shop where I can try it on instead of ordering online...

If anyone has any other suggestions on brands or better for daily-driving, please tell me.

[68Cadillac]

"That's a big bitch!"
"Keep it in the circus!"

I use a Schroth quick-fit four point for Solo/Autocross. I'm 6'0". I used to keep the lap belt and the shoulder straps road race tight for Solo. I don't do that anymore. I keep the lap belt tight. So tight that with the stock seat full back it's effort to buckle the belts. I then use the steering wheel to move my fat butt and seat forward. Two click further than my daily drive position. The shoulder straps remain loose. They're not flopping around but I can easily put my fingers between the strap and my collar bone (not stacked, just flat). Also, I can't reach to close my door if it's full open with the harness on.

My opinion: you're strapping your shoulders too tight. This isn't a road race it's autocross. Get you ass planted firm and loosen up the shoulder straps.

And good choice on a harness purchase. One of the best investments you'll make if you want to get good at autocross. If you're flopping around the cabin you can't drive the car. If you can't feel what the car does because you ass isn't attached to it, you'll never be able to drive it to 99% of limit.

[Counterfit]

Originally Posted by 68Cadillac

"Keep it in the circus!"

My friend says that instead of "Get a room".

[jblaine]

Good seats make all the difference -- I stopped using a harness for auto-x, but then again I'm not trying to win titles.

[cooleyjb]

Originally Posted by 68Cadillac

.

And good choice on a harness purchase. One of the best investments you'll make if you want to get good at autocross. If you're flopping around the cabin you can't drive the car. If you can't feel what the car does because you ass isn't attached to it, you'll never be able to drive it to 99% of limit.

Harnesses do not keep you from sliding around very much. They keep you planted back against the seat. That is all they are designed to do.

A racing seat or any seat with high bolsters is designed to keep you from moving around laterally.