Noise Limits

[anonymous-user]

Hi All,

I just wanted to direct this question to those PH'ers who may have extensive track day experience. Usually quoted with track day literature is a statutory noise limit (usually 95Db) to keep the noise down for local residents etc.

Has anyone seen people turned away from trackdays becasue of excessive noise? And if so, were they acting like a tit by revving engines and acting around?

My new magnex stainless system makes a lovely sound, but with only one tiny silencer, it's pretty loud when giving it some. Some people have stated it may be above the 95Db limit usually put in place. Now, i'm convinced that a de-catted TVR or Ferrari on full chat is going to be louder than my wee beastie. Do marshalls usually ignore loud cars providing you're not arsing around in the car park? Does it depend on the track?

I'm just wondering if it's all just an urban myth, as everyone i've asked has never actually SEEN this rule being enforced.

Cheers

Mac

>> Edited by Mac GT on Monday 16th January 15:32

>> Edited by Mac GT on Monday 16th January 15:32

[catretriever]

Yes, the rules most definitely get enforced and are no urban myth. I've never been sent home myself but have certainly been marked for 'special' attention on the driveby checks.

What you have to bear in mind is that the limits are set by the local council, not the track owners. Operators will enforce the rules as they are protecting themselves from being closed down.

I would recommend that you get down to Maplins and buy yourself a noise meter to get a handle on just how loud you are (£30). Then, if you are way over the limit or even borderline then you can avoid disappointment by taking along some extra trackday silencers for your pipes.

cheers

Matt

[falcemob]

I've seen plenty of people sent away, Combe and Goodwod are the worst, or rather strictest.

[m3pilot]

I think they'd give you a few warnings first and ask you not to use full throttle. I take it the 95Db is measured from a few meters away whilst your driving, if so i suspect you'd be fine.

At brands hatch a couple of weeks ago me and a few friends had no problems with sound and I tested my 205 GTi which has a full Grp N system with straight through silencers at 102Db static which was the same as my mates P1. I'm sure some of the jap stuff that was there was louder than our cars and I don't think they had any problems

[anonymous-user]

Thanks guys, i've seen a DB meter on e-bay, it's less than £20 so i might just get that to be sure, I'd hate to get all the way to the 'Ring again and be turned away with the new system

better safe than sorry!

[coyoteracer11]

or rent one from Jonny Bookatrack for £9 including postage both ways...

Or even cheaper turn up at your local circuit when they're running a trackday and ask them to noise test you.

And yes, as above, some circuits like Goodwood, Combe, Donington and Bedford are VERY strict about noise, both static and drive-by. A noise-meter won't measure your drive-by so be aware of that too.

[stringer_m]

As others have said Bedford and Donington are particularly strict due to complaints from neighbours.

Drive by noise levels are usually measured from 2 or more locations around the track which tend to be relatively easy to spot allowing you to take the precaution of a momentary lift (assuming your not bang on the limit around a fast left that is!).

Watch out for the effects of weather on the drive by noise limit as well; cold and windy can be particularly troublesome.

You can also find that the drive by noise measuring equipment appears to exhibit a frequency or model bias; this can lead to seemingly very loud cars not being booked whilst quiet cars are.

In our experience static noise tests are easy to pass in all but the loudest of machinery, it's the drive by ones that will catch you out.

[doctorpepper]

I used to do lots of days at Castle Coombe and have seen many a ferrari turned away before setting tyrew on track.
I've also been sent home after a couple of hours at Bedford for being too loud.

[GuyR]

I've been kicked off at Bedford for being too loud on the drive-by, even though I passed the static. Forget Goodwood unless you have a modern car with a stock exhaust.

[Phil. S.]

Noise limits are strictly enforced, but you shouldn't have any problems with 95db. The limit is usually between 100-108 db. Goodwood is 98 I think. Most airfiles are 100. Brands and Cadwell 105. Not sure about others.

[Michael R]

I was at Bedford in December, very cold and very windy. A good third of the cars got sidelined despite passing the static test (which can be cheated in any case since the testers can't stand at the exhaust and check you're on 3/4 revs).

Out of interest, can anyone advise what can be done to temporarilly reduce dB should the car fail a drive by? Nothing worse than going home early just as the tyres are up to temperature...

[Phil. S.]

As others have said, all track day organisers will be very strict enforcing noise limits. They have to be. You can buy a small add on silencer from Merlin Motorsport for about £50, which will take a few decibels off. It's a bit of a bodge but will get you out of trouble. On the question of exhausts: it is a mistake to think that small silencers imply better performance. It is teh type of silencing that's important. What you need is a big, well-packed straight through silencer, preferably repackable. That will enhance performance and keep it quiet.

[zumbruk]

stringer_m said:

As others have said Bedford and Donington are particularly strict due to complaints from neighbours.

Bedford doesn't *have* any neighbours. (Type "Thurleigh, UK" into Google Earth and go due North from the village - the Bedfordshire data has recently been significantly improved).

stringer_m said:

You can also find that the drive by noise measuring equipment appears to exhibit a frequency or model bias;

The (A) in noise specifications, like "95dB(A)" means that the noise is measured in a specific frequency range designed to be the most sensitive for human hearing.