The OMPHA0-0790-A01-071 is OMP’s First-R, the entry point to their competition seat range. It is a fibreglass shelled bucket seat with FIA 8855-1999 approval, filling the gap between a non approved road seat and the higher end carbon models without the carbon price.
The shell is fibreglass: at 9.4kg it is lighter than a steel framed approved seat and stiffer through lateral loading. The velour cover is practical in regular track use, easier to keep clean than a technical fabric and more comfortable against a race suit than vinyl. A removable base cushion is included, which makes cleaning straightforward after a wet event and lets the seating position come down slightly if it needs to.
The side bolsters are cut higher than on the road versions of the Classic range, giving useful thigh support without a full FIA side protection shell. Five harness slots cover 4, 5 and 6 point harness routing. The seat is HANS compatible through the head and neck restraint geometry.
Height
The First-R is rated for drivers up to 6ft. If you are over 6ft, check head clearance in your specific car before ordering: the high bolsters mean the seat sits taller than some alternatives, and headliner clearance is the usual constraint for taller drivers in a car with a low roofline.
Fitting
Side mount fixing at 290mm, which is the standard competition spacing. No brackets included.
For a driver entering Motorsport UK competition for the first time and needing an approved seat at a manageable price, this is the honest starting point in the OMP range. The carbon seats above it are lighter and stiffer, and for most club racing the First-R is adequate and the difference is better spent elsewhere.
Will I fit in this seat?
The maker sizes this seat for drivers under 6ft in height with a 36in to 38in or 32in to 36in waist. Those are the paper numbers; how a seat actually feels to sit in and climb out of is a different question, and our showroom team sit in these seats every day, so call us with your height and waist and we will give you the honest answer.
Is it FIA approved, and for how long?
Yes, it carries FIA 8855-1999 homologation. Every FIA seat has a not-valid-after year printed on its homologation label, and that label date is what a scrutineer checks, so look at the label on the seat you receive and check it against your championship regulations. Buying new means you get the freshest label the maker currently produces.
What do I need to fit it to my car?
This is a side-mount seat: it hangs between side brackets, the motorsport-style stack with fine height and angle control. You will need the car-specific frame, and a sliding runner if you want fore-and-aft adjustment. Our guide on base mount versus side mount walks through the whole stack, and tell us your car and we will quote the full kit.
Does it work with harnesses and a HANS device?
The shell takes 4 point compatible and 6 point compatible. If you are planning the full seat, harness, and HANS setup, tell us the car and we will spec it end to end.
How do I know it will feel right, not just fit on paper?
Fair question, because makers publish widths and weights, never feel, and two seats with identical numbers can feel nothing alike in the car. We keep the ranges on display in the Nottingham showroom, you are welcome to come and sit in them, and if you cannot get to us, call and describe your build, as the team sit in these seats every day. Our head support measurements guide shows the kind of real-world data we collect.