Seats and Bracing

[MrMike]

Yesterday I did my second instructed track day at NJMP lightning.

I definitely improved, but I am having issues bracing myself properly for the duration of the lightbulb (turn 9, map included for those unfamiliar). I am taking the turn slower than I know I can purely because I cannot keep myself steady in my seat ~1g for that long. This is the only turn where I have this issue, which makes me think I wouldn't have any issues running Thunderbolt as-is.

Yes I have the sofas. My instructor helped me with the seatbelt trick. I've tried adjusting my seat different ways.

My first instinct is that this is a skill issue and not a parts issue. Any tips?

I am aware that many who git gud end up doing a Recaro swap or putting in actual race seats, but I am not gud yet by any means.

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[abatman]

get a set of schroth harnesses. they'll hold in you in better than the stock 3 point seatbelt and can be used with base seats

 

[WItoTX]

Get seats, a roll bar, and harnesses. IMO, and I'd I had to do it again, those would be the first mods I'd do to the car. It's stuff you need when you get good, and honestly probably the safest idea.

That said, for the time being, I use my legs to brace myself side to side, even with my recaros. The seats hold me pretty well, and I'm 180 lbs. Also, try get yourself just a bit closer to the steering wheel. I also wedge my shoulder against my seat depending on the turn direction on big sweepers.

What direction were you running the track?

 

[MrMike]

get a set of schroth harnesses. they'll hold in you in better than the stock 3 point seatbelt and can be used with base seats

This? https://www.schrothracing.com/item/schroth-quickfit-pro/tuning-Harnesses

Get seats, a roll bar, and harnesses. IMO, and I'd I had to do it again, those would be the first mods I'd do to the car. It's stuff you need when you get good, and honestly probably the safest idea.

That said, for the time being, I use my legs to brace myself side to side, even with my recaros. The seats hold me pretty well, and I'm 180 lbs. Also, try get yourself just a bit closer to the steering wheel. I also wedge my shoulder against my seat depending on the turn direction on big sweepers.

What direction were you running the track?

I am definitely not ready for a roll bar yet. I understand why you are making this suggestion though. I know if I truly get good it will be part of the end state, but I'm not sure I'm mentally prepared for anything like that yet.

I am open to the Schroth harness suggested above.

I'm doing that now with the dead pedal and my left hip/leg end up super sore by the end of the day. I just decided to slow down instead of being in pain.

Clockwise direction.

 

[WItoTX]

This? https://www.schrothracing.com/item/schroth-quickfit-pro/tuning-Harnesses




I am definitely not ready for a roll bar yet. I understand why you are making this suggestion though. I know if I truly get good it will be part of the end state, but I'm not sure I'm mentally prepared for anything like that yet.

I am open to the Schroth harness suggested above.

I'm doing that now with the dead pedal and my left hip/leg end up super sore by the end of the day. I just decided to slow down instead of being in pain.

Clockwise direction.

Ahh, gotcha. That sweeper coming out is the problem I bet, you are still having to brace through the whole carousel, then that sweeper. I have a similar issue down here, and it really makes the 3-4 shift tedious.

I wish I had a good answer but I've not figured out out yet myself. My hips always end up sore, but so long as I'm not cramping up while driving, I just tell myself the soreness is a sign of having a ton of fun.

 

[MrMike]

Ahh, gotcha. That sweeper coming out is the problem I bet, you are still having to brace through the whole carousel, then that sweeper. I have a similar issue down here, and it really makes the 3-4 shift tedious.

I wish I had a good answer but I've not figured out out yet myself. My hips always end up sore, but so long as I'm not cramping up while driving, I just tell myself the soreness is a sign of having a ton of fun.

Hahahaha you're not wrong. I don't have difficulty bracing through the carousel, just the long sweeper.

It sounds like some combination of the Schroth and the Recaros is what I need unfortunately. RIP any other mods including a Garmin Catalyst or similar.

 

[K4fxd]

Just get a racing seat, it is easy to install on race day and you can remove it for daily driving.

This is one of the "I wish I had done this sooner" deals.

 

[tosha]

Just get a racing seat, it is easy to install on race day and you can remove it for daily driving.

This is one of the "I wish I had done this sooner" deals.

Are you talking about fixed back or reclining?

 

[K4fxd]

Are you talking about fixed back or reclining?

I have a fixed racing seat that I install when I track the car. I suppose a reclining one would work too.

 

[RTR077]

The problem is, a fixed seat requires a harness, which requires a harness bar or roll bar which the OP is against doing.

Agreed on the Schroth quickfit suggestion

 

[K4fxd]

This is the seat I have and it is approved to be used with the schroth quick fit belts.
https://www.cobraseats-usa.com/item/nogaro

 

[MrMike]

This is the seat I have and it is approved to be used with the schroth quick fit belts.
https://www.cobraseats-usa.com/item/nogaro

Considering I can use the Schroth Quick Fit with the Nogaro, my current seat, and any of the factory Recaro options, I'll start with the Schroth and go from there.

I haven't seen one of the Nogaros in anyone's car to sit in yet, but I've sat in some Sparcos, GT350 seats (assuming GT500 are the same), and the factory recaros. One of the Sparcos did work for me. The Shelby seats had much better bottom bolsters than any of the other factory Ford seats.

 

[mavisky]

Schroth helps a ton. Started using one in autocross and amazing how much I was "keeping myself in the seat" vs "driving the car".

 

[MrMike]

Whelp the Schroth plan took a crap. I'm being told no 4-points at my track whatsoever, even if I use a FHR.

 

[mavisky]

Common reply from tracks uneducated about the way the Schroth harness differs from generic 4 point harnesses.

Time to go harness bar, seat, and HANS.

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