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Racing seats... Do they make a difference?
I am mixed on whether to install Recaro high back seats in my car, as it might ruin the "look" of the car.
I understand being planted in your seat is important, but I would like to hear from people that have tried both. |
It makes a huge difference - mostly because you do not have to use the steering wheel as a brace to hold your body from flying around. A good racing seat will hold you in place allowing you to "feather" the wheel and give the steering good, gradual, precise imput. But what it mostly does is just give you more confidence and make you feel more attached and a part of the car and able to control it much better - plus they're safer.
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Put it this way for me...
I'm in the process of getting high back seats. I have one in the basement, just getting the money for the other one. Ordering from Jegs, as I don't want to spend a fortune on them. As soon as I can, they are going in. I do a lot of autox with the car and will do more open track events this summer. And those seats will do wonders to hold you in place and let you concentrate on driving. But it's not just from a racing standpoint. Think about it. What happens if you're sitting at a traffic light and get hit from behind. Your head will smash into the roll bar, or the passenger will snap their neck backwards and smack on the back of the car. Either way, not pretty. Yeah, I know these cars will never be "safe", and nor do I expect that (I think of them as 4 wheeled motorcycles), but a little extra protection can't hurt. Steve |
I wouldn't have it any other way. I love the comfort and the fact I don't have to fight to stay in the seat. Of course I don't think it ruins the look of the car, but a couple friends think its ugly that way. Funny, they never turn down a chance to ride in it.
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I figure a good racing seat in a Cobra is worth maybe 2 secs at a race track. With a "standard" Cobra seat, you have a death grip on the steering wheel, you are bracing yourself with elbos, knees, etc. Very hard to finesse a car that way. I had a Cobra seat in my SPF (by coincidence, really) and loved it. Definitely changed the look of the car for the worse, but it was a huge benefit on the track, and probably safer, too.
Mike |
We use a race seat in our car and set it up where you can easily change back to the street seat in about 10 minutes. The race seat was good for at least 2-3 seconds on an autocross course for me cause I am small and I was flying around inside the seat and using the wheel to brace myself. With the race seat I can concentrate on driving.
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How about the harness?
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The harness helps but with the stock street seat there is too much open area that the seat does not contact the body. No matter how hard you snug down the belts your legs will shift and upper body will lean. For the high percentage of time our car is raced on the autocross course the race seat was the best option. It fits the body in all the contact places and keeps movement/g-force pull to a minumum.
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In short, the racing seats will ruin the authentic look of a Cobra, but they are safer, give the driver more feedback, and greatly assist in high performance driving situations. Some drivers really like the feel of their "original" look seats for regular driving but have a set of racing seats for the track.
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A few years ago when I was with some friends in a dirt track car,I drove it a few times at the track. Racing seat of course and 5 point belts..... Never felt soo safe in all my life.... After the races were over and I got in my truck or car to come home and strapped in,I felt naked and unsafe..... The seat if it fits properly holds you very well in position as well as the belts (I liked mine tight) and you are free to drive and not slide around in the seat and go from side to side.... Once you get used to it,it is hard to drive without a good seat and belts....A hell of a lot safer too if invovled in an accident....
David |
You can always make yourself fit the standard seats by doing some two handed ding dong curls chased with chocolate milk. do enough of these and your love handles will act as cushons against the doors and tranny tunnel. :)
I fit my seats pretty good but I do think you will feel more "planted" with a good racing seat. I am thinking of buying a Kirksey aluminum seat for road course and autocross days. |
Leadfoot,
I've run my Cobra in open track events for 3 years using the standard seat. By the end of the second day, I was tired, my elbows hurt and my technique was ragged. At the end of last season I decided that this year I would use a race seat on the track and switch back to street seat for normal use. Instead I bought a track prepared '66 Mustang coupe with a Kirkey race seat. I had it out for a single day "test and tune" and what a difference it makes to have the seat rather than your arms hold you behind the wheel. It gives you more time and energy to focus on your driving!! I have my first open track weekend the 11th - the 13th and I'll let you know if I still love it. Cheers, Pete |
Pete C... How did it go? I picked upa used Recaro seat... So I willlet you know what I think... Although it will be a month before the car is "sorted out"...
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My wife gave me another reason for a racing seat. She said that on longer trips that she would like something to rest her head on when she is tired. The standard Cobra seat does not have a headrest. A true racing seat provides support for the head. A racing seat helps prevent whiplash.
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If you want a racing seat that won't change the look of the car too much, you could try using a repro R Model Mustang bucket. It is about the same height and width as the standard Cobra seat, but has major bolsters for your thighs and torso. I believe that a number of the early small block racers used these seats.
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The high back will also protect your head better when you get hit from behind on the street or back into a tire barrier at the track.
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