Noise limits at Bedford - will the PSE be a problem?

[16610LV]

...I'm planning to do the evening track day at Bedford on the 26th, and was wondering whether anyone with a 996 (with PSE fitted) has passed the noise test there. 101 dbs apparently.

Also, I will be buying my own helmet, as I don't fancy using a sweaty, stinky hired one! Any recommendations? It should be open-faced and must look very cool.

Thanks.

[16610LV]

DucatiGary said:

gotta be one of these, no questions.

...thanks, but what part of 'open-faced' did you not understand?

I want as much visibility as possible. Very cool looking helmet though - with the visor up, what's the visibility like?

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lightweight said:

Nice helmit Garry.
re noise my guess would be you may be marginal on noise if it is a static test as my old C4S could struggle to make 103 some days and that was with the switch on quiet mode the hotter it is the quierer it ran.Just get it tested and you will know. or you could just lie about your redline by 2000 revs I got on 98db days using this method .The problem with 911's is all the noise is in the back so a static test hammers them I have never been flagged on the drive by test.
my other tip is turn aircon off and have windows up I think porsche got the 911 through euro 4 by putting some of the noise on the inside!

...the test is both static and drive-by. Think I'll just get it checked in advance, unless any PSE owners have actually done Bedford and not had a problem?

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paulburrell said:

Jason

I've just bought a Bell Mag 5 from the states - not yet arrived. After duty, VAT etc will cost about £240. Same helmet costs about £400 in the UK. Carbon Kevlar, white open faced and cooler than a snowmans testicles.

Previously had a SPARCO and that was pretty good as well. Sadly after 6 years it whiffs a bit in the hot weather.

Edited by paulburrell on Wednesday 19th July 17:34

..Thanks! That Bell appears to be exactly what I'm looking for. I'll check UK prices, as I don't have time to ship from the US.

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polarexpress said:

Re noise, my GT3 has PSE and it's permanently on. Static tests between 101 - 103db, depending on conditions. Bedford have sometimes given me a green sticker, sometimes a red. But they have always let me on and I've never tripped any of the drive-by mics when at WOT. The right hand side mic on the shorter back straight before the hairpin is the one to be generally careful about, but even driving down the right side at 6500rpm in 3rd gear doesn't trip it in my car.

PSE and Bedford should be no problem.

..thanks for your input! That's exactly what I was looking for. Bedford, here I come (probably)!

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doctorpepper said:

If your car isnt fitted with harness I wouldnt have an open face helmet... steering wheels and teeth dont make good friends...

...that's what an airbag is for! Car isn't fitted with a harness or rollcage - would look comical in a 996 C4 tip, with 'comfort' seats!

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DanH said:

On the noise front, whilst they test static, they don't stop you going on if you fail (within reason I suspect!). They will put a red sticker on your window however and if you trip the drivebys you get one chance to learn where they are and lift off as you go by. Sorry I mean modify your exhaust

(p.s. watch your revs coming out the 2nd right before the pit straight near the marshalls post )

...thanks for the advice!