Low cost passenger seat for HPDE instructor: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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July 15, 2010 12:14 p.m. Klayfish New Reader

My new track toy is a former ITB car, and has just the drivers seat. I bought the car as an HPDE only toy. It's been a few years since I've run HPDE, so for my first few events, I'm going to run in the novice classes, where an instructor will be riding with me (or I'll ride with the instructor). I don't want to pay as much for the passenger seat/harness as I did for the entire car.

Suggestions for a low cost way to get a seat and harness into the car for a few events? The harness cost isn't a big deal, they're fairly cheap for a 5 point one, but not sure about proper seat options to use with a harness.
July 15, 2010 12:23 p.m. klipless Reader

Check with the organization you're running with. Some require that the passenger safety equipment be equivalent or better than the driver's.
July 15, 2010 12:46 p.m. WilberM3 Reader

Cobra Monaco or Clubman. i dont like sitting in the monaco because its flat and wide on the bottom BUT it is fia certified if needed so its a cheap commonly used passenger side seat. because its wide itll fit pretty much any instructor too. dont know if the clubman is comfy but its a bit narrower. not sure if its certified.

http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/store/seats/cobra-seats/cobra-tube-frame
July 15, 2010 12:51 p.m. Woody SuperDork

I have a Monaco. I even bought it from HMS, but they are no longer FIA certified.
July 15, 2010 12:58 p.m. WilberM3 Reader

In reply to Woody:

is it very recently no longer certified? cobra's own website still says it is.
July 15, 2010 1:48 p.m. turboswede SuperDork
July 15, 2010 2:10 p.m. motomoron Reader

When I did an instructor clinic recently it took a couple tries to find one small enough to fit in my Cobra Suzuka GT pros, which are a full-grown adult sized seat.

Something to consider...
July 15, 2010 2:20 p.m. splitime Reader

klipless wrote:

Check with the organization you're running with. Some require that the passenger safety equipment be equivalent or better than the driver's.

Also, I think it is only fair to offer the passenger the same level of safety as the driver. Head and neck restraints and helmet/suits etc do not apply though.
July 15, 2010 3:19 p.m. Klayfish New Reader

splitime wrote:

Also, I think it is only fair to offer the passenger the same level of safety as the driver. Head and neck restraints and helmet/suits etc do not apply though.

I don't disagree with that...especially since I may be the passenger at some points. Just looking for a budget way to get that done, as I may remove the seat at the end of the season anyway.
July 15, 2010 3:37 p.m. Woody SuperDork

WilberM3 wrote:

In reply to Woody:

is it very recently no longer certified? cobra's own website still says it is.

Someone (probably here) told me that around a year ago, and that was the first time I had heard about it. I poked around and it seemed to check out.

Losing your certification could be as easy as having improper labels, though. Cobra may have corrected it by now.

I think I found some info on the subject at Specmiata.com

Instructors need to have the same or better equipment than the driver. Of course, some clubs will let you run without an instructor if you have no passenger seat, though I'm not condoning that....
July 15, 2010 4:17 p.m. skruffy SuperDork

Kirkey. They aren't particularly comfortable, but the price is right and they hold you in well. Perfect for an occasional use passenger seat.