Re: Racing seat question

would a seat like this work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonic-Motor-P2- … mp;vxp=mtr

27 (edited by jimmy.shearer 2014-09-23 05:06 PM)

Re: Racing seat question

camopaint0707 wrote:

would a seat like this work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonic-Motor-P2- … mp;vxp=mtr

It says on Sonic Motor's website that it is Fiber Reinforced plastic, that being said however, I would go with a trusted brand that has FIA certification. There are several options out there that are very close in price to the the Sonic Motor seat, and once you buy it you own it, whether it passes tech or not. Also, "unknown" products tend to get a bit more scrutiny from tech inspectors and last but not least, what is your personal safety and that of your drivers worth at the end of the day. As a side note, I don't really like the "slant" that exists on the shoulder harness cutouts, it seems to be designed to allow a pillar mounted belt to pass through easily and without rubbing like you might have in your street car. In a proper 5 point racing harness the shoulder belts will be fastened to the horizontal crossbar on your roll cage and will want to come through the seat fairly "flat."

http://www.sonicmotor.com/_sonic_motor_ … 71697.aspx

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Re: Racing seat question

i was trying to save a few bucks and not drop $500 plus on a seat

Re: Racing seat question

camopaint0707 wrote:

i was trying to save a few bucks and not drop $500 plus on a seat

Well, there is the Kirkey intermediate road race (http://www.jegs.com/i/Kirkey/570/47500/ … tId=760654)...we even run the intermediate circle track with only a complaint from our bean-pole drive...and then only after a stint.  There is another company that makes almost identical seats but I forget their name,,,,give or take about $50 less with cover..

Many complain about how comfortable the seat is...but they are either odd shaped or princesses.  That being said, those that claim it is not as safe as a full containment seat are accurate.  You choose your personal risk comfort level.

30 (edited by BoB 2014-09-23 05:57 PM)

Re: Racing seat question

Which of the kirkleys need the additional supports built in?  I know there were a number that need some additional bracing to pass tech, just can't recall.  I run a Corbeau FX1 which is Hella Comfy, because we are all princesses on my team.:)

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Re: Racing seat question

It says on Sonic Motor's website that it is Fiber Reinforced plastic...

Here's the appropriate section from the Lemons "rulebook" :

3.F.1 Driver’s Seat
Molded plastic seats of ABS or similar material are not allowed.

I think this would count as 'similar material'...As others have said,once you buy it ,you own it,whether it passes tech or not.....

Hope this helps
Mike

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Re: Racing seat question

BigBird wrote:

It says on Sonic Motor's website that it is Fiber Reinforced plastic...

Here's the appropriate section from the Lemons "rulebook" :

3.F.1 Driver’s Seat
Molded plastic seats of ABS or similar material are not allowed.

I think this would count as 'similar material'...As others have said,once you buy it ,you own it,whether it passes tech or not.....

Hope this helps
Mike

I read, and re-read that part of the rules before posting Mike and wondered the same thing about our Sparco seat(what material is it actually made of?). In any case, the FIA sticker on the side and Sparco's stellar reputation gives me confidence in our seat and the safety it provides. I'm just gonna say it again here, if it is the difference between spending $300 vs. $400 for your seat, spend the extra hundo. It would be a complete disaster to turn up at the track with a nonconforming seat after spending all of the incredible time and money prepping your car for the race in addition to the race entry fees and get denied access to the track because you elected to spend $100 less on your seat.

Butt Sweat & Beers.

Re: Racing seat question

We liked the corbeau enough that we are ordering a second for another build we are working on.  The slider is optiinal, but I like it with no issues after it was installed.  It did take a minute to make sure it was aligned properly.  The do sell multiple height brackets for various applications and many predesigned for common "tuner" type cars.  Plus you can't beat sub $250.  You can pay $50 more for the same seat to have an fia rating but Lemons doesn't require it.

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Re: Racing seat question

camopaint0707 wrote:

would a seat like this work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonic-Motor-P2- … mp;vxp=mtr


The shoulder slots are too narrow.

With different height drivers the belts aren't going to be at the right angle for all drivers. Too shallow an angle the belts will be loose in a crash, too steep an angle and you get spinal compression.

