Racing Harness Installation Guide
Racing Harness Installation Guide
Technical Bulletin — Rev1 01/06/2026 | Harris Race Radios
This guide has been prepared by Harris Race Radios — New Zealand and Australia's specialist motorsport safety equipment supplier. Our team includes qualified race engineers, MSNZ-certified safety equipment examiners, and active motorsport competitors including Aaron Harris (Barcelona 24 Hour class winner, Bathurst competitor, MSNZ licence examiner for helmets and racewear) and Rex Harris (MSNZ-certified examiner). We supply and fit FIA-homologated racing harnesses to competitors across circuit racing, rally, karting, and offshore motorsport in New Zealand and Australia.
This installation guide covers FIA 8853-2016 homologated racing harnesses. Always cross-reference with FIA Appendix J Article 253 and your individual race series regulations. For installation advice specific to your vehicle or series, contact our team.
⚠️ SAFETY WARNING
Harris Race Radios racing harnesses are homologated to FIA Standard 8853-2016. These harnesses are for motorsport use only and must not be fitted to a vehicle used on public roads. Racing harnesses will only function correctly — ensuring maximum driver safety — when installed correctly to the specifications in this document, FIA Appendix J Article 253, and your individual race series regulations. Incorrect installation can cause severe injury or death.
Contents
- Section 1 — Component Definitions
- Section 2 — Correct Harness Geometry
- Section 3 — Attachment Options
- Section 4 — Fitting to the Vehicle
- Section 5 — Wearing the Harness
- Section 6 — Maintenance
Section 1 — Component Definitions
The following components make up an HRR FIA 8853-2016 racing harness. These names are used throughout this document.
- Shoulder Straps — route over the shoulders from the buckle to the rear mounting points
- Lap Straps — route across the pelvis from the buckle to the side mounting points
- Crotch / Anti-Submarine Straps — route between the legs to prevent submarining under the lap straps in an impact
- Shoulder Adjustment Strap
- Lap Adjustment Strap
- Tilt Adjusters — used on Becketts harnesses
- Lightweight Adjusters
- Snap Hook — supplied with split pin which must always be fitted
- 3 Bar Slide — used for strap length adjustment and wrap-around attachment
- Strap Adjustment Tabs
- Adjuster Pull Tabs
- Zip Adjuster
Figure 1: Harness component diagram with all parts labelled
Section 2 — Correct Harness Geometry
⚠️ CRITICAL
To ensure maximum occupant safety it is essential that racing harnesses are installed correctly. Failure to follow these instructions and FIA requirements can cause severe injuries or even death.
Figure 2: Recommended harness installation geometry — correct strap angles and routing through seat
- All straps must be routed through the appropriate holes in the seat.
- Crotch straps must NOT be routed over the front of a seat.
- All straps should be kept as short as possible to ensure best performance in an impact.
- If the length of shoulder straps rearward of where they leave the wearer's shoulders exceeds 0.5m, the two straps should be crossed over. This ensures the geometry is kept within the best limits for the frontal head restraint system (FHR/HANS) during an impact.
Section 3 — Attachment Options
HRR harnesses are available with a range of attachment options depending on which model you have. It is the user's responsibility to determine the most appropriate attachment option for their vehicle, ensuring all applicable regulations are followed.
Copse Harnesses
Copse harnesses come with the choice of snap hooks, bolt-in end fittings, and wrap-around options using a 3-bar slide. All necessary parts are supplied in the box.
Becketts Harnesses
Becketts harnesses come with snap hooks or the ability to wrap the shoulder and crotch straps using a 3-bar slide. Attachments can be interchanged easily using the 3-bar slide. The process of fitting attachments is described in Section 4.
Section 4 — Fitting to the Vehicle
The quick release buckle will always remain attached to the two crotch straps.
Lap straps are identical and interchangeable. The lap strap tongues MUST be orientated as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Correct lap strap tongue orientation
⚠️ IMPORTANT — Shoulder Straps Are NOT Interchangeable
Each shoulder strap tongue is angled towards the centre of the buckle. They must be fitted in the correct orientation as shown in Figure 4, with FIA labels facing out. At all times, the shoulder strap worn on the left shoulder must bear the FIA homologation label and FIA gold hologram.
