Mark Ahlin

ARDS Performance Driving Instructor

I bought it just before I went on a trip to the Nurburgring. A great opportunity I thought of a 1000mile test, over many different roads, and on a long journey. Plus the added advantage of testing it under extreme or track day conditions out on the infamous Nordschleife circuit.

The CG-Lock basically fixes the lap portion of your normal everyday seat belt, and it secures your lower half from the waist down into your seat, and depending on the tension you want it stops your body from moving, at all. The upper half of your body and the shoulder part of the belt is still free so you can lean forward and move to get to controls in the cabin.

Why is this good? Well, with your hips, or bum stuck, wedged, and restrained in your seat, your centre of gravity is stopped from moving, thus enabling your legs to be free to assist you in the process of driving.Mark Ahlin ARDS Performance Driving Instructor

Why is this good? Well, with your hips, or bum stuck, wedged, and restrained in your seat, your centre of gravity is stopped from moving, thus enabling your legs to be free to assist you in the process of driving. There is no more having to wedge your body into your seat with your left foot up on the clutch rest, that has the effect of contorting your whole body, which in turn makes braking and smooth throttle control difficult. Especially as you have to continually re-adjust your posture while driving spiritedly, or after a quick stop. The CG-Lock eliminates any need to do this.

Go out and test yourself, I bet you didn’t realise that you move around so much in your seat.

Another advantage of the lock is your lower back is set up against the bolster in the seat and in the correct position to aid your comfort, and reduce back stress, especially on long journeys. I wish I had such a thing on my desk chair because as I type this I can feel myself slipping down, which is arching my back, and causing me to slouch. Just like I do in the car, and in the car I am a real fidget.

So whats it like on long journeys, well, with a little tension very good, as discussed above you do not move around, making comfort greater and you more relaxed, you also feel more at one with your car. The only downside that may affect some people is that you do find the need to go for a toilet stop earlier, if its to tight. But a quick release of some of the pressure on the grip lever and your fine. After all in an Evo you generally need a petrol station after every couple of hours any way, so loo stops are not a problem.

On track, or in this case the Nurburgring, which is quite simply the most awesome rollercoaster around that ‘you’ have control of, you need to be strapped in, and tight!! Well the Lock is brilliant!! Pulling the belt nice and tight before you set off, really pulls you back into your seat, and leaves you full control of your legs and arms where you are able to make quicker and more precise reactions as these important extremities are now lighter and free on the controls, and importantly not bracing you. You really do become more at one with the vehicle improving its feel, your confidence and thus making you drive better! It takes seconds off your lap times. And when braking from speeds of 160mph down to 100mph for fast left handers, or 120mph in 5th heal & toeing down to 3rd and braking as hard as the car can to avoid hitting a wall going into Adenau you need all the control you can get. And with this CG-Lock your feet really can dance freely on the pedals like Gene Kelly tapped his way through the rain.

The only downsides to the lock that I have experienced is that you need to carefully unclip the seatbelt and assist the belt back to its resting place on the B pillar as letting it go as you would normally do with the belt will result in damage of the interior trim as it does not have a rubber surround. And that it could be lighter.

So in conclusion I think in my humble opinion that the CG-Lock is a great device, its quick and easy to use, and a great compromise over the only other option of fitting a full four point race belt set up, which makes getting in and out a chore and limits the rear access for passengers. It’s a must buy!!".