Borrow Corbeau Forza seat for Miata test fit?

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2007 12:09 pm

Looking at possibly venturing out on track this next season, but need to get my butt closer to the floor to get under the bar on my NB Miata. While I know there are a couple places local to tets fit the seats, I'd like to play with the fitment in the car a bit. Anybody have a seat easily accessible I could borrow?

Alternately, anyboy have a Miata with rollbar with these installed I could sit in and take some measurements?

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2007 12:41 pm

I have 2 Forza's out of the car as we speak.

Only problem is they are at Kendt Ecklund's house in Vass, NC

You are more than welcome if you can get them from Kendt

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

What's going to be easiest? I need to get them to Ryan sometime, so does it make sense for me to get them to either one of you first?

I may be road-trippin' this weekend to get some test-fit tires from Rodney, so maybe we could work out a nice driving loop for me?

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:13 pm

taking this to PM.....

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:15 pm

Hey,
I have everything mentioned if you haven't looked yet.

You are more than welcome to do a test fit in my car.

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:26 pm

Marty Howard wrote:

Hey,
I have everything mentioned if you haven't looked yet.

You are more than welcome to do a test fit in my car.

Marty, thanks for the offer. I was able to do a fit with these seats in my car, and a Miata on track just isn't going to work for me. My upper body height is only ~2" less than floorpan to roll hoop measurement. I looked into bolting the seats directly to the floor and removing the padding as well, but with helmet in place, I'm <1" from the broomstick - not ideal. Add to that that these seats won't fit straight in the car when bolted that low, and my decision was made. Oh well, I guess I need another car

JonathanEvans · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:38 pm

Dustin,
I bolted a Kirkey Aluminum sprint seat directly to the floorpan on my '92 Miata and tilted it back a bit. I'm 6' with a long torso. I fit way under a hard dog hard top version.

Also, I think a bolted on hard top would make the 2inch broomstick rule moot. But I'd check into that before spending a grand on a top.

I'm in the triangle if you want to test sit.

-Jonathan

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:41 pm

Since the hardtops don't offer any real chassis support, the broomstick rule still applies.

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:47 pm

JonathanEvans wrote:

Dustin,
I bolted a Kirkey Aluminum sprint seat directly to the floorpan on my '92 Miata and tilted it back a bit. I'm 6' with a long torso. I fit way under a hard dog hard top version.

Also, I think a bolted on hard top would make the 2inch broomstick rule moot. But I'd check into that before spending a grand on a top.

I'm in the triangle if you want to test sit.

-Jonathan

Jonathan, thanks, I may take you up on that offer. I actually already have the hardtop for the car, and my M2 has a slightly shortenend HDHCDD to fit under the M2 top (though I think they now sell one specifically for this).

Marty Howard wrote:

Since the hardtops don't offer any real chassis support, the broomstick rule still applies.

You are referring to needing to be below the broomstick, but not specifically 2" below the broomstick, right? My understanding from the rules is that the 2" caveat is a strong recommendation (and a good one) but not a hard requirement.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:14 pm

As per the Saftey guide:

The driver’s head, with helmet, must fit under the roll bar along a horizontal plane starting at the top of the windscreen frame extending to the top of the Roll Bar. This may require competition seats to lower the driver below a point capable with OEM seats. 2” minimum clearance is perfered.

JonathanEvans · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:33 pm

Light has been shed on the subject.

The problem I have now is that the instructor/passenger has to be pretty short to fit under the broomstick. I kept the stock seat and cut a hole for the submarine belt.

I would argue that the hardtop adds LOTS of chassis support, but little to no roll over protection. The car feels much tighter when you connect the windshield to the rear deck with the hardtop. The car isn't safer, just more tied together.

-Jonathan

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:43 pm

JonathanEvans wrote:

I kept the stock seat and cut a hole for the submarine belt.

That won't fly either.

I'd highly suggest downloading the THSCC Tech Guide and reading it.

http://www.thscc.com/timetrial/nonhtml/ ... _Final.pdf

The THSCC Tech Guide- Page 16 wrote:

5.1.4 THSCC/TZC enforces an “Equal Protection Policy”. This
requires both driver and passenger have available the same
level of protection. This applies to Seats, Harnesses,
Padding and all installed safety equipment.

I know its VERY frustrating at first. There are so many rules and regulations to follow but once you get it done right, you will be glad you spent the time and money to do so.

JonathanEvans · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:07 pm

I'll just have to take the passeger seat out and keep running solo then...

But seriously, this looks like a clarification of the rules. My car has been tech'd for 3 years this way. I had discussions with Brad M. and Mark V. quite often when I was setting up the car but this was a while ago and I may need to update my seat according to the new rules.

The bottom line I heard was if that the instructor wasn't comfortable riding in the car for safety reasons, your weekend was over before it began.

Of course I've heard stories about cutting the legs off plastic patio chairs and screwing them into floor pans. Wow.

-Jonathan

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