Mounting the driver's seat differently that the passenger seat

[bmwpower]

ie, if I mount a FIA driver's seat with FIA side brackets, but mount a non FIA passenger seat with a bottom floor plate mount, would the powers at be (BMWCCA, NASA, etc) consider that "not comparable safety" for the instructor and therefore frowned upon?

[jlevie]

Provided that both seats are securely mounted and equal w/respect to harnesses, I don't see why anyone would claim that they fail the "equal restraints" rule. Now if the passenger seat didn't have provisions for the 5/6th belts or have holes for the shoulder belts, the seat itself would fail the "equal restrain" rule, regardless of how it was mounted.

[kishg]

agree with jim.. that would be fine but i am puzzled as to why you'd do this?

[ScottL]

Technically, a non-FIA seat requires a seat back brace, doesn't it? That said, I did this in my car when I was running DE's and nobody cared.

[jlevie]

Technically, a non-FIA seat requires a seat back brace, doesn't it? That said, I did this in my car when I was running DE's and nobody cared.

Yes, for racing. The rules are a bit more relaxed for DE's and you can use expired harnesses or seats that are still in good condition.

The idea behind the "equal restraints" rule is to provide equivalent protection for the instructor. I know I would not want to be sitting in a stock seat with only a cross chest harness while my driver was in a race shell with 6 point harnesses and a HANS device! That would suggest to me that he/she intended to drive the car harder than I'd be comfortable with (which ain't gonna happen if I'm the instructor!).

[AlarmedBread]

agree with jim.. that would be fine but i am puzzled as to why you'd do this?

Personally my seat must be mounted quite low to clear a sunroof headliner w/ a helmet on.

My seats are the same, but use differant mounting brackets. The pass side is a 'stock' one and mine is modified to be a few inches lower. No issues or complaints unless the person in the pass seat is tall. Then they complain about hitting their helmet on the roof.

[bmwpower]

agree with jim.. that would be fine but i am puzzled as to why you'd do this?

The real reason is so I can save some money. I wouldn't need the $200+ extra for an FIA seat, plus $100+ for the side mounts and $200 for the VAC mounts or something similar. I can get a bottom frame type mount for under $100 and mount the seat directly on that.