Kirkey Seats

[NS RACING NZ]

Has any one used Kirkey Aluminium seats for off road racing. We are looking at their entry level model for a new build. Our racing here is more rally/forestry roads , no deserts and endless whoops.

09 Series - Economy 20 Degree Layback

http://www.kirkeyracing.com/images/Thumbnails/09%20SERIES%20-%20BLACK%20NYLON_Medium.JPG

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[renagade]

Not much padding on a kirkey is there ? might be a bit hard on the body in the rough with the suspention of a class 2. i thought they were mainly drag car seats ? could be wrong though

[HardCharger81]

Against what everyone told me, I bought one for my 1450/Group T truck I'm building to race in VORRA.
I bought what they call the deluxe road race seat. It feels alot like Sparco, Corbeau, or any other tub style
seat. I had a a pad custom made out of memory foam style material. To be honest I haven't raced in it yet,
but just sitting in it it feels very comfortable. You don't move in it at all when your straped in.

Hope this helps.

[RoosterBooster]

i think Kirkey makes many different styles of aluminum shell racing seats ....

i personally would not use the economy ; i would spend the extra money for the intermediate
http://www.jrmotorsports.com/Images/UploadedImages/KIR/KIR_36711.jpg
notice the formed upper leg support... that seat (i used a 17" wide for my 6'3" 200+lbs body) fits like a glove and together with a good set of belts (pull up work best with them) holds you very very tight... there is virtually no unwanted body movement possible ...

i used the circle track racing seats in my (mostly dune) truggy for a couple thousand miles (the "chest wings" hold your upper body tight ... but i got a couple bruises from hitting nasty stuff like "Witches-eyes" and off-camber landings :p ) may check out the newer "shoulder wing" design seats ...
http://www.streetortrack.com/files/images/kirkey/intermediate-road-race-seat.jpg
... maybe that one would be better for off road ?!?



btw
i also used 3 of the Kirky seats on this stunt/action camera platform car i made for Radicalcameracars some years ago ...
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/780251/original/offroad_hd.gif

John, the owner/driver, requested them (IIRC he is also using the optional bolt-on knee/leg support wings)
it was fun to build that car ( its a mix of road racing suspension geometry with long travel dune buggy and according to John handles like a "cat on carpet" :D)
the car has about 120 tabs welded to the frame so that the remote controlled (by the codriver) "sparrow" camera system can be mounted everywhere...
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/780253/original/bibamufu01.jpg

again; the seat is tight and harsh .... its not a plush and comfy suspension seat :p ... i liked it ... some guest riders didnt

i hope this helps :)

[RoosterBooster]

Against what everyone told me, I bought one for my 1450/Group T truck I'm building to race in VORRA.
I bought what they call the deluxe road race seat. It feels alot like Sparco, Corbeau, or any other tub style
seat. I had a a pad custom made out of memory foam style material. To be honest I haven't raced in it yet,
but just sitting in it it feels very comfortable. You don't move in it at all when your straped in.

Hope this helps.

lol
i actually did the same thing; a pad of 1/2" memofoam made the seat a lot more comfortable for some longer runs ;)

btw that "Deluxe road racing" sounds interesting ...; do you have a pic of your seat ??

[NS RACING NZ]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I will check out the intermediate seats, that padding looks good.

That camera car looks awsome!

[NS RACING NZ]

Not much padding on a kirkey is there ? might be a bit hard on the body in the rough with the suspention of a class 2. i thought they were mainly drag car seats ? could be wrong though

Its not the quantity of travel its the quality ;) Anyway everything is hard on the body in class 2.

Are you going to the Festival of Speed?

[redmist]

Ran one in my class 5 buggy. Continuiously rammed my elbows into the kidney protection. Hurts like hell! You possibly won't have issues considering your're more upright. But they have very minimal padding. I'll never run one in a buggy again.

[HardCharger81]

Rooster, I bought the seat from a friend of a friend. Here's a link to his website and the seat.

http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=K43&Category_Code=KRS1


My seat has the shoulder harness openings moved up, and has the custom pading, but the shape
is the same.

[renagade]

Its not the quantity of travel its the quality ;) Anyway everything is hard on the body in class 2.

Are you going to the Festival of Speed?

yep, i'll be heading down definatly, we might even be running the old Afwe race truck, but don't know yet depends if we can find some sponsorship to run the old war horse.

but regard less i'll be there to get some photo's of you guys rolling, jumping, crashing catching all the carnage etc etc

[vaderoni]

Don't forget to brace the back! These aluminum seats are very flimsy if you don't.

[NS RACING NZ]

Thanks for that, we are going for the Kirkey economy. And pad it out as needed.
If they dont work out we will know for next time.

[Safer1]

Has any one used Kirkey Aluminium seats for off road racing. We are looking at their entry level model for a new build. Our racing here is more rally/forestry roads , no deserts and endless whoops.

09 Series - Economy 20 Degree Layback

http://www.kirkeyracing.com/images/Thumbnails/09%20SERIES%20-%20BLACK%20NYLON_Medium.JPG

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

I would reccommend researching and finding a much stronger seat. Perferably one built for what you are doing. These seats are not strong enough for the types of wrecks you can have in racing.

I would reccommend checking out ISP and The Joie of Seating.
www.ispseats.com and www.thejoieofseating.com

Both of these companies make seats that will pass the SFI certification. It is this certification that will prove strong enough to provide the protection you need.

Both Kris at ISP and Johnny at The Joie will be great to help you.

[63chevyll]

i will use the intermidiate seat this next season, but i used an economy seat with a foam pad for three years runnin circle track.

the intermidiate seat has good padding and fits my legs/back great.

[NS RACING NZ]

i will use the intermidiate seat this next season, but i used an economy seat with a foam pad for three years runnin circle track.

the intermidiate seat has good padding and fits my legs/back great.

Thanks for the reply, what are you racing?

[63chevyll]

short couse stuff in this, currently converting for some of road stuff