RS Motorsport :: Classic Speed Restored

As posted in another thread it appears that I need to purchase some rally seats sooner rather than later.

What do you guys suggest for tarmac rally purposes???

There seems to be alot of designs out there but what makes one different from another? I like the idea of good head support so something like the Sparco Circuit

http://www.revolutionracegear.com.au/in ... imary&CDO=

or the Velo Viper or Apex

http://www.velo.com.au/seats/

I dont believe the regs require FIA approval unless the event is an international one.

Do some seats fit side by side into a Mk1 Escort and some not? Do I need to take measurements with me? My wife and I are different sizes so we will both need a specific seat to suit (with lots of seat swaps during and between events!).

Also while I am at it, harnesses seem very expensive here compared to the UK. Other than the moral argument of buying within Australia, is there any reason why harnesses cannot be sourced from the UK? FIA approval is FIA approval regardless of country????

Any info or experiences here would be fantastic.......

In a MK1 BDA Tarmac car we run Sparco pro 2000, and they are a great seat. 4 days of Classic Adelaide and still without a sore bum. I also have a set of kevlar MOMO Acropolis seats that I am putting into my mk1 lotus cortina for circuit and tarmac. Both fit in well, using alloy side mounts bolted to rails welded between the sill and the tunnell.
with regards to harnessess yes FIA is FIA, I have been using some 3" ERG 6 point supercar harnesses. bought them a few years ago from 'Speedzone" in Ballarat $275 each. seem pretty good so far, mind you have not had to use them in anger, if you know what I mean cheers Ted

Best piece of advice I received with regards to seats was to visit a shop that sells a few and sit in them for a decent length of time. That'll give you a better idea of what works than looking at nice pictures or asking others what they are using. I spent about three hours testing seats on two seperate days before i picked a pair out. Good thing the shop has a TV.

After you find one that you fit into that doesn't make your feet fall asleep make sure it fits in the car. The Escort isn't the biggest car around and some of the seats with wings for head support can be a very tight fit.

Hope this helps.

I agree with steven, sit in a seat and read the shops catalog, forces you to stay and alows you to find which seat suits your posture when you are not concentrating on posture. If its still comfortable it should be OK.
also on car wisth, my Velo GP90 hard up against the tunnel at trhe base hits the door with its wing. the escort is a small car. If at 6'1" you are like me you may need the wide version, you may not, and this wont help.
As for what brand, as a South aussie youd be hard pressed top not suppirt a local I have had Velo in my race car and road car, the roadie doing circa 100K of comfortable race seat sitting km's
Plus you never know, you may get on Andrews good side when you tell him that is for an escort. (or maybee not)

Cheers,

JP

I had a good chat in-store earlier in the year with Andrew. I tried to pump him for all the info I could (was not an easy task )

Just been down and think I have settled on Velo Apex XL's. Not sure if these will fit into the car nicely, will have to analyse the sizing chart a little. I wont have a seat without the side head protection but I didnt like the Cobra's that RevolutionRacegear sell.

Anybody running either one or two Apex's?

We have Velo Podium II in our cars, one thing to note and check is that our seats have under leg padding but there is none under the . Not a problem for race ,sprints and the like. Maybe something to think of if your in it for longer periods. Just a thought. The Sparco 2000 do have padding.
David

If two of you are to use the car...ie. the same seat at different times, get a seat that has removable cushions, bottom and back and change them between sessions, changing the seat between sessions will be a real pain and distract from the 1000 other things that MUST be done when not keeping your car on the black stuff.

PS sorry about the poor spelling/typing int he post above, it was late or early or both
Cheers,

JP

There are TWO stores in South Australia that stock race seats that I know of (Revolution RaceGear and AutoSport). Are there more than I just dont know about????

Spending nearly 3 grand on seats is a rather big purchase not to have checked everything out!!!!!!!!

Roger had a thread several years ago when he was looking and he was talking about sitting in seats that neither of the above stocked.

Roger Miller, in past threads you have said that you have tried a Sabelt seat and others. Where? I cannot find anywhere in SA that stock seats other than the above. Need to purchase this week or early next..........

Revolution racegear.

Main north road.

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Cheers Roger. Went there and Autosport. Looks like the later will get my hard earned this week for a pair of Velo Apex....it's gunna hurt

Autosport quoted me $349 for a 6 point Velo harness so that ebay item is a good price. Have no idea what Monza are like. Anybody know?

Pretty happy.

Webbing very supple

FIA approval.

Ta Roger. Will consider

i am about to order a new SCHROTH 3" harness for
the sports sedan i am building
i got a new one last year for my escort was less than 300
if i get a price on 3 sets it might be cheaper for all

I was speaking to Revolution (in Sydney) a week ago about seats. Apparently they are no longer doing Sabelt.

OK my next questions......

I note in Roger's picture a few posts above that his side intrusion bars are VERY close to his seat (appear to be pushing into seat even).

The pictures below show the position that I feel my seat should be in. I THINK there is sufficient room behind the seat to mount the roll cage main hoop in front of the floor pan strengthener. I do however have my concerns about how close the seat is to the door.

I have marked how close the seat is to the lip that holds the door rubber seal. The side of the seat mount is 95mm from that lip.

To get these measurements I have pushed the seat as far into the middle as possible. This appears to give the best alignment with the steering wheel anyway. I do however now have my concerns that when I try to mount the navigators seat (also a Velo APEX XL) that they will clash in the middle of the car (but thats for another day).

QUESTION:

Do these measurements look anywhere near those you use? Roger, if you have a minute would you be able to checks yours out? I know its a different brand but if I recall you use an XL too.

As usual, any thoughts and comments gratefully accepted.

Best place for the main hoop footing in a little car like an Escort is usually just forward of the rear arch.

You will be restricting seat room, and sacrificing structural strength and the possibilities for a future layout with good weight distribution putting it on the floor.

ok. i seem to remember that there is a max angle that the rear stays can be at though. Having the main hoop too far rearwards makes this angle steeper.

I will discuss with the cage bloke when I drop car off. He has done a number of scorts. My seat will be where it has to go then he can work around it.