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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Harness fitting in a 1500

Anybody got any recommendations for fitting a harness in a 1500 midget? Someone has shown me how they have one fitted in their 1275, by bolting through a length of steel angle mounted along the full length of the rear bulkhead on the boot side, and welded at the ends by the wheel arches. The trouble is, the 1500 doesn't have this rear bulkhead, only a trim card dividing the cockpit from the boot. If the harness was bolted on to the top of the wheel arch hump of the rear parcel shelf instead, the angle of the belts from the mounting point to the top of the seat back at the shoulders is too steep. No more than 25 degrees is recommended in the blue book. Hope this description makes sense. Thanks for any comments.
Ben.
B Whiteley

Ben I think most people mount eyes on the crown of the hump. If you are using 4 point you must have 2 mounting points rather than putting both thru 1 eye.

HTH

danny
d cusworth

AFAIK the 1275 and 1500 shells are the same in that area.
The hump of the rear floor is not strong enough for belt mounts for competition use.
To follow BB advice you need to have an extra bar welded in to the roll cage / rollover hoop at a bit below shoulder height.
David (davidDOTsmithAT stonesDOTcom)

The angle of the harness straps in relation to the driver depends on the height of the driver and the seat.

The trim card needs to be replaced by metal for use in competition.

The hump of the rear floor might be strong enough - though 'might be' depends on the weight of the driver, speed of impact/deceleration and whether or not the area underneath the hump has been plated, not forgetting the size of harness eye plate.

Of course as DS says the best solution is a lateral bar and you'd be better off getting the roll bar manufacturer to undertake such a modification. In fact it's a pity one of them doesn't take a lead and design one like this from the outset and get it certified.

Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Im planning to build in a 3 point harnes(like image) in my 1500 but fix the retractable bit on the original rollerpoint on top of the wheelarch.
Not sure yet if there is enough lenght left between seat and roller fixpoint to handle the extra buckle to the retractable bit as the backrest of my seat is positioned rather backwards.
And then there still is the hood to fold up when its down not trying to get it in contact with the seatbeltparts.

Mine is not intended as a racer but just a fast roadcar hence the not-4/5 point harnas.
This one looks very solid but stil practical so ill be able to move in the car with the seatbelt on. :)


Arie de Best

In mine i have just drilled through the panel above the rear axle behind the seats (at the highest point)
and have fitted the eye with the mounting(reinforcing /load spreading) plate that came with the FIA aproved harnas

it is tight a hell and you won't pul a 2x2 inch plate through a solid and properly welded (not heap of rust with bondo all over) panel in a crash
and if you do you will die of other causes than the harnas pulling lose ;)
Onno Könemann

Thanks for the advice everyone. Thanks also to the t'interweb so I could translate the anacronyms:)

I should point out that I want to use the car just for club speed events, not racing, so not all the blue book stuff is applicable. My mates 1275 was prepared for motorsport by a PO. He had done such a good job on that rear panel that I thought it must be original!

For the speed events, a roll over bar and harnesses aren't actually required,;I just put the bar in for added safety now I've got a baby daughter to consider. However, thinking of putting harnesses in I looked to the BB just for guidance on fitting, and that 25 degrees is obviously there to stop the angle multiplying the forces, even if the hump seems strong enough.

Daniel, I like the lateral bar idea.

Arie, Don't know if you have a bar fitted, but I have found the original seat belt mounts are blocked off by the fitting of the rollover bar, which is why I am looking at alternatives.

Thanks again for the ideas. I think I'll also speak to an MOY inspector and get his opinion as well.
Ben.
B Whiteley

>>>>I just put the bar in for added safety now I've got a baby daughter to consider.
you are not allowed to carry passengers in speed events ;-)
LOL
David (davidDOTsmithAT stonesDOTcom)

from MGCC Luffield Speed Champoinship regs

3.3 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

3.3.1 All vehicles must comply with the MSA safety requirements for sprint and Hillclimb vehicles, as detailed in Sections C(b) / (I) of the 2009 MSA Year Book.

3.3.2 All vehicles must carry a securely fitted fire extinguisher (min. 1.75 Litre AFFF).

3.3.3 Basic Rollbars/Rollcages (Competitor Safety C(c)) are mandatory for all open sports cars (Aero bars are included in this category) with the following exceptions: Pre-1960 MG cars & MGF

It is recommended that Pre-1960 MG cars, MGF, fixed head and GT sports cars and saloon cars also have Rollbars or Rollcages fitted.

Irrespective of the provisions in (I) 46 it is recommended that cars in period A-E be fitted with a safety harness


Hope this helps Roll bar and extinguisher are mandatory for the championship, but not for the bluebook as far as I know. Harnesses are not, but a decent seat and harness will help you drive quicker as you spend less effort fighting cornering forces etc.
d cusworth

I'd be inclined to have an aluminium panel bulkhead to replace the fibreboard panel alhough it's a racing reg rather than a speed event reg.

One reg you need to watch is the isolation from the engine etc which on a Spridget is compromised by the heater vents. This reg DOES apply to speed events as well as racers.

How about some pics of the car.


Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Ben, i havent fitted a rollbar yet.
The available ones arent suitable for me as the backrest of my seats are to far to the rear(for comfort seatingposition) i run the risk of banging my head to the rollbar and i dont want to cablety padding to it.
It has to be behind my headrest and still fit under a standard late type midgethood.

You see, im still working on it. :)
Arie de Best

This thread was discussed between 21/10/2009 and 22/10/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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