Driving position

[xillent]

Anyone else an Italian ape? Long back, short legs.

i can't get seem to get into a comfortable position. i've Cobra seats fitted and i reckon they lift me higher up then the standard Westfield ones. This means that my knees hit the dash (and wheel to a certain extent). If i move the seat back i'm too far from the wheel. i can still reach but don't feel in control if you know what i mean.

My eyes are in line with the top of the screen but i don't feel this is too big a problem as i seem to be able to see OK.

i could change the seats, this would be more cash and if it didn't work then boo.

i'm thinking of fitting a spacer. Demon Tweeks stock an OMP 60mm spacer. i think it just fits between the wheel and hub. Other's have suggested the dreaded welding to fit a spacer but it's a lot of hassle and could be unsafe i think.

Have any of you chaps fitted a spacer? Are there other solutions as i'm certainly not the first with this problem.

[michaelcoombs]

Narrow or wide? My brother is as you describe. (He is almost as tall as me but his legs end level with my knees) he had no problems with his narrow SE……………………………….. Too busy going sideways to worry maybe?

edited to say... welcome by the way!

[xillent]

OH Yes, suppose i should have mentioned that i'm a newbie.

Well its been bludy brilliant fun so far.

it's a widebody.

[neilwillis]

I'm a big bloke too.   I had your problems, and the answer was to fit a shell seat so I'm sitting virtually on the floor of the car, and an aeroscreen.   I also fitted a spacer behind the wheel, bringing it a few inches closer to me.

Much better.

Why not sit in a few other cars with different configurations, and see what suits before you fork out any dosh?

[michaelcoombs]

Dare i suggest different seats? Maybe try taking out the drivers seat and see if you can get comfortable with bits of wood/ cushions ect... and then find a seat to match/feels the same/same dimensions?

[xillent]

Yes, i hope to get together with some of you chaps at the first opportunity. I'm in Scotland so it looks like there's not as much going on here??

i've driven a mates car which is almost identical. He has the Westfield seats so it's a wee bit better but i still have the problem. The Cobra seats are really nice so i'd rather not change them. The spacer might be a relatively cheap option.

Re the Aeroscreen: Sorry for my ignorance but is it good enough to deflect the blast or does your head get blown off??

[neilwillis]

It's actually more comfortable at speed than the windscreen.   I generally wear a helmet with it, cuz i don't fancy a mush full of pigeon though.

[Blatman]

I thought you wore a helmet *becaue* you'd had a faceful of pigeon. Turns out you're just ugly

[xillent]

Did you fit the OMP spacer? Does it fit the existing hub and wheel?

[Mark Stanton]

i've Cobra seats fitted and i reckon they lift me higher up then the standard Westfield ones.

They do, they're comfy, supportive, well priced and well made ..........however the pay off is the bases are quite thick construction and do raise you, even more so with adjustable runners    

i don't fancy a mush full of pigeon though

unless its curried    

[oioi]

Yes, i hope to get together with some of you chaps at the first opportunity. I'm in Scotland so it looks like there's not as much going on here??

whereabouts in scotieland are you?  try scottish sevens forum

regards your problem i can think of a couple solutions.

one is make a two part expanding foam seat.  this can be made to suit your ideal driving position but may not look the prettiest.  i used one for a couple of years happily. you could always use the foam seat as a mould for making your own fibreglass (or even carbon) seat - click on furybird11 then custom carbon seat

ive now got playskool r500 alike seats.  to get the driving position to my liking i again used two part foam to make a base with the seat held at the angle i wanted no text but im sure you get the idea

OiOi

(a search for aeroscreen vs windscreen might be a good idea)

[xillent]

i'm in glasgow, i'll check out the Sevens forum.

i'll likely go for the spacer first and then see what happens.