Racing Seats - A Buyers Guide for Novices

Aspiring race car drivers wishing to build and prepare their own car will need to look at buying a racing seat before they can go out on track.

Today there are a great number of suppliers out there - providing packages for every budget, style and buyer preference. For example, the majority have been designed for competition use only - there are, however, plenty of seats which have been designed with mixed use in mind. Cheap items are available, but one must always consider that prices vary greatly in accordance with designs, materials, specification and - ultimately - their intended use. So whilst some cheap racing seats can set you back as little as £100, most quality racing seats will be three, four or five times this amount - with some retailing at well into four-figures.

Racing seats are generally designed with universal fittings in mind, meaning that the unit can be fitted to a huge range of vehicles with ease. This is achieved by the use of universal rails (the brackets onto which the seat is mounted) which can sometimes be specified separately from the seat and which are designed specifically for your make and model of vehicle.

Most use slide-mount bracketry, which is similar to the brackets used to secure most stock road car seats. These rails are held in place by heavy-duty bolts which, generally speaking, will be included with your seat package.

So, once you have determined your intended use and budget, your third consideration will be the type of restraining device you intend to use - both now and into the future. For instance, if you intend to take the car circuit racing, you'll almost certainly need to install MSA-approved racing harnesses (this will ultimately be determined by the rules and regulations of both the motor racing circuit itself and the racing series in which you are - or intend to - compete). Generally speaking, you will need to budget for at least a four or five-strap race harness if you intend to take part in competitive events.

Your final decision will most likely be to decide what comfort level you need - or are willing to accept - from your racing seat. A key factor here will likely be your intended use of the car. If it is to be used as a track-car only, the majority will provide adequate protection over a 10, 20 or 40 minute race. If however you intend to use the car on a daily basis - or even if you intend to drive to and from your racing events in the car - then you may wish to specify a higher level of comfort and padding in your new seats.

Mode Racewear is a Silverstone-based company, supplying quality racing seats and other racing accessories. For top-quality race seats check our the website or call on 01327 858349 today!

By Richard Harwood