Or not enough support?

 

For a few times a year, the stock seats are more then enough. I went with track seats because they hold you in place so much better.

 

In the beginning stages of tracking, stock seats are just fine. You can "tug hard" on the seatbelt to "Lock" the belt in place under maximum tension, when you snap in the seat belt clasp. This will keep your lap belt and shoulder belt locked up against you really snug. This makes a big difference. They also sell "CG Locks" which do the same for you when added to stock seat belts.

Once you starting tracking frequently (2-3/month) and/or start picking up dangerous speed, you'll want the track seats and 6 point harnesses for 1. saftey and 2. increasing your lap times.


Dan

 

Dan, I had the CG Lock, it worked well. I forgot that I had it until you mentioned it.

 

I'm still using my stock seat on track.

In the initial years, they were OK.

Last year I was going faster into the corners, and I found that I need to use my thighs and legs more to hold myself in position. The next day I felt some muscle soreness.

 

Remember that scene in Ronin where Sean Bean was asking DiNiro what kind of equipment he likes... DiNiro says "whatever you put in the tool box is fine..." Basically, work with what you have and you'll be fine.

I've had it all. Bad stock seats, good Porsche Sport Seats, Recaro shells, etc. If you are smooth, you can go just fine without locking the belts, CG lock (had them), shells with harnesses, etc.

My 997S and GT3 both had sport seats. Nicely bolstered - plenty of support. Good enough to approach the 1 minute lap at Lime Rock.

So, if you are asking because you are thinking about tracking and feel you have to invest in seats, harness / bar, etc. - not required.

 

Ron, opinions on the CG lock?

 

It's funny - I have a pair of them and never use them. I did when I got them to try them, but didn't really sense an improvement in anything substantive. Did they hold my waist down to the seat? Yes, did it help on the track? Not really. Maybe psychologically... The CG lock is very inexpensive to try, so I did. Might work for you, after a while you might not bother with it. In any event, you'll only be out $40 or so.

 

Cool, thanks.

 

Everyone's specific experiences are different, but I think in general, the less you move around in the seat, the better driver you will be.

Without the lap belt and shoulder belt being tight, (or better yet harnesses) you will most likely be using your legs and thighs to stabilize yourself around high G corners, and also you will naturally tend to grip the steering wheel tighter as well.

With your body semi-locked, or fully locked in place, it is not just a psychological advantage....although that is definitly in place as well (you "feel safer" which tends to allow you to push it a little bit more). You'll have the physiologic advantage of being able to grip the steering wheel in a very loose manner.

When I rode with Rolex Grand Am driver, Brian Frisselle, I remember him telling me that his hands are always very loose and relaxed no matter how hard he's driving.



That all being said, I would still AGREE with RonCT in saying you could track just fine and comfortably your whole life with just regualar seats and belts, and still have the time of your life.



Dan

 

You might get a fair amount of input on this by posting the question in the Track/AutoX forum, too.

 

Skip the CG Lock, just move your seat back a notch, buckle the belt, yank it so it locks, hold on to it (chest strap) then move the seat forward into the locked belt.

done.

 

That is exactly what I decided to do. The CG locks just simplfy the process a little. A downside to the CG lock is that it is a large metal buckle, and it can dig into your side, depending on your size and orientation of your seatbelt.



.

 

...better than 6 points belts digging into your *****...

 

I do remember the CG digging in, and also whacking the car, getting stuck in the sill, etc. May be one of the reasons I only used it 2 or 3 times. Yes, the 6 points are brutal, but the 5s in the past were even worse.