Bedford noise limits in normal car, decibel reduction kits?
Discussion
As I posted earlier, I think you’ll be fine in your Cayman. My TTRS is fairly loud with the exhaust valves open and that did not trip the noise meters; it was the gear change pop that did!
It was always the meter after the first turn ( on the left infield).
A short shift and move to the right of the track and no more problems.
It was always the meter after the first turn ( on the left infield).
A short shift and move to the right of the track and no more problems.
I'd have thought you would be fine with both of those cars, standard. The newer 718 especially with the PPFs like on my M4 which seems to kill the noise.
I was there three times last year and saw plenty of Porsches lapping without issue including 981 GT4s which I'd assume sound a little fruitier that the 981 S. Only GT3s were noticeably absent as they struggle with noise there.
I was there three times last year and saw plenty of Porsches lapping without issue including 981 GT4s which I'd assume sound a little fruitier that the 981 S. Only GT3s were noticeably absent as they struggle with noise there.
TTmonkey said:
Go to a track day as an observer. Observe other cars. See which breaks the limits.
Act on your findings.
I’ve only seen these devices on TVRs on track days, but that was years ago.
Currently this is not allowed, no spectators allowed for months now. Act on your findings.
I’ve only seen these devices on TVRs on track days, but that was years ago.
At Bedford we have had noise issues with a megane with decat exhaust and no silencers and a Cayman S 3.4 when the valve in the exhaust is open so any cars can be a problem if setup loudly.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 18th February 10:00
hodgre said:
I have a 718 boxster s and on first trip to bedford was blackflagged for drive by noise and this was tootling around the hairpins in the pouring rain. However, no problems when sport exhaust switched off for the rest of the day and on subsequent visits.
It does seem to be the case that boxters get blackflagged with sports exhaust on, based on what I’ve read. Less so, I hope, with it offHi, I thought I’d update about my own experience since I picked up the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 in April and used in on track several times (Brands, Bedford, Silverstone).
In short – I’ve had no issues at Bedford on the 2 track days I’ve done. The static reading was 99dB once and 92dB on another day, the former obviously quite close to the limit (=102) but I didn’t have issues on drive-by.
At first, I was short-shifting near the noise meters and always keeping the sports exhaust off. Towards the end of the day I tried staying in lower gear (2nd before the hairpin) and keeping the sports exhaust on – and again, I had no issues.
I know however that 981 GT4 is much noisier and recently I was chatting with an owner of one who was having to use some kind of silencer system to keep it under noise limit. But stock 718 4.0 had no issues.
In short – I’ve had no issues at Bedford on the 2 track days I’ve done. The static reading was 99dB once and 92dB on another day, the former obviously quite close to the limit (=102) but I didn’t have issues on drive-by.
At first, I was short-shifting near the noise meters and always keeping the sports exhaust off. Towards the end of the day I tried staying in lower gear (2nd before the hairpin) and keeping the sports exhaust on – and again, I had no issues.
I know however that 981 GT4 is much noisier and recently I was chatting with an owner of one who was having to use some kind of silencer system to keep it under noise limit. But stock 718 4.0 had no issues.
px1980 said:
There is an article on evo.co.uk about track noise limits, and a Bedford representative says virtually all production cars will have no issues, bar some loud Ferraris maybe. Clearly that's not true.
I’m guessing that you don’t get the track day fee refunded if you’re kicked out for exceeding the noise limits? MadCaptainJack said:
I’m guessing that you don’t get the track day fee refunded if you’re kicked out for exceeding the noise limits?
I don't know I'm afraid. What I do know is that the staff at Bedford try to make it fair. So if you’re on or near the limit during static testing, they’ll tell you about it and advise what can be done (point out the parts of circuit where you should consider short-shifting etc). And then it’s not as if first time you’re above limit on drive-by you’re kicked out; there’s a noise board first, you have a chat, then first black flag, and it’s only after the second black flag that your day is finished. And BTW I do see GT4s, GT3s, McLarens and even Ferraris occasionally at Bedford, and it’s meant to be the track with lowest limits of all major tracks.
MadCaptainJack said:
I’m guessing that you don’t get the track day fee refunded if you’re kicked out for exceeding the noise limits?
No, you don't get a refund.But you can go to any MSV track before the event (ring up first) and have a noise test, which should help.
I got failed at Bedford on the static test. Very misty morning, and the test was done right next to a building, which seemed to amplify the sound.
I was 103 dB on a TVR with non-standard exhaust.
The next car was a GT3 Porsche, driven by one of the main guys behind PH.
He failed at 103 too, and they tried everything to get him through, but the induction is too close to the exhaust on one of those.
So they looked at their meters, looked at us too (we were both well stricken in years) and let us both through with a dire warning about the drive by.
I have never failed a drive by test, and didn't fail it on that day either.
Nor did the GT3, and I had a passenger ride in it later on.
147 mph coming into the back straight chicane was an eye opener...
my 996 with aftermarket (ie. slightly noisier) backbox failed static but apparently they all do that, something to do with the engine in the wrong place. But was absolutely fine with drive by. My E46 M3 passed no probs but that was standard although they are raspy as I'm sure many are aware.
I would be very confident a standard 4.0 would pass.
I would be very confident a standard 4.0 would pass.
I have done Combe and Cadwell recently in my 3.4 Boxster S.
Readings were just below 90db and 90db respectively with and added +2db with the flaps open on sports setting.
I know your exhaust system is different but keep it standard and I'm sure it will be OK.
BTW, always used to use bolt on cans on my 5.5 TVR. these were completely see through, no restrictions at all but lowered the sound by about 4-5 db.
Readings were just below 90db and 90db respectively with and added +2db with the flaps open on sports setting.
I know your exhaust system is different but keep it standard and I'm sure it will be OK.
BTW, always used to use bolt on cans on my 5.5 TVR. these were completely see through, no restrictions at all but lowered the sound by about 4-5 db.
Or Gatwick before lockdown. Many, many years ago I used to live in Shirley, Surrey. We were probably no more then 5–6 miles away as the crow flies from Crystal Palace when it had a race circuit there.
It seemed everyone enjoyed hearing the sound of Formula One cars drifting over the rooftops on the occasional Sunday.
Those days are long gone! In fact, it’s hard to believe that there was a race track bang in the middle of south London!
It seemed everyone enjoyed hearing the sound of Formula One cars drifting over the rooftops on the occasional Sunday.
Those days are long gone! In fact, it’s hard to believe that there was a race track bang in the middle of south London!
fred bloggs said:
And that's just what I'll do. You can have 10X more fun on the 'right' road than at bedford.
If you even think of arriving with a LSD you get the 'no drifting' board.
Bedford isn't my favourite track, but it's more fun and safer than any road I've been on. 100 mph 4th gear corners would be pretty irresponsible on any public road. If you even think of arriving with a LSD you get the 'no drifting' board.
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