I'm in the need a a new seat and feel that going with one that has a head restraint is the best choice, or is it?
Would like to know from those who use this type of seat what brand and model you are using. What is your build and how do you fit in it. Pics would be cool.

Thinking about;
Racetech
Kirkey
Ultra Shield
Sparco Circut, though I think that will be to narrow as is the Recaro.

http://www.racetechseatsna.com/images/4009hr.jpg http://www.ultrashieldrace.com/nControl/showpic.php?id=360

The only experience I have with them was with my Recaro SPG Pro. Great build quality as always, really comfortable, but it was a bit on the small side for my beer guy.

I'm 5'9, 190, 33" waist and there wasn't much 'adjusting' going on if you sat in the seat wrong. I'm going to try the Recaro SPG Pro HANS XL next go around as it is slightly wider.

If anyone has the money to spend on extra safety [notice the sarcasm there], I would definitely recommend to pick up a seat with extra side head protection. You have to remember that a HANs device will protect your neck only in a frontal collision. If you are T-boned or side-swiped out there, a HANS will do you no good, your head and neck protection will only come from your seat and how well you have built up your neck muscles (ala F1 fitness-style).

Both my wife and I now have Cobra Evolutions for our driver's seats. Great snug fit for me, 5'10" 160# with 32" waist. If I were much larger I would go for the GT version, but perfect for me for the track as is. Pricey seat, yes. Cheaper than all the medical bills and added hassles of wearing a cervical halo for 6-8 months, definitely.

http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/ximg/1661/Evol_Blk2_C.jpg

ben

(OT: by the way, still interested in those Koseis for the MINI if you still have one of the two sets available, hint hint)

I tried out the Ractech 4009HRW, it's a great seat. Probably the most comfortable race seat I've been in. It's about as wide as an Evo 2 but had much much better support all over and especially high up on your torso under your arms. I'll be getting one in the wide version when the time comes.

i know alot of people are not fans of alum seat but kirkey came out with a full containment seat now its pricey but def very nice, mounted right it looks like a very very safe seat. i run a roadrace deluxe seat and im picking up the head restraints for it this winter
http://www.kirkeyracing.com/images/seats/53000.jpg

Yea, that's the Kirkey I was thinking of but with these style head and shoulder set

http://www.theracedepot.com/2005_BITS/produc5.jpg

Just was not sure what the seating position is as it may be to laid back. Also weight concerns. The Ultra shield I posted above is just too heavy at around 24 lbs.

ive sat in it its realy close in feeling to my roadrace kirkey its very nice since you can talylor the sizes of each part to you

Go with the OMP HTS carbon fiber seat (7lbs). One of the lightest and strongest in the industry. Go to http://www.cdoc.com and all the info you need will be readily avaulable to you. Ask for Colin and he will hook you up.

http://www.theracedepot.com/2005_BITS/produc5.jpg

Just remember that to properly install one of the aluminum H&N seats the head and shoulder support needs to be connected into the cage (in addition to a seat-back brace). I believe the Kirkey instructions state this explicitly. The Racetech seats or a Sparco Circuit will not need to be tied into the cage. I personally believe, FWIW, that properly fabricated nets can do as good of a job or better without impeding your view and constraining your ability to get out in case of fire.

Intresting about securing the head section of that seat. What about on their regular roadrace seat and the add on small wings? I planed on that on my seat along with a good net on both sides

Should also think about getting some Carbon Crush Zones :)

Should also think about getting some Carbon Crush Zones :)
or some pimpy foam ones like pratt uses on their cars in world challenge
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/1211_32.jpg

Is that Solid Foam?

I thought I remember them changing to Carbon?

Most of those wtcc and dtm cars now hav carbon crush zones. But in DTM they sit in the trunk, so they are not by the doors, haha.

