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Which Is Right For You? Sparco Sprint VS Sprint L
Bucket seats, August 2022
We have the Sparco Sprint and the Sprint L side by side in the showroom for viewing and testing this year. They share the same design but have different dimensions, and the question we get asked is which one to buy.
To show the difference, we sat the same driver in both seats and photographed the fit. Here is what we found.
- Both seats are homologated to FIA 8855-1999
- The Sprint suits drivers with a 32 to 36 inch waist
- The Sprint L suits drivers with a 40 to 42 inch waist
- Both have a steel frame and velour trim
- Both can be base mounted or side mounted
- Our 5ft 10in, 32 inch waist driver fitted the standard Sprint
What is on this page
The difference between them
The standard Sparco Sprint is a narrow seat. It suits drivers with a 32 to 36 inch waist, and its narrow outside makes it a good choice for cars with limited space inside.
The Sprint L is the larger version, wider at the base and at the shoulders, and it suits drivers with a 40 to 42 inch waist. Between the two, they cover a wide range of drivers. Both have fabric trims with tougher material in the areas that get the most contact, so they last longer in use.
Our driver in both seats
Our driver is 5ft 10in with a 32 inch waist, and he wore full racewear for the test. The standard Sprint fitted him best. In the Sprint his shoulders tuck correctly behind the shoulder supports.
In the Sprint L the shoulder supports sat too wide for him, so his shoulders were below and inside them instead of held by them. The seat was simply too big for his frame.
That matters more than it might seem. A seat that fits holds you so you feel pinned in place, without sliding from side to side when the car changes direction. A seat that is too wide lets the body move, and you end up holding yourself in with your arms and legs instead of driving.
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About the Sprint seats
The Sprint is Sparco’s entry level FIA bucket seat, homologated to FIA 8855-1999. It uses a tubular steel frame with velour trim, has a crotch harness slot for a 6 point belt, works with a HANS device, and can be base mounted or side mounted. It is strong and versatile, and it suits competition and road use.
We have both seats in the standard black velour trim on display, next to the rest of our Sparco bucket seats. Our guide to FIA 8855-1999 and 8855-2021 seats explains what the homologation means.
Choosing the right one
Start with your waist measurement, then think about your shoulders. If you are at the edge of either size, or between the two, it is worth trying both. Garreth’s advice is to come in and sit in them if you can, or to send us your height and waist so we can suggest the right one, or a different seat if neither suits.
What waist size does the Sparco Sprint suit?
The standard Sprint suits drivers with a 32 to 36 inch waist.
What waist size does the Sparco Sprint L suit?
The Sprint L suits drivers with a 40 to 42 inch waist.
Which Sprint fitted a 5ft 10in driver with a 32 inch waist?
The standard Sprint. The Sprint L was too wide at the shoulders for him.
Are the Sparco Sprint and Sprint L FIA approved?
Yes. Both are homologated to FIA 8855-1999.
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Tested side by sidePick the Sprint by your waist
The Sprint for 32 to 36 inches, the Sprint L for 40 to 42.
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