stronghammer

Any opinions on the adequacy of the 2012 seat upgrade with regards to occasional track use ? I want something that will hold me in place during the 6-8 track days per year. So who out there is tracking their Vet with the 2012 seats and how do you like it ?

boltvette

C6 Corvette seats aren't quite as bad as the C5 versions, but still terrible because of a lack of lower seat bolsters. Check out Angel Pads by Angelwings Tech. Unless your going to go to a full race seat, they are by far the best solution.

Robert R1

Same issue here. Did 4 trackdays last year and the seats were a real issue. This year planning around 8.

Ended up ordering this package and it's being installed next week: http://www.xplosiveperformance.com/S...e-_p_3507.html

w00tw00t

Stock seats are terrible!, they're like sitting on a comfy couch - not something I want to do in a 90mph left hander at the track!


I upgraded to OMP ARS and Scroth Harnesses and haven't looked back... so much better.

Bad Karma

I can't even put into words how nice the upgrade to a fixed back seat was. Even without my 6pt harness it would have been a world of improvement; but the combo is fantastic. She feels like a different car almost.

If you want a single duty seat I know multiple guys who are very happy with their Corbeau A4s.

QUIKAG

For just a few track days a year, keep your stock seats, and get some Angel Pads. They really keep you from sliding around in the seat and they take 10 seconds to put in and take out when you're finished with your track day. Price is very reasonable and they hold their value too when you go to resell them later on when you don't need them anymore.

MarkDFW

Angel Pads make sense as a cost effective solution if you want to keep your stock seats for daily driving, which is more comfortable than driving around town in a full blown race seat.

You can drop less than $200 on angel pads. Or you can drop a few grand on aftermarket seats and harness. The former makes more sense to me on a car that is primarily used on the street. The latter makes sense on a full blown track car.

My 2 cents.

RIRaven

I am not ready for the investment to get the proper seats and harnesses. I do about 6 track days a year. I used the Angel Pad last year and it was a huge improvement. It kept me planted yet was easy to take in an out. Much better on my left knee and I didn't have to keep scooting back into position on the straights. In fact, I didn't think about my seat position at all.

franman69

I am also a dual use car guy.. I do about 6-8 DE days per year. I love it, but I'm not ready to give up my stock seats. The Angle Pads worked great for me last season. Great cost to benefit ratio and I'm sure they helped improve my lap times... while keeping me firmly planted and expending a lot less energy "holding myself in place".... I highly recommend for anybody who's not going to a dedicated track car and wants to keep the convenience of the stock seats..

72Vega

with Mark DFW

As I have made chassis, suspension and handling improvements on my car, I needed a solution that was safe and cost effective. Angel Wings pads are a great solution if you drive your car to and from events and just don't have the $$, time or desire to go with race seats. It also allows you to keep all of the GM designed safety features 100% in place.

With Angel Pads on the seat here's what I do in my 05 Coupe:

1. Take a seat, secure helmet and run the driver seat all the way back. Buckle in loosely.
2. Pull up the door-side AW pad and hold it in place.
3. Close the door -- this provides the tight fit that the pads provide to hold my hips in place.
4. Pull the oem belt all the way out and let it ratchet back until it's snug with the seat all the way back.
5. Push the button on the door that moves the seat forward to my track driving position. Yep, it's going to get REALLY tight -- just short of cutting off the circulation to your upper body is about right
6. drop the steering wheel in place, put on my gloves, push the button on the console to turn off traction control and active handling.

Full disclosure: I drive in NASA HPDE 4 or comparable groups and also instruct in our region - these are typically 20-30 minute sessions. I tow a tire trailer to events. I use a seat belt pad on the shoulder belt so it doesn't cut into my shoulder. The groups I run with require both seats to be the same for passengers or instructors. I also wear an R3 Head and Neck Restraint both in my car and while instructing. I've found that AW Pads minimize having to hold my body in place by pressing my legs against the console on the right and the "cheese grater" speaker cover on the door. These don't COMPLETELY eliminate this problem, but I am MUCH less fatigued at the end of a session.

Angel Wing pads are very, very effective in keeping you planted in the seat while on track as well as cost effective ($189) as an intermediate solution between our stock seats and full race seats. I really see this product as an affordable piece of safety equipment that helps drivers improve their car control skills.

Not affiliated with Angel Wings in any way, just a satisfied customer. http://angelwingstech.com/

stronghammer

OK, I'm sold. Just placed my order for angel pads.

bluemagoo

Good choice! I've used AngelPads for several seasons and find they are a good solution for a dual-purpose car to hold the lower body in place (as mentioned above). Cinching the 3-pt harness tight (I mean really tight) helps keep the upper body in place too.

Again, not a replacement for a dedicated fixed-back competition seat; but a simple, inexpensive way to help reduce sore knees and keep you from sliding around so much. They're well made and my experience with the company has been A+.

giantkeeper

Looking at angel pads now myself! I have a bad back and had to cut day two of my weekend session in half because of the lack of bolster in the C5z and an irritated lower back.

Great info!

Boxcar

I also just placed my order, I think this is a great alternative to full race seats for the weekend warrior. Great thread, see ye'll at the track.

Watkins Glen, April 2014!

Boxcar

I see you track at the Glen! I'll see you in April with NASA! Counting the days.

vetten76

Angel pads all the way. Solves the track issues then allows the wife to drive the car complaint free the following week. They don't make the seat a little better, they completely solve the problem.

doveboat

Agree, I use the Angel Wings in my C5 Z for intermediate level HPDE's and find they make a big improvement for keeping my hips locked in place.

For more aggressive driving I would reco a fixed back seat fitted for yourself along with a harness & Hans type device.

Ed

UrbanKnight

everyone forgot The McDonalds option.... If you get fat enough, you don't slide much if at all.....

c6hp4fun

As an Angel Wing user myself, the only thing I would add is that it helps a lot at autocross as well as track days.

TKOGTO

The difference in lap times with AWs and without is quite large. You won't be disappointed. I've lent mine out a few times and the "ohh, now I know why you are quicker" reaction I get upon their return to the paddock is priceless.