I have a Kirkey seat in the Camaro and also in Sean's Spitfire. We made a
ladder frame under the seat and attached it to the seat and the roll bar so
that in a crash they move together. Shoulder belts attach to the roll bar
low with a shoulder height pass through bracket welded to the cage. If you
do this, check your helmet height because the seat will be higher. (We
added a 2" cap on the roll bar in the Spit)
Clifford Allison, Davey's brother, was killed at Talledega when his car
backed into the wall, the seat angled back, but the harness was mounted to
the floor, this created slack and allowed him to come free. The second
impact was fatal. I suspect Kirkey's advice would be to consider the result
of impact from any angle. One good reason for their wraparound seat.
This installation resulted in no injury in the Silver Spit which did the
full gainer with 1/2 twist at turn 2 Road America a few years back. That
impact had all the G-Forces straight down since it landed on all fours with
no slide.
I found the seat as delivered was quite uncomfortable, even though it was
made to measure. A good bit of bending cutting and shaping was necessary.
The biggest problem I remember was the height of the seat sides rubbing too
much on my armpits. Still haven't gotten around to making a foam mold of my
backside to add some padding to their thinly covered aluminum frame.
Mark's original vinyl covered bucket has been saved for posterierty, and
like the toilet in our ex-Foyt race trailer, bears a sign that says "Mark/AJ
sat/shat here". We saved the Devendorf/Smiley seat too. ;<}
Pat Ryan
>
> I'll ask a question.
>
> I called Kirkey Racing today, to get information on their line of racing
> seats, intending to replace the tired old fiberglass racing bucket that
> came with my TR4. I was advised by Kirkey that the proper way to mount the
> seat is to the roll cage, and that the belts should be attached to the
roll
> cage as well. The old bucket is bolted to the floor, as are the eyebolts
> for the lap belts and anti-submarine belts, the shoulder harness is a wrap
> around style, attached to the roll cage.
>
> Unfortunately, several of the esteemed FOT have tested their safety
> equipment. Happily, the equipment did the job. I would appreciate the
> wisdom of the list on this matter. Thanks as always,
>
> Irv
>
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