I was told it is hd foam. someone brought it up in a discussion on nascar bars over at corner carvers. They said it was very pricey and most likely out of the price range of a clubracer so im thinking it might be hd foam with a carbon skin? heres a link to the thread where i found out about it. i was thinking of making something similar and testing it out somehow and if it works mabey use something similar. I realy like the idea of some impact absorbtion there
http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26495&highlight=nascar+bars

Yea, its probably a carbon structure with HD safety foam inside.

The next step, although extremely expensive, its a must in pro racing
http://www.baldspotsports.com/custom_seats/index.htm

They sponsored our fsae team, and I made one of thier seats, and its pretty awesome.

Not having to strain to hold yourself in allows for a much longer driving stint, its amazing how much energy you actually spend holding yourself in without proper support. Definitely be getting one for the dsr.

Actually, this stuff has been around for quite a while. finally making its way across the pond.

http://e30m3performance.com/tech_articles/cage_symposium/misc/misc4.htm

Mike

Yep, racing over here is just that much behind them...its sad.

BMW does do it on thier motorsport cars though, it even has a part number :)

Actually the Racetech seat needs to be tied into the cage or at least have a seatback brace. The 4009HR is not FIA, only Sfi. We are a racetech dealer and I've been considering these for my car, the only thing holding me back is the lack of a FIA rating. All there other seats are FIA. I've already complained to them about it! Otherwise its an awsome seat. I fit in the wide version perfectly, I'm 6'3" 210lbs, 36" waste and big in the shoulders.

Actually the Racetech seat needs to be tied into the cage or at least have a seatback brace. The 4009HR is not FIA, only Sfi. We are a racetech dealer and I've been considering these for my car, the only thing holding me back is the lack of a FIA rating. All there other seats are FIA. I've already complained to them about it! Otherwise its an awsome seat. I fit in the wide version perfectly, I'm 6'3" 210lbs, 36" waste and big in the shoulders.

John,

I have a 4009HR and 4009HRV. Both of them say "FIA standard 8855-1999" on them. Am I missing something?

The Website mentions FIA as well: http://www.racetechseatsna.com/race_seats/RT4009HR.html

I just want to find out for sure, as I just got the 4009HRV yesterday.

Thanks!!

-scott

Actually the Racetech seat needs to be tied into the cage or at least have a seatback brace. The 4009HR is not FIA, only Sfi. We are a racetech dealer and I've been considering these for my car, the only thing holding me back is the lack of a FIA rating. All there other seats are FIA. I've already complained to them about it! Otherwise its an awsome seat. I fit in the wide version perfectly, I'm 6'3" 210lbs, 36" waste and big in the shoulders.
So do you think a 6', 195 lbs, 36+" waist guy would be in the bigger size also?

Strange, I'll have to call and ask them tomorrow. I spoke with them at SEMA just two months ago about this and they told me it wasn't FIA yet. Maybe he was mistaken and you are correct. I'll try and get to the bottom of it tomorrow!

Strange, I'll have to call and ask them tomorrow. I spoke with them at SEMA just two months ago about this and they told me it wasn't FIA yet. Maybe he was mistaken and you are correct. I'll try and get to the bottom of it tomorrow!

Let us know what you find out. I hope its not a problem. Its a very comfortable seat. I raced in the 4009HR last weekend, it was great!

Thanks agian!

-scott

John,

I have a 4009HR and 4009HRV. Both of them say "FIA standard 8855-1999" on them. Am I missing something?

The Website mentions FIA as well: http://www.racetechseatsna.com/race_seats/RT4009HR.html

I just want to find out for sure, as I just got the 4009HRV yesterday.

Thanks!!

-scott

According to FIA, they're FIA homologated as long as you use a back brace: http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/949453471__List_12_Approved_seats.pdf

Seems most all makes need "Lateral Support" What is the definision of this?
Thanks

side mounting is lateral support

Let us know what you find out. I hope its not a problem. Its a very comfortable seat. I raced in the 4009HR last weekend, it was great!

Thanks agian!

-scott


Okay, found out what the deal is.

Racetech makes a TALL version of the 4009HR as well which is only sfi, the normal 4009HR and wife are FIA.

