Castle Combe noise limits
Discussion
Sorry if this is not news but i did a search and couldn't find owt.
I just got off the phone with Castle Combe. I went last year and they had a static 100db noise limit. My car has no problem with static limits. I called them at the time to see if they had a driveby, usually a problem for me if 98 or less. They said no, it was still 100. Went, had fun, no problem.
Looked at BaT site and they are there this Saturday, but spot '94db driveby'. So i call the circuit. Here is what i have found out:
1. Its across the board, their own days and those run by TDOs, weekends are the same as weekdays.
2. There's one microphone and it moves about.
3. You get one chance. You get pulled off circuit and you can try and quieten the car down, there is a company onsite with bungs etc.
4. You are entitled to a 75% refund of what you have paid if you fail a noise test. This is only for days run by CC. Wonder if TDOs will follow suit?
I post the above for reference for others who may not know, especially as there is no mention of any driveby limit, old or new, on the CC website. They say they haven't updated it yet.
Apparently they lost some noise thingy recently? Must have been since October when i went.
Oh well, thats another i can't go to
Andy
I just got off the phone with Castle Combe. I went last year and they had a static 100db noise limit. My car has no problem with static limits. I called them at the time to see if they had a driveby, usually a problem for me if 98 or less. They said no, it was still 100. Went, had fun, no problem.
Looked at BaT site and they are there this Saturday, but spot '94db driveby'. So i call the circuit. Here is what i have found out:
1. Its across the board, their own days and those run by TDOs, weekends are the same as weekdays.
2. There's one microphone and it moves about.
3. You get one chance. You get pulled off circuit and you can try and quieten the car down, there is a company onsite with bungs etc.
4. You are entitled to a 75% refund of what you have paid if you fail a noise test. This is only for days run by CC. Wonder if TDOs will follow suit?
I post the above for reference for others who may not know, especially as there is no mention of any driveby limit, old or new, on the CC website. They say they haven't updated it yet.
Apparently they lost some noise thingy recently? Must have been since October when i went.
Oh well, thats another i can't go to
Andy
The lower noise level is likely to be a problem for a significant number of cars, although I am not sure how loud a drive by 94 db's sounds since I have only had static test at 4/4500rpm. Might drive up on Sat. to see how the test is implemented. On another point why is the BAT day over £100 more than Castle Combe Circuit charge on their dates?
If you get through the static you should have no problem with the drive by. In my experience, only a very few cars have been caught out but usually only if they are running direct to head throttle bodies and these face towards the outside of the circuit.
The drive by generally means you can't cheat the system by changing exhaust after the static test, and quite right too.
David
BHP
The drive by generally means you can't cheat the system by changing exhaust after the static test, and quite right too.
David
BHP
I saw someone fail the drive-by noise test at the last Castle Combe trackday I went to at the end of last year. The car was fitted with a screamer pipe. On the static test, it passed, but when it was on full boost past the start straight it was horrendously noisy. They got the noise meter out and clocked it above the limit. Fair cop really, it was deafening (and embarrasing as well). That sort of rubbish will do nothing to help us keep our circuits for track days.
So having seen that myself, I can understand why the drive by noise test is done. I think if you pass the static test and have no nasty noise issues on full boost. You will have no worries.
So having seen that myself, I can understand why the drive by noise test is done. I think if you pass the static test and have no nasty noise issues on full boost. You will have no worries.
David W said:
If you get through the static you should have no problem with the drive by. In my experience, only a very few cars have been caught out but usually only if they are running direct to head throttle bodies and these face towards the outside of the circuit.
The drive by generally means you can't cheat the system by changing exhaust after the static test, and quite right too.
David
BHP
is your experience gained in the least two months? Thats is what i am talking about; the new 94db driveby. Its the lowest driveby limit i have ever heard of; even Goodwood and Bedford, strictly policed, is 98.The drive by generally means you can't cheat the system by changing exhaust after the static test, and quite right too.
David
BHP
papercup said:
David W said:
If you get through the static you should have no problem with the drive by. In my experience, only a very few cars have been caught out but usually only if they are running direct to head throttle bodies and these face towards the outside of the circuit.
The drive by generally means you can't cheat the system by changing exhaust after the static test, and quite right too.
David
BHP
is your experience gained in the least two months? Thats is what i am talking about; the new 94db driveby. Its the lowest driveby limit i have ever heard of; even Goodwood and Bedford, strictly policed, is 98.The drive by generally means you can't cheat the system by changing exhaust after the static test, and quite right too.
David
BHP
Jonny
BaT
jleroux said:
papercup said:
David W said:
If you get through the static you should have no problem with the drive by. In my experience, only a very few cars have been caught out but usually only if they are running direct to head throttle bodies and these face towards the outside of the circuit.
The drive by generally means you can't cheat the system by changing exhaust after the static test, and quite right too.
David
BHP
is your experience gained in the least two months? Thats is what i am talking about; the new 94db driveby. Its the lowest driveby limit i have ever heard of; even Goodwood and Bedford, strictly policed, is 98.The drive by generally means you can't cheat the system by changing exhaust after the static test, and quite right too.
David
BHP
Jonny
BaT
So, to clarify:
Static limit is 100db, driveby is monitored and if your car is significantly loud they'll test you again. The number 94 is announced as the driveby but it is not monitored in the same way as say Goodwood (eg with an iron glove!) and as Jonny has clarified, the distance from the sensor appears to be the key.
Static i have had readings from 92-96 at various circuits, never any more. I spiked the driveby at Goodwood at 99, the same at Bedford. I went to Combe in October and had no trouble, suggesting their true driveby is 100 or over.
Andy
Forum | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff