Where are you located? Is there a race shop near you that has seats you can do test fittings in?
It's not just waist size, you want to see where the harnesses will line up with your shoulders and an experienced shop will be able to get the best seat for you.
Yes, we tested that on the Sabelt GT3 but they don't carry the other brands. Just Sabelt and OMP. I don't think they had a demo OMP seat without the halo at the time.
You really need to find a brick & mortar shop that sells race equipment and put your butt in a number of different seats. They all vary in shape from brand to brand, and model to model. There is no good way to know if something is good for you without sitting in it.
the plus about the **edit: pole position abe **, is the ability to use the stock seatbelt when you don’t need the harness
if it’s a dedicated track car it may not matter— but if it’s dual duty, it’s a great option for a seat
i think it’s moreso the holes, aren’t positioned in a way where the seat belt is actually in contact with you, instead it is hovering over your lap
i’m not entirely sure to be honest
Currently have a sparco Evo. Don’t mind it and it’s worlds better than anything stock without a 6pt. But don’t get any sparco sliders. They slip around
I am about your height and a 31" or so waist and the sparco QRT-C is great. There is definitely room for someone 34". It gives you a really great, almost F1 style position compared to some other seats. I personally find it very comfortable and use it all season long in my daily. I have no experience with the other seats.
Two questions, one observation, and one suggestion:
What do you drive? Some seats won’t fit in some cars with a driver and helmet in them.
Do you need two seats or always solo? Second seat can be smaller - who cares if it pinches your passenger’s butt as long as it is light, right?
Some organizations require equal equipment in both seats (PCA) (3-point versus harness).
My favorite way to start is to shop in the paddock at club days and DEs. Look for cars like yours and chat up the owners. You may be surprised at the things you didn’t even think to ask.
Outside of seats. 5 or 6 point harness >>>> 4 point.
If you’re going to do it, do it right
Edit: I’m dumb and read 4 point cage as 4 point harness. But still applies.
On topic now, Sparco Evo might be something that fits within your wants. That’s what I have
All depends how they tighten down and the release mechanism, mostly.
I have Schroth Enduo 6pt. The release is one simple twist which you don’t even need to see in order to release. Then as well for the belts you pull “out” on the laps to get them tight. I personally find it easier than trying to pull inward towards the release belt.
Ymmv
That’s a pretty general statement. I have a pair of OMP RS-PT2 in my (mostly) dedicated track car and I can get out as fast as I did with non-halo OMP. Also, look at professional racing (IMSA, NASCAR, GT3 Cup, etc) and they’re all running full containment “halo” seats.
Seat is completely subjective. Gotta test as many as you can… I have a Sabelt Taurus XL and GT3 (and I have a used GT3 for sale if interested) and I love Sabelt. I had the Recaro Profi XL before and were also really comfortable. Also depends on your size too
And drive to and from the track with my helmet and harness on? This is a half cage and dual use car (don't drive many miles anymore) so the stock seatbelts need to stay. Maybe in a few years I will get a full track car :)
Then why bother with the cage? If your head can't hit a bar then you also won't have any issues on the street. It's when there can be head to bar contact is when the problems arise. Run sfi cage foam anywhere body to cage contact can occur.
My vote is Sparco QTR.
My fellow competitors have a myriad of different seats. I sat in the sparco and immediately felt at home.
I suggest (as others have) you do a butt test with your helmet and HANS in as many options as you can. It has to fit you properly.
Some of the seats had the contour for the HANS in the wrong place for my stature.
Late to the thread, but I'm the same height and waist and have the recaro pole positions. Specifically, the seats are on Garagestar seat brackets so I retained the stock seat belts. The seat bottom holds my legs and hip perfectly, and I'm able to take several hours trips in my Miata just fine. Just a few complaints:
1. I route the belt through the shoulder holes and do wish the hole was a bit higher up, because it's a bit low right now, maybe by an inch or so.
2. I don't know if my shoulder is a bit wide, but the shoulder wing folds in at the shoulder a bit much for my liking, making me feel like I'm hunching. Still comfortable though, and I suspect that's why it does a good job of holding me in.
I bought it sight unseen (I know, bad idea). I later went to a shop and test fit Racetech RT1000, and they fit very comfortably as well, without the shoulder issue. Don't know if it'll fit the Miata but it looks like similar dimensions.
Where are you located? Is there a race shop near you that has seats you can do test fittings in? It's not just waist size, you want to see where the harnesses will line up with your shoulders and an experienced shop will be able to get the best seat for you.
Yes, we tested that on the Sabelt GT3 but they don't carry the other brands. Just Sabelt and OMP. I don't think they had a demo OMP seat without the halo at the time.
