Seat removal during percy(95 percetile male) check

[robust08]

The rule book doesn't specify whether the seat can be removed during insertion of percy while during FSG in a podcast it showed that if seat is not a part of firewall, it can be removed. Please help!!!!!

[Adam Farabaugh]

I think it's not supposed to be, but we were told by inspectors that some teams have a custom seat just for Percy. So I think that is probably why they allow the seat to be removed - you could conceivably build a paper-thin seat that would make Percy fit. I'd be interested if the RC gives you a response though.

[MCoach]

We had a very large, form fitting seat that is similar to the one in the link below and we were able to remove it at both US competitions in 2013. We presented it this way:

http://streamlinecarbon.com/v2/wp-co...ucket-seat.jpg


The Percy rule is as follows:

T3.10.4 The 95th percentile male template will be positioned as follows: (See Figure 2.)
a. The seat will be adjusted to the rearmost position,
b. The pedals will be placed in the most forward position.
c. The bottom 200 mm circle will be placed on the seat bottom such that the distance between the
center of this circle and the rearmost face of the pedals is no less than 915 mm (36 inches).
d. The middle 200 mm circle, representing the shoulders, will be positioned on the seat back.
e. The upper 300 mm circle will be positioned no more than 25.4 mm (1 inch) away from the head
restraint (i.e. where the driver’s helmet would normally be located while driving).


The key part is article 'a' that allows to move the seat rear most position, which means that the seat can be adjusted. The other key part is that there is no requirement for seat to be placed in and as far as the seat rule goes, there is no real definition for it. So, we felt free to class the whole seat as a 'seat insert' which may be removed during Percy fitting. Referencing the vertical template rule, it says that the seat can be removed for that test (not really applying to Percy, but used it for relevant referencing). Referencing the seat rule, there is no definition for the seat other than protecting the driver from heat sources. The rule explicitly states that the driver may come in contact with the floor as well as other panels in the car, which means that your seat can be designed such that it allows them to come in contact with all of these panels (in some cases, meaning no seat!) However, if your car is designed such that without the seat he breaks the seat rule and is not properly isolated from heat sources, then you will not pass technical inspection. If these seat parameters are met without a seat, then you should be fine.

In 2014 we decided to forgo a seat completely and use a seat insert to satisfy the driver's comfort needs. Thermal isolation is adequate and quite comfortable with the insert.

As always, check with your local rules committees as to legality of such questions.

Vertical Template Rule:

T4.1.2 During this test, the steering wheel, steering column, seat and all padding may be removed. The
shifter or shift mechanism may not be removed unless it is integral with the steering wheel and is
removed with the steering wheel. The firewall may not be moved or removed.

Driver's seat rule:

T4.3 Driver’s Seat
T4.3.1 The lowest point of the driver’s seat must be no lower than the bottom surface of the lower frame rails
or by having a longitudinal tube (or tubes) that meets the requirements for Side Impact tubing, passing
underneath the lowest point of the seat.
T4.3.2 When seated in the normal driving position, adequate heat insulation must be provided to ensure that
the driver will not contact any metal or other materials which may become heated to a surface
temperature above sixty degrees C (60°C). The insulation may be external to the cockpit or
incorporated with the driver’s seat or firewall. The design must show evidence of addressing all three
(3) types of heat transfer, namely conduction, convection and radiation, with the following between

[robust08]

Thanx Mcoach and Adam............The rules commitee of Formula Student India are currently not allowing the removal of seat
Her's the link to the podcast which i was talking about http://media.formulastudent.de/FSGTV...ring/i-5X2Jm7V