Rules amendments 2013

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

I wonder how much safer a lightweight, seat, with lightweight home made mounting brackets , installed by a hobbyist in his garage , would be than a seat and track system designed by SAE engineers, crash tested by the factory, and meant to last for many years. This seat deal kinda reminds me of the aftermarket brakes that were lobbied for years by racers who removed the heavy factory front disc brakes their cars came with, replaced them with tiny 4 or 6 cylinder brakes, and then complained they couldn`t stop safetly anymore.

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

The seats in our old cars are designed for 170 pound people in 45MPH crashes.

As a SAE member since 1973, I can tell you the seat requirements have change dramatically throughout the years and have evolved the same as our sport.

Also, the requirements for OEM seats, does not take in to consideration the dynamics of a race car; there are SAE papers that specifically address the design and use of race car seats.

If the slower cars want to keep their old seats, nobody is forcing you or making it a requirement.

Nevertheless, when you have a Stocker going over 115 mph, or a fast car hitting the brakes hard to not break out, believe me, you want to have the safest seat under you protecting your body not only in a front impact, but during a roll over.

I will always err towards safety.