Review – Sparco 5-Point Safety Harness Belt
First things first, Sparco does not manufacture this harness. Scroth manufactures this safety harness for Sparco using private label branding, meaning Sparco’s name is put on it at Scroth’s factory. The manuals and belts even bear Scroth marking and tags.
But that’s not to take away from the harness; Scroth itself is a quality manufacturer. This is just meant as a FYI to those of you that purchase this harness and may be confused.
Quality-wise, the Sparco harness is very good. There is no latch-and-link (which we don’t like anyways) design sold by Sparco, only camlock quick-release. This camlock is made of plastic and opens and locks quite easily. When closed, slip in all four of the other belts and then tighten your harness, starting with the lap belts up.
To open, simply turn the camlock and the belts will release. The 3-inch belts themselves are also well made, with proper length adjusters and reinforced stitching.
From Sparco you have to choose either a bolt-in type or a snap-in type. This particular harness is a bolt-in type, you can see the bolt-in bracket clearly installed on the 5th point crotch belt. Snap-in harnesses swap that bracket out instead for a locking end bracket and “snap” in and out of eyebolts that can be purchased separately. Whatever method you choose, be sure to get the correct grade hardware and pick up some backing plates.
Available from Sparco or easily substituted with some massive metal plates/washers and nuts, these plates prevent the harness bolts from ripping through your car’s floor in the event of an accident.
Sparco harnesses use FIA ratings, which means they are good for five years before they expire and cannot be used with such organizations as the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) and the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). If there were one thing we had to say, it would be that a six-point harness is highly recommended over a five-point. Primarily for comfort reasons. As you can imagine, a harness can get pretty tight once cinched down and well, use your imagination.
Source
Sparco USA
(800) 224-RACE
www.sparcousa.com
