How strict is noise restriction at Bedford autodrome???
Discussion
Hi
I'm booked in for a track day at Bedford Autodrome in a couple of weeks time and wanted to know if I will have any problems with the sound restrictions - does this circuit have stricter or more relaxed noise limits compared to other tracks?
I drive a 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S which has PSE (Porsche Sports Exhaust) - the exhaust is pretty loud, I would say its about as loud as a Subaru Impreza with a typical 4 inch big bore exhaust mod - will I have any problems passing the test??
It will be my first track day so I don't have a clue how strict they are, thanks for any advice in advance!
I'm booked in for a track day at Bedford Autodrome in a couple of weeks time and wanted to know if I will have any problems with the sound restrictions - does this circuit have stricter or more relaxed noise limits compared to other tracks?
I drive a 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S which has PSE (Porsche Sports Exhaust) - the exhaust is pretty loud, I would say its about as loud as a Subaru Impreza with a typical 4 inch big bore exhaust mod - will I have any problems passing the test??
It will be my first track day so I don't have a clue how strict they are, thanks for any advice in advance!
I would have said almost certain to have problems but someone with a similar system and car will no doubt be along in a minute. They have drive by mics as well.
Best thing is to try and get there ahead of your track day (on a day they have a trasck day on) explain the position and ask them to test.
Better that than head for home without getting on track.
Best thing is to try and get there ahead of your track day (on a day they have a trasck day on) explain the position and ask them to test.
Better that than head for home without getting on track.
I was there on Monday and my standard Chim registered 99.4 static (altohugh it was a very clear and cold morning which didn't help) yet on the track i was fine.
There was a Tuscan which was much lower on the static but got a number or warnings on the track. It's easy enough to find out where the drive by readings are taken from and ease of slighty when going past.
An RX7 also had a few warnings but that was about it
There was a Tuscan which was much lower on the static but got a number or warnings on the track. It's easy enough to find out where the drive by readings are taken from and ease of slighty when going past.
An RX7 also had a few warnings but that was about it
hogbenc said:
I was there on Monday and my standard Chim registered 99.4 static (altohugh it was a very clear and cold morning which didn't help) yet on the track i was fine.
There was a Tuscan which was much lower on the static but got a number or warnings on the track. It's easy enough to find out where the drive by readings are taken from and ease of slighty when going past.
An RX7 also had a few warnings but that was about it
I'm confused, what's a warning for, its not like you can do anything about it is it? It's not like a warning for dangerous driving or something which is within your control.There was a Tuscan which was much lower on the static but got a number or warnings on the track. It's easy enough to find out where the drive by readings are taken from and ease of slighty when going past.
An RX7 also had a few warnings but that was about it
If they test you when you first get there and you pass then that should be then end of it, what's the point in warnings?
I've been black flagged and sent home from Bedford for breaching the noise limit.
It is the most strict circuit I know of for noise anywhere in the UK.
They have a static test which you must pass before entering the car park/signing on.
They also have a drive by test which runs off a number of microphones placed around the circuit.
The drive by mic's are linked to the local council. When the noise limit (council imposed) is breached it sends a message to the council automatically to notify them. The following day the council calls up Bedford Autodrome to ask about the breaches, i.e. what was done to rectify the situation. In all cases the only 'acceptable' answer is 'we sent them home'. It is not enough to try fitting a bung etc, as the council would not accept that a failed car would be allowed back on the track.
I ended up several hundred pounds out of pocket as I'd taken the day as holiday, plus used fuel to/from the venue, plus the insurance I'd arranged, plus the fee paid to Bedford Autodrome. None of these things was refunded. Not best pleased I can tell you.
They do allow you to organize to visit the circuit before you make/pay for your booking. You can then have your car tested against the noise limits (I assume they check both static and drive by) and then make your own decision as to whether to book a trackday there.
From my experience I would advise caution and get your car tested AT BEDFORD before booking. HTH.
It is the most strict circuit I know of for noise anywhere in the UK.
They have a static test which you must pass before entering the car park/signing on.
They also have a drive by test which runs off a number of microphones placed around the circuit.
The drive by mic's are linked to the local council. When the noise limit (council imposed) is breached it sends a message to the council automatically to notify them. The following day the council calls up Bedford Autodrome to ask about the breaches, i.e. what was done to rectify the situation. In all cases the only 'acceptable' answer is 'we sent them home'. It is not enough to try fitting a bung etc, as the council would not accept that a failed car would be allowed back on the track.
I ended up several hundred pounds out of pocket as I'd taken the day as holiday, plus used fuel to/from the venue, plus the insurance I'd arranged, plus the fee paid to Bedford Autodrome. None of these things was refunded. Not best pleased I can tell you.
They do allow you to organize to visit the circuit before you make/pay for your booking. You can then have your car tested against the noise limits (I assume they check both static and drive by) and then make your own decision as to whether to book a trackday there.
From my experience I would advise caution and get your car tested AT BEDFORD before booking. HTH.
Diablos-666 said:
I'm confused, what's a warning for, its not like you can do anything about it is it?
If they saw your car was getting very near the limit there's loads of things you could potentially do:1. Fit a bung/silencer if you've not already done so.
2. Short shift.
3. Turn the boost controller down if you have one.
4. Not use full throttle.
5. Not slide the car around (as tyre noise forms part of the test when you drive-by).
6. Change your tyres for a less noise set.
7. Try to ensure you don't pass the mic's as part of a group of vehicles. (Or conversely try to mask yourself with a group?!)
