FAQ – Simpson Restraint System

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During the Competition Coupe builds, Engineering made a switch to a Simpson restraint system. Many teams have inquired as to the benefits of this change. There were two major factors behind the choice of Simpson belts.

The first is the design of the belt webbing. All belts that have been installed in any Competition Coupe are SFI 16.1 tested. However, unlike the original Competition Coupe belts, the new Simpson Titanium series belts are manufactured using Polyester webbing (vs. Nylon webbing). This webbing is 20% stronger than Nylon belts and also provides less elongation (stretch) while under high loading. Furthermore, the strength of Nylon webbing, during Simpson testing, typically degrades by 12% when wet due to moisture absorption; Polyester webbing showed no degradation in strength during Simpson wet testing. The following is an excerpt from Simpson test documentation that summarizes the strength and elongation advantages:



The second benefit is the improved ergonomics associated with the Simpson belts. Unlike most other 6-point harnesses, the Simpson belts use a unique method of attaching the anti-submarine straps. The two straps route up along the inside edges of the thigh to retain the pelvis. The result is a much improved comfort level for most males in the delicate family region. The illustrations below show the difference in belt routing.



If you would like to upgrade to the newer Simpson belts, they are available for purchase through Viper Race HQ and are listed in the current Spare Parts Catalog.

Viper Race HQ