Aftermatket seats in stock class.

[Elliot]

I'm posting this because I think it deserves a discussion. If you're like me, the stock seats in the car you drive offer very little to no support around the corners. I even modified my seats to make the side bolsters more aggressive and it still didn't help around the corners. My question is why can we not have aftermarket seats in stock classes? The only reason I can think of is the weight difference. But say if I put aftermarket seats in my car and made the total weight of the car the same. Does anyone think that should be legal? I'm just looking for input. ;D

[mvt]

My opinion:

Stock is Stock - Modifying anything makes it no longer stock.

I know that sounds simplistic, but you can give a 'what if' for just about any component in a vehicle. Some may not matter, but some do provide a performance advantage, even if it is a slight one.

Changing to aftermarket seats gives more than just a weight savings. The seats also hold you more, giving you the ability to drive harder into the corners.

I ran my car for a couple PDX events with stock seats, before having to change up to a race seat for Time Trials. The difference was night and day. I was sliding all over the stock seats around the corners, but with the race seat holding me in tight, I could take the corners faster.

In the last event with stock seats, I actually had a bruise on my left arm from having to brace myself against the door. You can imagine what effect this had on being able to steer while bracing myself. Not the case now with my race seat and race harnesses holding me in tight.

So, it's more than just weight savings.

That's all part of the trade off for running in the stock class. You want to 'upgrade' seats, someone else wants to 'upgrade' tires, and someone else wants to 'upgrade' to a turbo or better suspension, or different gearing, or ??.

I like the idea of having a 100% bone stock set of classes for folks who either don't wish to, or are unable to get into the 'upgrade' spiral.

But I know what you're talking about, I'm bad about making one small change that kicks me up in class, where I'm overwhelmed by the folks who build their vehicles to the full rules allowance of the class.

[jrod]

mvt makes a great point about the upgrade spiral. What will drive you even crazier is that some stock cars include things geared more towards racing and already have an advantage over other cars.

What is allowed that achieves the same thing is installing a harness bar and installing a 5 point harness. It seemed to work for those that used them.

[Elliot]

Do you have any pictures of the bar and harness?

[jrod]

hardbarusa.com/hardbar/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=39

[Elliot]

That's pretty cool. I don't have the sport seats though.

EDIT: I just saw where they said it can be used without the sport seats. I'm seriously considering this. That's a good price on it too. The harnesses are going to be just as much as the bar though, haha.

[mvt]

Some times you can pick up used harnesses that are out of date for Time Trials or Club Racers.
Usually they're still in great shape, just have passed their magic date mark.
Still good for AutoX or RallyX though.

<Avoid used harnesses from dirt track cars, they're usually well worn out and you'll never get the red dirt out of them>

[Elliot]

I'm going to hold off on this for a while. I'll have to buy the bar, two lap belt mounts and two harnesses. That's going to cost a lot.

[primaris]

This device works really well and it is not too expensive: CG-Lock

Of course twisting the belt at the latch usually does the same thing.

[Elliot]

It's my upper body that has the problem. The stock Z06 seats have no shoulder support. They are like conversion van seats, haha. I'm going to start saving and look for a used bar, etc.

[jrod]

The harness bars and belts are definitely expensive. I have seen this used as well and is considerably cheaper. I don't know how effective it is though in holding the torso.

www.gforce.com/products/netsanres/4290.php