I'm not saying that any/all the above are things you'd WANT to do, but if the alternative is an early bath then you might consider some of them.
If you have any doubt abut your car and sound levels, don;t go to Bedford.
Even standard cars have been booted off for noise. It will usually be drive-by as well.
The trouble with bedford is its one strike and your out and sometimes it can be from being too close to another loud car as you go through the soud meters.
great track though especially for beginners or in the wet
Even standard cars have been booted off for noise. It will usually be drive-by as well.
The trouble with bedford is its one strike and your out and sometimes it can be from being too close to another loud car as you go through the soud meters.
great track though especially for beginners or in the wet
Diablos-666 said:
If they test you when you first get there and you pass then that should be then end of it, what's the point in warnings?
So you can try to quieten your car down, or start lifting past the meters at least. So as to not get kicked off and not spoil your whole day!
is that not really really obvious???
mrmr96 said:
Diablos-666 said:
I'm confused, what's a warning for, its not like you can do anything about it is it?
If they saw your car was getting very near the limit there's loads of things you could potentially do:1. Fit a bung/silencer if you've not already done so.
2. Short shift.
3. Turn the boost controller down if you have one.
4. Not use full throttle.
5. Not slide the car around (as tyre noise forms part of the test when you drive-by).
6. Change your tyres for a less noise set.
7. Try to ensure you don't pass the mic's as part of a group of vehicles. (Or conversely try to mask yourself with a group?!)
I'm not saying that any/all the above are things you'd WANT to do, but if the alternative is an early bath then you might consider some of them.
PaulHogan said:
It might would be petty and childish but if I was thrown out with no refund - with a road legal car - then I'd use a tank full of fuel driving round the outside of the circuit and revving to 7,200 rpm. Might go and buy a couple of air horns too!
Personally i'd nip home get my BMX from when i was a kid and take it back up there with a Playing card in the spokes to make it sound like a motor bike.....lol PaulHogan said:
It might would be petty and childish but if I was thrown out with no refund - with a road legal car - then I'd use a tank full of fuel driving round the outside of the circuit and revving to 7,200 rpm. Might go and buy a couple of air horns too!
I might need a "whoosh" for biting on this but...Why!? The noise limits are due to adhering to the local council's environmental noise policy (section 61 agreement I think). Make excessive noise on the street around it and all you'll do is p
s off the local residents. Pissed off residents = complaints to council = threat of closure to the track (as Brands Hatch, Spa, and I think Snetterton will testify to)
wombat172a said:
PaulHogan said:
It might would be petty and childish but if I was thrown out with no refund - with a road legal car - then I'd use a tank full of fuel driving round the outside of the circuit and revving to 7,200 rpm. Might go and buy a couple of air horns too!
I might need a "whoosh" for biting on this but...Why!? The noise limits are due to adhering to the local council's environmental noise policy (section 61 agreement I think). Make excessive noise on the street around it and all you'll do is p
s off the local residents. Pissed off residents = complaints to council = threat of closure to the track (as Brands Hatch, Spa, and I think Snetterton will testify to)The good thing about the PSE Porsche sports exhaust is you can turn it off at the press of a button which then closes a valve in the pipe making it a lot quieter - the problem with this would be I would have to turn Sport Mode off at the same time, as you can't have Sport without the loud exhaust.
I will try my luck with PSE switched on and if they warn me I will just turn it off reluctantly until the last session of the day, when I will put it back on and tear the fking track down until they black flag me the nazis
I will try my luck with PSE switched on and if they warn me I will just turn it off reluctantly until the last session of the day, when I will put it back on and tear the f
king track down until they black flag me the nazisAntj said:
wombat172a said:
PaulHogan said:
It might would be petty and childish but if I was thrown out with no refund - with a road legal car - then I'd use a tank full of fuel driving round the outside of the circuit and revving to 7,200 rpm. Might go and buy a couple of air horns too!
I might need a "whoosh" for biting on this but...Why!? The noise limits are due to adhering to the local council's environmental noise policy (section 61 agreement I think). Make excessive noise on the street around it and all you'll do is p
s off the local residents. Pissed off residents = complaints to council = threat of closure to the track (as Brands Hatch, Spa, and I think Snetterton will testify to)Antj said:
wombat172a said:
PaulHogan said:
It might would be petty and childish but if I was thrown out with no refund - with a road legal car - then I'd use a tank full of fuel driving round the outside of the circuit and revving to 7,200 rpm. Might go and buy a couple of air horns too!
I might need a "whoosh" for biting on this but...Why!? The noise limits are due to adhering to the local council's environmental noise policy (section 61 agreement I think). Make excessive noise on the street around it and all you'll do is p
s off the local residents. Pissed off residents = complaints to council = threat of closure to the track (as Brands Hatch, Spa, and I think Snetterton will testify to)Antj said:
wombat172a said:
PaulHogan said:
It might would be petty and childish but if I was thrown out with no refund - with a road legal car - then I'd use a tank full of fuel driving round the outside of the circuit and revving to 7,200 rpm. Might go and buy a couple of air horns too!
I might need a "whoosh" for biting on this but...Why!? The noise limits are due to adhering to the local council's environmental noise policy (section 61 agreement I think). Make excessive noise on the street around it and all you'll do is p
s off the local residents. Pissed off residents = complaints to council = threat of closure to the track (as Brands Hatch, Spa, and I think Snetterton will testify to)Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff