DE Seats to meet new PCA rules... earlier thread question expanded

968TomR · 02-06-2008, 05:57 AM

Okay - so I made a roll bar decision and went with Autopower. Then I start looking around to choose seats. I had been planning to go with Corbeau Forza because they fit pretty well - and are priced a way I like.

Then I come across the NORPCA site (planning a trip to Mid Ohio and looking for schedule for the summer) and they require that seats be SFI or FIA certified. I call corbeau and they tell me they are not. So now I am looking for seats and am seeking your suggestions. Below are my criteria...

I have a 92 968 - this means the seatbelt attachment is on the stock seat and I need a solution that will allow me to run stock belts since I drive it to and from the track.

I would prefer a bigger seat as my usual size is a 36 waist (215# at 5'11") and I will drive this long distances to get to the track.

Must have mounting holes for 5 point harness.

Must fit in the car.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Lets try to keep the cost in the range of someone who chooses a 924/944/968 car for the track and not a GT2.

Tom

JHinOH · JHinOH's Garage

Hey Tom, I'm doing the same with my car right now, I went with this Sparco seat from OG, I gave them a call and they said this would be comfortable with my 36" waist as well. It's in the mail, so I can follow up when I get it mounted if you like. Price is pretty damn good for a FIA cert name brand seat.
http://www.ogracing.com/catalog/2-Car/37-Seats/175-Sparco/182-Competition-Seats/item-1352-SPARCO-SPRINT-5-SEAT

Edit - seat came today! fits great on my tiny 6'4' 220# frame

aben8057 · 07:09 AM

I bought a pair of Cobra Milano's which meet the requirements. I had a Corbeau Forza for comparison and noticed that the Cobra's do not have the extra pad on the seat cushion but the depth is there if you want to buy padding. I havent bought the brackets yet but the measurments are the same.

http://cobraseatsusa.com/products/cat/seats/brand/Cobra/prodID/658

Jsilverman · 02-06-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 968TomR

Then I come across the NORPCA site (planning a trip to Mid Ohio and looking for schedule for the summer) and they require that seats be SFI or FIA certified. I call corbeau and they tell me they are not.

I really find that hard to believe, as even club racing doesnt require you to have SFI/FIA rated seats. Another reason I think that something is wrong, is that SFI and FIA only rate racing seats, so what if you buy a recaro reclining seat (like the speed) its not certified, would they really not allow you to run in one?

968TomR · 02-06-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsilverman

I really find that hard to believe, as even club racing doesnt require you to have SFI/FIA rated seats. Another reason I think that something is wrong, is that SFI and FIA only rate racing seats, so what if you buy a recaro reclining seat (like the speed) its not certified, would they really not allow you to run in one?

Here is the link to where I got that info... http://norpca.org/docs/Harness_FAQ.pdf

I know that PCA national does not require racing seats - that they only require seats with manufacturer provided holes for the belts - but I don't want to buy these seats every other year. Too spendy for me.

So to elaborate my philosophy - PCA says roll bar is preferred - I interpret that to mean it will be required in the near future - so I bought a roll bar instead of a harness bar (safety upgrade doesn't hurt my feelings either).

So is there a reasonable chance that PCA will require SFI/FIA seats in the near future? Opinions are welcome - as I know we are all just speculating.

Tom

adrian1 · 02-06-2008, 09:10 AM

For metro ny DE you only need the 2.5 fire extinguisher, helmet, and harness or can yoiu keep stock seatbelts, i know techno duck know this u need a special harness?

JHinOH · JHinOH's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 968TomR

Here is the link to where I got that info... http://norpca.org/docs/Harness_FAQ.pdf

I know that PCA national does not require racing seats - that they only require seats with manufacturer provided holes for the belts - but I don't want to buy these seats every other year. Too spendy for me.

So to elaborate my philosophy - PCA says roll bar is preferred - I interpret that to mean it will be required in the near future - so I bought a roll bar instead of a harness bar (safety upgrade doesn't hurt my feelings either).

So is there a reasonable chance that PCA will require SFI/FIA seats in the near future? Opinions are welcome - as I know we are all just speculating.

Tom

Yeah Tom, coming from the tech guy up here, the harness bar is not out yet, but they want it used to correct the belt angle (level or down) not as the only belt attachment, so I did the same and bought a roll bar. I would assume 100% that seat requirements will follow, and decided to purchase a seat as such. Also, remember the belts must be 5 years young or less.

#391 · 02-06-2008, 09:31 AM

My forza's have the FIA homologation. They are about 4 years old. Has that been pulled since I purchased these seats?

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

If your simply doing DE, stock seats and 3pt belts are fine. If you want to go with harnesses, you must use a seat with the proper routing holes. And remember you need to have equal restraints on both the driver and passenger sides of the car. Equal means it dosent need to be the same brand seat or harness, but if you have a 6pt harness on the drivers side, you need to have a 6pt (or even a 5pt) on the passenger side also.

DE rules are much more flexible. You do not need a FIA or SFI rated seat as far as i know. But a 2.5lb FE is still mandatory. Corbeau seats are not rated but still fine for DE. Infact i dont think any recliner aftermarket seat is FIA or SFI rated.

Your region may have stricter rules. I would contact the DE chair and ask them before you buy anything.

#391 · 02-06-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techno Duck

DE rules are much more flexible. You do not need a FIA or SFI rated seat as far as i know. But a 2.5lb FE is still mandatory. Corbeau seats are not rated but still fine for DE. Infact i dont think any recliner aftermarket seat is FIA or SFI rated.

Your region may have stricter rules. I would contact the DE chair and ask them before you buy anything.

Beware the differences between regional and national rules. Regions may choose to implement stricter rules than what national requires. The NOR region's requirement of FIA/SFI seats is one example. Not required by national, but required by that region.

Also, fire extinguishers are not mandatory per national, but per specific regions that have chosen to require them (ie. not mandatory w/ Niagara region, though highly recommended).

My point is that when choosing an event, their Rules & Regs and Tech Forms should be read closely because not all regions have the same rules.

chrenan · 02-06-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #39

My forza's have the FIA homologation. They are about 4 years old. Has that been pulled since I purchased these seats?

Yes, the FIA certification was pulled just before I bought my Forza seats, about a year and a half ago. Not sure why it was pulled, the design of the seats has not changed, so it must have been a change in the FIA requirements.

968TomR · 02-14-2008, 05:47 AM

So I now have corbeau forza seats, and autopower roll bar, simpson impact 5 point belts. I will post a thread detailing the installation of all in March - which is when I intend to do the work.

Thanks for all your help!

Tom

944 boy · 02-14-2008, 05:59 AM

I have always been confused about the SFI/FIA seat certification. I run Kirkey aluminum seats. These do not carry and certfication, however they do not weaken from UV exposure like fiberglass and carbon. The rules in my opinion are not very clear.

Also, the Forza I believe is a tube frame seat, and many organizations do not allow those anymore.