Kirkey Road Race Seat - Back Pain
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Kirkey Road Race Seat - Back Pain
I just installed a Kirkey Intermediate Road Race seat in my C4. It works great, except that I get lower back pain after driving for about 10-15 minutes. I don't get any lower back pain driving street cars, even for pretty long periods of time, including my stock seats in the C4. Any ideas on possible causes? BTW, my seat is installed at about a 71 degree total angle - 15 from the seat plus 4 by raising the front of the seat relative to the rear. My butt is about 1.5 to 2 inches off the floor. Thanks.
--Calvin
--Calvin
#2
Le Mans Master
I have the same seat and even with 2 herniated discs in my lower back and one in the middle, it feels great to me. It's more comfortable than any other seat I've ever tried.
#3
Instructor
Thread Starter
--Calvin
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
#6
#7
I stuffed a kirkey lumbar pad behind my seat cover and it made it much more comfortable. I've done the same on other seats with removable covers.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...s?autoview=SKU
http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...s?autoview=SKU
#8
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Posts: 7,251
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I stuffed a kirkey lumbar pad behind my seat cover and it made it much more comfortable. I've done the same on other seats with removable covers.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...s?autoview=SKU
http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...s?autoview=SKU
FYI I had lower back pain when i started using a race seat.changing tires, changin rotors, changin pads, gettin in and out of the damn low car lol
I started Yoga exercises... that dogy downward dogy up routine fixed my back after a couple weeks. now i just stretch like that once a day and I am golden!
gettin' old sux!
Last edited by rustyguns; 04-28-2013 at 06:56 PM.
#9
Drifting
thanks for the summit link ... I just ordered one up for my kirkey ... I had back pain as well but usually just stuffed a jacket / pillow what ever i had in the car that would fit..
#10
I think you may be fine with the lumbar support or if you lay the seat back a bit more.
#11
Burning Brakes
Make sure you have the seat positioned so you have some natural bend in your knees, this relieves pressure on the sciatic nerve. Also do as suggested, pad up the L3-4-5 region so you support the curve of the spine. As suggested, If you can handle some exercises like Yoga or stretching, that will help as well. Good Luck!
#12
Zed06 is right about the knee bend. The lower the seat is the straighter the legs are and as a result more uncomfortable. One reason why the layback aluminum seats are nice. They can be tilted back yet they have a bend in them to allow the upper torso to sit a bit upright unlike the composite seats which are generally a 90* seat. Layback seats also allow the seat to move further back before contactin the crossbar on rollcages in race cars for the same reason.
#13
Race Director
I don't have the measurements (sold the car) but the Kirkey Intermediates I had in my C4 were without a doubt the most comfortable seats I have ever had in a car. I have pretty severe back issues and I would actually be in more pain on the trip to the track in the truck than I would in the Kirkey.
Like others, I would suggest a little more recline to both get a little more bend in your knees as well as to give a little more support on your back.
It is tough to see the angle, but this gives an idea how far I had mine reclined.
Like others, I would suggest a little more recline to both get a little more bend in your knees as well as to give a little more support on your back.
It is tough to see the angle, but this gives an idea how far I had mine reclined.
#14
Safety Car
Your harnesses are on too much of an angle downwards, compressing your spine. Pushing those disc's out further and further.
I mounted my harnesses on a slight upwards angle.
I mounted my harnesses on a slight upwards angle.
#15
Burning Brakes
Also make sure you aren't too far away from the pedals, straining your back when hitting the gas or the brake. I have a ruptured disc and 2 herniated and moving forward just about an inch or 2 solved the problem. I had the seat setup like I was driving a street car, so I could stretch my legs out. Not the best position when you're honking on those pedals for 30 min at a time. I have an ultrashield.
#17
Safety Car
#18
Race Director
#19
Please read this and then look over your installation.
http://hansdevice.com/app/site/media....nl/id.4090/.f
My first guess would be seat belt mounting point is to low in back and you are compressing your spine.
Heed the warnings for this, I raced at a track that lost 5 drivers in five years before anyone listened to safety experts, now 8 yrs have past without a loss.
JB
http://hansdevice.com/app/site/media....nl/id.4090/.f
My first guess would be seat belt mounting point is to low in back and you are compressing your spine.
Heed the warnings for this, I raced at a track that lost 5 drivers in five years before anyone listened to safety experts, now 8 yrs have past without a loss.
JB
Last edited by jb08z06; 05-09-2013 at 10:01 AM. Reason: Spelling
#20
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Posts: 7,251
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Please read this and then look over your installation.
http://hansdevice.com/app/site/media....nl/id.4090/.f
My first guess would be seat belt mounting point is to low in back and you are compressing your spine.
Heed the warnings for this, I raced at a track that lost 5 drivers in five years before anyone listened to safety experts, now 8 yrs have past without out a loss.
JB
http://hansdevice.com/app/site/media....nl/id.4090/.f
My first guess would be seat belt mounting point is to low in back and you are compressing your spine.
Heed the warnings for this, I raced at a track that lost 5 drivers in five years before anyone listened to safety experts, now 8 yrs have past without out a loss.
JB