Bedford noise limits
Discussion
Just had the press release re noise limits at Bedford
This release is to clarify the situation regarding noise limits at Bedford Autodrome. In the past there have been some occurrences of cars operating without fully respecting the limits and more stringent measures are now being taken to ensure compliance.
It is important that Bedford Autodrome operates not just in compliance with its planning permission limits but also to minimise any disturbance in the local community. Noise can travel a long way, particularly in certain climatic conditions.
The noise limits at Bedford Autodrome will remain unchanged at 101dB(A) static (measured 0.5m from the exhaust at a 45’ angle at ¾ maximum revs) and 87.5 dB(A) drive-by at 20 metres.
To minimise the audibility of cars on just the particularly sensitive Easter Monday and August Bank Holiday Monday, we are introducing a new static limit of 96 dB(A) and a drive-by noise limit of 82.5 dB(A) on these two days. Standard mass produced road cars without special exhaust systems will comfortably pass these limits. Low volume cars (eg Caterhams) and those with variable exhausts like Ferrari 360/430s, will probably not.
The limit on the number of cars allowed on the GT circuit at any one time has been now been reduced to 40 cars from previously 50 cars. The number of cars allowed to take part on any single track day on the GT circuit will remain at 100.
We have experienced too many examples of cars exceeding the noise drive-by limit and then drivers modifying the exhausts to quieten them if they get caught. This causes unnecessary noise breaches so we are now operating a ‘one strike and you’re out’ rule. This effectively means that if your car exceeds the drive-by limit, the driver will be black flagged and that car will not be allowed to take any further part in the track day. If your car can be made quiet enough to comply with the limits, then please do it before you start the track day.
If any owners wish to test their cars before a track day we are happy to accommodate this, by arrangement, free of charge.
You must not generate any significant tyre squeal. The sound carries a long way and can cause annoyance. Deliberate prolonged drifting is prohibited. Any car that creates excessive tyre squeal will be black flagged and given one warning. A second occurrence will mean termination of activity. Tyre types and pressures make a huge difference to tyre squeal. In general, the closer to a slick racing tyre the less the tyre squeal. When choosing tyres for track days please do consider these points.
Following recent discussions on various websites and forums, we feel it is important to make the following points:
The noise meters are calibrated every day.
The noise picked up from each drive-by meter is shown on screens. Every time the noise limit is exceeded, the system automatically prints out details of the violation onto a report sheet. These report sheets have to be provided to the local council.
We have reviewed our own procedures and increased our staff levels on track days in order to increase the policing of the noise limits. We now have extra staff constantly watching the noise meter screens, extra staff in the pitlane and at various points around the circuit.
On each and every violation, the staff watching the screens immediately communicate the details (by radio) to the track staff. The offending car is then black flagged. If it is clear that the meter was triggered by a group of cars passing at the same time, this can then be logged onto the print out and no further action taken.
In order to avoid disappointment, we strongly suggest that drivers wishing to take part in a track day at Bedford Autodrome make sure their car is well under the 87.5 dB(A) drive-by limit before they arrive at the venue.
Whether we like it or not, limiting the noise from vehicles at all UK circuits is increasingly becoming a priority. We are spending a considerable amount of time, money and resource in understanding the issues, training staff, and of course liaising with the local councils. We ask that clients bringing their cars and motorcycles to any of our venues act responsibly by making them as quiet as possible before they arrive.
===================================================================
This release is to clarify the situation regarding noise limits at Bedford Autodrome. In the past there have been some occurrences of cars operating without fully respecting the limits and more stringent measures are now being taken to ensure compliance.
It is important that Bedford Autodrome operates not just in compliance with its planning permission limits but also to minimise any disturbance in the local community. Noise can travel a long way, particularly in certain climatic conditions.
The noise limits at Bedford Autodrome will remain unchanged at 101dB(A) static (measured 0.5m from the exhaust at a 45’ angle at ¾ maximum revs) and 87.5 dB(A) drive-by at 20 metres.
To minimise the audibility of cars on just the particularly sensitive Easter Monday and August Bank Holiday Monday, we are introducing a new static limit of 96 dB(A) and a drive-by noise limit of 82.5 dB(A) on these two days. Standard mass produced road cars without special exhaust systems will comfortably pass these limits. Low volume cars (eg Caterhams) and those with variable exhausts like Ferrari 360/430s, will probably not.
The limit on the number of cars allowed on the GT circuit at any one time has been now been reduced to 40 cars from previously 50 cars. The number of cars allowed to take part on any single track day on the GT circuit will remain at 100.
