Track dogs - which seat?

jwasbury · 07-13-2009, 12:13 PM

Gents...learn me on sport seats please...

Thinking of this:

Recaro Speed (fka SRD)

Or this:

Recaro Sportster CS

I sat in both of these at a local race car outfitter. The Speeds are 1/2 as much $$ as the Sportsters. $ aside, of course I tend to lean towards the Sportsters...they look really sweet. Speeds seem to be a tighter fit to my posterior, really no lateral movement at all, while the Sportsters afford a C-hair of lateral play. While the tighter fitting Speed may be a plus for track use, how would that be for a 10 hour drive home from Charlotte, NC? On the negatory side for the Speeds, the harness passthroughs are very high, a few inches above me shoulders in fact. I'm told by the retailer that this is not good. I will not be fitting harnesses initially, but it could happen somewhere down the line. The Sportster's harness holes are located perfectly in relation to my shoulders. Other tid bitz: Speeds have a provision for 5 point harness, Sportsters do not (but can be modified by upholstery shop). Sportsters have more of an angle to the seating surface, so I feel that they may provide superior thigh support.

Soooo...speak to me about pros n cons. For those that have gone aftermarket in seating, what have you learned from the experience? My car is primarily street driven, but after doing my first DE with the Turbopalooza gang at CMP, I do plan on more of that action. I was considering having my tired factory 'comfort' seats redone, but after the track experience I want to go for sport seat upgrade.

SCHNELE · SCHNELE's Garage

I have the Sport Toplines aka the pricey SRD's I love them and I do use a harness perfect fit for me but I am twice your size, I suggest you get dedicated track seats if you plan to put in a lot of track time, a one piece seat is the way to go.

jwasbury · 07-13-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHNELE

I suggest you get dedicated track seats if you plan to put in a lot of track time, a one piece seat is the way to go.

I want to stick with reclining seats. On occasion I actually put people (or stuff) in the back of my car. I can't see getting to track more than 2-3 times per season. I have too many other hobbies going on. I expect this car will continue to see more street use than anything else. If I do go track crazy, I'll likely purchase a dedicated track beast.

SCHNELE · SCHNELE's Garage

Jake I can get Recaros at cost, when you are ready to purchase them just send me a pm and I will give you my company name and you can call the vendor directly.

9dreizig · 07-13-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHNELE

Jake I can get Recaros at cost, when you are ready to purchase them just send me a pm and I will give you my company name and you can call the vendor directly.

Link buddy! you had me at "at cost" !! I think you just made friends with the whole turbopalooza group!!!! (even though your wife is a wolverine!!)

9dreizig · 07-13-2009, 02:01 PM

Oh and guys,, looks like Jacob is officially "hooked"

A930Rocket · 07-13-2009, 03:13 PM

I think Linc had it right when said get a dedicated track seat. but knowing you are going to only track it 2-3 times a year, I can see where that might not work. What you could do is get a seat that you could swap in and out for the track days. An easy one to install is the Kirkey Deluxe Road Race or Intermediate Road Race seat.

http://www.kirkeyracing.com/index.php?link=browse&code=Series47

A BK harness bar or roll bar will work for the sholder harness portion.

If your going to just use a 3 point harness, then both seats you're looking at will work.

gumba · 07-13-2009, 05:06 PM

We used the Recaro SRD's with center strap cut out and 5 point belts in our street/track for years. The best of both worlds.

If your interested in a Kirkey, there is one used one listed on our site. The price says $350 but that was for both and he has sold one.

Garrison · Garrison's Garage

If you want something cheap in cost and nice for the money I would recommend the Hunsaker Synkro.

http://www.hunsakersports.com/

Had these in an 88' 911 and they were very comfortable for my 100+ mile drive per day during the summer. Plus they did what I wanted them to do for the few DE's that I did.

Of course, I want the GT3 seats in my 930 so all depends on what you want.

Reaper930 · 07-14-2009, 03:39 AM

I must say that my GT3's were beyond comfortable for the trip from NC to Texas and held me in place PERFECTLY on the dragon run and all the twisties in between. Just beware your waist size as they're not for the big boys.

jwasbury · 07-14-2009, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9dreizig

Oh and guys,, looks like Jacob is officially "hooked"

Hey now. We can't conclude that I'm "hooked" on the track until I post pictures of a new diesel powered RV/Tow vehicle to haul my non-streetable car to the circuit

That will be your indication that I've gone mental.

I do have a history of going head first into this sort of hobby:

930LDR · 07-14-2009, 11:17 AM

Out of curiosity, how much markup is typically in a recaro at retail? I am running Pole Positions in my 930 but need to do something about seats / harnesses for my M Coupe.

A930Rocket · 07-14-2009, 02:10 PM

Cool pix Jake!

I think bikers are nuts, but they are BIG Kahona nuts! I just feel a lot safer in a car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwasbury

Hey now. We can't conclude that I'm "hooked" on the track until I post pictures of a new diesel powered RV/Tow vehicle to haul my non-streetable car to the circuit

That will be your indication that I've gone mental.

I do have a history of going head first into this sort of hobby:

jwasbury · 07-14-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Cool pix Jake!

I think bikers are nuts, but they are BIG Kahona nuts! I just feel a lot safer in a car.

Thanks Jim... Honest I felt a bit tentative in the car at CMP. Its like I don't trust it yet. I've got so much saddle time aboard my bike, I'm really comfortable on it at the track. On the bike you really feel everything...in the car I felt a bit more isolated, so wasn't as comfortable even though I know screwing up should hurt a lot less (or not at all).

My amateur motorbike racing career ended when I crashed hard during practice at NHIS = concurrent fractures of the clavicle and scapula. I'll still do the occasional trackday, but try to keep the emphasis on having fun as opposed to laptimes. That will be my approach to DE events as well.

jwasbury · 06-15-2010, 09:50 PM

Recaro sportster cs seats - vinyl bolsters with suede inserts

I need to hit some twisties then report back. they look the business and offer tons more support than the factory seats (my car had the "comfort" seats)

A930Rocket · 06-16-2010, 04:37 AM

Looks good Jacob! Are they 1 or 2 piece? Can't tell on my phone.

pkracer21j · 06-16-2010, 05:31 AM

Sweettttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! from a visual standpoint, they look much better then the SRD's. IMO

turbo3six · 12:23 PM

What about the original Lollipop? Period correct and VERY COOL! If you are only switching out the drivers seat you will still have rear seat area access via OEM passenger seat. -OR- you can use a tilting bracket on the passenger Lollipop if necessary.

krasuskyp · 06-17-2010, 08:51 AM

wickedwickedWICKED cool Jacob - ya bastid! 8-)

matty74 · matty74's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwasbury

Recaro sportster cs seats - vinyl bolsters with suede inserts

I need to hit some twisties then report back. they look the business and offer tons more support than the factory seats (my car had the "comfort" seats)

what kinda $$ are we talking they look the business