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Old 07-24-2020, 04:43 PM
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Default Seat parity / seat life - DE and AX question

So, I know have this new toy. Trying to learn about seat life. I've been out of the game too long to keep up with all the safety changes of late.

Driver seat sticker says the following:

OMP - HTE Fiberglass seat.
FIA standard 8855-1999
its a containment seat (which I am not a fan of)
Date of Manufacture is January 2012

Passenger seat says the following:

OMP - First R
FIA standard 8855-1999
Not Valid After: 2022

Are these seats only good for 10 years for DE? Or is that a club race rule? Or, is it by default a DE rule cause they use CR rules?

I make the false assumption that either seat would be allowed for AX? I don't believe PCA AX has an expiration date for seats... and maybe not even belts?

Would it be an issue, regardless of expiration date, if I swapped the Drivers and passenger seats ? - ie, the passenger/instructor would have a containment seat while the driver has a regular race seat?
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Old 07-24-2020, 04:46 PM
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For club racing, composite (fiberglas, CF, etc.) seats are only good until either the "Not Valid After" date or five years from the date of manufacture. So, your driver's seat is toast, but the passenger seat is good for another couple of years. If it fits, there's no problem with moving the passenger seat over to the driver's side.

Aluminum seats can go longer than 5 years, but they have to be braced directly to the cage to be allowed past the expiration date.

Not sure if anyone ever bothers to check the seats for DEs, though.
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Old 07-24-2020, 05:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BillC View Post
Not sure if anyone ever bothers to check the seats for DEs, though.
I think what you mean is there are currently no seat life restrictions for many/ most DE organizations.

And that would include Potomac.
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Old 07-24-2020, 09:35 PM
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A suggestion if you replace your driver's seat: I had to replace the seat that came in my Spec Boxster because it was too old. My youngest son bought an old office chair from a thrift store, removed the seat part from the base and mounted the race seat on the base. Now he has the most unique desk chair in the dorm.
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Old 07-25-2020, 07:53 PM
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Actually, if the seat has a back brace, it could be used past expiration be used past Expiration date. I don’t know if that rule has changed. No restriction for DE yet.
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Old 07-26-2020, 09:21 AM
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although you apparently don't like them, GET A CONTAINTMENT SEAT!

they work. two friends got taken out by a third car in an SCCA race. one had containment seat, one didn't. both had HANS. both ran in car video. watching their heads slam around in the car in the videos was scary. containment seat did its job. that driver was not injured. the other driver ended up with some neck injuries.

just say no to seats without wings for head restraint.
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Old 07-26-2020, 12:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N Fotouhi View Post
Actually, if the seat has a back brace, it could be used past expiration be used past Expiration date. I don’t know if that rule has changed. No restriction for DE yet.
The way I understood the rules too.....

Now where is that online copy of PCAP Club Race rules?
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Old 07-26-2020, 12:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trak Ratt View Post
The way I understood the rules too.....

Now where is that online copy of PCAP Club Race rules?
I checked the PCA Club Racing rules, and apparently any seat can go past the expiration date as long as it has an approved back brace and meets other mounting rules.

However, do you really want to trust your life to an old seat?
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Old 07-26-2020, 12:48 PM
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We trust our lives in old cars.

The seat format and level of the install play a notable role in how effective it will be in containing the driver during a wreck. After watching way too many drivers flopping around in wreck videos I would take a 20 year old properly installed Kirky full containment seat over a new fiber based slider mounted seat.

Is there any data on seat material degradation?
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Old 07-26-2020, 01:11 PM
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Quote:
Is there any data on seat material degradation?
right. Does your car sit outside with its top down in the sun all day? For years on end?

Worried about an old fiberglass shell? What about 40 yr old wheels or a stock seat on a few m8 bolts? Lots of personal choice, I dont see a wrong answer as long as you go in eyes open. I also think the aging out thing is a bit misguided but obviously a simple way to establish a regulation. Thinking a new anything is better because of age isnt always the best approach.
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