New FIA Seat Standard

[John Sundelin]

In case you want to read through it, the standard is listed at the bottom of this page.
http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/regulations/Pages/FIAStandards.aspx

--
John

[J Cox]

Dang. If I read it correctly, there is a 10-year expiration in the new standard.

Jim Cox
#558


In case you want to read through it, the standard is listed at the bottom of this page.
http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/regulations/Pages/FIAStandards.aspx

--
John

[markhuebbe]

But I wonder how much these seats will end up costing. 30 layers of carbon fiber, aluminum honeycomb & unobtainium?

[John Sundelin]

But I wonder how much these seats will end up costing. 30 layers of carbon fiber, aluminum honeycomb & unobtainium?

Not cheap... http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=S/S867ZBLK

However, if you look at it as a 10 year cost compared to two 5 year costs, it's not a bad deal when you consider the extra protection. On the other hand, most of these things are pretty heavy.

--
John

[bentmettle]

On the other hand, most of these things are pretty heavy.

--
John

Arguably, a result of forcing the seat to take bending loads that could be supported more efficiently by other structures. Unfortunately, the interaction of multiple components is more difficult to test and regulate.

The lifespan doesn't seem entirely unreasonable compared to say something like a helmet, eh?

[J Cox]

Not cheap... [url]

However, if you look at it as a 10 year cost compared to two 5 year costs, it's not a bad deal when you consider the extra protection. On the other hand, most of these things are pretty heavy.

--
John

The cost problem is for those who rely on the used market.

For the seller, even the farily generous 10-year expiration will still sharply limit what these are worth as used items, since the will only have X years of life left.

For the buyer, the pool of used seats to choose from will shrink dramatically, making it more likely you will have to ship something, or maybe even forcing you to buy new during the first years these seats are required (since very few will be for sale used).

Using me as an example, when RA stopped allowing stock seats, I was able to upgrade to a used set of Sparco Evo2 for 25% of the cost of new ones. They are still in the truck today and looking like new.

This is not a crisis, just another small nail in my proverbial rally coffin if RA/NASA feels compelled to require this standard anytime soon.

Jim Cox
#558

[John Sundelin]

The cost problem is for those who rely on the used market.

For the seller, even the farily generous 10-year expiration will still sharply limit what these are worth as used items, since the will only have X years of life left.

For the buyer, the pool of used seats to choose from will shrink dramatically, making it more likely you will have to ship something, or maybe even forcing you to buy new during the first years these seats are required (since very few will be for sale used).

Using me as an example, when RA stopped allowing stock seats, I was able to upgrade to a used set of Sparco Evo2 for 25% of the cost of new ones. They are still in the truck today and looking like new.

This is not a crisis, just another small nail in my proverbial rally coffin if RA/NASA feels compelled to require this standard anytime soon.

Jim Cox
#558

Jim,

The current seats (I also have a pair of Evo 2s) only have a 5 year life per the standard. You can get an extension if you send it back to the manufacturer for recertification, which I imagine costs a significant amount. While that NASA rulebook says "Use of FIA
certified/homologated seats is required", I've never heard of that rule being enforced if it has expired. So, I think it will all depend on how the sanctioning bodies implement and enforce the rule, if the new standard is even adopted.

--
John

[xrian]

I just had to replace 2 perfectly good Kirkey seat due to the CARS rule change. I purchased a 5 year old Rev+ for 50% of cost that has never been installed in a car. It was a showroom display item. If this rule comes into play......................
Ah heck, I'm done anyway!

[markhuebbe]

Jim,
NASA rulebook says "Use of FIA
certified/homologated seats is required"

R-A rule:
The use of an FIA approved seat that includes side head restraints is
strongly recommended. The use of SFI licensed seats may be
recommended in the future, pending the review of the SFI standard and
available products.

$2500 for a new FIA seat still seems like a crap load of money for a club level rally car.

[Don Kennedy]

$2500 for a new FIA seat still seems like a crap load of money for a club level rally car.
Per seat? Times 2????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??/

[bknblk]

Does the "if you wreck it, replace it rule(guidline)" apply to seats? I know you should/must replace your belts after a bad shunt, You should replace your helmet if it takes a blow, but what about other safety equipment. Hans? Seats? roll bar padding?

There are $6k fia seats in another thread, I can't imagine flushing 12K worth because there might, possibly be "hidden" issues :( Ouch.

[rallytaff]

Glad I got out when I did. For $2,500, I can play 172 rounds of gold at a 9 hole course.

Golf is WAY cheaper and more beneficial for you!

[RichardM]

Yeah, but golf can screw up your back. :)

[rallytaff]

Forgot to mention, that's playing 3 times a week. That will take 3 yrs to play.

Nothing wrong with my back. Ask those competitors who HAVE hurt their backs rallying. I know which sport is safer for you. Got to go, playing in another tournament tomorrow.

[RallyK]

This is getting a little out of hand.

Racing is already very expensive. Yes, safety is where you should spend your money first. I have been using more safety equip than was required. It's worth the money. However, everytime they implement a new rule it means spending another grand or so.

Is it really better to buy a magic seat that lasts 10 years as opposed to buying a new seat every 3 years?
And I am also wondering what has to be replaced in the event of a crash.

[dtmracerx]

I think if these regulations are on the table at RA or NASA then tiered safety requirements better be on the table too. I know there was just a thread burning that to the ground too...
I guess if we want NASCAR on gavel then our regs are sure going that way. :(

I am in total agreement with Jim and most other repliers so far- this reg is rediculously over the top.