My Blog

Tag: Sparco

  • Sittin' right: Automotive Ergonomics Part 1

    I think people very seldom value how important proper ergonomics is.

    What exactly is Ergonomics? The scientific study of people and their working conditions, done in order to improve effectiveness. While it sounds boring, ergonomics is insanely important. You only get one body, and you know how fast that can all go downhill, which is why items in your car such as your steering wheel, shift knob and seat are so important.

    National Speed eStore - Sparco Competition 325

    First off is your steering wheel. This is the most direct contact you personally have with your car. Having a comfortable steering position isn’t always an option in a highly modified car, but it’s very important. There are many options on the market today that are more ergonomically correct than others. The manufacturer Sparco has always been praised as having ergonomic wheels and very high quality products. Not only will you gain steering feedback but whatever wheel you get will net you instant baller status!

    National Speed eStore - Recaro Hans Seat

    Next up, and arguably most important, is your seat. Without a good seat, you’re missing the most important piece of the puzzle. A good seat should have your knees placed above your hips (did you know that?) and should be adequately wide enough to hold you into it. Recaro is a very well known and respected name in the automotive industry and their Racing Seats are known for being the best.

    Stay tuned tomorrow for part two of our Automotive Ergonomics blog. There’s much to know about proper ergonomics and I think you’ll be surprised with how important it can be…Can that sound any more like a boring professor???

  • Sparco Wingman Babyseat – Fun for the kids too.

    You know, this may be an odd article, but I saw this and just had to cover it.

    This is one badass baby carrier.

    National Speed Sparco Babyseat - Front

     

    Rory Craig of the Art Center College of Design has created a clever prototype for a new Sparco Babyseat. While not officially affiliated with Sparco, Rory is trying to pitch the idea to Sparco to see if this thing can go into production. It’s meant to appeal to racing enthusiasts, which in all honesty does effectively. Swathed in carbon fiber and wrapped over a CNC’d foam core, this baby seat is not only ridiculously lightweight, but strong as well. All straps are from real Sparco harnesses and the chair is fully internally padded.

     

    National Speed Sparco Babyseat - Rear

     

    One cool feature about this seat is the fact that it can adapt to a child’s age from 1 month up to 10 years. The first function is for a Rear facing Infant seat, from age 1-24 months, next is for Toddlers and is forward facing from age 1-3 years. Once they get a little older, the seat detaches from the base and the base can be used for a booster seat from 1 to 10 years or you can use the detached seat as an infant carrier. All of this means that for the initial cost of the product, you end up saving money by avoiding the cost of purchasing new products.

     

    National Speed Sparco Babyseat - Functions

    I’d really like to see this idea come to fruition. It’s hard to argue that this thing doesn’t look damn cool. It’s always best to start them off young, why not start immediately?

    NOTE:  THIS PRODUCT WAS JUST A PROTOTYPE AND WAS NOT ACTUALLY PRODUCED FOR RETAIL