Schroth Harness System for the MINI

lexbomb Sep 14th, 2004 Link

Best investment I ever made for AutoX. Just make sure to shut the door before you snap in.

Robert Sep 14th, 2004 Link

Are they easy to remove(reversal) after
setup is complete?

Dillon Sep 14th, 2004 Link

…great story,Gabe. Also,I like to know if the seats and restraint system for the JCW kit has four-point harness system? Peace,Dillon

Gabe Sep 14th, 2004 Link

Dillon,

The Schroth belts fit any MINI including those with the optional JCW seats.

dotBob Sep 15th, 2004 Link

Is it legal to use a four-point harness for daily driving? Without a roll cage, the harness may be more dangerous than a regular 3-point seat belt, since it doesn't allow the body to bend forward in case of roof collapse, hence the requirement for a roll cage in the more advanced driving events where a four-point harness is mandatory.

dotBob Sep 15th, 2004 Link

BTW, a CG-Lock may be more appropriate for daily driving and the occassional autocross, since it holds the hips in place, but allows for free movement of the upper body. I don't have one yet, but for less than $45, I plan to purchase one soon.

lexbomb Sep 15th, 2004 Link

Robert, They're a snap to remove. Just the two anchor clips stay in the car after installation, and you hardly notice them. It only takes about 20 seconds to clip in or clip out the harness.
Just make sure when you race, you slide the OEM plastic clip retainer all the way up to the top so it doesn't go flapping around and distract you.

As far a daily driving… I don't know what our friendly neighborhood police would think, but if I were a peace officer, I'd be a little suspicious of someone driving around with a bright blue or red harness on. It's easy to take it in and out.

ScottinBend Sep 15th, 2004 Link

….and by far the cheapest way to keep in the seat is to yank the belt forward quickly to engage the lock at just the right spot and then buckle yourself in. Takes a bit of practice to get the right spot, but it has worked for me in all of my years of AutoX'ing.

Derek Sep 15th, 2004 Link

Oh great. Another thing to put on the gotta have list…

Thanks for the info.

Paul C Sep 15th, 2004 Link

Been using the Scroth mini belts for track days for 2 years now, very pleased. Only issue came up at BMWCCA track day event at Lime Rock this spring. the four point belts are not allowed. They required us to run with standard belts only. Potential submarine effect in case of crash was given as reason, I disagree with the reasosn as emergency tensioners built into the MINI you will not submarine under the belts in case of crash. I know this is case as I totalled my first MCS Works in a street crash and the tensioners fired and held us in perfect. May not be a scientific test this is why I disagree with the ban on the 4 point belts in the MINI by the BMWCCA at their track days.

Jay S Oct 21st, 2004 Link

Excellent review. I purchased these belts from SoloRacer.com last spring and have been using them for autocrosses (26 events this year!). They make a huge difference over the stock seat belts. I haven't taken my car to the track yet, but I wouldn't hesitate to use theme there either. I think the rollover safety issues are overblown. I went with the black harnesses with black pads… http://www.soloracer.com/mini.html

Gavin Oct 23rd, 2004 Link

I have these belts and I have used them at an SCDA track event.
They clip in and out, so there is no need to use them every day if you don't want to. The hardware receiver stays in place but the belts come out. Indeed, you have to remove them to use the rear seats or to be comfortable up front - you can't reach the radio or glove box when properly strapped into a 4 point harness.
As far as submarining in a crash, these belts have several features that mean it won't happen. Firstly they use the stock anchor points, including as others have mentioned, the tensioner system. Secondly the lap belt part is in the same place as a factory belt but is slightly wider (always fasten and tighten the lap belt before the shoulder ones). Thirdly, (and this is what makes these belts different to other 4 point systems) they have a section of belt in the inboard shoulder strap that will release in a big impact. This means that one shoulder will move foward more than the other, as it would if you were in the factory 3 point belt. This means that you will interact with the seat, wheel and airbags in the same way as if you were in a 3 point system but you will be better strapped in in non-accident scenarios. Obviously it's important to get a left and right pair and put them in the correct sides.
The worst case is people who fit 5 and 6 point harnesses with stock seats or with seats that aren't designed for them. Most of those systems need special seats and roll cages to attach the upper belts to. A 5 point with the crotch strap around the front of a seat (even a bucket seat) is where submarining will really happen.
I've got no affiliation with Schroth other than owning a pair of harnesses, but I did buy mine from the US distributor (HMS Motorsport) who explained all the different systems. They sell 4, 5 and 6 point systems as well as roll cages and seats, so they know what they're talking about!

John Dewey Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I bought the Schroth before my first track day, I used it for the Phil Wicks school as well as for Solo I (at Blackhawk) and Solo II.

One day I was on Grid at BFR and realized I had forgotten to put the harness in the car, I had no choice but to run with out it. I will not make that mistake again!

matt Mar 24th, 2005 Link

Question: The instructions for the harnesses indicate mounting the driver side connection (the point near the driver door) under the bolt that goes to the floor for the seatbelt slider. 2004 and 2005 models don’t have this mounting point or slider, as the driver seatbelt bolts director to the side pillar. Has anyone mounted the 4 points in a 2004 or 2005, or have any additional information on this?

Thanks, Matt

Matt Aug 24th, 2005 Link

I drive an R32 and am looking to step into a JCW as a commuter car, so Im bouncing around this site to see what people are saying about tracking their minis. I also race formula mazda and want to make sure you all know that if you run a harness, you need to run a rollbar/cage. A harness without a bar is dangerous and most racers and instructors I know wont ride/drive a car and wear a harness without some sort of renforcement. THe roof may collapse in a rollover and you may have a serious head injury or worse as a result. I saw it happen in a GTI a year ago at a track day…

Happy racing…motoring

MotoringFile » Archive » MotoringFile Review: JCW GP Dec 18th, 2006 Link

[...] Of course the real star of the show when it comes to the interior is the lack of rear seats and that shiny bar in the back. While the bar may not be entirely useful in a structural sense, it does help keep your groceries from flying into the back of the seats (all while looking fantastic). Not all that an underrated feature if you plan to use the car as semi-daily transportation. In theory it also gives you a place to anchor a Schroth Harness for track use (an activity that this car desperately begs for). [...]

Chris Jul 8th, 2007 Link

There is some question of safety with the harnesses and a lack of a roll cage, and its a good idea to question this.

I wanted to point out, though, that the Schroth harnesses are DOT approved, and I would have to think that if they were more dangerous than the stock belts, they would not obtain said approval. Any thoughts?