Chassis Design and Ergonomics

[Jamie]

Hi,

I would like to design a monocoque chassis for a prototype (Le Mans style) race car. In order to determine the dimensions of the chassis, I need to find a simplified 2d driver model with standard seat dimensions. After a thorough search on the internet, I can not find the seated position of a Prototype car (Formula car). I have read a handful of FSAE student papers on the subject of ergonomics, but non of them provided basic seat or driver dimensions.

Would you know where I might find the angle of the planes of the seat and the body to determine the seated position of a driver in a racer? More specifically, I would like to know the angle of the backrest; the angle thigh rest; the plane(s) of the seat bottom; and the dimensions and angles of the drivers knees, elbows, etc.

I am interested in the simplified basic dimensions of the seat and driver to begin design of the chassis, which can be refined later for driver fitting after the chassis has be constructed. The books "Chassis Engineering", "Tune to Win", "Race Car Design (by Derek Seward)", "Race car design and Development (by Len Terry)", and "Racing Sports Car Chassis Design (by Costin and Phipps)" all fail to provide this information.

Would anyone know where I could find the GT40 seat dimensions and angles (in respect to the firewall)?

Thanks,

Jamie

 

[Ole Nylende]

Have a look in the historic Fia appendix j documents. Most of the interior/seating dimensions is given there

 

[Jamie]

Have a look in the historic Fia appendix j documents. Most of the interior/seating dimensions is given there

Thank you, Nylende! I didn't know that these papers were available.

I found the mandatory minimum lengths of seat components (width, height, and distance from the roof), but the angles and positioning of the seat remains unknown.