Which Sparco QRT Seat Do You Choose?
Bucket seats, July 2022
Sparco make their fibreglass FIA bucket seats using a process they call QRT, and the range has grown to the point where the question we hear most is simply which one to pick. We have a wide spread of them on display for the 2022 season, so here is how we split the range when someone asks.
The short answer is that it comes down to three things: whether you want head support, how big you are, and how much room there is in your car.
- QRT is Sparco's quick resin process for fibreglass seat shells
- The QRT seats we list are homologated to FIA 8855-1999
- The Circuit and Circuit II add head supports
- The Evo comes in standard, L and XL widths
- The Pro 2000 QRT takes base or side mounting
- Sparco QRT seats are on display in our showroom to try
What is on this page
What QRT means
QRT is Sparco’s name for the way they make their fibreglass shells: resin is transferred into the mould quickly and evenly, instead of the shell being laid up by hand. Sparco say this gives a lighter shell for its strength than the traditional method, with a more consistent build from one seat to the next.
In practice it means a fibreglass FIA seat that is lighter than a steel framed one and a good step up for drivers who are getting more serious about competition. The QRT seats we list are homologated to FIA 8855-1999, the standard most UK club championships ask for.
QRT seats with head support
If you want more protection around the head, the Circuit and Circuit II QRT are the seats to look at. Both have high thigh supports and large shoulder and head supports, so the upper body is held in place through fast corners and the head has something to rest against.
The two differ in shell width. According to our listings, the Circuit is cut for slimmer drivers, around a 28 to 32 inch waist, and the Circuit II covers bigger drivers from 32 inches upwards. Both are side mount seats and work with a HANS device.
The Evo in three widths
The Evo QRT is the one most club racers end up in, and it comes in three widths: the standard Evo, the Evo L and the Evo XL. The shape and the construction stay the same; what changes is the room at the shoulders and hips.
The Pro 2000 QRT is worth knowing about for a different reason. It can be base mounted or side mounted, which helps in cars where side mounting is awkward. Our guide to choosing between the Evo QRT sizes goes into more detail.
The smaller QRT seats
The Rev QRT and the Grid Q are among the smallest and lightest in the range. They are narrow seats, which suits smaller cars where cockpit space is tight and slimmer drivers who would move around in a bigger shell. The Rev has a velour trim and the Grid Q a fabric trim.
A smaller seat is not automatically the better choice. If the shell pinches your hips or sits your shoulders above the supports, it will not hold you properly, so the fit always comes first.
Try one before you choose
We have one of the larger Sparco seat displays around, with many of the QRT seats on it for viewing and testing through 2022. Garreth’s advice is to sit in two or three before deciding, ideally in the clothes you will race in, because a few millimetres of shell width feel very different once you are strapped in.
If you cannot get to us, send your height and waist measurements and we will suggest the shells to look at. You can see the full Sparco FIA seat range on the site, and a matching Sparco harness is worth thinking about at the same time.
What does QRT mean on a Sparco seat?
It is Sparco’s quick resin process for making fibreglass seat shells, which gives a lighter shell for its strength than laying it up by hand.
Which Sparco QRT seats have head support?
The Circuit and Circuit II QRT have head supports as well as high shoulder and thigh supports.
What sizes does the Sparco Evo QRT come in?
The Evo QRT comes in standard, L and XL widths.
Which Sparco QRT seat can be base mounted?
The Pro 2000 QRT takes base or side mounting, while most of the others are side mount only.
Are Sparco QRT seats FIA approved?
The QRT seats we list are homologated to FIA 8855-1999.
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Choosing a QRT seatFit first, then features
Head support, shell width and mounting narrow the QRT range down quickly.
Need a personal recommendation?
We're here to ensure you pick the right seat.
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