New to autocross...

[M3n2c3]

Originally Posted by Dean

I know a number of people who have gone to the junk yard and gotten a spare belt end with belt attached, and threaded it through the normal Ralley3/4 adjuster to use in the same manner on the inside. You still end up with 1 permanent attachmnet point though, and a differnt grade belt in the mix, so I wouldn't do it.

Yeah, that doesn't really seem worth the trouble.

[MattR]

I know one racer who runs a belt (velcro) around his mid-section, then around the back of the seat to basically cinch himself against the seatback. I don't think I'd try that one, but he likes it. (also, I would need a huge-ass belt to get around my mid-section AND the seat )

[Joeyy]

Just ordered a Pyrotec open face SA2005. Now I need a SECCS sticker for it.

[M3n2c3]

Ok, I need a few details on the shoulder harness attachment. I was just browsing through the instructions, and it says that the shoulder belt can be attached to either the rear seat shoulder attachment point (C pillar) or either rear driver's-side lap belt anchors (latch or belt sides).

Recommendations from other GD owners? If someone could post a pic or two of their installation, that'd be fantastic, too.

[MikeK]

I will take some pics of my install for you tonight. It took me about 3 hours to put them in my WRX. By the time I got the STi I knew what I was doing, so it took less than an hour. When are you installing them?

[M3n2c3]

Originally Posted by MikeK

I will take some pics of my install for you tonight. It took me about 3 hours to put them in my WRX. By the time I got the STi I knew what I was doing, so it took less than an hour. When are you installing them?

Probably Tuesday the 28th. I think that's the only day in the next two weeks that I'll really be able to set a chunk of time aside to sit in my garage installing and fitting.

Thanks

[MikeK]

Here is a pic I found from my WRX. The STi is exactly the same, so I assume the RS will be the same as well.

Rear attachment point:

The plastic cover on the rear shoulder harness pops off, and there is a bolt under there. Just undo the bolt, slip the schroth belt in and put it back together. I think I might have rearranged the washers using some of the bits that come with the schroth belts, I can't remember.

Inside front attachment point:

For the front, you need to lift up the seats (do them one at a time so you will have room, then you won't have to take them all the way out of the car). There are 2 bolts at the front of each seat, one at the end of each seat rail, and 2 bolts at the back. The ones at the back have plastic covers over them, just pop them off to get to the bolts.

I mounted one of the anchor points to where the lower buckle is (right hand side of the left seat, left hand side of the right seat). You will need to use the longer bolt that comes with the schroth harnesses to put it all back together. I put the harness close to the seat, and the stock belt attachment on the outside (further from the seat). It is no big deal if the harness is trapped in the belt, but really annoying if the belt buckle is on the inside when you try to tighten the harness down.

Outside front attachment point:

For this one, you need to lift the carpet where the stock belt bolts to the floor. For this, it is easier if you take out the rear seats. The base is just 3 bolts at the front of the rear seat. Once this is out, you will see 2 or 3 more bolts holding the top part of the rear seat down. Once the rear seat is out, you can lift the plastic door sill things that are holding the carpet down. Once you get the carpet exposed, you will be able to get a wrench onto the bolt holding the stock belt down. Basically just undo this, slip the schroth attachment point over the bolt, and tighten it back up. I also had to use a knife to cut the slit in the carpet slightly bigger, since the hole wasn't big enough for the belt and the harnesses. Just make sure you cut a circle, not a slit so that it doesn't keep growing.

The stock belt retractor has a small tab on it that has to go into a hole in the frame. This stops it from rotating around down there. When you put the bolt back in, make sure this tab is seated correctly before you tighten everything up.

Oh, and I guess I don't need to tell you to try doing up both harnesses to make sure nothing is twisted before you bolt everything back together

[Dean]

Originally Posted by MikeK

Here is a pic I found from my WRX. The STi is exactly the same, so I assume the RS will be the same as well.

Rear attachment point:

The plastic cover on the rear shoulder harness pops off, and there is a bolt under there....

I do not suggest using this bolt... Most of us are now using the bolt on the rertactor behind the seat. You have to remove the seat to get to it, but a much better attachment point IMHO.

If the stock belt doesn't give you at least 8 full turns, use a longer bolt from the kit.

For the lap belts, you want both to go to the floor so you can slide the seat to tighten them easily.

Inside front attachment point:

Front seat inside rail rear bolt. under the rail. No seat removal required.


Outside front attachment point:

Same as Mike's post.

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by Dean

Inside front attachment point:

Front seat inside rail rear bolt. under the rail. No seat removal required.

Maybe I had the wrong tools, but I couldn't get at this bolt easily with the seat in place. Plus it made getting at the other bolt behind the carpet a lot easier.

