guardsredcab

I wanted to install harnesses for DE. New club requirements: at least 5 pt harnesses, crotch strap(s) must go through factory manufactured slot in seats, driver and passenger must have same seat/harness setup, and harnesses must be anchored on bar at height of shoulder harness slots. So, in order to get harnesses, I need to buy and install 2 "racing" seats, a roll bar and of course the harnesses. Slippery slope indeed!

Anyone have suggestions on a reasonably affordable setup?

mhm993

Kirkey aluminum seats--dirt cheap, great for the track, light, and FIA rated. Cost like $200. Gforce makes one FIA rated 5 point belt system that's remarkably inexpensive--hundred-ish dollar price. Very basic and not fancy, but they work fine. Look for closeouts at places like OG racing. Harness bar depends--which car is it for? If it's the 993, I have a bolt in rollbar in the basement that I've been meaning to sell.

guardsredcab

Thanks Marc. Yes, it is for the 993. What kind of bar do you have?

I'll check out the Kirkey seats. I've been looking at Recaro PP and GT3 knock offs. Even the knock offs are expensive and I worry about the quality.

bart1

I have a BK harness bar I would consider selling. In the car now.

NC TRACKRAT

I believe that the rules state, if using a seat with a 5 or 6 pt. harness, you don't actually have to have a roll bar, just a harness bar, although a roll bar/cage is highly recommended. IMHO, I think it should be a requirement since it would be extremely difficult to avoid a roof collapsing while strapped in.

race911

I've used plenty of Kirkey's in the past, and can't knock them (even if price irrelevant)..........but I always had them installed in cars that at least had a rollbar with an integral harness mount. And a seatback brace. Now this was on cars that had sliders. When I wrecked my RSA that was so equipped, the seat did move on the sliders; meaning the seat back brace was the extra anchor. Solidly mounted to the floor, I'm sure it's a whole different story.

Feel free to correct/update me here........

Stealth 993

Really safety things are not the place to skimp. Brey-krause makes a great harness truss system, that will also stiffen up the car quite a bit, then there is the bolt in cages.

On belts, get good ones, that have a nice snap lock. When you are belted in the car, some of the cheaper belts are a PITA to clip in, & adjust.

Belts made almost as much difference with me on the track as R compounds, I could focus on driving & not holding my self in the seat. I also was not as tired at the end of the track day.

It sucks, when you are done, you will spend a TON of $$ for not a back, until you use it once, then it's money well spent.

mhm993

Have a Kirkey in the Miata--with a back brace and without sliders-- and it's more comfortable and holds me on one place better than the pole position seat in the 993

To GUardsred--pm you.

guardsredcab

Guys, thanks for all the comments and suggestions. couple more questions... what is a back brace? are the Kirkey seats comfortable enough to drive for several hours (I haven't gone far enough down the slope to acquire a trailer... yet!)

To Bart & Marc - PM'd both of you.

Thanks again!
Greg

mhm993

pm again---nothing arrived.

mhm993

Are they comfy for a long ride? Well, like a helmet, you have to try them on. Different sized people get different models. Yeah, most tub seats are rather comfortable and pretty good, fatigue wise. But because they have to fit you like a tight glove, it gets a little old having to sit in a single, unmoving position on rt 80 for hours.
Honestly, if the car is your DD, it's going to be tough to go on a date with tub seats, unless you don't care about a second date. And if your date is into them--marry her!
You do what you gotta' do to stay safe.

mhm993

Pm arrived--never mind!

mhm993

seat brace:

http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant...tegory_Code=IH

No affiliation--just swiped the link

guardsredcab

Marc, it's not my DD, but living in SW Indiana, it's usually a long way to DE events. Just celebrated our 28th anniversary in July... so, I found someone willing to put up with more discomfort than tub seats a long time ago! but, trying to keep her onboard with my new obsession, I want to make sure it's reasonably comfortable. Since Kirkey's based in Indy, maybe I just need to go visit them. Thanks, Greg

Kein_Ersatz

Greg,

Glad to see you back in the hunt . . .

I too am contemplating that slope, lusting for GT2s, but suspect I will end up with Recaro Pole Positions. The BK harness bar seems very popular, but also a vocal group of bolt in cage vs harness bar proponents for the safety factor.

If you have a tow vehicle (SUV and up), the long drive comfort question can be handled w/o investing in you own trailer. U-Haul and Penske both rent car trailers for $50 a day. I used one for Putnam (4 hours 1-way) which avoided the whole long drive (comfort) question and frees up lots of space for stuff. They ain't as pretty as owner trailers, but at $150 a DE event, it is an option.

Cheers,
Kevin