Custom-molded seats for NASCAR drivers - GIF

[ToolTalkBot]

Custom-molded seats for NASCAR drivers.




Previously:

Cutaway of NASCAR wheel/tire with inner safety liner - photo
NASCAR car totaled after crashing into barrier - GIF
NASCAR multi-car crash after curb failure - GIF
NASCAR pit crew jumps on car hood to repair body damage - GIF
NASCAR pitstop crew POV - GIF
NASCAR safety in the 1960s - GIF
NASCAR track bar adjustment tool - video

[tonyfoale]

In the early 1970s I was the manager at John Surtees' race car factory. All the drivers had individual moulded seats. The procedure was to sit in a default seat on a plastic bag into which expanding foam was pumped. The driver sat there, in driving position until the foam was set. The foam shape was then filled and generally cleaned up from which a mould was made. One day Surtees himself was having a seat fitted but the foam mixture must have been made with an excess of hardener. The setting process of the foam is exothermic and with the excess hardener the heat build up was also well into excess. It was quite obvious that Surtees was in distress and was being slowly cooked. Most people would have cried "enough" and got out, but he just sat there until the foam had set and started to cool off very slowly. Steam seem to be exiting from every visible orifice, ears, nose etc. It was an interesting sight.