Novice Track day or Regular track day?
Discussion
Some interesting replies on this question.
I think that Snetterton is quite a safe track but most TDO's do allow overtaking around the outside at Coram which you could find alarming.
As a Caterham driver I would say that you would probably fall into my annoying category of being very fast down the straights and then holding me up in the corners, that's going to be my problem though, not yours.
Having recently let my daughter drive my car at Bedford I was amazed at some of the overtaking I witnessed when going a bit slower than I norally do.
I think that Snetterton is quite a safe track but most TDO's do allow overtaking around the outside at Coram which you could find alarming.
As a Caterham driver I would say that you would probably fall into my annoying category of being very fast down the straights and then holding me up in the corners, that's going to be my problem though, not yours.
Having recently let my daughter drive my car at Bedford I was amazed at some of the overtaking I witnessed when going a bit slower than I norally do.
QBee said:
Have you checked your noise level on your MCL?
If you are over the track limit you will not be allowed on track, and you won't get a refund either because you have stopped them selling the space to someone else.
You can either get a noise meter (there are some phone apps for this) or call the nearest track to you and ask them to check your car prior to booking.
They are usually happy to do so at a mutually convenient time (like on a track day when they are there anyway), as they are all enthusiasts and want to see you on track. Especially in a British supercar.
Every track has a noise limit, it's not exactly low, usually around 99-103 dB(a) static, but still a number of cars will fail.
Thruxton is particularly low at 90 dBa.
Some tracks like Donington use drive by limits instead, Bedford uses both because the downwind residents are heartily sick of the noise.
I used to find with my TVR that I was very close to the static limit of 101, but never failed the drive by at 87.5.
The static test is taken at 45 degrees, one metre up and out from the exhaust tail pipe, and at 3/4 max revs, which I imagine will be quite an interesting noise on your car.
Oh bugger! 112Db.... how strict are they? Funny I always thought they sound crap compared a nice V12!If you are over the track limit you will not be allowed on track, and you won't get a refund either because you have stopped them selling the space to someone else.
You can either get a noise meter (there are some phone apps for this) or call the nearest track to you and ask them to check your car prior to booking.
They are usually happy to do so at a mutually convenient time (like on a track day when they are there anyway), as they are all enthusiasts and want to see you on track. Especially in a British supercar.
Every track has a noise limit, it's not exactly low, usually around 99-103 dB(a) static, but still a number of cars will fail.
Thruxton is particularly low at 90 dBa.
Some tracks like Donington use drive by limits instead, Bedford uses both because the downwind residents are heartily sick of the noise.
I used to find with my TVR that I was very close to the static limit of 101, but never failed the drive by at 87.5.
The static test is taken at 45 degrees, one metre up and out from the exhaust tail pipe, and at 3/4 max revs, which I imagine will be quite an interesting noise on your car.
MMarkM said:
QBee said:
Have you checked your noise level on your MCL?
If you are over the track limit you will not be allowed on track, and you won't get a refund either because you have stopped them selling the space to someone else.
You can either get a noise meter (there are some phone apps for this) or call the nearest track to you and ask them to check your car prior to booking.
They are usually happy to do so at a mutually convenient time (like on a track day when they are there anyway), as they are all enthusiasts and want to see you on track. Especially in a British supercar.
Every track has a noise limit, it's not exactly low, usually around 99-103 dB(a) static, but still a number of cars will fail.
Thruxton is particularly low at 90 dBa.
Some tracks like Donington use drive by limits instead, Bedford uses both because the downwind residents are heartily sick of the noise.
I used to find with my TVR that I was very close to the static limit of 101, but never failed the drive by at 87.5.
The static test is taken at 45 degrees, one metre up and out from the exhaust tail pipe, and at 3/4 max revs, which I imagine will be quite an interesting noise on your car.
Oh bugger! 112Db.... how strict are they? Funny I always thought they sound crap compared a nice V12!If you are over the track limit you will not be allowed on track, and you won't get a refund either because you have stopped them selling the space to someone else.
You can either get a noise meter (there are some phone apps for this) or call the nearest track to you and ask them to check your car prior to booking.
They are usually happy to do so at a mutually convenient time (like on a track day when they are there anyway), as they are all enthusiasts and want to see you on track. Especially in a British supercar.
Every track has a noise limit, it's not exactly low, usually around 99-103 dB(a) static, but still a number of cars will fail.
Thruxton is particularly low at 90 dBa.
