Re: gtv6 @ nelson

["Raymond Boniface" <rjboniface@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Scott

    Now I remember you....

    Seat belts:   The rear mounting points have the advantage of being
apprpritately reinforced.  As far as the angle, I see it as a "relative
risk" situation.  Not ideal, but for non-competition, the chances of adverse
event are low.  You do want to watch out that the shoulder belts don't
separate from each other, and come off your shoulders.  An "H" strap across
your chest, or behind  the headrest helps.  Actually, that's how I install
the passenger belts on the racecar when giving joy rides.

    The chance of the belts being needed for protection(ie, of crashing
hard) in a fun-driving event are low.  They are very useful to aid your car
control, by keeping you in the seat.

    Bottom line, I think you'r OK.  The Porsche clubbers are big on a
Schroth rig that snaps right into the  rear belt fasteners, so this
arrangement is used a lot.

    Cage:   I take your point.   I was pointing out the advantages of a roll
bar.  If you plan on pushing your lap times(like my brother does), it bears
serious consideration.  If you trust yourself to control your right foot,
and leave a safety margin (7/10ths rather than 10/10ths is what they say in
club schools), you're OK.

    Actually, track events are one of the best safety measures you can take,
as a driver.  Makes you smarter and better behind the wheel, right?

    I've seen somewhere a bar that crosses behind the front seats, for
mounting belts.  I forget how it goes in.

    BTW, my brother thinks the 205/55's will work.  You'll find out!

    Who's running the event?

    Have big fun.

Ray

PS  I already CC'd the Digest, in case anyone else cares what I think!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Shures" <shures@domain.elided>
To: "Raymond Boniface" <rjboniface@domain.elided>
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2003 8:52 PM
Subject: gtv6 @ nelson


> Ray,
>
> I am the Secretary of the NE Ohio Club, we are in Solon and looked at
> your Milano a couple of years ago (for Suhas).
>
> Thanks for the recommendations, I knew you raced a GTV-6 out there.
>
> One debate is over the suitability of the rear seat belt mounting points
> in terms of a possible spinal compression injury.  These mounting points
> are a lot less than a 45 degree situation and are a solid point.  But
> they are not close to the driver (but are closer than the bulkhead) nor
> are they "a couple of inches below the driver's shoulders" which is my
> interpretation of the GCR.   You are unusual in your ability to comment
> on this as both a racer and a MD.  By the way, I purchased a 5 point
> harness from Crow industries and have eyebolts that fit the seat belt
> mounting points front and rear.  Joe Elliot suggested I could use the
> rear shoulder harness mounting point (used in Europe only, hummm). It
> will be an easy install either way and the belts should go in and out
> quickly.
>
> I thought about a roll cage but this is a street car and I like to take
> my kids for rides.  They still fit in the back seat so I am holding off
> for about another five years.  I know Nelsen is pretty fast but there
> are a lot of people out there from Columbus and  Cincinnati who run
> GTV-6's without roll bars.  Some are pretty rusty too.  I don't want to
> be un-safe or un-wise but I would like to drive fast without worrying
> about getting a ticket or hurting anyone.
>
> Do you think it unwise to do this without a roll cage?  Can I get
> something that can be partially removed so the back seat can be used?
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Scott
>
> PS I started to CC the digest but I didn't for privacy sake.  Perhaps
> the info would be helpful to others?
>
>
>
> Raymond Boniface wrote:
>
> > Hi Scott
> >
> >
> >
> >     We've been racing a GTV6 @ nelson since 1997.
> >
> >
> >
> >     Tires:  I'd expect some rubbing with 205/55's.   We've run
> > 205/50's and 225/50's with the fenders rolled out.
> >
> >
> >
> >     If you're running street tires, I'd run 40 psi all around.
> >
> > If race tires, go 34psi.
> >
> >
> >
> >     Shocks:  Koni yellows at "medium".  Reds at full stiff.
> >
> >
> >
> >     Belts:  You could pull the rear seat and bolt the belt just below
> > shoulder height to the bulkhead, but use some reinfrcing plates, not
> > thin steel of the bulkhead itself.
> >
> >
> >
> >     A roll cage makes a huge difference in handling, especially in a
> > flexible chassis like the Alfa's.  Not to mention the safety factor.
> > Nelson's a fast track, and the GTV6 can do some good laps(we've had a
> > few ITS poles and some regional EP wins there with the car.).   If
> > something goes bad at those speeds...
> >
> >
> >
> >     Which club are you running with, and where are you coming from?
> >
> >
> >
> > Ray Boniface
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