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Thread: Best fixed-back race seat for HPDE ? Please offer advice thanks

  1. #1
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    Best fixed-back race seat for HPDE ? Please offer advice thanks

    I'm researching fixed-back seats. I'm told I need to graduate and move to roll-bar, 6 pt harnesses, and fixed-back seats. I am going too fast given my current setup - it is just not safe enough.

    Question: What are the most loved, valued, race seats ? The cheapest/best seats? Like the Apex Rims of Seats :-)

    I'm 190 lbs and 5'10". The Recaro Profit SPG XL feels good .. except it's $1000 :\

    Thoughts ?

    BryDog

  2. #2
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    Love my Bimarco seats. Have a Grip Halo seat for the driver and Futura for the passenger.


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  3. #3
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    Thanks. Wow good price point.

  4. #4
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    Go with a halo seat since you are starting from scratch. If you need a passenger seat, get the same for both to eliminate any questions about "equal restraint" systems. OMP HTE-R fits me, but you need to try different seats to see what works best for you. I currently have ancient Recaro Pole Positions, but they are a little to wide for me, and the belt openings are too low, especially for use with a HANS. My plan is to replace them with OMP, sell one, and save the other one for my eventual move to a simulator when I retire from the track.
    '95 M3 S54 Track Toy
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  5. #5
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    I had a hard time with this. It's all about the fit and ultimately I had to make several trips up to MA and down to NY to find a seat that was right. I wouldn't get a halo seat if you drive to and from the track on the street, and I would only look at something FIA certified. I wound up spending more than I wanted to on Racetechs but I'm now very happy I did so. Awesome seats.

  6. #6
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    Once you find the ONE that fits, you'll be surprised how poorly all the others feel.

  7. #7
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    find an event and sit in some seat in cars. im sure folks will let ya. maybe find used for start.
    seat cost is just the beginning, add something like 300 for mount, 1000+ for 4 pt cage weld in, 1000 for harness and hans.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by BryDog View Post
    Thanks. Wow good price point.
    Yea great price. FIA and Hans approval. I run them with 6 point OMP belts, roll bar and HANS.


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  9. #9
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    You definitely need a HANs if you're going to get a fixed back and harnesses.

  10. #10
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    Great advice here. Thanks.

    Question: How does the factory seat belt work with a race seat ? I'm looking to drive to the track instead of trailer my car. Or, does the 3 pt go away entirely and is replaced with the 6 pt and is still street legal ?

  11. #11
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    If you want a Halo seat for a car driven on the street take a look at the Sparco Ergo. I run them and the removable halo pieces are nice to have at the track and you take them off for the drive home. They might not be as strong as a fixed halo but are nice for a car that is driven on the street. Takes about two minutes to put the halo pieces in place.

  12. #12
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    I also wanted to keep the OE seat belts when I got my fixed backs. It's slightly difficult to do without getting creative. The stock receptacles will go out with your OE seats so in my case I used harness brackets from VAC and paired them with modified OE rear seat belt receptacles. I was able to route the belts in such a way that they still sit over your hips like they're supposed to. It's worked great so far and just clears the inner mount for the lap belt.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  13. #13
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    Oh nice, thank you for those detailed pictures, Cohny. I think that could actually pass inspection here in Mass.

  14. #14
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    Due to budget I ended up getting the OMP First R seat which is very good and fits me perfectly. Also being 500 or close it it was easy since I wasnt sure I would like to race my car. I plan to now put that into the passenger next year possibly and get a different omp seat with halo.

  15. #15
    joenationwide's Avatar
    joenationwide is offline Makes Cars Dance BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    I have the Kirkey Road Race Intermediate in both of my race cars.
    It is my favorite most comfortable seat, regardless of price.
    This is not a halo seat. I don't like the difficulty of getting in/out of a halo seat.

    These seats are only $241 for the seat and $252 for the cover = $493 total.

    https://www.ogracing.com/kirkey-47-s...ir-knit-fabric

    https://www.ogracing.com/kirkey-47-s...ir-knit-fabric

    They come in multiple sizes to fit you comfortably.

    You will need a seat back brace $120 to race W2W with this seat.

  16. #16
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    Joe,

    What did you use to mount it? Custom or OTS sidemounts? Had one I gave away due to it having generic homemade mounts and now wishing I would have kept it...

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by BryDog View Post
    Great advice here. Thanks.

    Question: How does the factory seat belt work with a race seat ? I'm looking to drive to the track instead of trailer my car. Or, does the 3 pt go away entirely and is replaced with the 6 pt and is still street legal ?
    I run both the stock 3 point belt and 6 point harnesses in my car. Works fine, passes inspection no problem. 3 pts for the street, 6 pts for the track.

  18. #18
    joenationwide's Avatar
    joenationwide is offline Makes Cars Dance BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Quote Originally Posted by olemiss540 View Post
    Joe,

    What did you use to mount it? Custom or OTS sidemounts? Had one I gave away due to it having generic homemade mounts and now wishing I would have kept it...
    I mounted the Kirkey seat to a pair of Kirkey side mounts. And those side mounts I mounted to a VAC E36 floor mount.

  19. #19
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    Thanks Joe,

  20. #20
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    Cobra Suzukas, VAC side mounts, VAC floor adapter plates, 6pt harnesses, stock seat belts mounted like Cohny. All works well for driving to/from the track and passes MA inspection fine.

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