Alcantara is a great material for auto use, no doubt about it -- because unlike real suede, you can clean it with more aggressive solutions. Once you stain a true suede, replacement is the only option at that point. The Alcantara does give better grip in the seats.

There are ways to snug yourself into the seat that will make any normal leather seat perform just fine. Alcantara is about as crucial to a fast lap time as a carbon fiber dash kit. Still, many insist that you need both to go fast, because Ferrari does it.

Also, to the leather owners, be mindful of the cleaner you're using. I use Meguiar's and then dry off the excess with a microfiber towel. If your seats are glossy, you have too much product on them.

My logic -- if you're driving fast enough to need Alcantara, chances are you're sweating enough in the middle of your back to keep you glued to any seat.