Track seat report

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

I was just shopping for a new seat on Saturday. I have Recaro SRD's and they just don't have enough thigh support for the track. (I find myself hanging on to the steering wheel and bracing myself with my left foot.)
I sat in a few seats. I looked at the Sparco Pro 2000 and the Evo 2. The Pro 2000 shoulder belt slots were too low and sales person said that is a problem with that seat model.
They also carried Cobra seats. I've always considered them a 2nd rate seat for the ricer crowd. I can report that they make a nice FIA approved race seat now. I wound up ordering (I wanted blue) the Susuka GT (GT=wide) model. It still bugs me that it's a Cobra but beauty is as beauty does. I found it to have these advantages over the Recaro SPG and Sparcos:
- More comfortable (IMO)
- Kevlar composite instead of fiberglass. The Susuka GT only weighs 17 lbs.
- Lap belt openings are triangles instead of "slots" so the belts can be placed on hips more flexibly.
- Fabric protectors in the wear areas. The SPG has nothing, the Sparcos have a synthetic that fades to white in sunlight. The Cobra has Alcantra (sp?), a leather like stuff used for car seats these days.
- The Susuka sub belt hole is really a slot going forward so you the sub can have a straight shot to the mounting point instead of being constrained by the seat belt hole.
-Chris
Edit: I was wrong about the SPG, it does have fabric protection at the shoulders.

91C2wrencher · 91C2wrencher's Garage

I use the sparco evo in my car. they fit my 5'9" 32" waisted body great. The drivers side one has faded a bit up on the shoulder wing, but its five years old...I think you can get new covers from sparco - yes?

Jim Smolka · 08-12-2003, 12:58 PM

Check out the alum seats mfr by ultrashieldrace.com. Good seat for the money.

IROC · IROC's Garage

Safe to assume the Cobras were alot cheaper than the alternatives? I've got Evo 2's in my car and love them. The driver's seat has been in there for about 3 years with no signs of adverse wear or fading. Plus, they only weigh 13lbs (for the fiberglass model).

Mike

Mark in Hermosa · 08-12-2003, 01:46 PM

I have the Cobra Suzuka GT, Kevlar seat. This is by far, the most comfortable seat I have used. I have never heard of the Cobra/rice connection. I always thought the rice seat was the Corbeau (sp?).

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Here's a comparison:
Cobra Susuka GT/$690/17lbs
Cobra Susuka/$650/15lbs?
Sparco Evo 2/$600/17.4lbs
Sparco Evo/$580/15lbs
Recaro SPG/$740/4.5kg net (5.1kg gross)
Recaro Pole Position/$620/6.5kg
-Chris

campbellcj · 08-12-2003, 06:42 PM

FWIW the Cobra Suzuka is currently at the top of my list as well. Seems to be very strong, light and well-designed.

I have to deal with the added constraint of tight real estate in the 914. Not every seat will fit, especially those that use large side-mount brackets.

I currently have some ancient Koenig P700 tube-frame seats. They are fairly comfortable but are ripped to shreds and -heavy- as hell. Couldn't beat the price though ($50 IIRC).

briankeithsmith · 08-12-2003, 08:04 PM

I like the Kirkey Road Racing Seats. Even on the street they aren't that bad. And on the track, they hold me in the seat better than anything else I've sat in.

Just my opinion.

Brian

campbellcj · 08-12-2003, 11:44 PM

The Kirkey and Ultrashield aluminum seats aren't FIA approved though AFAIK, if that means anything to the prospective buyer. I know there has been an ongoing debate in PCA and maybe some other orgs, regarding seatback brace requirements i.e. waiving the requirement if your seat is FIA tagged. Anybody know if those rule changes were ever resolved?