Seat Shopping

[JimmyRickard]

I'm currently in the hunt for a fixed racing seat for my track car. Had a look at Revolution and they had a few Sparcos and Cobras, and surprisingly found the Cobras to be a lot better in terms of both comfort and quality. What are some other decent brands to look out for and more importantly, shops in Sydney to try them out? Was hoping to get a seat and 6pt harness for under $1000.

Cheers!

[phunky_monkey]

Velo's are your cheapest option for a quality seat (they do seem to have gone up in price since I last checked though, according to the website at least). As to whether they fit your body shape, only a test sit will find that out! I bought one a few years back (which Beer Baron then bought off of me) but it was too wide for me. Very comfy seat though, and well made.

Sydney distributors are:

R&R Speedsports

35 Rosedale Avenue

Greenacre NSW 2190

(02) 9709 4655

Fsport

Unit 2, 4 Wrightland Place

Arndell Park NSW 2148

(02) 9676 8044

[Marlin]

Cobras are excellent, but there's an arse for every different seat ")

It may be worth trying a few out, then keeping an eye out on Ebay for your preferred seat?

Savman got an absolute cracking Cobra Evo for a comparative bargain on Ebay a coupla months back.

[JayM35]

If you can get Racetech in Aus, i'd get my hands on one of them.

I've got a Racepro, not quite as good quality but still awesome.

[Marlin]

We can get Racetech here no problems, but personally, I hate them. Uncomfortable (for me), and poor quality fabric.

But hey, if they're cheap and you're only spending a short period in them.........

[sav man]

Best bet is to go and sit in a heap of seats. Then look online for a bargin. As it all depends on your shape/size to what suites you best.

[JimmyRickard]

Any other places online to look?

Also how do the copies fare against the legit seats? I've been offered a Bride copy, but not too sure whether its going to fall apart or not

[phunky_monkey]

We can get Racetech here no problems, but personally, I hate them. Uncomfortable (for me), and poor quality fabric.

But hey, if they're cheap and you're only spending a short period in them.........

Whereas I find them very comfortable, and would by next choice after Recaro! Whereas Sparco's do not suit me at all (shoulder harness holes too low, and uncomfortable). Cobras are beautiful, but my shoulders are too wide for the normal version, and my arse too thin for the XL version.

So it shows that different seats for different bodies.

As for copies: Use at your own peril. I wouldn't trust my life with them. I bought one a few years back as a passenger seat as it would be rarely used... then promptly sold it before fitting it. What if I had an accident and my passenger was injured due to an unsafe seat? I couldn't live with myself. Seats are something you should spend the money on.

[Snowman]

And Sparco's suit me perfectly. (I run the Sparco EVO's)

So I think the answer is to go and try seats out and make your own decisons as there is no right decision for everyone on this one.

[«Cyph3r»]

Any other places online to look?

Also how do the copies fare against the legit seats? I've been offered a Bride copy, but not too sure whether its going to fall apart or not

Avoid copies!

If you look around you can find genuine second hand seats cheap enough.

I bought my genuine Bride Brix 2's for $500 each and they were in mint coniditon, just needed a bit of a clean.

Eventually going to get some fixed backs once I find something I like but these were a cheap fix in the interim and just as supportive, only downside is they are very heavy and no provision for a crotch strap.

Probably going to switch to Recaro SPA or SPG pole positions eventually as my sister had one in her car and it was super comfy and suprisingly nice and snug for a european seat!

Theres a pair of Cobra's on ebay with willans harnesses at the moment, might be worth checking out

[phunky_monkey]

The other downside to reclining seats is that the backs can snap with the use of a harness, and that's no good at all!

[«Cyph3r»]

The other downside to reclining seats is that the backs can snap with the use of a harness, and that's no good at all!

Haha, definitely a better reason for switching then the weight factor

[JimmyRickard]

Gonna head back to Revolution and check out R&R this weekend. How do the RPM 6 point harnesses fare? Any other good alternatives?

[«Cyph3r»]

RPM will be your best value for money.

Scroth and Willans are my personal preference but are a lot more pricey and they all have to pass the same safety standards.

Anything FIA approved will be more than adequate.

Edit: I have used Sabelt, Willans, TRW and Scroth and RPM. Sabelt and RPM were only seatbelt style buckle 4 points so not sure what the Cam mechanism on them is like.

Edited September 16, 2010 by «Cyph3r»

[Luke_ENR34]

Anyone use the bride zeta 3? The FIA approved version? Thinking of getting a pair later on.

[phunky_monkey]

They're a very nice seat, but definitely on the tight side. I also found the harness holes quite low, though I'm 6'4.

[«Cyph3r»]

I had a pair in my GTR.

They were comfy enough for me on short to medium drives and very supportive.

My backside would go numb after 2 hrs or so of sitting in them.

Very light even in the FRP version.

I'm built like an asian though and 190cm tall

Edited September 16, 2010 by «Cyph3r»

[Luke_ENR34]

What do you guys rather. A seat that wraps around at the head or just a normal fixed back? Im thinking of going the normal fixed back so i can easily see left and right.

[Marlin]

I find Recetech style with solid side head restraints quite difficult on the raod, but the Cobra style looped head restraint not so bad.

For a car regularly "streeted" though, any seat with side restraints is like a beacon to the Fuzz, and possibly an excuse for them to have a chat with you.