You can try different thickness bottom cushions to keep shoulder height the same but that causes other problems

here is a budget seat that has tall slots

https://www.getnrg.com/products/interi … ts/frp-311

https://www.getnrg.com/files/node_images/FRP311-SIDE.jpg

35 (edited by OnkelUdo 2014-09-24 04:15 AM)

Re: Racing seat question

BoB wrote:

Which of the kirkleys need the additional supports built in?  I know there were a number that need some additional bracing to pass tech, just can't recall.  I run a Corbeau FX1 which is Hella Comfy, because we are all princesses on my team.:)

I can't claim to know all of them that don't or do pass but...

The intermediate Road Race does not require reinforcement.
Most with one shoulder slot will not pass (like my Intermediate Circle Track which passes anyway) but that is not a hard and fast rule.

I will be sure to slap a pea under the cover of your seat at Gingerman to increase our odds of STAYING in front you.

Re: Racing seat question

OnkelUdo wrote:

I will be sure to slap a pea under the cover of your seat at Gingerman to increase our odds of STAYING in front you.

I don't think BoB and his princesses will be at Gingerman. Too cold for them........

Newest member - White Trash Racing
Owner of the Traveling Hat

37

Re: Racing seat question

I'll be there in the EXP but the other princesses no.

As for a pea in the seat, not sure that would be a good idea.  It would annoy us which would make us more aggressive.  If we are comfortable enough we forget we are racing.  Why we had to take the air conditioning out of the car.  Driving at a nice 75 degrees in the middle of summer in a comfy seat with nice soft suspension, we were out for a leisurely cruise not to race.

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38 (edited by OnkelUdo 2014-09-24 09:18 AM)

Re: Racing seat question

BoB wrote:

Driving at a nice 75 degrees in the middle of summer in a comfy seat with nice soft suspension, we were out for a leisurely cruise not to race.

Then may I offer you a nice mister fan for the next summer race to install in the Olds for your comfort.

Re: Racing seat question

BigBird wrote:

It says on Sonic Motor's website that it is Fiber Reinforced plastic...

Here's the appropriate section from the Lemons "rulebook" :

3.F.1 Driver’s Seat
Molded plastic seats of ABS or similar material are not allowed.

I think this would count as 'similar material'...As others have said,once you buy it ,you own it,whether it passes tech or not.....

Hope this helps
Mike

"Fiber reinforced plastic" covers fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.  It is in no way similar to ABS, except that plastic molecules are involved.

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Re: Racing seat question

The plastic they make radiator end tanks out of is fiber-reinforced nylon. You can also have glass-impregnated ABS.

That said, fiber-impregnated ABS is way better than whatever the 39.99 Summit Racing dune buggy seats are made of.

K Car Stalker

Re: Racing seat question

OnkelUdo wrote:
camopaint0707 wrote:

i was trying to save a few bucks and not drop $500 plus on a seat

Well, there is the Kirkey intermediate road race (http://www.jegs.com/i/Kirkey/570/47500/ … tId=760654)...we even run the intermediate circle track with only a complaint from our bean-pole drive...and then only after a stint.  There is another company that makes almost identical seats but I forget their name,,,,give or take about $50 less with cover..

Many complain about how comfortable the seat is...but they are either odd shaped or princesses.  That being said, those that claim it is not as safe as a full containment seat are accurate.  You choose your personal risk comfort level.

The seat like Kirkey but cheaper = Ultrashield

http://www.ultrashieldrace.com/

Nick
Focke Ewe racing -> Muttonheads! Racing -> Torque Junkies
86ish VW GTI...now with TDI Powah!

42 (edited by ninjacoco 2014-09-25 09:35 AM)

Re: Racing seat question

I think the Ultrashields may be made/finished a little nicer than the Kirkeys.

I thought the padding was adequate in the Kirkey we had, but I'm not a huge princess of the buttocks.

TBH, I think the extra impact testing the FIA seats go through makes them a little safer, too.

