Can these be used for Hillclimbing etc? In other words do the FIA approve the method?

Cheers

[Edited on 4/12/09 by alistairolsen]

As long as the foam is fireproof; Yes

So if I had Triton seats on runner for road use, and I made up a foam seat to fit me, I could unbolt one and fit the other?

The foam will only be the liner to ensure you are a snug fit. It will need to made in a rigid seat shell of some sort and is not suitable for a seat in itself.

[Edited on 4/12/09 by Phil.J]

Pour the foam in a bag placed at the back of the car with you sitting on it. It will expand to fill up and wedge itself in nicely. The car then becomes the 'seat shell' and you'll (maybe) save weight.

Firstly, what the MSA and what the FIA require are two different things. Expanding foam seats seem to be the norm in club-level racing.

My tips?

1. Click http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=31570040
   
2. Go to an outdoor/adventure/hiking shop and buy a survival sack for about £4-8
   
3. Use ply or smilar to board-up space between chassis tubes next to your hip.
   
4. Find an assistant.
   
5. Buy more foam than you think you need.
   
6. Take your time.
   

I've used bin bag foam seats for hilclimbs with no problems - not a pleaseant process doing it though - TiMC's advice is sound!

let me know how you get on, as im going to have to do the same foamy seat thing.

Oh and then ask your girlfriend to spend the next three hours cutting out holes for the 6-point harness and covering it in gaffer tape... it had to be done - was my first race at Silverstone the following day.

Bless her!

Info on how to do it here http://www.sjmmarsh.f2s.com/Caterham/Foam%20Seat.html

Obligatory canoe story and good information on weights and measures.
http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=124677

Ive used the foam before, not for seats tho. Wont be happening any time soon,was just curious whether I should leave some way of mounting an approved bucket or whether foam would do.

Cheers guys!

I contacted the FIA regarding having seats tested but the cost was a tad off putting at almost 10 grand to have the three main seats tested.
The test however wouldn't be a problem, I'm more than confident they would pass with flying colours....if only it wasn't so expensive

I have used 2 part foam on my wave skis and if you don't mix it right you get some weird things going on. I would have thought making a seat in a bin bag with 2 part foam would have the same results...huge air pockets as the bag can't contain the stuff.

My wave ski mould creeks and groans and scares the beeejeesus outa me as the foam expands and that is heavily braced with m16 bolts holding it together.

Surfboard blanks use the same foam IIRC and they are "cast " in a heavyweight concrete mould with the top half clamped to the bottom half

quote:

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Originally posted by Triton
I contacted the FIA regarding having seats tested but the cost was a tad off putting at almost 10 grand to have the three main seats tested.
The test however wouldn't be a problem, I'm more than confident they would pass with flying colours....if only it wasn't so expensive

I have used 2 part foam on my wave skis and if you don't mix it right you get some weird things going on. I would have thought making a seat in a bin bag with 2 part foam would have the same results...huge air pockets as the bag can't contain the stuff.

My wave ski mould creeks and groans and scares the beeejeesus outa me as the foam expands and that is heavily braced with m16 bolts holding it together.

---

Hi

There's always the usual scaremongering about foam seats. But the end result is that it is the only way to truly hold yourself in the car when encountering higher G loads. And also get your self right down on the floor. They also offer far greater protection when an accident dose occur as the seat being fully molded to your body shape spreads the load over a much greater area rather than just where your body happens to touch the seat.
There is NOT a single fiberglass seat that offers the correct support and nessacery strength to do the same job.

Just take your time and some common sense.

Cheers Matt

Not scare mongering just having my say based on using 2 part foam, there is an art to mixing it and the temperature has to be just right or it doesn't play ball properly.

As for the Triton seats, well they are the dogs danglies and plenty are being used in anger for hill climbing, circuit racing, drag racing and even mad off road buggies by some damn good racers.........