Hi folks, I'm new here....sorry if this is the wrong forum for this question!
I have a Recaro SPG and it's certification ran out way back in 2012. It is structurally 100% good, looks nearly new.
I am "A" group HDPE driver, with no real plans towards any competitive driving in my current car. Just looking for a better set up (along with roll cage, harnesses, etc.) Probably goes without saying, but surviving. a major hit or crash is a high priority.
Does having the "FIA certification" being so out of date matter for my application? I just have no context for how critical age is for a seat when it's used for lapping - okay or certain death?
No practical problem, the fact that the seat is out of date is only an issue where safety requirements include up-to-date FIA certified seats...
What is the base material for the frame?
Just to clarify, if the certif8cation was up in 2012, I believe that makes that a 15 year old seat.
No issue running it, just check it closely for cracks and damage.
I think (but not sure) that the certification refers to it's fire resistance. Unless it's a composite seat.
How long does the certification last for? Mine only has the manufacturing date.
Anyways, that just refers to the FIA cert. Run them.
This is what mine looks like:
AIUI, one of the reasons for the time-based expiration of seat certification is that as the seat ages the composites that make up the structure degrade due to sunlight and repeated stress. Do you know the history on the seat? Has it spent 10 years sitting out in the sun, or was it used infrequently and and stored in a garage?
Personally I set my own limit as double the expiration period, and when I hit 10 years on the Recaro Pole Positions in my Miata (a dual-purpose street/track day car) I replaced them with new ones. The new ones creaked noticably less when getting into them, for whatever that's worth.
This is all for HPDE use. For autocross I don't think it matters much at all, speeds are a lot lower and there's nothing to hit.