We had a Kirkey in the original 944, mounted in the stock holes and braced to the harness bar of the cage. It bent with the car when we got t-boned. Floorpan and bottom of seat went one way, cage and top of seat stayed put. If you're going to go the metal seat route, please please please consider tying in the seat mounts to the roll cage itself so that it all moves as one piece in a worst-case-scenario accident.

43

Re: Racing seat question

ninjacoco wrote:

We had a Kirkey in the original 944, mounted in the stock holes and braced to the harness bar of the cage. It bent with the car when we got t-boned. Floorpan and bottom of seat went one way, cage and top of seat stayed put. If you're going to go the metal seat route, please please please consider tying in the seat mounts to the roll cage itself so that it all moves as one piece in a worst-case-scenario accident.

I think no matter what your seat is you should either tie it all the way to the cage or not at all.  In a bad crash the cage and floor will shift, you are better off staying with one or the other not being the link between the two.  Also you should tie your belts to whatever the seat is so the belts don't shift.

All of mine are tied to the cage, but I know that isn't practical for all cars especially if you need to move the seat.

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Re: Racing seat question

meyers0150 wrote:

We use this Corbeau.  Passes inspection and the least expensive I could find.  Also I've had no comfort complaints from drivers.  FYI- while the seats do not expire the harness does, I believe 5 years for Lemons but 2 years in NJ.

http://www.racing-seats-usa.com/29101.html

Just want to throw in Re: harnesses, NJ does accept FIA rated harnesses for 5 years.  That said our FIA rated harness cost $100 more than the standard SFI rated one.

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Re: Racing seat question

Just for sake of learning... Are these legal?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4693363987.html

Doing a lot of reading and learning... Going to go watch Sonoma Raceway in December. I'm sure a lot of it will come together seeing it in person...

Re: Racing seat question

No.   They are only 4 point and the shoulder points look too close

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Re: Racing seat question

RogueLeader wrote:

Just want to throw in Re: harnesses, NJ does accept FIA rated harnesses for 5 years.  That said our FIA rated harness cost $100 more than the standard SFI rated one.


You have that slightly backwards. They don't accept SFI only for 5 years, I think it's 3. FIA belts get the full 5.

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Re: Racing seat question

ThomasCee wrote:

Just for sake of learning... Are these legal?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4693363987.html

Doing a lot of reading and learning... Going to go watch Sonoma Raceway in December. I'm sure a lot of it will come together seeing it in person...

I think those are ABS plastic seats under the cushions.. I would definitely not trust them in a race car.  Even if they passed tech - which I doubt they would.

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Re: Racing seat question

ThomasCee wrote:

Just for sake of learning... Are these legal?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4693363987.html

Doing a lot of reading and learning... Going to go watch Sonoma Raceway in December. I'm sure a lot of it will come together seeing it in person...


Not even close.  Totally unsafe.

Gosh, my business card says 'Tech Tyrant'

Re: Racing seat question

Seat, seat mounting, seat back brace
Seat belts
Roll Cage
Helmet
Neck brace
fire gear
Kill switch
Good gas tank and gas lines


All of these things are going to allow your car to be in a bad crash and for you to survive with minimal damage. Minimal, like in you can walk or crawl away from the burning wreckage and your few broken items will heal in a few weeks. Minimal like you don't have a broken back and can't walk and can't work and can't provide for your family.

Don't be too cheap. Shop for a good seat. There are good used fixed seats on Craigslist. Shop for ones with FIA labels and know what a real one looks like. Or pony up the $500 for a new one from a reputable shop. And get a well designed back brace with spreader plate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcCCBG0iOjs
Watch the big 528 on the left pirouette 6 times before stopping. Driver walked away with bruises from the seat belts

Watch the Cavalier, turn left and slam the wall and flip onto its roof. Driver broke a vertebrae in his neck from being too close to the roof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2QTjjheyGE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h01Enj8zHTY

Watch this Chump Car  Mustang hit one wall and then the oposite side Armco. Watch the drivers head!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Buq5QE7nYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h01Enj8zHTY

Watch this stalled camaro get rear ended by SAturn. The Camaro rear bumper pushed the upper halo bar back about 8", very close to hitting the drivers face.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX0kZGQJmnA

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