Leading the world in competitionseat design& development
We’re proud to say that we are world-renowned for our Racetech raceseats. Our composite and carbon fibre race seats are fitted to thousands of race cars, touring cars, rally cars, drift, drag and speedway cars – all over the world, as well as many race boats and other sport seat applications.
2005
Racetech wins contract to supply seats to Prodrive-run Subaru World Rally Team for 2006 WRC based on technical performance
2010
Racetech homologates six models of seat to FIA Standard 8862-2009, variants in a carbon/Kevlar mix and a more economical fibreglass composite construction.
The improved lateral strength provided by back-mounting means that the RT4129 is the only fibreglass seat in the world to pass FIA 8862-2009
2002
Racetech invited to be part of development programme with Daimler Chrysler Extensive race seat testing done to 45G in all directions
2006
Racetech launches new carbon composite sprint car seat – another first in market
2003
New Zealand Speedway Association approves Racetech FIA seats for speedway use. Competitors in ‘full contact’ stock cars, where 80-100G hits are common, adopt Racetech seats
2007
Racetech works closely with FIA Institute to finalise a new seat standard, later named 8862-2009
2014
The company relocates to a modern facility in Seaview, Wellington. Equipped with a CNC cutting table and robot, the new factory can accurately produce its high performance race seats in greater numbers.
1998
Racetech produces first 8855-1999 FIA Standard homologated race seat
2004
Racetech’s new lightweight seat, the 9109HR, with forced air driver cooling is homologated by the FIA
2009
Majority of V8 Supercar teams purchase Racetech FIA 8862-2009 seats; good acceptance by teams
Experience
Safety
Structural Head Restraint
Contains lateral and rearward head movement to sustain
regular head-neck-shoulder alignment and ensure a safe
distance to the rollcage and/or co-driver’s head is maintained.
7kN Applied Sideways
80mm Max. Deflection
20mm Energy Foam
Square Shoulders
Work in conjunction with the head restraint to sustain regular
body alignment during lateral or oblique impacts. This also
ensures the harness belts remain in relative position.
11kN Applied Sideways
60mm Max. Deflection
6mm Energy Foam
Deep Pelvis and Thigh Support
Assists in maintaining regular body position. Provides ‘seat of
the pants’ feel of the chassis performance.
14kN Applied Sideways
40mm Max. Deflection
6mm Energy Foam
Back Mounting
Bolts the seat’s rear beam to the rollcage, sharing more than
90% of the rollover load with the rollcage, maintaining seat
position, structure and alignment.
90%+ Lateral Loading
Data collected from many crashes shows that in a preferred impact scenario, the driver’s head, neck and torso should all remain in normal alignment. To achieve this, at the very minimum, we recommend using a seat with integrated head support, using a quality harness and wearing an approved HANS device. This is the accepted standard around the world. To enhance your protection Racetech produce seats not only mounted to the floor but also to the rollcage at the shoulder level. We call this back-mounting.
Racetech now offers two seat models and four sizes meeting the FIA 8862-2009 standard. This latest FIA standard is much tougher meaning only the most well-engineered seats can pass. These seats must achieve a maximum deflection when test loads are applied in a lateral and rearward direction, simulating a deceleration of about 70G!
Construction
Back-mount capable
The Racetech 119, 129 and 229 series seats are all designed with back-mount capability. By laminating threaded inserts into the seat shoulder channel, we allow back-mount brackets to be simply bolted to the shell. Any lateral loading of the seat is then effectively shared with the vehicle chassis during cornering or in a lateral or rearward impact.
Designed and made in New Zealand
Together with the latest in CNC and robot technology, Racetech’s skilled craftsmen and women build every Racetech seat in-house. Keeping every aspect of production under one roof allows strict quality controls and improves speed of response as reliance on outside suppliers is limited.
Kevlar and carbon fibre weave
Unique in the world of motorsport seats, Racetech’s top-of-the-line shells use a combination Kevlar/carbon weave along with more traditional carbon fibre twills in order to provide the ultimate in strength, stiffness and penetration resistance. This use of layered materials builds strength in crucial places while keeping weight to a minimum.
Square shoulders
A design feature of the 119, 129 and 229 series is that the seat cradles the shoulders, providing what some people term ‘full containment’. Working in conjunction with the harnesses, this contains the driver’s body during cornering and in an impact. The result is reduced driver fatigue, improved chassis ‘feel’ and most importantly, a safe driver.
FIA homologation
Racetech has a wide variety of seat options which not only meet but exceed FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) homologation standards. To achieve these standards the seats must go through physical testing to withstand simulated impact loads. Using a FIA homologated seat is a requirement in many forms of motorsport.
Proven
“ I have been using a Racetech seat in Australia and New Zealand for a number of years. The ergonomics of the Racetech seat are the best I have ever had; the superior design provides the highest levels of strength and protection giving me the absolute confidence I need when racing. There are a number of seats on the market, but why would you buy another brand when the best seat in the market is made right here in NZ.”
Greg Murphy V8 Supercar and SuperTourer driver
“ Thank you again for making a quality product. I have used the same two seats since 2009 and have loved every moment I am in them. I have taken some pretty good tumbles and have walked away from all of them. I wish more guys around my area and in the series I am in would run them.”
Craig Mintz Speedway driver
“ We designed and built a frame attaching the back of the seat to the roll cage. This made the seat unbelievably stable and strong. I knew the seats would offer great protection in the event of an accident or a roll over. Perhaps what amazed me the most is in high G-force turns there is no movement in the seat at all. This seat is so much more supportive than any other seat I've used which is a bi deal in a long race. You also get a better communication through the seat, as the seat and the car are one integral part.”
Gavin Riches Driver/Team Owner, Porsche 2011 Cup Car
“ The seat fits me perfectly, in the past I have finished 12 lap races with lower back pains but with this seat I could do another 3 heats on the day and sleep in it, that's how comfortable it is. There is no flex in the seat and its rigidity has helped us tremendously in the feel of how the Audi S4 behaves. I can't start to explain how happy I am with this seat. The protection and safety for me being such a tall driver is tremendous, giving me all the confidence to attack every lap of every race.”
Gennaro Bonafede VMP Motorsport Audi, Bridgestone Production Car Class A
“ EKS puts safety and quality first – which is why the Racetech seats were our first choice from the very beginning. Their functionality and design convinced us right away. We will use the seats in both race cars during the 2015 and 2016 season and are sure that they will help our drivers to give their best performance and pass the finish line quickly and safely.”
Mattias Ekstrom EKS Audi S1, World Rallycross Supercar
