Track seat questions

The time has come to put in some competition seats in my 996 cab. I want to do this in order to be able to have 6-point harness and HANS device. I already have the Techquipment roll bar. The problem is, my track car is my daily driver. I do about 5 events/year, so that's 10-15 days each year. The rest of the time, I'm driving the car wherever I go, so I need something that is not too difficult to get in and out of. But, I want as much lateral support as I can get, so I'm looking for a reasonable tradeoff. Anyone have any suggestions? (I looked at the GT3 seats and really like them, but they are probably more than I want to spend at this point.) Second question: I hear rumors that there are new seat rules coming next season for PCA DE events (I'm in the Potomac region). Anybody know what those are, and how they impact the choice of seats? Thanks, =Carlos=

In order to use the harnesses you have to have correct seats for them (specifically made for the harnesses like the gt3 seats). They will no longer pass tech inspection with stock seats and harnesses.

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This is the change in the rules? If that's all there's to it, that won't affect me, since I will be getting the seats and harnesses at the same time. Thanks, =Carlos=

My PCA-GGR rules, and I want to say they are across all PCA regions, is that the shoulder belts 'must' go through the shoulder holes in the seats for 2008. No more are you allowed to run shoulder belts (part of all 5/6 way harnesses) around seats that do not have the holes. This is because, how it was explained to me, that the shoulder belts are not staying secure on the shoulder without the containment the holes in the seats give you, so drivers are having them slip of there shoulders while cornering, not a good thing. So make sure you get seats with the shoulder holes. My understanding is that the US GT3 seats (996) are not going to p[*** anymore, you have to get the Euro spec GT3 seats or aftermarket. In regards to the aftermarket seats, it really depends on your height and size to see what is best for you. I prefer Sparco seats as I run them in the past (non-Porsche). The Pro 2000's I choose as they have plenty of lateral support but are fixed back. As far as getting in and out, yep they are a pain but then I also have a side bar (fixed) that you have to climb over too. So without a side bar I am not sure the difficulty level. But then you have a cab so you could always have the top down when getting in and then put the top up after you are secure. DELL...can you add your input on this one and let me know if I have it correct or not, plus any recommendations on seats

There are several seats out there that will work for double duty well....The Euro GT3 seats and Recaro Pole Positions come to mind as seats that you could live with climbing in and out of on a daily basis without the hassles of some of the deeper race seats on the market....but I feel you on the invesemtne required for the factory GT3 seats. Another great seat that's a little more street oriented and may leave you wanting a little more lateral support at the track is the Sparco Roadster 2. A friend of mine has these in his M3 and they're very easy to get in and out of for a fixed position seat BUT I could see how they *could* fall short for some as far as track support. Andy

Carlos, I had that very setup in my CAB before I started tracking my GT3. The Teq bar, with harnesses and the GT3 seats are a fantastic combo! I ended up selling the entire setup to another Rennlister when I returned it to stock. The "GT3 Euro" seats (buckets) are fantastic and as long as you can tolerate you significant other complaining all the time about getting in and out of them

Most regions have already gone to rules banning the use of race harnesses with Porsche high-back seats. You need to be looking for a set with pass-throughs. Yes, GT3 seats are fairly expensive, but someone always has a set for sale used. They usually sell for about half of the new price used and often already have sub-bars installed. A cheaper alternative would be a set of Recaro Pole Positions with the correct seat brackets.

The GT3 seats (Euro bucket) are a good compromise. They're in my daily driver and it's not a big deal to get in or out after using them a few times. The seats aren't cheap, but then neither is the other stuff you want to get. Carlos, you posted that you plan to get a HANS. Make sure you get the right seat for that (as well as the correct harnesses). I'm not sure how compatible HANS is with the GT3 seat (it's doable, but is it the right set up?).

As long as you run the HANS specific belts (2" up top) then the GT3 seats work just fine. With the 3" belts they do NOT work. I just called HMS Motorsports and ordered as set of HANS shoulder belts which you can order individually if you already have the Schroth setup. Something like $125.

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Thanks, Dell. Let me see what kind of prices for the GT3 seats I can find out there.... the best I've seen so far is SunCoast. I need a motivated private seller. Thanks to the rest of you that replied with other suggestions. I'll check them out. (and if anyone else has any ideas, please chime in) =Carlos=

Get the Euro GT3 seats. They weigh much less than stock seats and they are very comfortable.

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Good luck on the search! Here is the rough approximate price points: Used 1500-2000 New 2500-3000

Ray, thanks for the pics, the seats (and car) look great! Weight reduction is another reason for doing this. I think my present power-loaded seats weigh something like 60 lbs each. (!) How much do the GT3 seats weigh? Since I'm already carrying 165 lbs extra due to the cab top mechanism, any reduction in weight is most welcome. =Carlos=

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I believe the euro GT3 seat weigh around 28 lbs. each. Additionally, the seat come stock with black plastic around the belt pass through holes. Eric from Bumper Plugs painted mine. Big improvement!!

The only real negative I have found with the GT3 seats is they really create a blind spot.

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Speed, what are US gt3 seats, first time Im hearing this?

US GT3 seats are the seats that came standard in our GT3's here in the states. Most refer to them as the "sport" seats. They look just like a normal seat but with little "winglets" that extend out at your shoulder. (picture attached)

aahhhh, first time to hear the sports seats were US gt3s'... thanks

Thanks Dell...I have heard them called US GT3 seats before I heard them called Sports Seats.

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Hey! I guess belt pass through holes removable? Can you confirm please. Thanks a lot.

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Yes, the plastic pieces around the shoulder holes and the lap belt holes are removable (Torx screws). They look much better painted.

Yes they do. Almost like 997 Euro GT3 seats which are close to 10K.

Are there any big guys out there (aka "barrel chested") running these seats? How do us wider fellows fit into the Euro GT3 seats?

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6'4", 215lbs, 46 chest, just fine thank you very much. There isn't much more room at the hips, but there is room at the chest and shoulders.

6'1" 205# and fit just perfect. But truth be told, as Simon said, there is NOT much room for the wide hip guys. I have had several friends that could NOT go for a ride in my car b/c of their wide hips region

do you need a harness/roll bar to use the 6 point seat belts with the GT3 seats in a carrera or can you simply tie the seat belts to the floor somewhere... are there official rules on this type of equipment and how it needs to be arranged?

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Check with your local PCA, they will have all of the rules of how seats, harnesses and roll-bars need to be installed..it's all about safety.

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Ruh Roh..... It looks like I might have some issues....I am built like a square brick. Any suggestions for a seat for big dudes with pass throughs? I used to have this seat in my spec miata, in an 18" width (the biggest): http://www.ultrashieldrace.com/prod.php?id=2 It was snug, but comfortable once I was in. Does anyone know of the actual equivalent "width" of the GT3 Euro seats?

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I'm in Chicago right now, but I'll measure when I get home on Saturday.

Important point: If you have a car with air bags it will not be a requirement to have all that "stuff". Change 3.3T (d) from d. Entrants and passengers must use competition belts, harnesses and anti-submarine straps; 2 inch FIA approved lap belts or 3-inch lap belts, 3-inch shoulder harnesses and 2-inch antisubmarine straps are minimum to d. Drivers and passengers in cars that lack functional airbags or have 250 (450?) or more modification points must use multi-point harnesses.

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From my own car (driver's side) Seat squab width at narrowest (rearmost) point: 13" Same at widest (front) point: 14" Seat base external width at hip point: 18" Seat tracks from left front bolt centre to right front bolt centre: 16.5" Seat back external width at widest point: 22"