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Thread: Tall driver question

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    Tall driver question

    I have the unfortunate condition of being a tall guy who likes small cars (6'-4", 34" inseam, 40" seated height). I pre-ordered an 818, only to need to cancel after unsuccessfully trying to sit in one in person. I've always loved the Challenge Car, but my concern is having the roll bar high enough. Can anyone do me a favor and measure from their seat to the top of the rollbar?
    2003 WRX - Daily Driver/Rallycross Beater
    1998 M3 - Track Toy

    Still trying to find a FFR car I fit in

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    From the floor to the top of the Rollbar in my MK III is 44"

    From the seat of my ultrashield is 40.5"
    2012 NASA-SE FFR Champion
    2011 NASA-SE FFR Champion
    Race page - http://www.mh-motorsports.com/race.shtml
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    Senior Member STiPWRD's Avatar
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    Dave, did the 818 you sat in have the Boyd gas tank or aftermarket seats? Either of these mods can significantly increase your sitting space. I'm 2 inches shorter than you and have the same inseam and with a few of these mods, the 818 can be quite comfortable.

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    Administrator David Hodgkins's Avatar
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    You should get in touch with Brando. He is your size and currently thrashing his 818R for fun and glory:
    http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...R-Build-Thread

    FFR 5369 Pin Drive, IRS, Trigos, Torsen, Wilwoods, FMS BOSS 302 "B" cam , Mass-flo. CA SB100 (SPCN) Registered
    Delivered 4/23/06. "Finished" 4/2012 (still not done!)


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    Quote Originally Posted by mhoward1 View Post
    From the floor to the top of the Rollbar in my MK III is 44"

    From the seat of my ultrashield is 40.5"
    Thanks, is your seat as low as it can be mounted? The top of my helmet is 41" above the seat.

    I've tried the regular 818 with aftermarket seats on the floor and my head was above the rollbar without a helmet. It didn't sound like the 818R was going to be tall enough.
    2003 WRX - Daily Driver/Rallycross Beater
    1998 M3 - Track Toy

    Still trying to find a FFR car I fit in

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by WRX Dave View Post
    Thanks, is your seat as low as it can be mounted? The top of my helmet is 41" above the seat.

    I've tried the regular 818 with aftermarket seats on the floor and my head was above the rollbar without a helmet. It didn't sound like the 818R was going to be tall enough.
    No, My seat is on the double lock Motorsport sliders. So you could probably gain a full inch if floor mounted.
    2012 NASA-SE FFR Champion
    2011 NASA-SE FFR Champion
    Race page - http://www.mh-motorsports.com/race.shtml
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    Administrator David Hodgkins's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WRX Dave View Post
    Thanks, is your seat as low as it can be mounted? The top of my helmet is 41" above the seat.

    I've tried the regular 818 with aftermarket seats on the floor and my head was above the rollbar without a helmet. It didn't sound like the 818R was going to be tall enough.
    I think a call to FFR is in order. I believe the R roll bar is ~2" higher than the S. FFR should be able to tell you the exact number...


    FFR 5369 Pin Drive, IRS, Trigos, Torsen, Wilwoods, FMS BOSS 302 "B" cam , Mass-flo. CA SB100 (SPCN) Registered
    Delivered 4/23/06. "Finished" 4/2012 (still not done!)


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    Senior Member FFRSpec72's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WRX Dave View Post
    Thanks, is your seat as low as it can be mounted? The top of my helmet is 41" above the seat.

    I've tried the regular 818 with aftermarket seats on the floor and my head was above the rollbar without a helmet. It didn't sound like the 818R was going to be tall enough.
    All depends on how far you push the seat back and at what incline you can get, I'm 6' and I have pushed my seat back another 4.5" than stock and I have about 2" clearance then going from rear hoop to front hoop (broomstick test), I have a challenge car also and it has about the same clearance, the cages are almost identical in dimensions.
    Tony Nadalin
    2018 SOVREN Big Bore Champion
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    FFR MkII Challenge Car, Spec Racer, Street Legal, SCCA, ICSCC and NASA Racing
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  9. #9
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    I run a lot of layback on my seats. I'll try to get some numbers from FFR, but it sounds like I'll really need to find a car nearby and just try sitting in it.
    2003 WRX - Daily Driver/Rallycross Beater
    1998 M3 - Track Toy

    Still trying to find a FFR car I fit in

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