Figure 4: Correct shoulder strap orientation showing FIA label and gold hologram placement
HRR recommends using the supplied eyebolts for snap hook end fittings. Eye bolts should be installed in the direction of applied force to remove the possibility of the eyebolt being loosened by torsional forces during loading. Use of an additional spring washer (supplied) can help ensure this.
Figure 5: Fitment comparison — Snap Hook & Eyebolt vs Bolt-In fitment options
Fixing Specifications
Where possible, harnesses should be fixed using a minimum of 7/16 UNF Grade 5 or M12 Grade 8.8 screws. Note: mounting hardware is NOT part of the FIA homologation — always check your series and FIA regulations for specific requirements.
HRR harnesses are supplied with a fitting kit consisting of either 7/16" UNF eyebolts or 7/16" UNF Grade 5 screws, along with washers, spring washers and nuts.
Where possible, use the original factory seatbelt anchorage locations, provided they allow correct harness geometry. If not possible, new anchorage locations must comply with FIA regulations (Appendix J Article 253).
⚠️ CRITICAL: The harness must not be attached to the seat or seat mounts in any way.
Recommended Torque Figures
The following torque figures are recommendations for the most common fixing sizes. Depending on material, surface coating and/or lubrication of the fixings, these figures may need to be adjusted accordingly.
| Fixing Type and Grade | Recommended Torque (Nm) | Recommended Torque (Ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|
| M8 Grade 8.8 | 25 | 18 |
| M10 Grade 8.8 | 50 | 37 |
| M12 Grade 8.8 | 87 | 64 |
| 7/16" UNF Grade 5 | 68 | 50 |
3-Bar Slide Re-Wrapping Process
All HRR harnesses come with 3-bar slides on each strap for length adjustment. It is not necessary to completely remove the 3-bar slide to adjust strap length, but it may be useful for larger adjustments.
Figure 6: Correctly wrapped 3-bar slide shown in side profile
When wrapping on a roll bar it is essential to prevent lateral movement of the straps. This can be achieved with strategically placed roll cage padding — HRR can supply FIA approved roll cage padding for this purpose. Some lateral roll bars will have C-shaped brackets attached for this purpose.
On 3-inch-wide straps, the webbing must be folded equally on both sides to fit through the slot in the snap hook, as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7: 3-inch strap folding process for snap hook — equal fold on both sides
Section 5 — Wearing the Harness
On first fitment, begin with adjustment of the overall length of the crotch straps. Crotch straps should be adjusted to a length that allows the lap straps to sit completely within the iliac crest (outer edge) of the pelvis, as close to the upper thighs as possible.
⚠️ CRITICAL — Lap Strap Positioning
Proper positioning of the lap straps is key to preventing injury. The straps should never be positioned on the abdomen. They must always be on the pelvis to ensure forces are applied to hard points rather than soft tissue. Incorrect positioning can cause fatal abdominal injuries in an impact.
Figure 8: Correct lap strap positioning on pelvis/iliac crest — NOT on abdomen
- Pull-up style adjusters: Adjust by the 3-bar slide to allow the adjuster to sit either within the seat structure or outside the seat. The most comfortable option is usually outside the seat. Adjusters must not be positioned within the openings in the seat.
- Pull-down adjusters: Adjuster is integrated into the tongue — adjust to ensure the red strap adjustment tabs are within easy reach of the driver.
- Shoulder straps: Adjust to be as short as possible to the mounting points. Ensure adjusters are in the correct position when using a frontal head restraint (FHR/HANS device). See FIA guidelines for allowable adjuster positioning with an FHR.
⚠️ WARNING — Harness Without FHR (Becketts 3 Inch ONLY)
For harnesses used without an FHR, the adjusters must NOT be placed at collar bone level. They MUST be fitted lower on the chest.
