Aftermarket "racing" seat prices

[Massive Lee]

In regard of picking a seat, one of my main element of choice is the proven safety record during an accident. Shit never happens, until it does. Therefore, an FIA approval is the proof that the seat has been tested for impact, and integrity after impact. After all, safety equipment must be purchased for events that should not happen, but eventually will.

I'd only buy a seat with proven record. I had a Momo 1000 Lakes rally seat because it had a proven safety record. Same with the Sparco Evo that replaced it. And next will come the SPG. Good quality seats are more expensive to buy, but not only they are safer and more comfortable, but you can also resale them for more than half the initial purchase price when they get outdated. So, the cost of using a higher end seat is around $70-$80 per year. Quite cheap for improved looks and safety...

[bmwpower]

In regard of picking a seat, one of my main element of choice is the proven safety record during an accident. Shit never happens, until it does. Therefore, an FIA approval is the proof that the seat has been tested for impact, and integrity after impact. After all, safety equipment must be purchased for events that should not happen, but eventually will.

I'd only buy a seat with proven record. I had a Momo 1000 Lakes rally seat because it had a proven safety record. Same with the Sparco Evo that replaced it. And next will come the SPG. Good quality seats are more expensive to buy, but not only they are safer and more comfortable, but you can also resale them for more than half the initial purchase price when they get outdated. So, the cost of using a higher end seat is around $70-$80 per year. Quite cheap for improved looks and safety...

Thanks...

Where can I find the "proven safety record" of certain seats?

[Erick]

FIA Approval Stamp, which can be found usually on the sides of the seat.

[Massive Lee]

FIA Approval Stamp, which can be found usually on the sides of the seat.

It is indeed one way. The other is to check what race teams actually have installed. Lots of Recaro, Sparco, OMP race seats. There must be a reason. And by "race team" I exclude drag "racers" ...

[bmwpower]

It is indeed one way. The other is to check what race teams actually have installed. Lots of Recaro, Sparco, OMP race seats. There must be a reason. And by "race team" I exclude drag "racers" ...

What about drifting teams? :D

Well I would assume that if the seat is a currently selling model and stamped with the current approval, it can be regarded as safe...according to the FIA.

The queston then becomes, out of all the FIA approved seats, which ones PERFORMED better in testing? I've yet to see this list. When I asked the question, I thought this is something Lee may have had...a list of how they performed...and a history of how they performed, if you will.

That would tell me if the $799 Recaro performs better in a crash than a $699 Sparco, etc.

I guess kind of like a Consumer Reports for FIA seats.

[kishg]

the difference in performance between the sparco and recaro in question (provided both are fia cert fixed back) is probably small (hence the small diff in price). The fit/form maybe a diff question altogether and quite important imo. Don't buy a seat based on price or site unseen, go sit in some and decide, it's an important decision.

What about drifting teams? :D

Well I would assume that if the seat is a currently selling model and stamped with the current approval, it can be regarded as safe...according to the FIA.

The queston then becomes, out of all the FIA approved seats, which ones PERFORMED better in testing? I've yet to see this list. When I asked the question, I thought this is something Lee may have had...a list of how they performed...and a history of how they performed, if you will.

That would tell me if the $799 Recaro performs better in a crash than a $699 Sparco, etc.

I guess kind of like a Consumer Reports for FIA seats.

[JGood]

The queston then becomes, out of all the FIA approved seats, which ones PERFORMED better in testing? I've yet to see this list. When I asked the question, I thought this is something Lee may have had...a list of how they performed...and a history of how they performed, if you will.

That may be harder to decide then you think. I don't think there is a "better" in most cases. Some designs may hold up better under forward collisions, some may be better in side collisions, some may do better with an upward puling force (high load rollovers), etc...

And don't forget, how it's mounted and what it's mounted to may also have an effect.

It would be very nice to have test result charts to make a decision based on your priorities, though.

[bmwpower]

That may be harder to decide then you think. I don't think there is a "better" in most cases. Some designs may hold up better under forward collisions, some may be better in side collisions, some may do better with an upward puling force (high load rollovers), etc...

And don't forget, how it's mounted and what it's mounted to may also have an effect.

It would be very nice to have test result charts to make a decision based on your priorities, though.

the difference in performance between the sparco and recaro in question (provided both are fia cert fixed back) is probably small (hence the small diff in price). The fit/form maybe a diff question altogether and quite important imo. Don't buy a seat based on price or site unseen, go sit in some and decide, it's an important decision.

Priority may be (in a perfect world) for narrowing down the choices:

1. FIA Certified?
2. Side mount? (Are any mounting schemes not approved by FIA? I dunno...)
3. Fit and finish?
4. Price?
5. Crash test performance?

Would be nice to be able to identify all points.

[bmwpower]

OK, went to VAC today and sat in the Racetech RT4009. Very nice. Fit me very well. Not too snug, not too loose. Comfortable. Not too much flex. Shoulders fit nice. I definitely could sit in that seat for a while. Pricey @ over $800.

Next seat I tried was a Sparco Pro 2000. Totally hated it. The base felt too short. I felt like I was falling out of the seat the whole time. Too much room in the shoulders and too much flex for my tastes. Waist area wasn't too bad. Felt kinda cheap for a $700+ seat. Most of all my back wasn't liking the curve of the back of the seat. Tried the extra padding pieces (lumbar, etc) to see if they would help things, but only pushed me farther forward in the seat.