Some tracks like Donington use drive by limits instead, Bedford uses both because the downwind residents are heartily sick of the noise.
I used to find with my TVR that I was very close to the static limit of 101, but never failed the drive by at 87.5.
The static test is taken at 45 degrees, one metre up and out from the exhaust tail pipe, and at 3/4 max revs, which I imagine will be quite an interesting noise on your car.
112db is around 4 times the sound power allowed on a standard track day.
E-bmw said:
MMarkM said:
QBee said:
Have you checked your noise level on your MCL?
If you are over the track limit you will not be allowed on track, and you won't get a refund either because you have stopped them selling the space to someone else.
You can either get a noise meter (there are some phone apps for this) or call the nearest track to you and ask them to check your car prior to booking.
They are usually happy to do so at a mutually convenient time (like on a track day when they are there anyway), as they are all enthusiasts and want to see you on track. Especially in a British supercar.
Every track has a noise limit, it's not exactly low, usually around 99-103 dB(a) static, but still a number of cars will fail.
Thruxton is particularly low at 90 dBa.
Some tracks like Donington use drive by limits instead, Bedford uses both because the downwind residents are heartily sick of the noise.
I used to find with my TVR that I was very close to the static limit of 101, but never failed the drive by at 87.5.
The static test is taken at 45 degrees, one metre up and out from the exhaust tail pipe, and at 3/4 max revs, which I imagine will be quite an interesting noise on your car.
Oh bugger! 112Db.... how strict are they? Funny I always thought they sound crap compared a nice V12!If you are over the track limit you will not be allowed on track, and you won't get a refund either because you have stopped them selling the space to someone else.
You can either get a noise meter (there are some phone apps for this) or call the nearest track to you and ask them to check your car prior to booking.
They are usually happy to do so at a mutually convenient time (like on a track day when they are there anyway), as they are all enthusiasts and want to see you on track. Especially in a British supercar.
Every track has a noise limit, it's not exactly low, usually around 99-103 dB(a) static, but still a number of cars will fail.
Thruxton is particularly low at 90 dBa.
Some tracks like Donington use drive by limits instead, Bedford uses both because the downwind residents are heartily sick of the noise.
I used to find with my TVR that I was very close to the static limit of 101, but never failed the drive by at 87.5.
The static test is taken at 45 degrees, one metre up and out from the exhaust tail pipe, and at 3/4 max revs, which I imagine will be quite an interesting noise on your car.
112db is around 4 times the sound power allowed on a standard track day.
Donington is a funny one - they make a fuss about noise limits much of the time, and yet are under the flight path from the East Midlands Airport
Have a look here - it gives you noise limits at all tracks
noise limits
Remember that a drive by limit of say 98dB will equate to about 108 dB + static.
I base this on the fact that I would just squeeze through the 101dB static limit at Bedford, but never failed their 87.5 dB drive by.
Angelsey seems to have the highest limit, 105 drive by, which is bloody loud. They are of course just beyond the back of beyond, out on the coast.
Your best chance is one of the tracks that quote a high drive by limit and no static limit.
I say this because the static is at 3/4 revs, but you can work out pretty quickly where the noise meters are and avoid passing them at 3/4 revs or higher.
Hope this helps, and glad I asked you about it, OP
noise limits
Remember that a drive by limit of say 98dB will equate to about 108 dB + static.
I base this on the fact that I would just squeeze through the 101dB static limit at Bedford, but never failed their 87.5 dB drive by.
Angelsey seems to have the highest limit, 105 drive by, which is bloody loud. They are of course just beyond the back of beyond, out on the coast.
Your best chance is one of the tracks that quote a high drive by limit and no static limit.
I say this because the static is at 3/4 revs, but you can work out pretty quickly where the noise meters are and avoid passing them at 3/4 revs or higher.
Hope this helps, and glad I asked you about it, OP
MMarkM said:
QBee said:
Have you checked your noise level on your MCL?
If you are over the track limit you will not be allowed on track, and you won't get a refund either because you have stopped them selling the space to someone else.
You can either get a noise meter (there are some phone apps for this) or call the nearest track to you and ask them to check your car prior to booking.
They are usually happy to do so at a mutually convenient time (like on a track day when they are there anyway), as they are all enthusiasts and want to see you on track. Especially in a British supercar.
Every track has a noise limit, it's not exactly low, usually around 99-103 dB(a) static, but still a number of cars will fail.
Thruxton is particularly low at 90 dBa.
