Seat Belt News: Dale Earnhardt customized his seat belt mountings in his race car in a way the manufacturer said was dangerous, and his harness failure may have contributed to his death in the Daytona 500. On Tuesday, NASCAR outlawed customized seat belt placements for the 2002 season, and in effect vindicated beleaguered seat belt maker Bill Simpson. Next year’s guidelines regulate seat belt systems and describe in detail what drivers and pit crews must wear during practice, qualifying and races. On Tuesday, NASCAR issued its strongest language to date on seat belt systems. NASCAR’s six-month investigation of Earnhardt’s crash indicated the left lap belt of his harness system “dumped,” or buckled then tore during the crash. NASCAR all but said Earnhardt’s belt system was improperly mounted when the sanctioning body released its findings in August. Simpson has said that if properly mounted, Earnhardt’s seat belt system would not have failed, and that he warned the seven-time Winston Cup champion several times to mount his harness according to manufacturer’s specifications. There was no attempt during 2001 to change customized mounting positions, but the language in NASCAR’s upcoming rules package indicates that area of the rule book will change dramatically in 2002. Specifically, the new rule reads: “Each car must be equipped with a NASCAR-approved seat belt restraint system. Unapproved seat belt restraint systems or components will not be permitted,” and “The seat belt restraint system must be installed in accordance with the directions provided by the system supplier and/or manufacturer.” NASCAR didn’t specify which seat belt systems are approved for the 2002 season.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(12-15-2001) (12-14-2001)
