Gear Spotlight: Safecraft Restraint Systems Center Head Net

Driver Gear, Reviews I By Winding Road Staff I September 24, 2014
If there’s one aspect of your racing equipment where you should never consider cutting corners, it’s your safety gear. Center nets are designed to prevent ejection from the vehicle in the event of a crash or rollover, and some sanctioning organizations require a window net system for competition. Today we’ll be checking out the Safecraft Restraint Systems Center Head Net system, which is offered in Kevlar and polyester material options, and includes some unique design elements that warrant a closer look.
 
What is it?
 
The Safecraft Restraint Systems Center Head Net is a containment system that is installed onto points on the roll cage and typically runs from the back of the right side of the driver’s seat to the dash bar section of the roll cage.
 
 
Safecraft’s approach to center net design is particularly notable, with an easy installation procedure and a sophisticated yet simple-to-use ratchet-latch tensioner that makes adjustment faster and much less of a hassle. The Safecraft system also features a release pin which has a convenient grab strap that allows the two pieces of the net to quickly and easily come apart when needed.
 
Why would I want it?
 
Center nets bolster protection from side impact injuries, adds head restraint protection to a non-head restraint seat, and offers additional containment to a racing seat. Moreover, some sanctioning bodies like Tudor, BMWCCA and others require the use of center nets for competition.
 
Made by racers for racers, Safecraft’s products feature some of the best quality money can buy and are built to address the issues that can arise when using systems with more conventional designs. Hassles with installation, usability and durability are typically amplified in a race environment, and using first-hand experience to help guide their research and development, Safecraft offers a center net system which makes the whole operation noticeably easier versus the systems on offer from other manufacturers.
 
 
The ratchet tensioner is incredibly simple to use — instead of having to manually pull on a strap to get the net taut, you simply pump the ratchet lever up and down until the net is properly tensioned. The Safecraft system also utilizes a very secure metal construction – once it’s latched, it’s in there for good. Release is even simpler – just pull the large release, which has a convenient grab strap, and the two pieces of the net come apart.
 
 
Which one do I want?
 
The Safecraft Restraint Systems Center Head Net system is offered in Kevlar or polyester material – which one you need is based largely on the requirements of your sanctioning body. For instance, Tudor and BMWCCA require the 37.1 SFI certification of the Kevlar net, and while SCCA Pro Racing requires a net, no certification is required, so a polyester net will suffice in that situation. NASA also requires the use of a center net if a non-head restraint seat is in place, but they too require no specific certification.
 
While the polyester net is less expensive, it’s worth keeping in mind that it may not satisfy certain sanctioning body’s requirements. When in doubt, it really is best to go with the Kevlar net. Also be aware that Kevlar nets carry a date certification on them and may need to be replaced after a certain amount of time, depending on the rules of your sanctioning body.
 
What is included?
 
The Safecraft Restraint Systems Center Head Net system includes the net itself and ratcheting hardware.
 
Where can I get it?
 
You can find both the Kevlar and polyester versions of the Safecraft Restraint Systems Center Head Net system in the Winding Road Racing store. See all the safety harnesses and restraints available from Winding Road Racing. 

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