Matt, if you are reading this. Both seats should offer the same safety and seating position. A lot of clubs in fact require that the instructor have the same seat as the driver. My recommendation is that you just run with your stock seat. Get seat lowering rails OR as you still seem unsure about this whole track thing, come on by and visit us while we are at Watkins Glen. You will get an idea of what trim S2000's run in and that should help you as if this is something you want to turn into a regular thing.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. Yes I emailed Ian and his response was that convertibles needed to pass the broomstick test to pass tech but he did say that different driver and passenger seats were acceptable. The only reason I would swap the seat at this point would be to pass the test since I have a long torso which makes me sit pretty high in the car. I will attempt the test with a helmet this weekend and see if I can pass by tweeking my stock seating position. I really want to run this event but I certainly don't want to eat the entry fee if I can't pass tech so I don't know what to do at this point.


EDIT: I did the broomstick test when I went home for lunch and it's a no-go. Even with the seat slid way forward (knees hitting dash), slouching in the seat and the backrest at full gangster lean, my bare head is about 1-2-" higher than the broom . Obviously the helmet adds another inch or so. With my normal driving position, my helmet just barely clears the soft top when that it up and rubs on the 3rd bar. My plan is to put in the bucket seat and see if I can even pass with that setup and if I can, then I will have to beg for forgiveness for having different passenger/driver seat setups unless anyone has any other ideas?

 

Matt - just so you are aware all the other clubs require seats to be similar for driver and instructor.

In the years that I've done track days I've always attended with the fear of failing to the proverbial broomstick. I've never seen it being used though. I got a rollbar installed for peace of mind. Perhaps that is what you should invest in than a seat.

A race seat without harnesses will not be safer than a rollbar with factory seats.

I can't commit and say you will be fine if you just sign up as you are. I'm glad you are evaluating safety and for your sake I think you will be better off with a rollbar.

 

I totally agree the roll bar is my best option and it is high on my wishlist. I already have the seat that I picked up on the cheap over the winter. I wasn't going to install it until I had a roll bar and harness setup for optimum safety but I figured it might be a quick fix for this event and then I can get a proper roll bar for the future. Just throwing around ideas right now as to how I can pad tech (and be as safe as possible for this particular event knowing 6 weeks to buy and install a roll bar is probably not going to happen.

 

The roll bar is a must in my mind. Everyone that was at the SCDA July event saw first hand how a roll bar saved the life of a Porsche driver who rolled his car. The entire roof was crushed in with the exception of the area around the roll bar and that most certainly saved the drive some serious injury.

 

Well I broke down and bought a Hard Dog roll bar today so if all goes well it will be installed for this event and all will be good. Thanks for everyone's help and opinions! I'm pretty pumped for this. I took my Silverado out on the Glen last year before I bought the s2000 and ever since, I have wanted to run my car on the track. Other than the roll bar, my setup for the first track day will be: new fluids all around, Project Mu NS400 pads, challenge stainless brake lines, custom front brake ducts, 225 square Hankook RS-3s on stock AP1 rims, moddiction front sway bar, Fujita intake, and AP2 retainer upgrade. Is there anything else I should worry about from a reliability standpoint (understanding that my car has 188k miles)?

A2, can you send me the sign up code?

 

^ I'll send it soon as you send me a PM with the info asked for in the OP

Will need Name, contact number and email. Look for an email with the code. Thanks.

 

Good grief! I'll be out there doodling around, looking at the scenery, in my basically stock set-up. Remind me to run with my hazard flashers, because I won't want to get rear ended.

 

Will do!

I sense some sarcasm? haha. I'm just hoping not to embarrass myself out there. I doubt I'll be running anybody down but your flashers may come in handy when I see them in the rear view and know when to get out of the way! The tires and sway bar came with the car but the rest of my mods are reliability or safety related anyway. I am well aware that the car is going to outperform the driver so my goal is to learn and have some fun!

 

Matt - code has been emailed to you.

Your prep looks good. Just be sure to ensure engine oil is always topped up and that you bleed brakes before the event.

Jeff (blueosprey90) is a very nice person and extremely funny. So don't let his eye roll icons make you think he is being mean. You'll enjoy meeting him as much as you will enjoy meeting everyone else on Upstate. We have a great bunch of people in this sub-forum.