Track day noise restriction for 4.3

[rossfitz]

Are there any circuits for track days, where a 4.3 pre-cat griff will not have to pass a noise test?

Thanks

[shpub]

It will get tested at most circuits these days - part of the regs. Some circuits will have a higher limit than others.

[crankedup]

I am at a loss as to understand these track noise limits. Are they yet another E.U. regulation? It seems very odd to me that you can enjoy the exhaust note of your 4.3 on the road but not a bloody race track!

[k77-widow maker]

crankedup said:

I am at a loss as to understand these track noise limits. Are they yet another E.U. regulation? It seems very odd to me that you can enjoy the exhaust note of your 4.3 on the road but not a bloody race track!

It's more a case of keeping in with the locals!!!

esp @ Goodwood & Castle Coombe.

I've never been noise tested at Brands, and it''s nice to hear (i'm told) my pre cat giving it big bananas down the paddock straight

[shpub]

crankedup said:

I am at a loss as to understand these track noise limits. Are they yet another E.U. regulation? It seems very odd to me that you can enjoy the exhaust note of your 4.3 on the road but not a bloody race track!

Legally speaking you can't either it is just that most police turn a blind eye....

Tracks are governed by two sets of regs: the first is usually by the local council and the second is by the MSA who will define maximum noise limits for motorsport events. These have been getting tighter to reduce the nuisance factor and to help preserve the track's permission to operate.

Cars are designed to meet a certain noise level as well and modifying the exhaust so that this noise level is increased is very gray. It beocmes darker the louder the noise increase. There are frequently cases where excessively loud cars have been stopped and the owners fined as excessively loud cars are illegal.

It all depends though on excessively loud. A TVR making that sort of noise is probbaly accepted by most as a thing of beauty while a MAx Powered Nova is the work of the devil.

Personally if having a quieter exhaust is the price to pay to enable me to play then fine.

[jam1et]

Why not just get track-day silencers from someone like ACT?

[crankedup]

At last now I know, Thanks for info. So this all accounts why a F1 track is built in the middle of a bloody desert then. :scratchchin

[griff50tvr]

The other trick I've found is that its better to get the exhaust really hot before the noise test. My Griff was tested at 99.8db when cold (at a track with a 100db limit!) but the same trackday org gave me 95.6db when hot on another day.

[2 sheds]

It does also depend on the person holding the meter, and whether they are reading pops and bangs as you back off, it's a bit dubious when you can get such a big disrepancy.
Tim

[GarryM]

Ah, my Griff has been measured at 99.5 on a cold day and 96 on a hot one. Different track and I put it down to different tester/equipment. Useful to know that temp also plays a part.

[shpub]

Temp does play a part but it is usually the other way round. Cold days give lower radings than hot days. Other factors can include the proximity of objects like other cars, walls, banks etc. All can greatly increase readings. As Tim says also very dependent on technique as well.

If anyone is interested there is a noise FAQ on my website.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk