35 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

Mike, this guy. Calls himself some SM National director or something.

His opinion though.

 

Personally I'd stay away from an aluminum seat in these little cars...  If you want to chat IM me your contact info and we'll talk.

[Mike Collins]

Mike, this guy. Calls himself some SM National director or something.

His opinion though.

 

I read his post, thus my comment.  Last I checked Butler Built and others have been working with NASCAR and SFI on seat safety..... What exactly does John do for a living?

[Johnny D]

I'm with you Mike, Butler is an excellent seat. Not sure if SpeedS.. wanted that. Seemed like he's on a budget, Comparing Racetek, Kirky, IDK.

 

John sells Miata and safety stuff over the internet. Also races at Runoffs etc.

http://weekend-racer.com/

 

Yes, all are FIA approved. all are deemed safe. I'm not trying to scare anybody that their seats are dangerous.

And I'm not going to speak for him. I've said enough already.

J~

[john mueller]

I'm 6'4 260lbs... I use a made to Measure Butler Built seat.  It fits fine and I have PLEANTY of egress with the vent window removed.  

 

There are no issues with a proper fitting aluminum seat in one of these cars.  If someone tells you otherwise they have no F'n clue what they are talking about.  Its probably their personal opinion and not based on fact.

 

Indeed, A personal opinion.  I'm partial to composite seats because in large impacts they flex and sometimes break, releasing energy that would normally go into your body (a bad thing).  Have you ever squished an aluminum can?  Does is 'bounce back" after you're done squeezing it?  Now imagine sitting in that can.

 

Again, just my opinion.

[Mike Collins]

I'm with you Mike, Butler is an excellent seat. Not sure if SpeedS.. wanted that. Seemed like he's on a budget, Comparing Racetek, Kirky, IDK.

 

John sells Miata and safety stuff over the internet. Also races at Runoffs etc.

http://weekend-racer.com/

 

Yes, all are FIA approved. all are deemed safe. I'm not trying to scare anybody that their seats are dangerous.

And I'm not going to speak for him. I've said enough already.

J~

 

I know John personally.  I know what he does...  I also happen to hold a National Tech License and have been chief of SM tech at the SCCA Runoffs AND NASA National Championships.  

 

I'd rather people keep personal opinions about safety equipment to themselves unless they are experts on the subject matter and I am no expert.  

 

I tell all my customers the same thing... Buy the VERY BEST safety equipment you can afford even if it means skipping a weekend or two.

[Johnny D]

Yes, I spend too much time here. Open up a PBR if you've haven't already.

 

Ok, Speed, you've heard from the top guys in the sport on this.

Good luck, See you out on the track.

J~

[john mueller]

I read his post, thus my comment.  Last I checked Butler Built and others have been working with NASCAR and SFI on seat safety..... What exactly does John do for a living?

 

Low blow Mike, not fair at all...  I expect more from someone who also "influences the class & rules" and who makes a real living from the class.  My guess is Meathead must be a Butler distributor/reseller, eh.  How many SM cars have you built again?  Play nice.

 

Butler makes great products and I've sold them in the past on my site (for bigger cars, dirt) but do not any longer unless someone asks specifically for one (not enough volume).  I've seen very few full containment Alm seats mounted correctly in a Miata while still allowing egress room.  Few, but not none.  I think there is a great example of one done perfectly on SoCal.  That is the reason I don't like them for our cars. It's not about the seat, it's the cage, car and the skill of the builder/installer to do it right.

 

What does it cost at Meathead to notch-out the tunnel, fab-up some reinforcement for that seat in a SM?

 

BTW, a Living, from Weekend-Racer.com?!?  HA!  Total W-R revenue for a year is about the same as two of your car builds...  Barely enough to get me on the track a handful times a year.  I'm one of the lucky few who to make a living taking care of my family.  Yep, I'm a homemaker who gets to play with cars from time to time and work with NASA.  I get to walk my son to school everyday, go to PTA meetings, go grocery shopping, take my son to karate & basketball & piano lessons & guitar lessons.  My wife is super smart, is talented as crap and happens to be an executive at one of the largest entertainment companies in the world...  This is what we choose for our family and I'm one lucky SOB.  And yes, I do run a few Websites to help my fellow racers and make some cash to support our family's racing habit.

[Bench Racer]

^ TMI

[Caveman-kwebb99]

  Yep, I'm a homemaker who gets to play with cars from time to time and work with NASA.    My wife is super smart, is talented as crap and happens to be an executive at one of the largest entertainment companies in the world... I'm one lucky SOB. 

 

John lets make deal you just fight with collins and I will marry you wife and then she can support my racing addiction!!!! LOL

 

PS sweety you keep the kids please!!!!!

[john mueller]

^ TMI

 

HAHAHA.  It is isn't it.  I guess when my integrity is called into question I'll react in a big way.  But it's true, my online business is in no way "a living" and I want the folks on this site to know that.  It was designed and continues to be a way for me to help fund my and my sons racing habit.  I take the work I do on the sites seriously, and would never put anything in front of driver safety or the health of our class.  It's not worth it me on any level.

 

I like and have a lot of respect for Mike, the proof is my hiring of him for the past three yrs to be NASA's National Championships Head of SM Tech.  However, I take great offense to how he said what he said, implying what it did.  I'm no engineer nor a racing safety expert and this thread asked for our opinion... I gave mine with no influence.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

OK this thread need a big time reset!!!!!!!  wher is the commy clown when he is actually needeed??????

 

 

 

No fighting now, you guys just need to get along, some guy in cali once said that its actually pretty famous on youn tube,  do i need to post it????

 

collins needs more time for him sm build for runoffs and mueller needs some sanity before sami shock time makes assault on mormoon motro parak...

[Ron Alan]

I think Mike has earned his right to an opinion...

 

I think John has earned his right to an opinion...

 

I think Johnny is just a.....well, ass!  (male donkey)

[LarryKing]

Visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame while I was in Charlotte last weekend. In the 1960s they just (sort of) bolted a stock bucket seat to the main hoop (and there were very few additional bars).

 

Hey, if it's good enough for King Richard...

[Bench Racer]

Not to argue, just facts.

 

There are a very large number of aluminum seats used in Midget and Sprint cars along with a H&N restraint.

[Mike Collins]

My comment towards John was not that he was Race Supplier Peddler,.... He makes about as much of a living from Weekend Racer that I do from MEATHEAD Racing.  My comment was that he is not a safety engineer or certifying agency, there are lots of places to get advice on safety equipment, I'd just suggest you get them from professionals, which once again I will claim publicly that I am not.

 

What John does with his time, wife or kids is also irrelevant.  My concern was for the OP to get sound advice from multiple reputable sources and just to not believe was he reads on the internet

[Speedsterp]

Update and thanks to all for input! I decided to go with a 15" Kirkey Full Containment seat as I fit well into the seat and the seat fits well into the Miata with no modifications needed. I felt that it provided very good protection with the head restraint system secure mounting and the cost of was within my budget.