The Recaro Pro Racer SPA, part number REC071.36.0630, is the standard-size carbon-Kevlar competition shell. At 6.5kg it is the lightest seat in the Pro Racer range, around 3.5kg lighter than the fibreglass SPG HANS and 0.5kg lighter than the XL version of the same carbon construction.
The standard shell is designed for drivers with a 32 to 36 inch waist and a height over six feet. Drivers outside those measurements should consider the XL versions: the carbon-Kevlar XL (REC071.44.0630) or the fibreglass XL (REC071.38.0630), depending on budget and how much the weight saving matters.
FIA 8855-1999 homologation is confirmed. The five-year validity period runs from the homologation date on the label inside the seat, not from the date of purchase. Check the label before buying any competition seat, particularly one that has been in storage.
HANS-specific geometry applies across the Pro Racer range. Shell cut-outs, harness guides, and head guard positioning are calculated for an FHR device at 20 to 30 degree post angles. Harness guides accept 4, 5, or 6-point belts.
Carbon-Kevlar composite cannot be repaired after a structural impact, unlike fibreglass. If the car does serious competition where the seat may take a direct load in an incident, the ongoing replacement cost for carbon is higher than for GRP. The SPG HANS in fibreglass is the alternative for drivers where total outlay matters more than weight. Side mounts sold separately.
Will I fit in this seat?
The maker sizes this seat for drivers over 6ft in height with a 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 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.