FAQ
Are Racetech seats made in China or somewhere else?
Somewhere else! All Racetech seats are proudly manufactured in Wellington, New Zealand using a combination of materials sourced locally and abroad. Our small, dedicated team take immense pride in crafting each seat and we celebrate each championship win like we were driving the car.
What is back-mounting and why is it required on some of your seat models?
We strongly believe back-mounting a seat improves driver safety in an impact and increases driver ‘feel’ of the vehicle. It is no surprise that this same philosophy is now prevalent in international touring car categories such as V8 Supercars and NASCAR. This video explains the concept further. When the Racetech 119 and 129 series seats are crash-tested by the FIA, they are mounted with both back-mount and floor-mount brackets. It is therefore mandatory that these seats are installed using back-mount brackets to achieve FIA homologation.
What is the difference between the FIA 8855-1999 (old) and FIA 8862-2009 (new) seat standards?
The test method for the new 8862-2009 standard differs significantly from that of the older 8855-1999 standard. The old standard simulates three successive impacts; 20G rearwards, 15G laterally and another 10G rearwards by using a crash test dummy and rapidly decelerating a sled. The new standard is quasi-static, meaning the seat is fixed and the loads are applied by hydraulic rams to the head, shoulder and pelvis areas of the seat simultaneously. There is both lateral and rearwards tests where the seat must withstand;
- Laterally: 7kN (Head), 11kN (Shoulder) and 14kN (Pelvis)
- Rearward: 7kN (Head), 14kN (Shoulder) and 14kN (Pelvis)
It is difficult to compare the two standards accurately except to say that the newer 8862 standard is much more rigorous and simulates an impact of approximately 70G.
The other point to note is that seats meeting the new FIA standard are required to use stiff, energy-absorbing foam in the head, shoulder and pelvis areas, improving safety for the occupant.
I have an old Racetech seat, can I get it re-homologated?
No, we don’t re-homologate seats.
What is the recommended cleaning method for Racetech seat upholstery?
Apart from our (discontinued) 9100 Sprintcar seat models, it isn’t recommended that you remove the seat cover for cleaning. The cover is glued down and not designed for removal. With the seat cover still in place you can use a combination of mild detergent/soap and water to remove dirt and dust. Use water sparingly, as excessive water will soak through the seat fabric into the foam and extend drying time.
Can I buy a custom seat?
Yes, we are always keen for a challenging project! Contact us and speak to our sales team to outline your requirements and we can confirm what is and isn’t possible. Custom modifications to the seat upholstery and embroidery are easy and relatively inexpensive. Modifications to the seat shell are more difficult and more expensive. Bear in mind that modifications to the seat shell are likely to void the FIA homologation, if applicable.
In what currency are the prices displayed on your website?
On our US site, www.racetech-usa.com, prices are displayed in United States Dollars (USD). Customers based in Nevada may also be subject to sales tax.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards along with PayPal. If you wish to collect a purchase from our shop in Carson City, NV, you are welcome to pay by credit card or with cash.
Is the listed seat price for one seat or a pair?
The seat prices listed on our website and in all other media (unless otherwise specified) are always for one seat only.
Do you ship internationally?
Racetech products can be sold internationally. In the first instance, please contact our distributors in your location via the contact form. If there is no distributor in your part of the world, please contact us for further information.
I love your product, can I become a dealer or distributor?
Yes, please contact us to apply to become a Racetech dealer. If you wish to apply as a distributor for your country, please email Racetech New Zealand directly using the contact form.
I’m an athlete/competitor/event organizer, will you sponsor me?
That depends on whether you fit our marketing strategy. For any successful sponsorship request, we require a full written application. Please see our Sponsorship page here for more information.
Do you have any job vacancies?
If a position becomes available we will advertise this on our website here and on our Facebook pages.
Are the seat dimensions and weights listed on the USA website metric or imperial?
We now offer both options! By default, the dimensions are Imperial, but you can switch to Metric by using the dropdown list on each seat page.