Drive by noise sensors

[Matt UK]

If you were considering easing off near the section of track with the drive by sensors, would a TDO tell you where on the track they were, if you asked the question?

[Steve H]

No.

In some cases they might not know where they are, in others they are pretty obvious and you can work it out for yourself. Either way, the TDOs will generally leave noise enforcement to the circuit as it is their head on the block when the limits get broken.

[XG332]

This brings back memories.

[roddo]

No the tdo won't but we might...........

[silverthorn2151]

A trawl through here might find more information on where they are, or at least were, than you might think. Depending on which circuit.

Am I right in thinking that the drive bys are often linked to the Local Authority, where there is a noise issue, and are to a large degree outside the conrtol of the circuit operator?

[gtdc]

Depends where you go. At Goodwood they are linked. Some circuits do it by using a man holding a noiseometre who moves around. Some circuits have fixed ones.

Thing is, if they are there at all it's because the circuit is getting st from the locals. Some do it because they already have strict local planning retsrictions. Some do it because they don't want to get to that situation.

Either way, if someone's backing off to fool the machine they'll be making the noise elsewhere. All that does is give ammo to the local noise haters. Ultimatly, if you're not getting your silencing right you may as well just joinb the noise nimbys because you're one of their best weapons.

None of us like it but the noise restrictions are fact. They're not going away and they are not going to get easier.

Melindi

[Oilchange]

I was talking to a chap who builds/welds up exhausts for various people and he said its not difficult to get a well silenced exhaust without compromising power. Don't know what the PH collective think?

[gtdc]

For example, the Mosler Calum races runs quite happily with its 24 hour silencwer on. It comes in at 101 static.

Most things can be got to 105 easily. (Historics are obviously different but that's what Donington is for)

Melindi

[Matt UK]

Some good points, especially Melindi.

Not even sure if I'll have a problem yet, but it would annoy me to pass the static test and then get black flagged on the drive-by on a one-strike-and-you're-out and sent home.

[gtdc]

If it's somewhere with a one strike thing then they probably have big noise issues. They'll also have kept a good dossier of what cars are troublesome. PM or email me if you like and I'll do some digging to see if you're likely to have any issues with where you're going.

Melindi

[jonnyleroux]

As Melindi says, there's a wealth of experience on here when it comes to noise testing. Let us know what you're driving (and where you want to drive it) and i'm sure between us we can all give a pretty good indication of how close you'll be.

Jonny
BaT

[ringweekends]

I think Donington and Bedford are linked to local Environmental Pollution offices, Bedford maybe even realtime.

[silverthorn2151]

Castle Coombe is where we had most problems with the Radical to the extent that we don't bother any more.

I'm inclined to agree with the post above that if you are having to lift to pass a drive by then you are missing the point and running the risk of causing issues for others.

Interestingly, at an MSV briefing at Snetterton last week it was recommended that those with 'noisy' buttons might be advised to keep thumbs away from them. I have also seen situations where people getting close to the drive by limits were told so by the marshalls.

It's not that difficult in reality to get to the limits set, and 105db is pretty loud!

[jonnyleroux]

• Any* car can be made quiet enough with enough time & money. We had 3 x new F458 Challenge cars out at Donington last night for a quiet evening (98dB drive by). The exhausts are IRO £4K by all accounts, but considering they are over 120dB from the factory I think that's pretty good.

No excuses these days i'm afraid, noise=antisocial (according to 99.9% of the country at least). Motorsport is never cheap so don't try and kid yourself - spend some money and get a proper exhaust so you can enjoy the car on track.

Jonny
BaT

[chormy]

Its not that easy to say that you can get a new exhaust and be quieter , My old system started new at 101db ended its life at 111db, brand new with two extra cherry bombs and original size silencers at rear I was 110db straight away , even hough it sounded so quiet compared to old one,
The problem was I went SS and upped the dia to 2" from 1.75" the feq just changed not the sound level.

So be aware spending £700 on a new system does not get you lower db's in some cases.