A bucket seat is contoured to hold your driver or front passenger. It’s pretty distinctive compared to a flat bench seat, which is designed to fit multiple people.
In layman’s terms, it is rounded with high sides for safety and advanced positioning – although some may have curved sides that partially enclose and support the body in high-performance vehicles, particularly when used in conjunction with a roll cage.
What are the Benefits of Installing Racing Seats?
Safety First: These are a great option to hold you tight whilst you race. If you're trying to set faster lap times, they are an absolute must-have as they keep your bottom half from sliding around, which reduces the need to recentre your body or shift to racetrack curves.
Some users report it even eliminates the need to recentre altogether. They are stiffer than normal designs, helping to secure the driver and front passenger in place (if used in rally cars). They are also great for use with gauge pods, further supporting the driver to keep their eyes forward as they move.
Snug as a Bug: As well as delivering on a sleek, high-performance-looking interior, race seats support the driver as they move. Buckets are more robust and keep the driver tightly locked in as you fly around the circuit.
Weight Reduction: These also help by reducing the weight of your vehicle. Regular designs usually weigh more and may be even heavier if they have electric motors, fans and vents attached. Racing seats, on the other hand, are lighter and tighter – therefore will decrease the overall weight of the vehicle, which supports overall speed performance.
Are They Comfortable?
Typically, these have backrests that cannot be adjusted for reclining and are usually in the correct position at all times. If you suffer from back problems, stiff knees, or like to drive in a less restrictive manner, buckets may not be for you. They may be uncomfortable on long drives, especially since they are designed for racing (often in short bursts) and are not the most comfortable seats for road trips.
However, if you are after those that support performance, agility and focus, then these are 100% for you.
Why is a Racing Seat Recommended?
Racing seats are about safety and are designed to protect you in the event of a crash. A good design can prevent or lessen injuries, and even save your life. There are specific standards when it comes to the product you use in your car for this reason.
They are recommended for use in a track setting. Any dedicated race car driver should be fitting their vehicle with these. As we mentioned, they’re designed to hold the driver in place, which aims to increase driver control, provide a better grip on the steering wheel, and offer better pedal foot placement.
Australia’s Best Range
At Pro Speed Racing, we stock a range of quality-made Sparco seats. Sparco supplies to some of the biggest names in the industry – including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti, Koeniggsegg and others. Their fantastic reputation doesn’t come cheap, but luckily Sparco offers a lot of different options for multiple purposes. Check out our range here.
For further tips and advice, reach out to the Pro Speed Racing experts in Australia today. We’re here to help you get the most out of your vehicle.