I wanted to add a quick point that I got from the SAE Safety Symposium DVD. There was a 20-30 min. disucssion on seats.

For lateral body support, they recommend not having ribcage support, but instead stong hip and shoulder support. The ribs are not very strong, but the shoulders and hips are.

They also showed a couple of different side head restraints. One that seemed easily retrofitted was a mesh netting triangle that ran on the side of the driver from shoulder height to the top of the head and was anchored to the cage as well as the front of the cabin.

They also showed a couple of different side head restraints. One that seemed easily retrofitted was a mesh netting triangle that ran on the side of the driver from shoulder height to the top of the head and was anchored to the cage as well as the front of the cabin.
Like this (http://www.omtay.org/images/albums/VIR_enduro_2005_jim/IMG_3489.jpg)?

It's a Safety Solutions NASCAR center net sourced from BSR Products (http://www.bsrproducts.com/) in NC. Part number is SAF-DN-1000-R and it was around $75.

tom

Like this (http://www.omtay.org/images/albums/VIR_enduro_2005_jim/IMG_3489.jpg)?

It's a Safety Solutions NASCAR center net sourced from BSR Products (http://www.bsrproducts.com/) in NC. Part number is SAF-DN-1000-R and it was around $75.

tom

That is very similar, but I don't think the gaps were so large, may have been a finer mesh. It's been 6 months since I saw the video.

they have alot of differnt designs for them, simpson just came out with one that seems smaller.

Like this (http://www.omtay.org/images/albums/VIR_enduro_2005_jim/IMG_3489.jpg)?

It's a Safety Solutions NASCAR center net sourced from BSR Products (http://www.bsrproducts.com/) in NC. Part number is SAF-DN-1000-R and it was around $75.

tom

Same as mine (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5263370&postcount=29). Highly recommended.

Okay, found out what the deal is.

Racetech makes a TALL version of the 4009HR as well which is only sfi, the normal 4009HR and wife are FIA.


Tech on the TALL version, please. Do they have Tall + Wide version? Usually, the only seat solution for those who don't want shoulder bolsters under their armpits has been custom aluminum.

Tech on the TALL version, please. Do they have Tall + Wide version? Usually, the only seat solution for those who don't want shoulder bolsters under their armpits has been custom aluminum.

Its a Tall & Wide Version of the 4009HR

It is the same specs as the 4009HRW put 2" taller in the hight (b)

The seat is not FIA but has the inserts in the back to be mounted to the cage.

http://www.racetechseatsna.com/images/dimensions.jpg

Its a Tall & Wide Version of the 4009HR

It is the same specs as the 4009HRW put 2" taller in the hight (b)

The seat is not FIA but has the inserts in the back to be mounted to the cage.

That sounds very promising. The top of my shoulders usually end up about 4" above the top of the harness holes in most seats (Evo2, Cobra something) so I was looking into aluminum for my SpecE30 car. Can you give ballpark pricing on a 4009HRW TALL? I assume it would be a bit more that the 4009HRW price listed on your site. Is there one anywhere in the northeast that I can sit in?

That sounds very promising. The top of my shoulders usually end up about 4" above the top of the harness holes in most seats (Evo2, Cobra something) so I was looking into aluminum for my SpecE30 car. Can you give ballpark pricing on a 4009HRW TALL? I assume it would be a bit more that the 4009HRW price listed on your site. Is there one anywhere in the northeast that I can sit in?

Retail will be about $1250 they are not in the US yet, first ones will be showing up begining of the year. I should have one in my IP car shortly after that. Located in Boston so if its not to far you'll be welcome to come and try it on for size.

Retail will be about $1250 they are not in the US yet, first ones will be showing up begining of the year. I should have one in my IP car shortly after that. Located in Boston so if its not to far you'll be welcome to come and try it on for size.


I'm in MA/NH a couple times a year for work and will gladly call the shop to schedule a test sitting. Thanks.