We have experienced too many examples of cars exceeding the noise drive-by limit and then drivers modifying the exhausts to quieten them if they get caught. This causes unnecessary noise breaches so we are now operating a ‘one strike and you’re out’ rule. This effectively means that if your car exceeds the drive-by limit, the driver will be black flagged and that car will not be allowed to take any further part in the track day. If your car can be made quiet enough to comply with the limits, then please do it before you start the track day.
If any owners wish to test their cars before a track day we are happy to accommodate this, by arrangement, free of charge.
You must not generate any significant tyre squeal. The sound carries a long way and can cause annoyance. Deliberate prolonged drifting is prohibited. Any car that creates excessive tyre squeal will be black flagged and given one warning. A second occurrence will mean termination of activity. Tyre types and pressures make a huge difference to tyre squeal. In general, the closer to a slick racing tyre the less the tyre squeal. When choosing tyres for track days please do consider these points.
Following recent discussions on various websites and forums, we feel it is important to make the following points:
The noise meters are calibrated every day.
The noise picked up from each drive-by meter is shown on screens. Every time the noise limit is exceeded, the system automatically prints out details of the violation onto a report sheet. These report sheets have to be provided to the local council.
We have reviewed our own procedures and increased our staff levels on track days in order to increase the policing of the noise limits. We now have extra staff constantly watching the noise meter screens, extra staff in the pitlane and at various points around the circuit.
On each and every violation, the staff watching the screens immediately communicate the details (by radio) to the track staff. The offending car is then black flagged. If it is clear that the meter was triggered by a group of cars passing at the same time, this can then be logged onto the print out and no further action taken.
In order to avoid disappointment, we strongly suggest that drivers wishing to take part in a track day at Bedford Autodrome make sure their car is well under the 87.5 dB(A) drive-by limit before they arrive at the venue.
Whether we like it or not, limiting the noise from vehicles at all UK circuits is increasingly becoming a priority. We are spending a considerable amount of time, money and resource in understanding the issues, training staff, and of course liaising with the local councils. We ask that clients bringing their cars and motorcycles to any of our venues act responsibly by making them as quiet as possible before they arrive.
Almost makes me wish that TNT Skypak had taken it over instead (which was one of the possibilities before it became the Autodrome). Then the moaning minnies in Thurleigh would have had a cargo 747 coming past overhead every 6 or 7 minutes. I also wonder what they thought when it was the MoDs test airfield and military aircraft were tooling by well under the 500ft limit at all times of the day and night. You'd have thought they would have been pleased to get the Autodrome instead. Hell, I'm surpised they don't complain about Santa Pod, too. After all, it's only 9 miles away.
Grrrrrrr.
Grrrrrrr.
i like the section that basically says that if you are not sure about your cars noise, they car test it there. what if it goes over?? do they have to tell the council?? I hate planning regulations!!
When i have been there, they have always allowed people to try to change the dB of their car by using add-ons etc. In the case of an Atom 245, they tried to block the exhaust with mesh and jubilee clips. This metal work then flew backwards at speed when he revved it in the pit. Classic bodging!
When i have been there, they have always allowed people to try to change the dB of their car by using add-ons etc. In the case of an Atom 245, they tried to block the exhaust with mesh and jubilee clips. This metal work then flew backwards at speed when he revved it in the pit. Classic bodging!
IMO there are some double standards here
I have been on many a Palmer corporate day where the instructors constantly provoke tyre squeeling and spinning.I guess that there are two sets of rules,one for them and one for track day users.
Their JP1'S Palmer Audi'd and Caterhams obviously wear hush pupies.
I have also talked at length with the local noise polution council guy who seems to know nothing about the link to the council offices and the noise alarm that triggers in the council offices you are told about in the briefing.
He did not even seem that aware about seeing many of these so called print out sheets of violations at the time.
How did they manage to have the track day car of the year held there over a couple of days a while back,that machinery did not look too quiet.
It's not the fault of the track day organiser but IMO there needs to be a reality check,it's a race track.
It's ok to build another airport terminal when you feel like it!
Same with Doni,every time a plane lands you have to stop any conversation you are having which is not the case when the cars are running.
Sit in the paddock stand at Brands and you can hear the constant drone of the M25 M2 M20 24hours a day
Spa 125/130db is common,know one in Europe complains,whay are we such a nanny state.
Oh well enough said and happy new year to you all.
I have been on many a Palmer corporate day where the instructors constantly provoke tyre squeeling and spinning.I guess that there are two sets of rules,one for them and one for track day users.
Their JP1'S Palmer Audi'd and Caterhams obviously wear hush pupies.
I have also talked at length with the local noise polution council guy who seems to know nothing about the link to the council offices and the noise alarm that triggers in the council offices you are told about in the briefing.
He did not even seem that aware about seeing many of these so called print out sheets of violations at the time.