It is highly recommended to adjust lap straps before shoulder straps when first getting into the car. If using a frontal head restraint, have a mechanic or pit crew member tighten the shoulder straps where possible.
Adjuster Types
Figure 9: HRR harness adjuster types — zip, lift handle, and tilt adjuster variants
| Part Number | Type | How to Adjust |
|---|---|---|
| 301-003-004 | Zip Adjuster — 2 inch | Lift the handle (or use the HRR pull tab) and pull up and towards the buckle. |
| 301-003-005 | Lift Handle Adjuster — 2 inch | Lift the handle (or use the HRR pull tab) and pull up and away from the buckle. |
| 301-003-009 | Tilt Adjuster — 2 inch | Lift adjuster perpendicular to the strap and pull away from the buckle. |
| 301-003-010 | Tilt Adjuster — 3 inch | Lift adjuster perpendicular to the strap and pull away from the buckle. |
Section 6 — Maintenance
- Clean straps using a sponge and warm soapy water only. Under no circumstances must solvents of any kind be used.
- Allow straps to air dry only. Do not apply heat to reduce drying time.
- Inspect straps regularly for fraying or abrasion. Replace immediately if any signs are apparent.
⚠️ CRITICAL — Replace After Any Impact
In the event of any impact the complete harness MUST be replaced immediately. An impact can cause extension of the webbing that results in decreased performance and potential failure in a subsequent impact. Do not reuse a harness that has been involved in an impact under any circumstances.
- If any metallic components show signs of damage, replace the complete harness.
- Attachments MUST NEVER have their hole sizes increased or be altered in any way. Alteration will cause premature failure in an impact, potentially causing serious injury or death.
- When replacing a harness, replace all fasteners including eyebolts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What FIA standard do racing harnesses need to meet in New Zealand and Australia?
Motorsport New Zealand (MSNZ) and Motorsport Australia (CAMS) both require harnesses to meet FIA 8853-2016 for most categories. Always check your specific series regulations as requirements vary by category and can be updated each season. Harris Race Radios stocks only FIA 8853-2016 homologated harnesses.
How tight should a racing harness be?
The harness should be as tight as comfortably possible. Lap straps must sit on the pelvis (iliac crest), not the abdomen. Shoulder straps should be as short as possible to the mounting points. A loose harness significantly reduces protection in an impact.
Can I use factory seatbelt mounting points for a racing harness?
Yes — where factory anchorage points allow the correct harness geometry, they are the preferred option. If factory points do not allow correct geometry, new anchorage points must be fabricated to comply with FIA Appendix J Article 253.
Do I need a HANS device with a racing harness?
Most MSNZ and Motorsport Australia categories that require a racing harness also require a frontal head restraint (FHR/HANS device). Check your series regulations. See our HANS & FHR Devices range.
When must a racing harness be replaced?
Immediately after any impact, regardless of how minor it appears. Also replace if any webbing shows fraying or abrasion, if any metallic components are damaged, or when the FIA homologation expiry date is reached. Always replace all fasteners when replacing a harness.
Can Harris Race Radios install a racing harness?
Yes — our qualified race engineers can advise on and assist with harness installation. Contact us for installation enquiries.
Related Resources
- Shop Racing Harnesses — FIA 8853-2016 homologated harnesses for NZ & AU motorsport
- HANS & FHR Devices — required for use with most racing harnesses in NZ & AU competition
- Racing Seats & Brackets — FIA-approved seats with correct harness routing holes
- CAMS / Motorsport Australia Approved Equipment
- Contact Harris Race Radios — installation advice from qualified race engineers
Guide prepared by Aaron Harris (MSNZ licence examiner, helmets and racewear) and Rex Harris (MSNZ-certified examiner), Harris Race Radios. Based on FIA Technical Bulletin 050 Rev1 07/09/2020, reviewed and updated June 2026. Harris Race Radios operates a policy of continual improvement and reserves the right to update this guide in line with FIA regulation changes. All technical specifications — torque figures, geometry requirements, and fixing standards — are reproduced from the original FIA-referenced document.