Hundreds Of Products Ready Today. Dispatch/Collection Ford RS200 Bucket Seat Fitment Guide
Compact FIA-approved seat options for a very tight cockpit
The Ford RS200 is one of the most iconic Group B homologation cars ever built, but it also presents one of the most challenging interiors when it comes to seat fitment. The car was designed around competition first, with a compact cabin, narrow footwells, and limited headroom. As a result, many modern seats that work well in larger performance cars are simply too wide, too tall, or sit too high once mounted.
Using the same fitment-first approach we applied to our Lancia Stratos guide, this article focuses on what actually works in an RS200, not what looks good on paper. The goal is to help owners choose FIA-approved bucket seats that physically fit the car, maintain a correct driving position, and work properly with harnesses and roll protection.~
Understanding the RS200 cockpit
The RS200 interior is small in every direction. Width between the transmission tunnel and door cards is limited, headroom is tight even without a helmet, and floor height leaves little margin for thick seat bases or tall mounting systems.
This means seat choice must prioritise:
• Compact external shell dimensions
• Thin base cushions to keep seating height low
• Narrow shoulder and hip width
• Fixed-back designs for rigidity and space efficiency
Even a few millimetres too much padding or an overly bulky shell can force the driver too high or offset in the cockpit, which quickly becomes uncomfortable and unsafe.
Starting With The installation Brackets Required
The advantage of the Planted Technology RS200 bracket
One of the biggest challenges with rare cars like the RS200 is finding a mounting solution that opens up seat choice rather than limiting it. This is where the Planted Technology Ford RS200 bracket becomes a key part of the solution.
The Planted base provides a strong, correctly positioned foundation that allows compact FIA bucket seats to be mounted using side mounts rather than relying on bespoke fabrication. This gives much more flexibility, allowing a range of proven motorsport seats to be installed cleanly while keeping the seating position as low as possible.
Used with quality side mount brackets, the Planted base makes it possible to fit seats that would otherwise be difficult to position correctly in such a small cabin.
Side mounts and installation considerations
All of the seats listed are designed to be used with side mount brackets, which is the preferred method in a car like the RS200. Side mounting allows the seat to be positioned lower and more accurately than base-mounted designs, which is critical for headroom and pedal alignment.
We recommend using high-quality side mounts from Sparco, OMP, Cobra, or Sabelt, matched to the seat shell and mounted to the Planted bracket. This approach provides strength, adjustability, and a clean installation without unnecessary height.
Sliders are generally not recommended in the RS200 due to the additional height they introduce. Fixed mounting or minimal adjustment through side mounts is usually the best compromise.
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Seat Types That Work Best In The RS200
Cobra Monaco Pro & Variations
The Cobra Monaco Pro is a classic compact FIA bucket seat that has been used across rally, sprint, and track applications for many years. Its relatively narrow shell and controlled bolster shape make it a strong candidate for the RS200.
The Monaco Pro offers good lateral support without excessive shoulder width, which is critical in a narrow cabin. The base cushion is thinner than many modern composite seats, helping keep the seating position low. Harness compatibility is excellent, making it suitable for serious competition use.
For RS200 builds that need a proven, no-nonsense FIA seat with manageable dimensions, the Monaco Pro remains a very solid option.
Sparco Sprint FIA
The Sparco Sprint is one of the most widely used entry-level FIA-approved bucket seats, and for good reason. Its tubular frame design keeps external dimensions compact, while the overall shape works well in smaller interiors.
In the RS200, the Sprint’s modest shoulder width and relatively shallow base cushion help preserve space. While it is not the lightest seat on the market, its simplicity works in its favour when clearance is tight.
The Sprint is particularly attractive for owners looking for an FIA-approved solution that balances cost, fitment, and durability without introducing unnecessary bulk.
OMP TRS-E and similar steel-frame seats
The OMP TRS is a very popular choice in rally cars and smaller competition builds. It uses a compact shell profile and offers strong lateral support while maintaining reasonable external dimensions.
The TRS sits well on side mounts and works nicely with the Planted base, allowing fine adjustment of height and rake without raising the seat unnecessarily. Padding levels are sensible, providing support without excessive thickness, which is ideal for the RS200 cockpit.
For owners planning fast road, track, or rally-style use, the TRS is one of the safest all-round choices in terms of fitment and performance.
OMP Champ
The OMP Champ is another compact FIA-approved bucket seat designed specifically for smaller drivers and tight interiors. Compared to the TRS, it has a slightly slimmer overall profile, making it easier to package in very confined spaces.
Its narrow shoulder area and thinner base cushion help keep the seating position low, which is essential in the RS200. While it offers less padding than some larger seats, this works in its favour when space is limited.
The Champ is well suited to competition-focused RS200 builds where fitment is the overriding concern and driver restraint is prioritised over long-distance comfort.
Sparco Rev QRT
The Sparco Rev QRT is designed specifically for small cockpits and drivers who need a compact FIA seat without compromising on modern composite construction. The QRT shell keeps weight low while maintaining strength, and the external dimensions are carefully controlled.
In an RS200, the Rev QRT’s narrow shoulder profile and thin base make it one of the best composite seat options available. It sits well on side mounts, allows fine positioning, and works effectively with multi-point harness systems.
For owners wanting a lighter, more modern seat that still fits within the tight constraints of the RS200 interior, the Rev QRT is an excellent choice.
Sparco Evo QRT
The Sparco Evo QRT is one of the most versatile FIA-approved bucket seats available and is particularly well suited to compact, competition-focused cars like the Ford RS200. Although the Evo range is widely used across many forms of motorsport, the QRT version stands out for tight interiors due to its controlled external dimensions and lightweight composite construction.
The QRT shell technology allows the seat to remain strong and rigid while keeping wall thickness and overall bulk to a minimum. In practical terms, this means the Evo QRT offers more internal space for the driver without significantly increasing the external width of the shell. This balance is critical in the RS200, where shoulder and hip clearance are limited.
Our Recommended Motorsport Seats
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Summary And Conclusion
Choosing bucket seats for a Ford RS200 is not about style or brand preference, it is about geometry. The car’s compact cockpit demands seats with controlled dimensions, thin bases, and sensible shell shapes.
Using the Planted Technology RS200 bracket opens up the possibility of fitting proven FIA-approved seats without bespoke fabrication. When combined with compact models such as the Cobra Monaco Pro, Sparco Sprint, OMP TRS, OMP Champ, and Sparco Rev QRT, it allows RS200 owners to achieve a correct, safe, and comfortable driving position.
As with all tight-cockpit cars, careful measurement and realistic expectations are key. With the right seat choice and mounting setup, the RS200 becomes far more usable and enjoyable, whether on the road, track, or stage.