Tall driver wanting instruction- please advise

best option will probably be a custom racing seat and modified seat tracks to get the seat as low as possible.

what car will you be using?

 

Mike,
I am 6'4" 210 lbs. I found a Sparco Evo III is the best seat and bolted to the floor. I use to drive a 355 and now a 430 Challenge. I use a air hose on a Stilo helmet. I found removing the pads from the racing seats can give you the extra space.

 

The seats are easy to modify in an M-3 or Porsche 944, both of which can be thrashed about. I have driven both. They are lots of fun on track.

 

Are you in Baltimore county Maryland? If so, easy to get started at track. First of all, I believe you would fit in a Porsche GT3 with racing seats. As to instruction, if you have never been to the track, you can sign up for PCA Potomac HPDC (high performance driving clinic) in September, I think, at Summit Point West Virginia. It is required before you are are able to drive in the D.E.'s run by Potomac PCA. Once you sign up for a D.E. you will receive plenty of instruction from experienced and certified instructors.

Rob in Potomac

 

You might also give Skip Barber a call and talk to them about what cars you could fit in.

I recall doing an intro to racing school with them years ago and they had specifically reserved one of their MX-5's for an especially tall driver. Had the seat rails moved back a couple of inches.

For the Performance Driving School I did with them before that, the skid pad and defensive driving pieces didn't require helmets. The on track portions did, but I was able to lower the seat all the way down and back and had loads of room - combination of 911's and Boxsters back then.

 

I am 6'4" and also a long torso, 34 length pants for comparison. I tracked my Italia and now Speciale with a helmet no problem. When tracking I would move the seat all the way forward until my left knee was wedged against the dash by the brake button. You will want to do this anyway to get a better angle on the steering wheel and so you have something to brace against when braking. At this point you can adjust the rake of the seatback as much as necessary so you head and helmet fit. Its not the most comfortable position but it seems like on the track you forget about that pretty quick.

 

Mike - If you really want to learn to drive my advice is to buy an inexpensive, low powered track-prepped car and start doing Driver's Education events. For me that would be an older 911 or 944 (before anti-lock or other nannies) from or through a shop that supports race cars and knows how to set a car up. Even an early Boxster would be ok as the mid-engine balance approximates our cars. Low power is key, once you are fast in a low power car you will understand dynamics and be ready for more power. Most shops will store, transport, and support you at the track if you don't want to deal with it.. I say go Porsche because PCA is enormous and throughout the US has a DE schedule second to none, You can virtually go to an event just about every day of the year! You would start in the Green group, be expected to know 0, and be instructed by a PCA certified instructor (I admit to being one). Progress through the ranks is 100% up to your dedication and ability. I strongly feel this is a great way to learn, meet a lot of new friends, and have a blast doing it!