Learn me: window nets for track cars

As the Wu Tang Financial Ford Probe of Team Cold Lotion™ is evolving into a somewhat legit track rat, we are adding in some safety gear this off season. Mainly, a roll cage. With that, we need a window net to run many of the events we want to run.

I’ve never played with a caged car before, so what all do I need to start out? Are there any net styles or mounting styles that are better than others? From some googling there seems to be a ton of different options and I’m not sure where to start. 

Also, anything I need to know about the inside net for the right side of the driver?

Thanks in advance. 

I use the sliding bar style that Bimmerworld sells. It's cheap and effective:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Window-Net-Mounting-Kit.html

Personally, I feel more comfortable with the "gross motor skills" approach to safety gear: just grab the tab and yank back to release. I don't want to be fishing around for push-buttons and stuff when my hair is on fire.

Put a Heim joint on the b pillar so you do not need to fiddle with it when you are strapped in. Most of the ones I see you have to push the top rod into a hole that you cannot see from your seat. 

Install it in a way that allows you a clear view of your mirror still. 

A seatbelt buckle welded to the top rod works well for closing it, with the female end welded or bolted to the cage. Or, a cam lock from an old harness.

This is the alternative: https://store.windingroad.com/g-force-window-net-mounting-kit---button-style-p1139.aspx

Seems too fussy to me.

I agree with LanEvo, make it easy to release when flailing with no visibility, like in a fire, much better than having to find a little button in a panic. Here is what we use when we have to run a net, it is easy to grab the latch and link lever by feel in gloves

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Latch-Style-Window-Net-Install-Kit-24-Inches-Steel,3465.html

I much prefer the mesh style net as it doesn’t restrict visibility nearly as much as the strap style, which really gets in the way.  

If a choice, just use arm restraints and a containment seat, gives protection for everything except stuff coming in the window but makes it much easier to get out if you are on fire. 

I’ve raced with both arm restraints and window nets and find the arm restraints much less intrusive. But some series require window nets. 

The window net has to open down so that the workers can get to you.  It also helps if the release button is easy to see.  I like black nets and red seat belt clips at the top.  On the bottom I do something different.  I use a metal rod several inches longer than the net openings on each side.  Right at the edge of the net I weld on a large washer so the rod won't slide out of the net.  Then weld on a spring thats long enough to go to the end or slightly past the end of the rod.  On the cage I weld in tabs to locate the rod with holes that are slightly larger than the net.  To get the rod into the tabs, you need to push the springed end in and compress the spring enough to get the end without the spring into its hole.  Once you let go, the spring pushes it into place and the only way it comes out is if you compress the spring again.  Works great and it allows me to completely remove the net in the pits or store it away.  I do something similar on my door release pins.  To pull the pins up and out of the retaining tabs on the cage, you have to pull the pin which has a woven strap on it up to compress the spring keeping the pin in the holder on the cage.

Thanks for the responses, gents. 

It sounds like the spring bar is the preferred mounting method. I also like the sound of a mesh net versus the typical strap style net. These should fit the bill, correct?

https://store.windingroad.com/racequip-window-net-mounting-kit---spring-loaded-pin-p1140.aspx

https://store.windingroad.com/mobile/g-force-mesh-window-net---sfi-p1998.aspx

Now, the right side net. I can’t really find any good info on how they mount or where they should be positioned in relation to the driver. It’s pretty obvious the back side will attach to the cage, but I’m just assuming that the front attaches to the dash bar of the cage. What say ye?

The center net can attach to the dash bar, as long it’s high enough. Some dash bars are so low that the center net interferes with your right hand when shifting. In that case, you’ll need to install a mount higher up on the dash or firewall.