Latch & Link versus Camlock

Which seat belt system do you perfer the Latch & Link or the Camlocks and for what reason. Also why do the sanctioning bodies not allow seat belt systems such as Simpson's D3 Sytem described as:

" Exclusively from Simpson, the D3 provides the ease and convenience of a sewn in harness without the harness being sewn into the lap belt. The D3's unique design eliminates 2 links while still allowing the shoulder harness to be joined closely at the buckle, emulating a 5-point latch and link system".

Is it for ease of leaving the car in an emergency? System doersn't work well? System has loads that might cause it to fail? I have looked at them and really see little difference between the D3 and regular 5 or 6 point systems. I really don't know the answers but thought someone here would know. Thanks

If I were to make a guess I think the d3 has 2 1/4" webbing where I think most harnesses use 3 inch.

Check the rules, latch and link isn't allowed in some classes. Personally, I prefer camlocks anyhow. They're just easier to use.

I think the reason you can get both, is that you shouldn't use the camlocks on a dirt track car, I belive the dirt can jam them up.

For getting out, I find them to be about the same. Camlock is much quicker and easier to fasten, though.

Also, for times when you're not fastened in and just crawling around working on something in the interior, latch and link belts have more heavy, pointy bits to kneel on or bang into stuff. Though I can't deny that the cam lock assembly is a little clumsy, too.

In my dwarf car I can't look down if i have my helmet on. It's impossible to get those tinny tabs of a cam lock in to the cam by feel. I had one set and twice it poped open by itself on the track. It came out that night i cut the f'in things and will never use them again. Latch and link i could do in my sleep.

44

44Dwarf wrote: In my dwarf car I can't look down if i have my helmet on. It's impossible to get those tinny tabs of a cam lock in to the cam by feel. I had one set and twice it poped open by itself on the track. It came out that night i cut the f'in things and will never use them again. Latch and link i could do in my sleep. 44

I wish I could use them - you can save a lot of $$ they take your eyes out for the cam locks.

I guess it must be what you get used to... it takes me a long time poking about to get the clasp closed on the latch/link but I can hop in my car and cinch into the cam locks in under 10 sec.

I have had both. I prefer the cam locks for ease of operation. I've never had mine come undone. They are both a pain to fasten.

cam locks don't work when dirty.

I hate having to hold all the links together for the latch and link ones to work. the cam ones you you can stick in one at a time. I like that.

I find it a lot easier to assemble camlocks than latch and links. I don't find them any more complex than a stock seatbelt, just a couple more pieces. Excellent point about the dirt, I'd never thought of that.

Keith wrote: Excellent point about the dirt, I'd never thought of that.

Found that out at a Mini Baja event where we packed, everything, with mud...... ugh!

Aside from the dirt problem, I too am all for cam locks. Latch is fine, but it's more annoying to hook up. I know some prefer latch, but if you are proficient at both, cam lock is quicker and easier. And if you aren't used to either, might as well start out with the easier one to get used to.

I'm currently using L&L, next set will be camlocks because it's a PITA to do the L&Ls when you can't see the damn things. But I will be going FIA because the camlocks combined with the shorter SFI expiration time would be pretty darn expensive.

A lot of manufacturers will reweb their harnesses. I do love my FIA Willans though

I like Latch and Link personally. Maybe it is just because I can SEE it working.

Can anyone shed any more light on my second question as to why Simpson D3 belt systems are not approved by the sanctioning bodies. They come in 2", 2 1/4" and 3" widths. I can understand why they require individual shoulder straps and do not allow "V" harnesses that are used a lot in drag cars. It would seem if the D3's are acceptable for off road racing they would be acceptable for other motorsports. Or possibly is there just not been enough testing for those type belt systems.