Ultimate Guide: Can You Swap Crotch Straps Between FIA 5/6-Point Harness Brands?
Caterham and Westfield owners know how unique their cars are. These lightweight, driver-focused machines are built for performance and engagement, whether that’s tearing up the track or enjoying a Sunday blast through the countryside. But to fully enjoy the driving experience, it’s essential to have the right seatbelt system in place. This is where vehicle-specific harness belts designed just for Caterham and Westfield chassis come into play.
Despite their similarities, compact, rear-wheel-drive kit cars with minimalist interiors, Caterham and Westfield chassis often differ in mounting setups and bracket placements. What both cars have in common, however, is an extremely tight cabin and minimal distance between the driver and the harness bar behind the seats. That means a standard motorsport harness often won’t work without modification. Instead, you need a setup specifically made for these platforms, one that takes the tight dimensions and unique mounting geometry into account.
Why You Need Caterham and Westfield Specific Harness Belts
Standard racing harnesses are typically designed for larger vehicles with more space between the driver’s shoulders and the harness mounting points. In Caterhams and Westfields, that extra webbing can create excess slack and bulk, leading to an untidy, uncomfortable, and potentially unsafe installation. These cars require shorter harness lengths, so the belts are snug, supportive, and don’t leave you with metres of rolled-up webbing stuffed behind the seat.
Harnesses designed for these cars often have reduced webbing lengths and mounting points placed at optimal positions for their respective chassis. This ensures proper belt angle, improved driver safety, and a much cleaner install. It also eliminates the need to modify or adapt belts that were never designed to work in a Caterham or Westfield in the first place.
Caterham and Westfield Install Mechanisms Explained
The way a harness installs into a Caterham or Westfield can vary depending on the model and trim level. Most commonly, these belts attach directly to the chassis or the roll bar mounting points using eye bolts or bolt-in fittings. Some harnesses use clip-in attachments for quicker removal, while others are designed to be permanently fixed. Most of our Caterham and Westfield-specific belts come ready to mount with the correct-length hardware and loops for these setups. In contrast, a universal belt might not provide the correct angles or lengths, which is why these dedicated harnesses are worth the investment.
We also found a really useful YouTube video guide that walks through installing harnesses in a Caterham. It clearly shows the belt routing, attachment points, and common tools you’ll need. For anyone unsure about how their harnesses should be mounted or who wants to double-check their setup, this is an excellent visual resource. It’s particularly valuable because it highlights the limited space in the cockpit and shows practical tips for working around the tight fitment that’s typical in both Caterham and Westfield cars.
Brands That Build for Caterham and Westfield
At GSM Performance, we work with the best in the business when it comes to harness belts. That includes TRS, Luke, Willans, Schroth, and Sabelt, all trusted names in the motorsport world. These brands offer harnesses tailored specifically to the Caterham and Westfield platform, ensuring a high-quality fit with no guesswork involved.
From entry-level belts for road and occasional track use to FIA-approved harnesses for serious motorsport, we stock a wide range of options to suit every driver and every car setup.
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Willans Westfield Harnesses (2)
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Willans Caterham Harnesses (6)
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TRS Westfield Harnesses (2)
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TRS Caterham Harnesses (3)
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Schroth Westfield Racing Harnesses (1)
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Schroth Caterham Racing Harnesses (2)
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Sabelt Westfield Harnesses (1)
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Sabelt Caterham / Westfield Harnesses (5)
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Luke 4 Point Westfield Harnesses (3)
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Luke 4 Point Caterham Harnesses (3)
Westfield Road and Track Harness Belts (Non-FIA)
If you’re building a road-going or casual track-use Westfield, our non-FIA harness options are the perfect balance of safety, comfort, and affordability. While these harnesses don’t carry FIA approval for competitive motorsport events, they are still manufactured to extremely high standards using durable webbing and robust fittings. This means they provide excellent restraint and driver stability, making them ideal for spirited road driving or occasional track days where FIA homologation isn’t required.
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Caterham Road and Track Harness Belts (Non-FIA)
Much like the Westfield belts, our Caterham-specific harnesses are designed for direct fitment in Caterham cars while keeping costs down by skipping the added expense of FIA homologation. These belts are ideal for drivers who mainly use their Caterham on the road or for casual track days where FIA certification is not required. They still deliver the security, support, and correct fitment you need, but without the premium pricing of full competition-spec harnesses.
For everyday Caterham drivers, these harnesses strike the perfect balance between practicality, comfort, and safety, making them a great alternative for those who want a proper motorsport-style belt without needing FIA approval for competition use.
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Westfield FIA-Approved Harness Belts
If you’re heading into competitive motorsport, safety and compliance are non-negotiable. Our Westfield-specific FIA-approved harness belts are engineered to meet strict FIA regulations, ensuring they’re ready for everything from club-level racing to higher-tier events. These belts are tailored specifically for the Westfield cockpit, with shortened webbing lengths that prevent bunching and keep the installation neat and secure, even in such a compact space.
FIA-approved Westfield harnesses are built with high-quality materials, precise stitching, and secure hardware designed to withstand the stresses of motorsport. They provide firm restraint under heavy braking and cornering forces, keeping the driver firmly planted in the seat. The range includes options with either 2-inch or 3-inch shoulder straps, depending on your preference for comfort and harness device compatibility, along with a choice of 4-point configurations for track use. This ensures you can choose the harness that not only fits your Westfield perfectly but also matches your driving style and event requirements.
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Caterham FIA-Approved Harness Belts
For Caterham builds headed to the track, hillclimb, or competitive motorsport events, FIA-compliant harness belts are an essential upgrade. These belts are designed and tested to meet the rigorous FIA standards required for sanctioned motorsport, ensuring that both the materials and construction can withstand the extreme forces experienced in a crash. With webbing that is thicker and stronger than road-only harnesses, plus precision-engineered buckles and adjusters, these belts are built to perform under the toughest conditions.
Choosing an FIA-approved harness for your Caterham gives you the confidence that your restraint system is not only legal for motorsport but also provides the maximum level of safety possible. The shorter webbing lengths specific to Caterham models ensure a tidy installation without excess strap clutter, keeping the cockpit clean and making belt adjustment faster between sessions. Many of the options in our range are available in both 4-point and 6-point configurations, with either 2-inch or 3-inch straps, so you can select the perfect setup for your seating position, body type, and preferred level of restraint.
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Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Harness For Your Build
Choosing the right harness isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about tailoring the driving experience to you and your car. Caterham and Westfield chassis demand more compact, purpose-built harnesses, and our full range reflects exactly that.
Whether you’re putting together a road-going weekend warrior or a full FIA-spec racer, the right harness makes all the difference for both safety and comfort. Explore our dedicated Caterham and Westfield harness ranges to find the perfect setup for you, or contact us for assistance in choosing the right belt for your needs.