No matter how I adjust the seat with a helmet on, I don’t have enough head clearance to obtain the correct arm angle in relation to the steering wheel.
I am thinking about making some brackets for the factory seat. If you have pics of what you have done or can explain, please help me out.
Also if you installed an aftermarket seat, I would like to know how they compare to the factory seats.

 

Depends on the car, but in my case, to give me enough headroom, with a helmet, my ITS car has no carpet (obviously), the rear seat mounts were sliced out, and the trans tunnel slightly hacked to move the seat inward. I don't know auto-x rules very well, so not sure if you can do any of these things. Hell, some might argue that my trans tunnel hacking was illegal, but i"m prepared to argue that point



The seat I installed was a Kirkey Intermediate aluminum seat, 20* layback.

I also added a 1" spacer to the steering wheel to bring it back closer to me.

PaulC

 

Thanks for the reply,
I have an '87 N/A.
Did you fab the spacer or is that an off the shelf item?

 

What class are you running in?

 

E-Stock

 

Any mod to the seat and your in CSP. But, locally most people will not care unless you beat them

Short(no pum intended) of getting an aftermarket seat I can't think of anything other than removing some foam from the seat bottom. That is a common thing to do for many Miata owners that have the same problem. And also that is easy to hide from other racers as you can say the seat foam is wore out.

 

Thanks for the info,
Can I use a steering wheel spacer in the ES class?
What is CSP?

 

Here's a link for all your classification questions:

http://mouton.best.vwh.net/sccasolo/

Stock classes are technically allowed to change tires, same-size wheels, shocks, front sway bar, and catback. By the rulebook, you can't change anything else. There are other things that either don't get checked or aren't important to anybody ... but if you start winning Divisional tours and/or at Nationals, somebody will contest you.

CSP is C-stock, Street Prepared. You'll see in the link.

 

I am also 6'2" and have a 3rd gen. Head room was a major issue. I have a Sparco Rev seat and custom fixed seat mounting brackets. The guy who made them even pulled the sound profing out from under the carpet. The seat sits firmly on the floor.

 

Thanks redrotorR1, I found this on the website.
Solo II Stock Class Rules
13.2 Bodywork
Accessories, gauges, indicators, lights and other appearance, comfort and convenience modifications which have no effect on performance and/or handling and do not materially reduce the weight of the car are permitted. This does not allow driver's seat substitutions or the removal of "tow hooks", a.k.a. "tie down loops". Delayed shutdown devices such as the "Turbo Timer", which perform no function while the car is in motion, are permitted. This does permit the installation of an additional mirror (e.g. a "Wink"), but does not allow the removal of the original mirror.
Hood straps or fasteners may be added.

If I understand this correctly, I should be able to lower my seat with some homemade brackets. As long as I dont remove any material from the car. Right?

 

yeah, that does seem to suggest that this is legal..

Good for you to look it up, this is important because if you ever do get protested, you need to know what the rules say so you can defend your modifications.

PaulC

 

I guess we should have went to the rule book instead of relying on memory.

 

Thanks, you guys were really, really, helpful.
Do you guys (Silkworm) know what the maximum spacer length (that can be obtained) is on a stock steering column and wheel.
Thanks in advance.

 

Based on those rules, you can use any spacer you want, since it's a comfort/convienence issue. That's how I'd look at it.

PaulC

 

In E stock a steering wheel spacer is within the rules, as is an after market steering wheel as long as it is not more than +/- 1 inch diameter from the stock steering wheel. I confirmed this with the SCCA before I changed mine.

 

Thanks for the reply
I am having trouble when I am using ball/edge(heel/toe) shifting. When I roll the edge of my right foot onto the gas my knee is getting caught behind the steering wheel (I have the seat all the way back). I have been looking at the MOMO steering wheels with the flat bottom. But most of the time when I am using this technique I have the wheel turned at least 45degrees so I really don’t think this style of wheel will help.
What brand/style of steering wheel are you using?

 

I sit more forward, so my knee doesn't hit the wheel. Sounds backwards but it works. End up driving splay-legged but it's better than constantly bashing the knee/thigh into the steering wheel.

My sub-6' friend asked me to try his car to see if the brakes felt OK... first thing I did was move the seat forwards about four clicks! (I'm 6'5...)

 

I have a Sparco Lap 5 350mm steering wheel, 350mm is the smallest you can use and still be stock class legal, it is right at 1 inch smaller diameter than my factory wheel. From what I have heard Sparco steering wheels have more of a dish to them that Momo steering wheels which will move it closer to your body. I also ordered a 2 inch Sparco spacer, but it is on backorder right now.

In Autocross it seems like a round steering wheel would work better that a flat bottom wheel, it would be hard to keep the proper hand position with the flat spot always changing location.