Bucket seat positioning

[DrAlex]

When dealing with fixed bucket seats, what are recommended settings for tilting the bucket seats.
Having them perfectly level feels weird and like I'm too upright. I then tried them slightly tilted back which felt better.
When looking at OEM cars the back rest seem pretty angled back along with the base being angled back so the back of your legs are supported.

I feel comfortable in my seats but my spine doesn't feel as supported and if I did a full day at the track I feel like I would run into issues.

 

[JamesBryan]

I wouldn't say there were any recommended settings.

It's whatever feels right for you and/or is safe.

 

[JamesBryan]

This is mine.

I have the option to go more angle though.

 

[JB21]

You're 'supposed' to be as upright as possible with your arms at a 90 degree angle and your wrists should be able to bend over the top of the wheel.

Like yourself this wasn't comfortable for me so I've got mine as tilted back as possible.

 

[Filters]

Handy little article/guide here https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/drive-like-pro-sitting-like-racing-driver/

 

[JB21]

Handy little article/guide here https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/drive-like-pro-sitting-like-racing-driver/

The article I used to set mine up although I quoted 90 degrees for the arms ?

 

[Filters]

The article I used to set mine up although I quoted 90 degrees for the arms ?

Jesus that's got to be awkward to drive with arms at 90 degree! Guess there's not much space in the mr2?!

 

[Usr117063]

This is how mine will be once the pedals are mounted but the column welded instead, spacers purely to mock up

 

[scullyg40]

Jesus that's got to be awkward to drive with arms at 90 degree! Guess there's not much space in the mr2?!

I guess that driving with the arms at 45 degrees is even more awkward. Surely they mean 135 degrees? ?

 

[Filters]

I guess that driving with the arms at 45 degrees is even more awkward. Surely they mean 135 degrees? ?

135 degrees of elbow flex would be essentially touching your forehead
Unless you're measing with your arms flat by your sides. Then you'd be correct

With arms out, 45 degrees is about right.

 

[scullyg40]

135 degrees of elbow flex would be essentially touching your forehead

No it's not, that's what 45 degrees is. The angle in the picture in the article is more like 135 degrees.

 

[Filters]

No it's not, that's what 45 degrees is. The angle in the picture in the article is more like 135 degrees.

Kinesiology and flexion studies would tell you otherwise.
What they're depicting is elbow flexion, which is measured in reverese essentially...0 degree being out infront of you 180 degree being behind you.

 

[scullyg40]

I don't know expensive words like that. ? But in that case the drawing in the attached article is wrong.

 

[Filters]

I don't know expensive words like that. ? But in that case the drawing in the attached article is wrong.

It's actually correct
Take the red axis point for the elbow and apply it to the verticle line on the diagram in the article, then follow the elbow line to the hands (remembering 0 is hands straight infront of you, 180 degrees is arms/hands behind you) and you get roughly 45 degrees.

The diagram below explains flexion, to some degree...

 

[scullyg40]

The picture doesn't show any relation to the vertical line? All I see is an angle saying it's 45 degrees, and looking like 135 degrees. This is my last comment about this, as I don't want to ruin a thread about a good subject.
I will be installing my seat in my car soon, and I'm interested in what angle I will get it in. If I remember correct, I had them pretty upright in my old G40.

 

[-Jamie-]

It's pretty personal and depends on the seat as well tbf, My old Suzuka was more laid back but the current Evolution is more upright

 

[Filters]

The picture doesn't show any relation to the vertical line? All I see is an angle saying it's 45 degrees, and looking like 135 degrees. This is my last comment about this, as I don't want to ruin a thread about a good subject.
I will be installing my seat in my car soon, and I'm interested in what angle I will get it in. If I remember correct, I had them pretty upright in my old G40.

Doesn't it? Pretty sure there's a big red vertical line.
You're right though, it is a good subject....for those with a basic understanding of maths and trigonometry

 

[JamesBryan]

^ That pretty much covers it.

 

[DrAlex]

Great. I saw that Skoda picture and I seem to pretty close to it's recommendations.
While on the subject. Has anyone experimented with support pillows? I'm thinking some lumbar support may assist, I quickly read a aper and it seemed to indicate that increased lumbar support led to more comfort which should lead to better concentration over time and therefore better driving/reduced lap times.

 

[JamesBryan]

Great. I saw that Skoda picture and I seem to pretty close to it's recommendations.
While on the subject. Has anyone experimented with support pillows? I'm thinking some lumbar support may assist, I quickly read a aper and it seemed to indicate that increased lumbar support led to more comfort which should lead to better concentration over time and therefore better driving/reduced lap times.

Corbeau do inflation cushions for lumbar support on their seats.

Other manufacturers may do too.

 

[Filters]

James is right inflation cushions are your best bet. Plenty of places do them, failing that an extra lining of memory foam works well. I'd suggest taking the cover off for that.

https://www.capitalseating.co.uk/air-lumbar-support I've this currently fitted to my recaro spg, works a treat.

 

[Usr117063]

Gt3 driver, leaned back, wheel close and high

Nascar, wheel very close, more upright

Rally, wheel lower, upright

 

[scullyg40]

I got the seatrails done on my car. The mounting points are horizontal, giving quite an upright seating position.

 

[bozothenutter]

Funny how that Škoda pic seems to quite leaned back....
'As upright as possible' would have the mount holes horizontal right?

 

[White16valver]

Lack of lower back support is a major problem with a lot of seats I see - a flat bit of board for the backboard? Really? Because our spines are a straight line, are they??

Racetech seats are the only seats I've seen that actually resemble the human form without the need for extra cushions.

 

[DrAlex]

Yes exactly that white16valver. I definitely think mine need lumbar support adding (bimarco) as they are flat backs.

 

[VenomUK]

Doesn't it? Pretty sure there's a big red vertical line.
You're right though, it is a good subject....for those with a basic understanding of maths and trigonometry

View attachment 1418512

Very interesting to see this as the biggest problem on paper I have found with my seating position is nothing...? Yet after 20 mins I find my right ankle begin to ache. I'm expecting this is due to the fact that I'm using the car in a more casual setting out and about enjoying it with a lazy positioning on the peddle. Which is causing this. As to being in the seat on the track day moving from accelerator to brake will prevent this from happening as opposed to being sat in the seat keeping the foot at a set position for longer periods of time in a more casual driving style?

Has anyone found this or have some tips or things I need to change? After searching I found the same subjects describing that fig above and when in the seat I'm sat bang on in this position. If I am to pick a hole I could tip the backrest back a hole as mine looks more upright than that of the picture.