New Seat Rules, What fits and what is legal? Options

[TeenerTim]

OK. I was following this thread in the Garage and there was no definitive answer as to what seats will pass the new rules for the ant-submarine strap. It seems like a lot of people are going to have to replace their existing seats. I thought it might be a good thing to have one place for the "official" list.

Question #1: Do you still need a new seat if you use a six point belt instead of a five point?

Question #2: What seats are both approved and fit the 914?

[Racer]

Regarding the new rules out there the but best I can determine is:

1) Why would any DE sanctioning body NOT approve of the factory, DOT approved system? They wouldn't. Hence, your 35 year old stock seat and belts are allowed. (They may not be encouraged, or the safest, but they are allowed)

2) Obviously some kind of push by the providers of the insurance that PCA/POC and others use also was a reason to more clearly define, in a broad measure, what is acceptable, rather than a case by case study by those who might not be as well informed.

3) Harnesses (5/6pt) only truly work effectively with a seat designed for them. No factory porsche seat (GT3 seat being the exception) can safely accomodate a harness application. The built in headrests of nearly all porsche seats do not allow for the belts to rest properly on your shoulders. It really wont take much of an impact (frontal lets say) to cause the belts to spread and send you into your steering wheel.

4) Situations/approaches that fall between Stock and Race seat w/harnesses are half assed and subject an occupant (driver, instructor, student) to more hazzards.

That said, there will be few, if any, seats that meet the requirements without SOME fabrication or modification to your car.

- Mounting points for seats will need to be addressed/fabricated, strenghtened
- mounting points for harnesses will need to be addressed/fabricated to work in conjunction with both SEAT and belt Manufacturers guideline.
- Potential removal or modification of the upholstered back pad may be necessary in 914 applications


Now, since you will need to fabricate mounting points, you will learn that nearly any "race"type seats that meets the PCA/POC rules can be made to fit

Corbeau; Recaro; Kirkey; Sparco all come quickly to mind and I am sure there many others.

Perhaps the only "stock" looking seat I can think of that may work comes from GTS seats.


No doubt the reason for frequent re-webbing/replacement has to due with

1) Stretch
2) Mild uses (under heavy braking will slowly stretch the belt for instance)
3) UV degredation is a big reason

I forget what year it was.. 2002 or so, SCCA had a great article about seatbelts. They studied and learned that a belt looses about 50% of its effectiveness (as a restraint - its ability to absorb energy etc) within TWO YEARS!.

I think the real issue is the MENTAL side. If you spend $500-1000-1500 year on tires, is it really that much of a deal to spend comparable money once every 5-10 years on your personal safety?

I denied the need for a correct seat/harness system for years. But when you realize a fatal accident can happen at speeds as low as 30mph, why not protect yourself?


For me? I'm getting some Kirkeys installed to go with new 6pt belts, high density padding for the rollbar too.