Is the Ultrashield Rally seat enough for ax w/ r comps?

berettafan · 02-02-2010, 09:32 AM

Need to get moving on working out a removable seat for ax in my '70. Last ax with R comps (first time w/ the tires) left my knees bruised all to hell and convinced me i was leaving a fair amount of time on the course by getting tossed all over the place.

So, i'd LIKE to make the seat a temporary thing as i currently have GTS Nurburgrings and they look so nice. And they're fine for street use but not even close for ax on sticky tires.

I've sat in Kirkey intermediate road race seats and like them very much but the ultrashield rally is a cheaper alternative.

As of now i'm not putting a roll bar/seat brace in the car.

My concern is whether the Ultrashield Rally is ENOUGH to keep my big ass solid in the car with the std 3 point belt for axing.

Thanks,

944Spec_bound · 02-02-2010, 11:00 AM

I have the Ultrashield Rally and have no complaints. Doesn't hold you as much as the Road Race version because it's missing the bigger side supports for the ribcage. I chose the rally version after I saw a guy break ribs in a side impact with a Kirkey Road Race.

BUT!!
I can't see how it would work for a 3pt belt system. Not designed at all for outside support, so you'd still be sliding around and less safe to boot, in my opinion.

racer · 02-02-2010, 11:33 AM

The seat should be fine.. Ideally you want large bolsters, that fit snug, to hold you in place. I loved my Kirkeys in my 914 and the ultrashield seems very similar.

I admit that I didn't take the time to properly run the 3=pt thought the harness holes of the kirkey to make it fit better. But in competition, I also had harnesses installed.

Back in the 90s i ran stock 914 seats that have NO lateral support. I found the change to Harnesses quite impressive in terms of holding me in my seat. I think harnesses might do more than you think in terms of keeping you still than simply getting a more bolstered seat.

Your GTS sears are quite nice and remind me of older Sheel and Konig 914 seats. But unless the harness is able to pull you tight, you will move around too much, or at least more than you might like.

berettafan · 02-02-2010, 12:01 PM

Hmm...i figured i could run the 3 points through the holes in the sides to get snug. Was going to order one of those CG lock things as well so i don't have to re-twist my belt every time I get in and out.

The issue with harness setups is the roll bar which i'm not ready to do yet. I would consider a shelf mount setup and custom seat to get the shoulder holes at the right height if I could do it cheap enough. Doing ax only would mean i don't need to worry about current dates on the harness and could likely find used for cheap.

Racer those GTS seats are nice but man i got my arse kicked trying to hold on with those V710's. I mean like barely holding on to the wheel. World of difference from my street tires. And that was in November temps!!! No doubt I haven't yet experienced full stick.

J P Stein · 02-02-2010, 03:31 PM

I use the Kirkey road ace. You hunker down in that puppy and you ain't going anywhere. That said, it is not a very comfortable seat for the street.....I had to add padding to the back to give my spine a break from bonking on the aluminum behind the 1/2 inch foam padding supplied at AX. It's good for at least 5-10 miles on the street depending on your personal padding. They do came in various wdths...I found a nice snug fit with the 17 incher....snug is good.

racer · 02-02-2010, 03:40 PM

Consider JPs advice too, especially since you are pretty far from some events.. then again, if trailering, don't worry too much about comfort.

I'm not a big fan of the long "shelf mount" and can't recall if the early cars have a place to notch at the rear seat base (ie for seatbelt hooks already). and attach there.

You might also have to consider how to mount the Ultrashield in such away as to not hinder the mounting of the other seats.. so it can be a plug and play option.

joetiii · joetiii's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer

Back in the 90s i ran stock 914 seats that have NO lateral support. I found the change to Harnesses quite impressive in terms of holding me in my seat. I think harnesses might do more than you think in terms of keeping you still than simply getting a more bolstered seat.

.

You don't need a harness bar for a 4 point if you use an HMS rally 4 point.
The HMS bolts to your regular side belt mounts and then mounts to the two belt mounts for the rear seats. There is a seat belt like clip that goes through your seats belt holes or just under the headrest mount. Check it out...

HMS 4 point rally harness

The CG lock is a real good option to start with though. When I went to EVO school, the instructors like the CG cuz it holds your hips in place but allows your shoulders to rotate.

berettafan · 05:17 AM

That 3 point Schroth looks like it might be an even simpler solution. Could run the tailstrap to the rear shelf and put a reinforced post for attachment...not sure but my car might even have a factory mount point off to the side.

Will probably do a roll bar and 6pt in a year or two so i can run hillclimbs but for now this 3 pt and a good seat might be the ticket to staying put.

Thanks for the input guys! Still not sure if the Ultrashield Rally seat is quite enough containment but for $250 spanking new it might just be worth a shot. If i don't like it i'll just have to sell it for maybe 1/2 and move to a Kirkey for $400. Or maybe drop it in the miata once i get good tires and stiff springs for it.

Slope is getting slippery again.....