One of the things I've learned over many years of participating in HPDE's is that so much of your energy can go into simply remaining stationary in the car. I've finished weekends with huge bruises on the lateral aspects of my knees from bracing myself on the transmission tunnel and driver's door area.
So my questions: What is the best way to remain motionless in the car, so that you can concentrate on driving, and not falling out of the car?
Is there a good way using the stock seat to install a four point restraint system, and does that require installation of a 'bar' behind the seats using the stock shoulder seat belt installation points?
Best aftermarket 'racing seat', seat belt combination that does not require any 'modifications' to the interior?
Any pointers appreciated,
Bish
The cheapest way to hold yourself in place, is to use the stock seats, a harness bar (bolts behind the seats) and either 5 or 6 point belts. This is a good entry level system that will meet your basic objectives. Good Luck
Another way is to work out an lose weight (if applicable). If you're lighter, itll be easier to hold yourself in place. And if youre stronger not only do you get farther with the ladies but you can use your new found strength to hold your butt in the seat.
Another way is to work out an lose weight (if applicable). If you're lighter, itll be easier to hold yourself in place. And if youre stronger not only do you get farther with the ladies but you can use your new found strength to hold your butt in the seat.
Bryan
Bryan,
Thanks for the thought but I'm only 173 lbs and tall enough to carry it well. Not an option for me, but perhaps for others! LOL
Bish
just buy a track seat. you can get a forza for the 200 range, plus harness. it makes all the difference in the world.
Freefall,
Does the Forza bolt in easily without modification of the seat runners, etc? Lastly, does it work in conjuntion with the above referenced harness bar?
TIA,
Bish
Do a search for Hardbar seat mount on this site, then talk to Gary at Hardbar. I installed a Sparco Roadster seat this weekend, using the Hardbar seat mount. I also installed Gary's harness bar. I'm going to be running these components with a TeamTech harness.
I haven't driven with the harness yet (that's next weekend), but the seat alone makes a tremendous difference. The car is so much more controllable when your sitting stationary. Also, the seat can seat quite low in the car, and the padding on the bottom is very thin. The result is that your butt really connects with what's going on at the wheels. It really is a night and day difference.
The hardbar is the best mount I've seen. I actually use the forza for the passenger's seat and a sparco pro2k for the drivers. For the forza, I just got the seat bracket directly from corbeau and it fit without issues. With a harness you have to find some method to attach the lap and sub belts - the hardbar bracket makes everything easy as it all attaches to it.
If cheap is the word of the day, put some drawer liner on your stock seat before you get in. That will prevent you from sliding around, but is not as good as a race seat.
If you run hard there is no way a stock seat holds you with any combination of belts period. I carried extra dead pedals to the races. OK I'm 6' & 215-220 at times but a seat holds you. You need a deep seat also like a Kirkey Deluxe which is not street friendly because it does what is intended hold you from moving laterally. You buy them to fit your butt 16"-19". Even with that upper body support becomes the next thing you find. Good seats are like HP they add speed. You drive in control and relaxed. I find as a session passes some cars that were fast in the beginning fade. I think the drivers fatigue are to blame and some have even told me that. You will be better with some seats over stock as the belts will route better and tighter but a real race seat is tight and confining. You will also need to mod the car for an install. I'll give up 30 HP for a seat!
my ass is narrow and its kinda unsettling to be slip sliding back and forth while holding on to the only thing that keeps you pointed in the right direction.(steering wheel) i can usually prop myself with left foot but dont like that either. if i do the seatbelt trick it helps but is only a bandaid till i get some better seats that fit people who are not overweight...
If you run hard there is no way a stock seat holds you with any combination of belts period. I carried extra dead pedals to the races. OK I'm 6' & 215-220 at times but a seat holds you. You need a deep seat also like a Kirkey Deluxe which is not street friendly because it does what is intended hold you from moving laterally. You buy them to fit your butt 16"-19". Even with that upper body support becomes the next thing you find. Good seats are like HP they add speed. You drive in control and relaxed. I find as a session passes some cars that were fast in the beginning fade. I think the drivers fatigue are to blame and some have even told me that. You will be better with some seats over stock as the belts will route better and tighter but a real race seat is tight and confining. You will also need to mod the car for an install. I'll give up 30 HP for a seat!
I agree 100%. I'm 6'2" and 190, and I run SCCA SuperStock autocross, so the seat change is not an option for me. I did finally put in a harness bar and 5-point belts. It's definitely better, but still nowhere near good. I still use both knees to hold me in place laterally. It's not so bad with street tires on, but with race tires, only a race seat can really fix the issue.
dead pedals are 12 bucks each. See how lost you are at an event without it Spare is good to have. Even with my Kirkey the dead pedal is still nice. Doubt I will brake it with the race seat. I still pack to every event it is light.
Bish,
After my first DE in the car I bought a Cobra Suzuka kevlar racing seat, pulled the stock seat out and hooked the Cobra seat to the stock motor mount assembly with a couple pieces of flat steel barstock. Not ideal, but it worked. That was over four years ago. Now there are several bolt in race seats available that are relatively inexpensive. I bought a Corbeau Forza on their seat rails. Four nuts to pull the stock seat out in its entirety and four nuts to pop in the Forza. 15 minute job max. You'll need a belt though...
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Spare is good to have. Even with my Kirkey the dead pedal is still nice. Doubt I will brake it with the race seat. I still pack to every event it is light.
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