[Dean]

OK, maybe I'm remembering the Stealth. Only 4 bolts so it's not a big deal I guess.

[M3n2c3]

I think I got it. I did use the rear bolt on the inside rail; it just seemed to better match the mounting point for the opposite side. The anchor slips right under there nicely. The shoulder harness anchor point didn't leave me much room for adjustment (I had to extend the belt fully), but it all seems to be solid and fitting right.

I would post a couple pix, but the attachment manager just made me its bitch and won't play nice.

Edit: ok, pix.

[A1337STI]

I'de just like to double check some things.

The Auto X is at 8:00 am at reno fernley raceway ? (i'll mapquest it, just an exit off of 395 ?) is showing up at 8:00 am okay or do i need to be there even earlier ?

Is anyone in our group bringing a Jack (a non subaru OE jack ) ?
Is anyone in our group bringing an air compressor / cigarette lighter plug in based ? (i could maybe run down to walmart and buy one if no one else has one)
Do we have a set area for storing rims there? I'm assuming theft is low at these events, but i'de really hate for someone to walk off with my rims while i'm on the track.

**Weather update** So now wunderground.com says 1-2 feet of snow in tahoe friday / saturday morning and chance of snow reno morning / rain afternoon. maybe i should just compete on my winter tires? or bring both and decide down there? can someone who lives closest to the track post if its raining/snowing/dry

[MattR]

The event is at the Reno Stead Airport, in North Reno. Just google map "Reno Stead Airport" and it should show up.

Show up between no later than 8.

I'm sure someone will have their compressor.

[cody]

From www.renoscca.com

Stead Airport -- Stead is located just North of Reno

Please obey speed limits in the airport neighborhood; we don't want to lose this site!!!

1: From the Interstate 80 and US 395 junction, take US 395 north from Reno (towards Susanville.)

2: Take the Stead Blvd. exit and turn right (East).

3: Continue on Stead Blvd. all the way into the airport. At the "Y" intersection, remain in the right lane.

4: Once through the airport gates, turn left at Alpha and immediately right on Petriciani.

5: Proceed to the grandstand area to park and register.

I'm shooting for 7:30am so I can try to secure a helmet.

I'm betting on no snow on the ground, even though some reports say there will be an inch or two. Channel 2 and channel 4 news this morning both said rain early Saturday but the afternoon should clear up.

[Kevin M]

I'll be changing wheels in the morning, I'll have a jack onsite, as will several others most likely. Bring both sets if you can, it won't hurt.

[M3n2c3]

I think it's a good idea to have your own air compressor, since they sometimes take a while to operate. I got mine at Walmart for $25 or so.

And don't worry about your wheels getting jacked. You're only on the course for a minute (tops) at a time, so you'll have plenty of time to keep an eye on them.

I'd also bring lunch and a little fold-out chair.

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by M3n2c3

You're only on the course for a minute (tops) at a time

If you drive slower, you will be on course longer = better value for money!

I agree with bringing your own air compressor. There will be plenty of them there but they can take 10 - 15 minutes per car, which adds up to a lot if there are a few people waiting. Plus they are cheap. I think mine was about $15 - 16 at walbogs.

[MPREZIV]

I think I've got my list of things to bring along all in order. Cool thing is, if I find something I really need, or something goes wrong, my folks live no more than 5 minutes from the Stead airport! sweet...

[M3n2c3]

We should all drop by for a visit. "Surprise!"

Kevin, will you be able to bring that sway bar with you on saturday?

[MPREZIV]

A fat handfull of Subarus pulling into my parent's driveway...


My dad would think it's awesome!

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by M3n2c3

We should all drop by for a visit. "Surprise!"

Kevin, will you be able to bring that sway bar with you on saturday?

Sure.

[A1337STI]

LoL that's so cool. does he live on a dirt road? i love dirt roads

so i should also bring a folding chair, and maybe a cooler with food & drinks oviously no alcoholic beverages.

how late does the Auto Cross usually go till ? 2 pm ? 6 pm ? any guess is good. wow i'm Overly excited.

[cody]

Will it be ok if I miss the Apr.8-9 Solo (Autocross) Points events 1 & 2 at Stead? The body shop needs my car for 1.5-2 weeks and I want to get it fixed ASAP.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by cody

Will it be ok if I miss the Apr.8-9 Solo (Autocross) Points events 1 & 2 at Stead? The body shop needs my car for 1.5-2 weeks and I want to get it fixed ASAP.

Yes, you have my permission to miss the event.

[Nick Koan]

Should be fine. You get a certain number of drops (4?) this season, so missing one or two won't be a big deal. And thats only if you think you might be in a title race. Otherwise, you are just running some events for fun.

Like me last year, I only ran 6 events which means I didn't qualify for season standings, but its still fun to go out occasionally and just run for fun.