Which FIA approved seat?

[handfulz28]

Search doesn't bring anything up.

But how do I know which seats meet the FIA spec that doesn't require a back brace?

I vaguely remember somebody (Kirk?) posting a link to the actual FIA specification, but has anybody done research to determine, or will the seat dealers know, which seats meet the spec?

I'm a little hesitant to rely soley on a dealer's word.

I'm using an 8+ year-old MOMO Rookie now that's been in two cars (sometimes on the same race-weekend) so I think I got my money's worth.

Thanks,
Michael

[Greg Amy]

Michael, you shouldn't take a dealer's word for it; in order to qualify for not having a brace the seat MUST have the FIA approval embroidered into it, and it must be 1999 spec or later.

Since you have been so happy with your Rookie, I suggest replacing it with its successor, the Start. It's got the required FIA approval and it's a bargain price at around $250. Plus, it'll bolt right up to your current brackets.

My favorite supplier is Louis Boustiani at LTB Motorsports, http://www.ltbmotorsport.com.

GregA

[Knestis]

Do NOT take anyone's word for anything - including mine. I'm not going to answer the question but am going to point you at the answers, in the spirit of that advice...

It's academic fun to visit the FIA site (select English like me or French if you are fluent) but the system makes it unnecessary.

For a seat to be "homologated" or listed by the FIA, the manufacturer must submit to testing (or submit test results) demonstrating that specific guidelines have been met.

The manufacturer then puts a tag or sticker on the product indicating which standard has been satisfied. This is the end of the FIA's involvement in this question.

It is the SCCA's decision (NASA's, too) which seats need back braces and which don't. The GCR specifies the FIA standard that is allowed (in their eyes) to run without the back brace. This whole brace question is uniquely American, since the rest of the world pretty much just follows FIA standards. US liability law makes that seemingly impossible.

At the end of the day, you have to show - with a visible sticker - that your seat meets the SCCA-mandated FIA standard. Eh, viola...



K

[joeg]

Just buy a new Recaro racing shell and not worry about it.

Cheers.

[handfulz28]

Thanks Greg; Louis's site sure has changed since the last couple years.

Kirk, as usual, thanks for the insight as well as info.

[Az45]

If you still need a seat, UPracing.com has been selling new Momo 1000 lakes carbon kevlar seats on eBay.

There also have a couple of close out Recaro Pro racers available if you call.

Ask for Tim, 800 438 5872

[Edwin Robinson]

Originally posted by joeg:
Just buy a new Recaro racing shell and not worry about it.

Cheers.

Agreed. I had cheaper seats- and I'm sure there's some good ones- but the Recaro has been one on the best purchases I've made. It's definitely a long term investment. Also, at the time SCCA implemented that seat back brace rule- (to which I am vehemently opposed) - they did not even understand the FIA classification system. I found some inforamtion that stated that the earlier seats which were FIA 93 spec (If I recall correctly) actually we ABOVE the FIA 99 spec.

(It don't read French or German real well- but it just made sense to me that a tube frame FIA99 spec seat could not possibly be better than a Fierglass/composite Recaro FIA93 spec seat.)
Here's a link: http://www.recaro-nao.com/PDF/DOWNLOAD/PRO...acingShells.pdf

Also- here's an interesting document- at the end- you'll notice some manufacturers that had their FIA homologation revoked on their seats: http://www.fia.com/regle/Reg_tec/listesTec...roved_seats.pdf

~E.

[itmanta]

Does anyone have experience with FIA seats that have the side head restraints (not aluminum)? How is the comfort and vision in respect to the head restraint? I have it narrowed down to either a Recaro SPG or the Touring Sparco. I have a 38" waist does anyone have any feedback for me?

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Peter Linssen
ITB Opel Manta
Pacific NW Region

[Turfer]

Peter,

Give Speedware in Redmond a buzz. I just bought an SPG without the side restraints and they can order one in with them. The fit is supposed to be feel the same. They have floor models of the SPG to try on along with comparisons of other brands.

Kirk has a head restraint model and I am sure will give a personal review soon.

Rick

Originally posted by itmanta:
Does anyone have experience with FIA seats that have the side head restraints (not aluminum)? How is the comfort and vision in respect to the head restraint? I have it narrowed down to either a Recaro SPG or the Touring Sparco. I have a 38" waist does anyone have any feedback for me?

[This message has been edited by Turfer (edited February 23, 2004).]

[Knestis]

Track tested the entire package last weekend in 6 hours of time on mixed wet/damp/dry track at the Roebling Road double school.

Mmmm. Exxxcellent.

I've been on a diet since the holidays and shaved off ten pounds, so I know fit completely down into - as opposed to on top of - my Recaro SPG Racer. A 38" waist is not going to be compatable with that seat, I'm afraid.

I removed the thick seat cushion to gain some headroom (kind of critical because I used the Recaro homologated slider and it ain't low) and it worked fine. I'm going to get a thin piece of ethafoam or similar semi-rigid material covered to cover the velcro on the seat bottom and I'll be good to go.

Re: the head bolseters, you would never know that they were there, except when you have to back up in the paddock - when you peek through the holes.

As an aside, I was able to rearrange the side brackets by drilling some additional holes, Rick, so the harness interference question that you asked some time ago is no longer an issue.

I was also pleased that the extra brace from the top of the A-pillar to the floor didn't create any interference with my left paw. I had a couple of "busy hands" moments in the wet and never noticed them.

Finally, it was fun to come to the SEDiv and represent the NW/OR regenmeisterkorps by setting 2nd fasted time in a soaking session of 46 IT, Prod, and Wreck Miata cars. All of the things that make a SSC car on fully treated Toyos slow in the dry make it the right tool in the wet.

K

[mlytle]

a 38in waist probably won't fit a sparco touring either. i sat in one with my 34in waist and it was too narrow for me.....

marshall

[lateapex911]

Originally posted by Knestis:
Finally, it was fun to come to the SEDiv and represent the NW/OR regenmeisterkorps by setting 2nd fasted time in a soaking session of 46 IT, Prod, and Wreck Miata cars. All of the things that make a SSC car on fully treated Toyos slow in the dry make it the right tool in the wet.

K

Welcome back, Kirk!



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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[itmanta]

Thanks for the input guys. I might try to find a Cobra Evolution GT to sit in. The waist is 16" across compared to most seats wich are in the 13-14" range. How is Cobra quality?



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Peter Linssen
ITB Opel Manta
Pacific NW Region

[RealRideRacing]

Here are some articles to help you in your research:

http://www.realride.com/news/viewnews.cgi?...072236930,41073,

And a follow up to that:
http://forums.realride.com/showthread.php?...s=&threadid=250

A thread right here on the Improved Toruing forum:
http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/Forum...TML/001225.html

And some crash test footage:
http://images.realride.com/cgi-bin/imageFo...Racetech%20Seat

Regards,
David
REALRIDE.COM RACING
http://www.RealRide.com

[itmanta]

Thanks David. I had already come across this information through your previous posts

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Peter Linssen
ITB Opel Manta
Pacific NW Region

[Knestis]

Recaro makes a wider seat as well that should have the same quality as the SPA/SPG models. It's not quite as fancy but would be a good choice I expect.

K