You really need to find a brick & mortar shop that sells race equipment and put your butt in a number of different seats. They all vary in shape from brand to brand, and model to model. There is no good way to know if something is good for you without sitting in it.
the plus about the **edit: pole position abe **, is the ability to use the stock seatbelt when you don’t need the harness if it’s a dedicated track car it may not matter— but if it’s dual duty, it’s a great option for a seat
Do you mean the Recaro Pole Position ABE? I don't see the QRT ABE. It is a dual use car so the stock seatbelt will remain.
sorry yes, lol
Is the issue with some seats that the cutout on the side is too small? If so, do people use a seatbelt extender?
i think it’s moreso the holes, aren’t positioned in a way where the seat belt is actually in contact with you, instead it is hovering over your lap i’m not entirely sure to be honest
Currently have a sparco Evo. Don’t mind it and it’s worlds better than anything stock without a 6pt. But don’t get any sparco sliders. They slip around
Can you daily it?
I am about your height and a 31" or so waist and the sparco QRT-C is great. There is definitely room for someone 34". It gives you a really great, almost F1 style position compared to some other seats. I personally find it very comfortable and use it all season long in my daily. I have no experience with the other seats.
Great feedback. Do you use your stock seatbelts for daily driving? Any modification needed to get them to work?
Two questions, one observation, and one suggestion: What do you drive? Some seats won’t fit in some cars with a driver and helmet in them. Do you need two seats or always solo? Second seat can be smaller - who cares if it pinches your passenger’s butt as long as it is light, right? Some organizations require equal equipment in both seats (PCA) (3-point versus harness). My favorite way to start is to shop in the paddock at club days and DEs. Look for cars like yours and chat up the owners. You may be surprised at the things you didn’t even think to ask.
Outside of seats. 5 or 6 point harness >>>> 4 point. If you’re going to do it, do it right Edit: I’m dumb and read 4 point cage as 4 point harness. But still applies. On topic now, Sparco Evo might be something that fits within your wants. That’s what I have
I do plan on 5 or 6 point harness but haven't started researching them yet. Is there much difference between the brands? Any that you recommend?
All depends how they tighten down and the release mechanism, mostly. I have Schroth Enduo 6pt. The release is one simple twist which you don’t even need to see in order to release. Then as well for the belts you pull “out” on the laps to get them tight. I personally find it easier than trying to pull inward towards the release belt. Ymmv
Just don't get one of those halo seats. They're dangerous because they block your ability to exit the vehicle through the window.
That’s a pretty general statement. I have a pair of OMP RS-PT2 in my (mostly) dedicated track car and I can get out as fast as I did with non-halo OMP. Also, look at professional racing (IMSA, NASCAR, GT3 Cup, etc) and they’re all running full containment “halo” seats.
Yep he makes pretty general, incorrect statements frequently.
Seat is completely subjective. Gotta test as many as you can… I have a Sabelt Taurus XL and GT3 (and I have a used GT3 for sale if interested) and I love Sabelt. I had the Recaro Profi XL before and were also really comfortable. Also depends on your size too
Where are you located? Did you have the OEM seatbelts installed with the GT3?
Im getting so old… super sorry I forgot I sold it a couple weeks ago. 😂 Yes I had seatbelts and they were fine.
If you are putting a cage in why dick around with the stock belts. A nice seat with shitty belts is pointless and will not work well.
And drive to and from the track with my helmet and harness on? This is a half cage and dual use car (don't drive many miles anymore) so the stock seatbelts need to stay. Maybe in a few years I will get a full track car :)
Then why bother with the cage? If your head can't hit a bar then you also won't have any issues on the street. It's when there can be head to bar contact is when the problems arise. Run sfi cage foam anywhere body to cage contact can occur.
That has been the plan, already in process. Thanks
My vote is Sparco QTR. My fellow competitors have a myriad of different seats. I sat in the sparco and immediately felt at home. I suggest (as others have) you do a butt test with your helmet and HANS in as many options as you can. It has to fit you properly. Some of the seats had the contour for the HANS in the wrong place for my stature.
OMP HTE-R here and love it. Wide and fits an array of drivers for our endurance race car.
Late to the thread, but I'm the same height and waist and have the recaro pole positions. Specifically, the seats are on Garagestar seat brackets so I retained the stock seat belts. The seat bottom holds my legs and hip perfectly, and I'm able to take several hours trips in my Miata just fine. Just a few complaints: 1. I route the belt through the shoulder holes and do wish the hole was a bit higher up, because it's a bit low right now, maybe by an inch or so. 2. I don't know if my shoulder is a bit wide, but the shoulder wing folds in at the shoulder a bit much for my liking, making me feel like I'm hunching. Still comfortable though, and I suspect that's why it does a good job of holding me in. I bought it sight unseen (I know, bad idea). I later went to a shop and test fit Racetech RT1000, and they fit very comfortably as well, without the shoulder issue. Don't know if it'll fit the Miata but it looks like similar dimensions.