Track safety and building your own seats.

[Rebeca_Lynn]

My husband and I are building a GT40, we plan on using the car on the street and track, plus other events like auto-x.

there are very few option for seats that fit inside of a GT40 and we do not care for the original style seats.

We are wanting seats that are more modern and have better fit and function, besides being safer.

One option we have would be to build our own seats. Would these be allowed for use at most events?

[Yelcamino]

You should check the rules for the type of events you want to participate in. The first time I took my Chevelle to an ECTA standing Mile event I was told my composite FIA certified Sparco racing seat wasn't allowed because it didn't have SFI certification. What it boiled down to was ECTA wants racers to use a metal SFI certified seat. I now have aluminum SFI Kirky seats. Long story short, you're better off making sure you have safety gear in accordance with the sanctioning body that oversees the events you're interested in.

[Rebeca_Lynn]

This is what I figured. But was hoping I was not right. As the options for our car are not that great. I will have todo some more searching and see what we can work out.

[David Pozzi]

Call this number & ask Eric. He mostly does Cobra & IMSA car prep, but has been involved in Vintage car racing seat retrofits.
http://local.yahoo.com/info-21280947...acing-monterey

[Rebeca_Lynn]

We will contact him David. We have found a few options we like but will have to wait until we have the chassis in our shop to take a few more.measurement. to know what will fit.

[David Pozzi]

On my Lola vintage car, I just use a drop in piece of upholstery. Inside is a 3/4" thick piece of high density closed cell foam. The chassis tub is my "seat". All the old cars like that don't support at the shoulders well or at all, & tend to support at the drivers torso, making the ribs vulnerable. Eric was involved with a Doctor/Vintage racer who developed a seat with good shoulder support & they installed one in his Can-Am car.

[Rebeca_Lynn]

The factory style GT40 seats are metal tube frame with 2 1\2" webbing then covered with padding and leather, much like a lawn chair is made. The biggest issue with finding a seat is the lack of height and getting it to fit to the firewall.
The other issue is the width at and above the shoulders due to the shape of the car.

Fran is test fitting a couple options for us at his shop, one i the seats he had certified for the SLC. Two different Tillet models and a couple from RaceTech.
We are hoping the Viper Cup series seats from Racetech, will fit as we have found a pair for sale at a lot lower price than new.

[exwestracer]

IIRC, the originals were made by Corbeau. They still offer that same basic design of seat: http://corbeau.com/products/fixed_ba...lassic_bucket/

[Rebeca_Lynn]

Here are three different seats I have been looking at to use. I have not been able to find one with a metal frame that I like or that will fit the odd shape of the firewall and height issues with the car. With these there is a possible issue with the upper portion of the seat. They sell another seat but it does not have any type of cert to it.

[Skip Fix]

One thing to do if you can is actually sit in one before you buy one/swap them out. They might look good but not feel good, or have a swell/bolster where your arm goes to the shifter etc.

I've got a couple of different Kirkey's and a Summit seat in the attic for that reason.

[Rebeca_Lynn]

Yes, I wish I could try out different seats inside of the car before buying a set. One problem, is finding a GT40 with something other than factory style seats. The middle seat above is the closest.
With the way the shifter is setup in the car and the shifter being cable and electronic based design is we can adjust the mounting postion to where it is need more so that say with a T56 trans.
I have sat in a few different models of RaceTech seats they are all very firm but comfertable and they do offer optional padding if needed. We have talk to them and we can swap out sets if the first ones do not fit the build. So we will try the first seat shown, if it will mot fit then we will go with the second seat. The only issues we fir see with the first seat is the headrest area, as the uppee portion of the car is narrower the the lower area.