Comfortable and durable race car seats are essential to driver safety and performance. To provide optimal support, the seat must conform to each driver’s posture by offering support to their thighs, buttocks, back, and head.
Deep bucket seats help minimize body lean during high-speed maneuvers and cornering maneuvers, unlike regular “couch” seats that lack any form of body stabilization features for cornering maneuvers.
Lightweight
Motorsport drivers rely on driver seating to maximize performance. A suitable racing seat provides stability, support, and control that enables them to remain in optimal positions and focus while engaging in high-speed maneuvers.
Modern race car seats are constructed to be lightweight, durable and cost-effective. Utilizing advanced manufacturing processes such as autoclave molding and vacuum infusion to produce supportive structures with reduced weight without compromising safety or strength.
Many of these seats are tailored specifically for use with HANS devices and six-point harnesses, making them the ideal choice for racing, track days, and other high-performance driving activities. Furthermore, their ergonomic designs help drivers remain in their ideal positions during high speed maneuvers while decreasing risk of injury.
Durable
Many race seats are made from lightweight materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber that can withstand the rigors of racing, along with advanced construction techniques to produce rigid yet supportive structures.
Ergonomic design of these seats makes them far more comfortable to drive in for longer. Furthermore, their ergonomic construction helps drivers reduce fatigue and focus more on driving tasks at hand.
When purchasing a race seat, always ensure the padding meets SFI-grade specifications and fits well for you. Also important when choosing a race seat are checking the height of its shoulder bolsters; they should sit above your shoulders for optimal support.
Your thigh support should be low enough that your legs can move freely while still controlling the pedals, enabling more precise movements during races that could prove critical in tight finishes.
Customizable
Performance bucket seats differ from stock seats by having firm shells that include bolsters around the legs and back to support both driver and front passenger and keep them securely in their places, especially on high G environments. Furthermore, bucket seats tend to be lighter and stiffer reducing weight and improving handling capabilities in your vehicle.
Racing seat manufacturers provide an array of sizes and designs to accommodate drivers of varying body shapes and dimensions. Many include adjustable seat inserts that enable drivers to customize support to the legs, back, shoulders or other body areas based on driving preferences. Furthermore, many are set up to accept five or six point harnesses while some even come HANS compatible.
An effective racing seat is one of the key safety components in any race car, making its replacement an important investment. Check out MAPerformance’s options and transform your car into something closer to a racecar.
Bucket Seats
SFI certification of seats is one reason nearly all sanctioning bodies require racers to equip their cars with SFI-certified seats, as it demonstrates its structural integrity in an accident. When selecting your SFI seat it should also suit your racing type – selecting one compatible with HANS devices as this will determine how much support and protection is provided to you during a crash. Look for full containment seats compatible with HANS devices with pads for the helmet, shoulders, lumbar, legs and back for optimal support and protection.
Cost can add up quickly when purchasing a good bucket seat, but don’t be intimidated by all the choices on the market. When searching for an aluminum racing seat to purchase, ensure it features grade eight fasteners and hardened fender washers to prevent twisting forces from deforming it during an accident. Also spread mounting points as far apart as possible to prevent them becoming crumple zones in case of collision.
