• Registered: 2011-06-17
  • Posts: 109

Topic: Pading for Kirkey race seat

I have a Kirkey 71 seat with the Kirkey seat cover, but I could use a bit more seat padding. Can I just throw in some memory foam, or does it need to meet some SFI spec?

https://www.amazon.com/Upholstery-Recom … 07K7TDGL8/

Any suggestions?

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  • -SDR-
  • Ripened Lemon
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  • From: CT
  • Registered: 2015-10-06
  • Posts: 282

Re: Pading for Kirkey race seat

Looking at the factory Kirkey seat padding, I doubt its fire resistant.


Bill

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  • Troy
  • Troy
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  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
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Re: Pading for Kirkey race seat

Fire retardant is better. I've seen pads both ways and don't think our OE foam or cover is fire retardant as SDR said.

One of our team members has made several lumbar pads out of stacked foam like 1/2-1" yoga mats or something. Serious comfort improvement.

Troy

#35 LRE
1973 Datsun 240Z
  • Registered: 2018-02-04
  • Posts: 308

Re: Pading for Kirkey race seat

We have made cushions out of memory foam with two layers of Nomex covering. Bought a couple of military surplus flight suits cheap online, cut and sewed.  Not SFI specs, but a lot safer than straight foam (imho) and was quick and easy.

  • From: Seacoast NH
  • Registered: 2013-01-01
  • Posts: 472

Re: Pading for Kirkey race seat

"Should" be fire retardant.  With that said I see many teams using what appears to be very flammable cushions to fit different driver sizes.  I also have added flammable memory foam as it makes seat much more comfortable as long as it's not on fire.

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  • Scout
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  • Registered: 2015-11-03
  • Posts: 21

Re: Pading for Kirkey race seat

First and foremost, meet the intent of the rules. This being Lemons, they can take their ball and make you go home if they want.

Having performed flammability testing on a lot of materials for my job, I will never tell someone not to worry about flammable materials in a safety critical environment. Having said that, I wouldn't worry about any padding in the seat pan or lumbar area. There is no ignition source if my butt is in the seat covering it, and I don't care what happens to it once I exit the car.

I would worry most about the cover. If it won't burn, it will take quite a while for any padding underneath to ignite. Then I'd worry about the padding in the bolsters where there's only the cover between any fire and the padding. Crap under my butt will never get hot enough to ignite as long as my butt's in the way. (Although I may reconsider how hot the seat padding is when I'm on the track wearing my padded quilt of a racing suit.)

  • Registered: 2011-06-17
  • Posts: 109

Re: Pading for Kirkey race seat

Troy wrote:

...One of our team members has made several lumbar pads out of stacked foam like 1/2-1" yoga mats or something. Serious comfort improvement.

Great idea on the yoga mat, made all the difference.

EPA Racing - #40 Supercharged Dodge Caliber