Donington 98db limit - '6 GT3

[911p]

I've noticed that Donington are very strict on their 98db drive by limit. We're due to go there in a few weeks, and I'm left wondering if a 45k mile 996 GT3 will get through the noise test? They list the '911 GT3' as a car they expect to fail.

If it's borderline, is there anything which can be used to reduce the noise level, like some sort of silencer to attach onto the tips? Cheers

[jackwood]

You should be fine.
Myself, Keep It Lit, Mike from Sports and Classic and my mate all with 996 GT3's have been to Donny many times with no issue at all.
Mikes car even runs a full Cargraphics system there with no trouble.
Jack

[911p]

That's good to hear. Are the 997s louder then?

[terryb]

I would say if your exhaust is standard you should be ok. Mine has Manthey K400 conversion including exhaust and I have been black flagged a few times, but that was more often the case on a cold day

[keep it lit]

911p said:

That's good to hear. Are the 997s louder then?

yes.. seen a fair few fail at Donington.

[911p]

Ok, so you're all positive it should get through without any issues?

[kingstondc5]

911p said:

Ok, so you're all positive it should get through without any issues?

Pends on how anal the tester is really

[boxsey]

It seems to be the 997.2 GT3 that trips up most of the time. All the earlier GT3 variants at our day there last year were fine. It's still a good idea to short shift out of the chicane and the old hairpin though.

[911p]

I noticed that Mike at S&C fits some silencing tips to his car for track days, are these readily available?

[kbooker]

There is a noise meter on the lights gantry over the start/finish straight, stay over to the right until you are passed it and avoid being in a group of cars at the same place and you should be fine

[nxi20]

You'll be fine with a standard exhaust. Even when I'd melted my cats on my GT3 I still never had a problem. My 993 Turbo with a Cargraphic exhaust got black flagged twice the day I took it there. Although they quote a static figure, I've never known them regularly measure static noise.

[jackwood]

kingstondc5 said:

Pends on how anal the tester is really

Donington is drive-by only. There is no static testing.

[David Hype]

So they take your money, let you on the track for a lap and then black flag you!... Nice

[2stis]

Another one who can vouch that you should have no problems at Donny. My GT3 has the Oettle bypass mod too, so will be louder than standard, and still had no issues with it.

[boxsey]

David Hype said:

So they take your money, let you on the track for a lap and then black flag you!... Nice

If they black flag you for noise they give you a chance (sometimes two) to do something to reduce the noise and let you try again. The same happens at circuits with static tests. The only difference with the latter is that you don't get to go on track until you pass the static test. In both cases you lose your money if the car is too loud - I've yet to hear of a TDO that will refund someone if their car is too noisy to pass a static test.

[andy97]

David Hype said:

So they take your money, let you on the track for a lap and then black flag you!... Nice

And why would it be their fault that you have a car that does not meet their regs? if you book, you are agreeing to their Ts & Cs which usually includes meeting the noise limits of the day.

Donington - like many circuits - is under pressure for noise issues; it has a planning application in to make their current temporary allowance for the number of days track useage permanent and the quid pro quo is that they monitor noise properly and do not exceed agreed limits. The noise monitor is directly connected to the Council Environmental Dept and they have the power to close the circuit down if the circuit exceeds their legally agreed planning conditions.

If Track Day goers regularly ignore noise limits and there are too many exceedences then circuits could be closed down and we all suffer.

[melv]

RMA did a load of measuring back in March. Donny have the results.....loudest car was 121db....and it was a Porsche

[Inverted]

Try not to pass the noise meter the same time as a 757 takes off from East Mids....

Ive done donny in my CSL 10+ times it also has a supersprint race exhaust, never had any problems.

[GC8]

kbooker said:

There is a noise meter on the lights gantry over the start/finish straight, stay over to the right until you are passed it and avoid being in a group of cars at the same place and you should be fine

I intended to post along similar lines. 98dBa drive-by is quite loud, but to be certain find out where the microphones are and avoid full throttle in their immediate vicinity (and on their side, where you can). Circuits usually place them where you will be noisy i.e. out of a slow corner before a longish straight.

Forewarned is forearmed and a little right foot moderation will see even a noisy car pass...

[DiscoColin]

keep it lit said:

911p said:

That's good to hear. Are the 997s louder then?

yes.. seen a fair few fail at Donington.

Anyone wanting to drive a 997 GT3 at Donington now needs a 6mm vacuum cap on the widget that controls the bypass of the side boxes of the exhaust system at high rpm. It has been covered here a few times - you will lose some top end power and torque but should be fine for noise.