Ron Spencer wrote:
Adam
I think they only need to be FIA certified to not use a seatback brace. Otherwise no big deal. My seat is NOt FIA certified and has passed every technical inspection to date.
Ron
That rule only apply to wheel-to-wheel racing.
AFAIK, there are no specific rules regarding FIA/seat back braces/etc for HPDE _or_ TT. Seats must be deemed safe and must pass technical inspection. Then they must pass instructor scrutiny before he will get in the car with you and go out on track. Just make sure they are tight, safe, secure, and well made, and you shouldn't have any problems.
With that said, it is an EXTREMELY good idea to have a seatback brace on a reclining seat when you get to the "9/10ths" time-trial level of driving. Fixed back seats from a reputable manufacturer (FIA or not, IMO) are safe without a brace if properly mounted using side mounts (or extremely strong bottom mounts).
I wish Robert Plank was a regular on the forums - he could give you all a very compelling story about why stock seats without a brace on track is a safety risk.
(PS - my normal safety disclaimer: Everyone Has Their Own Level Of Acceptable Risk. The statements above are my own opinion. Certainly, there are people out there who would drive on track sitting in a lawn chair strapped to the car with bungee cords. There are other people who won't put a wheel on track without a full cage, FIA seat with head restraint, and a HANS device. Of course there are also those who would never drive a car in anger at all, since sitting inside all day is much more safe than driving. All we can do is educate people about the choices they make, but let's not insist everyone make the same safety choises as "I" do - as long as everyone plays by the rules
Peace!)
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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1
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