Some tracks like Donington use drive by limits instead, Bedford uses both because the downwind residents are heartily sick of the noise.
I used to find with my TVR that I was very close to the static limit of 101, but never failed the drive by at 87.5.
The static test is taken at 45 degrees, one metre up and out from the exhaust tail pipe, and at 3/4 max revs, which I imagine will be quite an interesting noise on your car.
Oh bugger! 112Db.... how strict are they? Funny I always thought they sound crap compared a nice V12!If you are over the track limit you will not be allowed on track, and you won't get a refund either because you have stopped them selling the space to someone else.
You can either get a noise meter (there are some phone apps for this) or call the nearest track to you and ask them to check your car prior to booking.
They are usually happy to do so at a mutually convenient time (like on a track day when they are there anyway), as they are all enthusiasts and want to see you on track. Especially in a British supercar.
Every track has a noise limit, it's not exactly low, usually around 99-103 dB(a) static, but still a number of cars will fail.
Thruxton is particularly low at 90 dBa.
Some tracks like Donington use drive by limits instead, Bedford uses both because the downwind residents are heartily sick of the noise.
I used to find with my TVR that I was very close to the static limit of 101, but never failed the drive by at 87.5.
The static test is taken at 45 degrees, one metre up and out from the exhaust tail pipe, and at 3/4 max revs, which I imagine will be quite an interesting noise on your car.
I’d say a normal day with separate groups for slow / medium / fast is better, as you can try slow but move up if that feels more appropriate.
I’d also suggest starting at Silverstone. Your car may well be more enjoyable on the wider track, and it makes it quite a lot easier for you or others to overtake.
I’d also suggest starting at Silverstone. Your car may well be more enjoyable on the wider track, and it makes it quite a lot easier for you or others to overtake.
740EVTORQUES said:
Are you sure you've measured it correctly? I'd be VERY surprised if any road legal car registered 112dB, that's ridiculously loud.
Agree with this, I was on track at brands GP which is quite strict on noise and a 765LT was lapping no problem, so if your 112db you must have a serious special edition or aftermarket exhaust 🤠SpudLink said:
Or if you fail to cool them properly before returning to the paddock.
Yes, that too.My carbon-discard car gets a lot more “lift and coast” than the ones with steel discs, and a proper cool-down lap.
OP, remember, this is about enjoying your car, and finding out how it feels close to its handling limits in a relatively safe and controlled environment. No-one is timing you.
MMarkM said:
Ordered a proper DB meter rather than app on phone. Probably need car a lot warmer also
That should give you a better idea, but bear in mind it will still only be a guide. Noise testing is variable at the best of times, affected by a few things. I’ve got a proper dB meter and whilst it’s close to the readings I get on track, it’s never matched more closely than 3 or 4 dB. Your best bet is to go along to your nearest circuit when they have a track day on and ask them to do a static test for you.
I have an Exige 410 and that was 110dB+ with the OEM exhaust so I feel your pain. Even when I modified the exhaust to be around 99dB static I still got a warning for the drive by limit on one particular day at Snetterton. (And Snetterton is one the easiest circuits for noise)
I don’t know how much the noise levels vary between the various McLaren models, but I have definitely been on track with some at Snetterton. A 600LT was going around with no issues. I can’t recall if I’ve ever been on circuit with a 720 though.
Good advice by a few above, the place you want to do a TD will test you for free with their meter how they do the test for 100% consistency & accuracy, just turn up when you know there is a day & chat to them, never an issue.
Even weather can make quite a noticeable difference. Wet weather being worst.
Even weather can make quite a noticeable difference. Wet weather being worst.
I've done both novice and regular track days at a number of UK circuits. Novice days tend to be sessions where you are grouped in with a limited number of other cars, they usually run 20 mins on track then 40 mins off.
It's a great way to get taste of the circuit and your car without having the worry of a busy track. I'd advise you to try an MSV novice day first, in my experience these days are friendly, smoothly ran and you'll have a good time.
Just be aware that turning up in a supercar can make you a target of the billy big b
ks club who want to prove that their car is faster than yours. Ignore them, watch your mirrors and drive to your limit.
It's a great way to get taste of the circuit and your car without having the worry of a busy track. I'd advise you to try an MSV novice day first, in my experience these days are friendly, smoothly ran and you'll have a good time.
Just be aware that turning up in a supercar can make you a target of the billy big b
ks club who want to prove that their car is faster than yours. Ignore them, watch your mirrors and drive to your limit. Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff