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Bench seat?

Plymouthrocks

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11:05 PM
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Elko Nevada
Hello out there. I am just starting to set my car up for a little racing besides 90% cruising. The seat I have is a real nice factory bench seat and was wondering if anyone Know's if that would be legal for a less than 10 second car and if one could use a 5 point harness with a bench seat. Also I purchased a 6 point roll bar setup. Thanks for any advice.
 
All you need to know is in the NHRA rule book. You don't even need a rollbar in a hardtop until it goes 11.49, so my "guess" is that there are no special seat requirements in the 10's. I can't see any issue putting a 5-point harness into a car with a bench seat vs. buckets either.
 
Thanks Bud. Yea I got the book and it doesn't specifically say no bench but wants shoulder and neck support: thats where it kind of makes me wonder. I'll try to call teck at NHRA and ask and will post what he says and keep watching if someone knows for sure. Thanks again.
 
Headrest / neck restraint can be attached to your roll bar. No issues with a bench seat.
 
When you run 11.49 or faster, or if you put a roll bar in the car...you have to run a 5 point harness. That being said, a bench seat is A-ok. Only issue is you need to make a hole in the bottom part of the seat for the submarine belt that goes between your legs. I don't think it's legal to simply loop it over the front of the seat. May be wrong on that though.
 
I think frustration is right about the crotch strap having to go thru the seat, and I think nhra requires the seat back to be secured to the roll bar too. That's why most guys with bars use racing seats, along with the weight savings.
The proper answer is to check with nhra to see what is required to pass tech.
I don't think there is a specific prohibition for a bench, but I bet there are mods required you might be unwilling to do to a nice seat.
 
I think frustration is right about the crotch strap having to go thru the seat, and I think nhra requires the seat back to be secured to the roll bar too. That's why most guys with bars use racing seats, along with the weight savings.
The proper answer is to check with nhra to see what is required to pass tech.
I don't think there is a specific prohibition for a bench, but I bet there are mods required you might be unwilling to do to a nice seat.

Good luck with calling NHRA....
The safety rules want the submarine (crotch) strap to come almost straight up to your crotch. In a crash if it is mounted too far forward you will "slide" forward until the crotch strap actually hits your crotch and you will "submarine" forward somewhat out of the harness setup.
 
Your crossbar needs to be below the top of the seatbacks and you need some type of headrest. Rather than calling nhra,try asking tech at the track you intend to run at. Go there and stay at tech and you might see some bench seat cars roll through.
 
If you call or talk to tech dont say "less than". They might think your talking 9s or 8s. Say "slower than".
 
I might not have been clear. I meant look in the rule book. But checking with your local track tech is great advice too.
 
Yea Thanks. I saw that less than and realized I should have wrote slower than. What I am reading in the NHRA rule book section 21-10:5 it says " Crotch strap to go through seat and anchor behind chest line. With OEM-type seat, crotch strap may route in front of seat." Not stating whether bench seat allowed. Can't wait to do some racing as I have never done before. I would have to thank chevy guys for gettin the bug in me because they think they will whip-up on a mopar. Hope to prove them wrong. I really want to thank you all for giving advice and it is nice to talk with like minded mopar people. Rare where I am at. If I find out for sure about this I will post.
 
I have a 73 Duster with the original bench seat still in the car. I have a roll bar and a 5 point harness with the crotch strap in front of the seat. The car runs 11.10 @ 121 and I have had no issues with tech at any IHRA or NHRA track.
 
I have a 73 Duster with the original bench seat still in the car. I have a roll bar and a 5 point harness with the crotch strap in front of the seat. The car runs 11.10 @ 121 and I have had no issues with tech at any IHRA or NHRA track.
The tech strictness depends 100% on the tech guy doing the inspection. Example: at my last NHRA race the NHRA tech inspector asked me if I had a transmission blanket. I said "yes". He checked off that box. He did NOT get down on his knees at look.
 
Good luck with calling NHRA....
The safety rules want the submarine (crotch) strap to come almost straight up to your crotch. In a crash if it is mounted too far forward you will "slide" forward until the crotch strap actually hits your crotch and you will "submarine" forward somewhat out of the harness setup.


AGREED.... NHRA is USELESS!!
 
The tech strictness depends 100% on the tech guy doing the inspection. Example: at my last NHRA race the NHRA tech inspector asked me if I had a transmission blanket. I said "yes". He checked off that box. He did NOT get down on his knees at look.
Tracks I run at I fill out the tech card in advance. Tech just signs it after he takes a quick look. They will remember you and your car. And they do not mind if you fill out your own card. Think about how many cards they fill out otherwise. Alot. Work with your inspectors and they will work with you.
 
I gotta add, if your talking national or divisonal races of that I have no experience. LOL.
 
Ok I had a guy named Pat from Glendora, CA NHRA nice enough to call me back after a message that I left last week and gave me the basics for the info I was curious about for the 69 roadrunner running 10 or slower. He said a bench seat is fine and the 5th strap can go around front of the seat is fine. Said the back of the seat should at least touch the cross bar and the normal measurements for height and what not that is in the book. No shoulder or neck restraints are required from 10 second or slower; kill switch by the bumper or somewhere back there, a drive line loop and trans shield. Sorry guys as this stuff is mostly old hat for you all but new to me. Never raced at a track before so am pretty excited about doing so hopefully by the end of summer!
 
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