How did they manage to have the track day car of the year held there over a couple of days a while back,that machinery did not look too quiet.
It's not the fault of the track day organiser but IMO there needs to be a reality check,it's a race track.
It's ok to build another airport terminal when you feel like it!
Same with Doni,every time a plane lands you have to stop any conversation you are having which is not the case when the cars are running.
Sit in the paddock stand at Brands and you can hear the constant drone of the M25 M2 M20 24hours a day
Spa 125/130db is common,know one in Europe complains,whay are we such a nanny state.
Oh well enough said and happy new year to you all.
I'm in two minds about it really. Not sure if our type of client will be Ok to run there. Last time we had a lots of Gt3RS's and that sort of thing but I can't work out if they'll get through now.
Interesting point re tyre noise on the corporate days though. Hadn't thought of that.
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
Interesting point re tyre noise on the corporate days though. Hadn't thought of that.
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
sarg3 said:
That would have been my RS. Not a chance, even with sports button Off. Got out in a 996 TT, but after 6 laps we were blackflagged, as was the F430 in front of us. Sorry Guys Bedford is now a complete NO NO.
Big shame... I am there on the 9th in a standard Turbo, the 16th in a MR2 and the 23rd in a 996 RS, hope we don't have any problems 
I think the people complaining about noise should be shot!
Sean Edwards said:
sarg3 said:
That would have been my RS. Not a chance, even with sports button Off. Got out in a 996 TT, but after 6 laps we were blackflagged, as was the F430 in front of us. Sorry Guys Bedford is now a complete NO NO.
Big shame... I am there on the 9th in a standard Turbo, the 16th in a MR2 and the 23rd in a 996 RS, hope we don't have any problems I think the people complaining about noise should be shot!
Who's MR2 is it? If they're part of the OC I'll have a word with them having run a handful of MR2s through the soundtest there.
The one strike rule is a real shame, and tyre squealing ridiculous.
ETA: Might this be a show by the circuit to keep the bods on the council happy and then actually on the day they're a little more forgiving?
Edited by jon- on Tuesday 5th February 14:09
jon- said:
Sean Edwards said:
sarg3 said:
That would have been my RS. Not a chance, even with sports button Off. Got out in a 996 TT, but after 6 laps we were blackflagged, as was the F430 in front of us. Sorry Guys Bedford is now a complete NO NO.
Big shame... I am there on the 9th in a standard Turbo, the 16th in a MR2 and the 23rd in a 996 RS, hope we don't have any problems I think the people complaining about noise should be shot!
Who's MR2 is it? If they're part of the OC I'll have a word with them having run a handful of MR2s through the soundtest there.
The one strike rule is a real shame, and tyre squealing ridiculous.
ETA: Might this be a show by the circuit to keep the bods on the council happy and then actually on the day they're a little more forgiving?
Edited by jon- on Tuesday 5th February 14:09
No, they are very serious about the 1 strike rule, I have been kicked off twice (a F430 and 996 Turbo with tubi exaust) already! Last day I was there, about 25 cars got sent home!
sarg3 said:
That would have been my RS. Not a chance, even with sports button Off. Got out in a 996 TT, but after 6 laps we were blackflagged, as was the F430 in front of us. Sorry Guys Bedford is now a complete NO NO.
That was a big shame to a lot of us looking forward to seeing and hearing you on track. I failed the static with my 996 C4S (106.7dB 
) + non-switchable PSE, but was fine with the driveby. My cousin was fine in his 360 with static and driveby. Weird and a big shame.
Because I failed the static an instructor took my car (with me as passenger)and drove by the drive by mics just after the pit hairpin and then to the one at the the back of the circuit at high revs. Once I passed this I was allowed on track.
There were quite a few cars who had to go through this.
I had similar about a year ago, but the instructor only drove past one drive by mic. In Novemeber at your event Jonny I was fine with the static.
There were quite a few cars who had to go through this.
I had similar about a year ago, but the instructor only drove past one drive by mic. In Novemeber at your event Jonny I was fine with the static.
XKaLiBaR said:
i have a track day this saturday at bedford. i have an e46 m3, with supersprint backbox, xpipe, and miltek cats. am i going to fail ?
I'll be there too. Although my 205 is unlikely to trouble the sound limits, my mate is rather worried about his M3. Weather forcast is light rain, so hopefully it won't be a problem on the day.
Sean Edwards said:
M3 CSL will be thrown off, M3 is fine.
standard CSL will be thrown off??? thats a joke. my m3 isnt standard though it has exhaust system. i havent really heard a csl properly before, so i dont know how loud they are compared to mine. this sucks, does anyone know where i can get a dbs test done ? i phoned up bedford, they said next test will be NEXT thursday!!
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