Last I tried an aluminum Kirkey for kicks. Not sure what model it was. Quite uncomfortable, but could probably deal with it with a little padding for a couple laps. Not sure of the price. Just figured it wasn't going to work well with my back so I hopped out of the car.

Unfortunately, no Recaro's or other brands.

The search begins (and continues...).

[SkinnyVT]

OK, went to VAC today and sat in the Racetech RT4009. Very nice. Fit me very well. Not too snug, not too loose. Comfortable. Not too much flex. Shoulders fit nice. I definitely could sit in that seat for a while. Pricey @ over $800.

Did they not have a RT1000 there? It is a similar fit except that the base is a little shorter (which I found fit my body better) and it can be had for $615.

[bmwpower]

Did they not have a RT1000 there? It is a similar fit except that the base is a little shorter (which I found fit my body better) and it can be had for $615.

They didn't have any of the RT1000's. I wonder if I would have a problem with the shorter base. They will get seats and racecars in the shop in several months the guy said, so I guess I could stop back then.

Saw the brackets they sell, too. They look nice, but they're not FIA approved.

Gonna try to go up to TeamDI this Friday.

[jpmarotta]

ML-

I see that you have a COMSSC badge on your dash, when was the last time you ran with them?
Calabogie? Mt Tremblant? Mosport? We've probably met in person at some point over the last couple years. :p

-Jason

[Massive Lee]

Hi Jason

I did a few events with COMSCC at Tremblant, maybe 6 or 7 years ago. Maybe more. They are a great bunch of grassroots guys (and girl too). I had many more plaques on the dash but they kinda dropped...

Lee

[JRKOUPE]

OK, went to VAC today and sat in the Racetech RT4009. Very nice. Fit me very well. Not too snug, not too loose. Comfortable. Not too much flex. Shoulders fit nice. I definitely could sit in that seat for a while. Pricey @ over $800.

Next seat I tried was a Sparco Pro 2000. Totally hated it. The base felt too short. I felt like I was falling out of the seat the whole time. Too much room in the shoulders and too much flex for my tastes. Waist area wasn't too bad. Felt kinda cheap for a $700+ seat. Most of all my back wasn't liking the curve of the back of the seat. Tried the extra padding pieces (lumbar, etc) to see if they would help things, but only pushed me farther forward in the seat.

Last I tried an aluminum Kirkey for kicks. Not sure what model it was. Quite uncomfortable, but could probably deal with it with a little padding for a couple laps. Not sure of the price. Just figured it wasn't going to work well with my back so I hopped out of the car.

Unfortunately, no Recaro's or other brands.

The search begins (and continues...).

Racetechs are just plain awesome....but a bit less known than say Recaro/Sparco/OMP etc......

Ive run a Sparco Evo for 5 yrs...I love it....just sold actually and bought a new one. But Ive always kept my eyes open for a used RT

Regardless of how these seats appear...they ALL feel a wee bit different.....kinda like a woman..hehehe. And for a grueling track day these small differences can add up to a super comfy day...or a bio mechanical nightmare. I use my Sparco when taking the car 4 hrs to the Glen...its fine.

I love the Pro2000......many pros use them..and its base is LONGER than my Evo...you felt it tooo short?......do you have spider legs?....

of course it depends on your hips/// torso length.......hip to knee length etc etc etc.

Keep on trying seats......but it sounds like you like the RTs.

Also...dont forget....once in the car, your likes and dislikes can change...compared to sitting in a showroom.....

I looked at the numbers... an RT and the pro2000 have similiar hip to knee lengths...so 1 shouldnt "feel" short to you....it could be the rakes are different.

[bmwpower]

Racetechs are just plain awesome....but a bit less known than say Recaro/Sparco/OMP etc......

Ive run a Sparco Evo for 5 yrs...I love it....just sold actually and bought a new one. But Ive always kept my eyes open for a used RT

Regardless of how these seats appear...they ALL feel a wee bit different.....kinda like a woman..hehehe. And for a grueling track day these small differences can add up to a super comfy day...or a bio mechanical nightmare. I use my Sparco when taking the car 4 hrs to the Glen...its fine.

I love the Pro2000......many pros use them..and its base is LONGER than my Evo...you felt it tooo short?......do you have spider legs?....

of course it depends on your hips/// torso length.......hip to knee length etc etc etc.

Keep on trying seats......but it sounds like you like the RTs.

Also...dont forget....once in the car, your likes and dislikes can change...compared to sitting in a showroom.....

I looked at the numbers... an RT and the pro2000 have similiar hip to knee lengths...so 1 shouldnt "feel" short to you....it could be the rakes are different.

Not quite sure why it felt like it was too short. May have been the absence of the padding in the thigh area or the rake. The RT had this curved thigh pad that conformed to your thighs.

This picture does NOT have the thigh support shown:



I wonder if it was an accessory. Anyway, not sure if that had anything to do with it or not. Yes, I did sit in the seats on a raised concrete area, so rake may have been a factor, but the feeling was substantial. I don't think they're raked THAT much. May have also been the width of the thigh area. I dunno.

When they take these measurements, do they consider padding? I assume they do. Do they compress the padding when measuring? The Racetech had considerably more padding throughout.