Which seat is better?

[RalyGrl53]

Does anyone have experience with either of these seats?

If so which do you suggest of the two?

http://www.saferacer.com/sparco-sprint-5-seat.html?productid=768
Sparco Sprint 5

OR

http://safedrives.com/proddetail.asp?prod=HA%2F741
OMP TRS

Any advice helps! I have not had the opportunity to just sit in these to compare so I figured I would ask before I decide which to purchase.

[Usher]

I have the OMP TRS in my rally car and really like them, but I haven't sat in the Sparco seat.

[hoche]

I've sat in them both, and they're really designed for sitting in them for about 20 minutes at a time. Not very comfortable for all-day rallying.

[eage8]

how big of a guy are you?

I don't have an experience with the OMP, but I've been eying the sprint 5 for a while now and am about to buy a used one for my auto-x car. You can't be a very big person and still fit in one... I'd definitely make sure you test fit it first.

EDIT: I now see that you're a girl... my advice still stands.

[AWD>FWD]

Those Sparcos are pretty uncomfortable, and I wouldn't imagine the OMPs would be much better... I know they're damn expensive, but I'd hold out for a pair of Recaro buckets, they are sooo comfy!

[biggreen96]

The OMP looks deeper. Might hold on to you better when start having too much fun.

I have an older version of the Sparco as a co-driver seat. I got it cheap because the padding around the tubes was done.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_9vKXh4RAVWo/S-WbhoXccYI/AAAAAAAACIo/ZVk7pr1mJdQ/s800/photo.jpg

So I found some pipe insulation that was a bit thicker than the old stuff and fixed it up. Those tubes are still pretty hard... Entry level seat though.

[hoche]

If your car's still a ways from being done and you're planning on going to the various events in your area as a worker/spectator/crew/codriver/etc, I'd suggest you go wander around the parc expose and ask to sit in as many different cars as possible. Explain that you're checking out seats for your own car and I bet everyone will be happy to explain what they like/dislike about their seats and how much they were and where they got them.

[biggreen96]

^^^ Great idea. No team turned me down at Olympus when I did this. Everybody is really nice about it too, they were in the same boat when they started. Bring your prospective codriver too.

[RalyGrl53]

There are not many stage events around here. I spoke to a few people at Sno Drift about seats actually. I need the seats to start the cage build. That being said... we are on a tight budget this year and next year we plan on upgrading a lot of things so this year we are looking for cheaper seats. So we are basically narrowed down to OMP vs. Sparco.

Both of us are pretty small and T Gardiner who rallies is about my size so she suggested the seat she uses which is the Sprint 5, then I talked to Charlie from Safe-Drives and he said the TRS is nearly just as comfortable if not the same but I have not been able to try it out you know?

Usher brother (heh) - possible chance you will have to rally car at the next TSD or Rally X that I could try your seat out at?

Thanks for the info/advice guys!

[Usher]

I can't make it to the Moonlight Monte, but I can bring the car to the May rallycross. Just send me a message a little closer to the event so I don't forget and sign up in the WRX.

If you're going to be in the Lansing area, you could just stop by my house. I should be around pretty much any time after April 9. (I'm going on a business trip to France for the next two weeks.)

[rockrammer]

Despite being on a budget definately consider your seat as a major peice of saftey equipment. Consider that most rally fatalities are due to side impact. I might try and work a few extra shifts, set up a lemonade stand, or what ever to get the best fitting seat possible and even better with some lateral head restraints. Good luck!

[pigeonfarmboy]

I just ordered my new seats that should be here next week. You can buy my used Sparco Sprints for cheap if you'd like. Dunno how much shipping would be. I'm in Central IL though so its not too bad of a drive. Shoot me a pm if you're interested.

[valkyrie]

Despite being on a budget definately consider your seat as a major peice of saftey equipment. Consider that most rally fatalities are due to side impact. I might try and work a few extra shifts, set up a lemonade stand, or what ever to get the best fitting seat possible and even better with some lateral head restraints. Good luck!

quoted for truth. The seat can be transfered from car to car, and can have a very reasonable re-sale value in a undamaged, clean, condition. They way I look at it, unless your buying a carbon WRC seat, chances are, all of your saftey gear is going to be less than that of a hospital visit BECAUSE you didnt have proper safety gear. Thats just my opinion!

Although, on the contrary, I must add that it is nice to see someone who isnt going for the top of the line gear for the first stage car. I was speaking to a well known organizer a month or so ago, and he said his statistics show that most new racers will only complete an average of 2 stage rallies per yer, or they wreck/sell the car by that time and cant afford another!

Dylan,
Valkyrie Motorsports :waving:

[shiza]

I have a TRS for my passenger seat and quite a few people have sat in it. Most people are surprised how comfy it is for a race seat. It also has nice high side bolsters compared to the Sparco. If I had to do it again I would buy the OMP again. For my drivers seat I just got an RS-PT from OMP. Really nice seat as well but sounds like it's out of your price range. Also most anyone can fit in the TRS so if you can't use your regular codriver it should be easy to fit someone that may be a little bigger.

[rallyimprezive]

I have a Sparco Sprint 5, but have yet to race with it. However, with my 6 driver team, everyone has felt comfortable in the seat during test fitting. I also have a friend who has sat in MANY racing seats and was impressed with the changes that Sparco has recently made with the Sprint. The Sprint 5 cannot be compared to older sprint models.
I will be competing in a 24-hour endurance race in the middle of June, if you can wait until then, I can give you a REALLY good idea of how comfy it is. :)

My vote is to get the Sprint 5.

edit: oh, there is more than enough bolster support when you are all strapped in.