Thoughts on Kirkey Seat for Passenger/Instructer

#1

OK,

My son will be doing DE’s with NASA in my Spec E30… We’ll be sharing the car on race weekends.

I have a Corbeau drivers seat that I’m happy with and now am looking for a passenger seat foe DE use.

I see Kirkeys for sale for about $175…

Questions:

Will the Kirkey work well for an instructer riding shotgun?

Am I being a cheap sob and should I just buy a matching Corbeau - yeah I know Corbeaus are cheap to begin with!

How does the Kirkey mount? I can do light fabrication…

Any used low priced seats out there?

Looking for used harness also.

Thanks!!!

#2

Putting a cheap seat in for the passenger is common.

Different Kirkey’s mount differently. Most common mount is 4 vertical bolts that go down thru the seat. Often you have to fab something to make that work. Some models need the upper body area to be mounted to something.

I’m going to be selling a Sparco seat and mounts soon. It’s in fine shape, but it won’t work well for someone with a big butt. $250.

#3

Thanks!!!

I’m interested in your Sparco… What’s the inside seat width on it. If need be I can swap seats over?

I’m afraid to ask for your definition of a “big but”

#4

PDS wrote:

[quote]Thanks!!!

I’m interested in your Sparco… What’s the inside seat width on it. If need be I can swap seats over?

I’m afraid to ask for your definition of a “big but”[/quote]
A 35" waist would be too big. A 34" would be a maybe. 30-33" would kiss my ass for having finally found them a seat that holds them in place.

It would swap driver to passenger fine.

#5

I have a kirkey for sale for $125 if interested. Cantact me at joel@barberraaceworks.com if interested.

#6

Ranger wrote:

[quote]PDS wrote:

[quote]Thanks!!!

I’m interested in your Sparco… What’s the inside seat width on it. If need be I can swap seats over?

I’m afraid to ask for your definition of a “big but”[/quote]
A 35" waist would be too big. A 34" would be a maybe. 30-33" would kiss my ass for having finally found them a seat that holds them in place.

It would swap driver to passenger fine.[/quote]

Ranger,

Me thinks that the seat will be a little tight :frowning: … Thanks anyways!!!

#7

We put Kirkeys in lots of cars. In the E30 we got a used premade mount that bolted to the factory seat mounting points. Like this:
http://www.tcmotorsports-store.net/sparco-seat-base-bmw-e30.html

Then we drilled the Kirkey and bolted it to the seat mount. Then installed a seat back brace. It was real easy and cost effective. Safe also.

Other cars we fabbed up some mounts from scratch.

#8

Maybe it is just me, but as an instructor I want the same safety equipment that the driver has. I have known instructors that would not ride in a car not so equipped. Chuck

#9

cwbaader wrote:

So , in your opinion, your ok riding/instructing in a stock Z-06 or any other high powered oem car as long as the driver and you are in identicle oem seats and using oem three point belts?

I’ve instructed for over 20 yrs and feel differently than you :wink:

I think it’s entirely reasonable for me to ride/instruct when there is a variation in the driver’s and pass seat as long as the intent and use of both seats is the same.

In addition, the DE and racing environments should not be confused…

Although for years I’ve heard cocktail discussions where DE drivers mistake themselves for racers :wink:

#10

PDS…your choice and my choice. Having the same equipment, IMHO, shows respect for your passenger. 'Nuff said. CB

#11

it’s sufficient imo for the safety gear to be equivalent. they don’t need to be identical. i would not ride with a student in a stock seat when he/she’s in a race seat but i have no problem with being in a corbeau with 6-pt and student in kirkey with 6-pt. The only issue is, are we talking about a containment seat here? might be difficult to communicate too well with hand gestures etc.

#12

No containment seat… I’ll probably end up using another Corbeau or equivalent…:kiss: