Kirkey seats

#1

Any thoughts/opinions about Kirkey seats?

#2

You can get them custom made to fit you, and there’s lots of torso support and halo type options. All that’s kinda cool.

Seats are very personal. You have to go sit in a lot and find a couple that you like. My car came with a Kirkey seat that was too big for my butt so I sold it.

Aluminum seats require seat back bracing, but that’s no big deal.

There’s lots of old threads that talk about Kirkey’s.

#3

pkaia wrote:

They have been popular in the space-challenged world of Spec Miata cockpits, but less so now that you can box out the side of the transmission tunnel to accommodate a wider seat (i.e. a REAL seat with structural integrity and an SFI safety rating). There is no reason to use an aluminum seat in the roomy cockpit of an E30.

The Kirkey requires a seat back brace because it lacks the strength without it. That begs the question of what happens in a rear impact when the seat bends (it will - that’s why they require the brace) around the approx. 3" x 8" strip of metal that forms the brace. Yeeeeouch!

As I understand it, those aluminum seat halos are for comfort (i.e. circle track guys leaning their heads against them in constant left turn world) NOT for side head protection.

Other than that, I don’t really have an opinion. :laugh:

#4

Kirkey has moved into Competition Road Race seats. So be careful who you listen to. Do your homework. Lots of people spout off facts that they have heard about seats. That information could be current or could be something somebody heard 20 years ago standing at a urinal. Kirkey has a history of being made for circle track racers but times are changing. Their competition line seats do not require a seat back brace and the head restraints are not the type that you just bolt onto the seat anymore. I have a new Kirkey seat and it is the most comfortable seat that I have tried. All of the tech guys were amazed when they saw it this weekend at VIR and impressed with its support and how well it bolts to the cage.

I can take pictures if you’d like. I plan on being at Summit next month if anyone wants to take a look.

Jason

#5

some of their containment seats do look interesting.
In NASA, a seat back brace is required for any seat that doesn’t have current FIA certification.
bruce

#6

There’s some other outfit called Bulter Built that apparently makes high end aluminum seats (for NASCAR?). Here’s a picture from Impact’s catalog that shows the Butler halo. Note that it doesn’t seem to restrict peripheral vision.

http://www.impactraceproducts.com/pdfs/2009%20Impact%20Catalog_low%2025.pdf

#7

leggwork wrote:

I haven’t been able to find any SFI/FIA rating info on the Kirkey seats. I’d be interested to know if they are rated. It looks like their full containment seats are approx $600 compared to $850 for a Sparco (excluding seat back brace & labor if required).

#8

When I took mine through tech this weekend, I inquired about the seat back brace. I was told that the way that the full containment seat attaches to the cage was legal. I’ll have to take pictures, because if tech told me wrong, I’ll be a little upset (I sold the seat back brace that I had purchased). There are at least 4 points where the seat is attached to the cage.

My trailer is a little difficult to get into when parked, but I’ll try and snap some pictures today.

Jason

#9

Jason: Can you give more details about your seat - type, install hints, etc?

I may be @ Summit in early Nov. so I may stop by.

#10

http://www.butlerbuilt.net/ Butler Built seats

these are supposedly the ultimate in aluminum seats
http://www.joieofseating.net/
looks like there is a new SFI 39.1 spec for these types of seats
bruce

Ranger wrote:

[quote]There’s some other outfit called Bulter Built that apparently makes high end aluminum seats (for NASCAR?). Here’s a picture from Impact’s catalog that shows the Butler halo. Note that it doesn’t seem to restrict peripheral vision.

http://www.impactraceproducts.com/pdfs/2009%20Impact%20Catalog_low%2025.pdf[/quote]

#11

Do your homework when it comes to any safety items.

You’ll find more opinions than you will facts.

With that said, I’ve heard and read that aluminum seats have been know to flex and not rebound like composite seat will. This can be a problem when there is a double impact (you hitting something then someone or something hitting you after the initial impact).

Do your research and make the decision that gives you the most piece of mind.

#12

When I bought my Spec E30 it was an older build from when the series first started and had been sitting for a while. The first thing I did was check any and all safety items. It had a Kirkey alum. seat in it with the back brace and I took it out the day that I bought it. For my taste it was not nearly comforting enough to want to spend good seat time in. I don’t even run them in my Miata’s just because of the comfort factor. I use a Race Tech and again this is for my taste it is the best fitting and has the support and comfort I was looking for in a race seat. They offer halo options as well. But I do agree with the others that seats are an individual thing and you should try to sit in an many as possable. When go to the track ask guys if the mind if you sit in there seat to see what it feels like but he sure to ask if it is a wide or have the modified it in any way or is it the way it came from the manufaturer so you know exactly what you are sitting in. Hope this helps.

#13

I know this tread is alittle dated, but I had to throw my 2 cents in. Aluminum seats are fine, but a quality seat starts approaching $500, and for $250 more, you can go the FIA route, I especially like Cobra seats (strongest out there). The FIA seats eliminate the back brace, which is a pain, especially for multiple drivers and sliding capabilities. The FIA seats are way more comfortable, which does make a difference in the car. After being around race cars for many years as a professional prep shop, the FIA makes sense for a few dollars more. By the way, stay away from UltraShield, the company does not stand behind thier product very well.

#14

Sorry I haven’t put up pictures…life gets in the way. My car will be at Summit this weekend. #99 (gray). A friend is driving it on Sat and I’ll be there Sun. It is a Kirkey full containment seat. Passed inspection with no back brace (because of the way the head restraint mounts to the car). It is the most comfortable seat I have been in. I am 6’5" and 220. Anyone who would like to see it or sit in it just stop by. Grey trailer with maroon f250.

Jason