Uk Track noise limits - Focused events infomail

Discussion in 'Racing & Bike Sport' started by damodici, Apr 27, 2012.

  1. damodici

    damodici Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2011
    Messages:
    660
    Likes Received:
    153
    Just had this through from FE and thought it was very clear and concise so figured the more of us who knew the better, that way theres no confusion and you have a better chance of knowing who tests & how they test at various tracks.

    Email:

    Circuits and the limits:

    Donington Park 98db and 105 db measured as a drive by with multiple meters at trackside.

    Silverstone 102db drive by meters at circuit (customers are photographed on the national straight as they trigger the meter )but 105 measures at ¾ rev on a static test.

    Brands Hatch 105db (ACU) and 92db drive by.

    Brands Hatch Eves 102db (ACU) and 92db drive by.

    Brands Hatch GP 101db (ACU) and 92db drive by.

    Cadwell Park 105db (ACU) and 92db drive-by (day and eve).

    Oulton Park 102db (ACU) and 89db drive by.

    Snetterton 102db (ACU) and 92db (same for eve).

    Bedford 101db (ACU) and 87.5db drive by.
    Statics are all measured as per ACU regulation.
    All drive-bys meters are at 20 metres from the edge of the track.

    Mallory Park 105db during the weekdays and Tuesday to Friday.
    Saturdays and Sundays are 98db for Trackdays, these are all measured as a static by the ACU handbook .

    Anglesey 105db measured as a static as per the ACU test.

    Pembury 102 static test as per the ACU handbook.

    The ACU measurement:

    400cc 4 cylinders 8000rpm
    600cc 4 cylinders 7000rpm
    600cc 3 cylinders 6500rpm
    750cc 4 cylinders 7000rpm
    750 cc 2 cylinders 5500rpm
    Over 750cc 4 cylinders 5500rpm
    Over 750 2 cylinders 5000rpm

    These should be measured at 45 degrees with the meter 500mm from the end of the can.

    So If you had a look through all of that and I didn't bore you too much....here are the problems!

    Where the confusion lies

    Silverstone measures Its own way, not as per the ACU. Its ¾ rev at the 500mm (no matter what the engine size).

    Donington 98db events are now required to have only road silencers or baffles fitted, but heres the problem that customers have.......they pass on a 92 drive by at MSV circuits but these are measured 20 metres back from the track, where the Donington measurement Is taken trackside. So where we have the confusion Is when customers see the 92db drive-by at an MSV circuit and think they will pass at Donington, which they wont.

    So I hope thats all helps.

    Where are we now?

    Unfortunately I really don't think we will get a uniform way of measurement which as far as I am concerned Is very disappointing for you the customers, and believe me I have badgered away at this for a few years.
    Regarding the compliance.

    Well you all love what you do, so I know we will go with It, and to be fair Its not really the limits that have altered drastically, Its only been 1 or 2 db here and there, whats causing the Issues Is that the policing Is more definite.
    So Is that a bad thing?

    Well If we don't work with the problem and take a responsible approach then yes It will be, because everyone will end up on road systems! and remember how expensive they are to replace.

    Here's an Interesting point..... all trackdays at Misano (Italy) are on road systems only.

    I was at Donington on Monday to help with the 1st day of the new regulation. I explained the new requirement and everyone was nodding and In agreement. I checked the groups and found 4 problem bikes In group 1, 1 In 2 and none In 3, and then 2 In group 4. All these riders happily went off and fitted the baffle....it was only £25, you lose about 3 HP and you take It out for a noisier event. But after the sighting laps I noticed a rider trying to slip out, and no baffle!

    So whats more Important, the £25 and a baffle he can use.....or the closure of a circuit!

    I have to be honest, the day really was quieter.

    And less stress. Customers where happy, as they were not getting black flagged and pulled In, so they were just riding and enjoying their day and the circuit staff where happy as everything was within the limit.

    I think everyone Is starting to understand the problem, I wish It wasn't as confusing ( and hopefully the above Information will help). So lets work together as riders, tdo's and circuits to keep these boring and persistant protesters from winning their war!

    Thruxton/Croft and Castle Combe have enough problems, we don't want anymore circuits joining them.

    Please remember

    Noise meters are regularly calibrated and you will need to work with the staff at the circuits using them, but remember that an aggressive challenge will never help your case and Its always better to work with them, you will find that they are always willing to help and try to get you sorted and on track.

    Aftermarket cans

    They need to be repacked on a regular basis, as the packing blows out and then you are too noisy.

    Don't always believe what the box says.....how did they measure the system, remember all the different ways that circuits measure and the manufacturer wants to sell his product.

    If you can, on a day with a stricter limit, bring your road can with you.

    Finally, I hope you have found all the Information helpful, and lets all work together on this noisy subject!​
     
    • Like Like x 1
  2. Repsol Rob

    Repsol Rob Elite Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2011
    Messages:
    3,345
    Likes Received:
    1,162
    You got the email too...... nothing as clear as the bleeding obvious lol
     
  3. damodici

    damodici Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2011
    Messages:
    660
    Likes Received:
    153
    Yup :)

    To be fair to them I'm all for this kind of info being out in the field, there's so much confusion about how they test, where they test, what the Acu rules are etc on forums that this is by far and away the best type of email FE can send out IMO

    No more uncertainty, and it levels the playing field, if you turn up to track and try to get passed well over the limit then it's your own fault really.

    It'll also help in those 'gentlemanly disagreements ' with the noise tester should he be waving his probe too close or asking for too many revs :)

    Waving his probe........ Oh dear ;)
     
  4. arthurbikemad

    arthurbikemad A very helpful Gent

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2011
    Messages:
    5,371
    Likes Received:
    3,579
    Shame FE don't spend some time cracking down on all the STOLEN bikes they don't mind on there track days! As they said to one of my customers once (long story) "oh no docs mate, frame number missing, don't worry just write out a fake receipt in case someone asks!" When I asked them about it they said "no one here said that!" Oh I said funny that as I heard you on the customers loud speaker! Sorry little off topic that....lol
     
  5. damodici

    damodici Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2011
    Messages:
    660
    Likes Received:
    153
    Yeh there's still a lot about but a few less since last years Bemshee Met raid (pretty sure it was then)

    Amazing how many people sold up after that ;)
     
  6. CastrolCraig

    CastrolCraig Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2011
    Messages:
    1,745
    Likes Received:
    488
    It wasnt the met raid that did it, it was the raid on a lincolnshire based track bike dealer who sold loads of hooky bikes, and shedloads of people got caught up in that, including yours truly, and 99% are still out of pocket yet the dealer liquidated the old buisness and started up in a different name. ill not name names on here but you know what to do.....

    RE noise limits, like fuck are Cadwells drive by noise meters 20m from the circuit, they are on the circuit infield between charlies2 & mansfield.
     
  7. Remal

    Remal It's ME
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2011
    Messages:
    14,565
    Likes Received:
    3,679
    Is this for racing or track day ? Great info
     
  8. fez.57

    fez.57 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2011
    Messages:
    3,115
    Likes Received:
    876
    On the upside at least my mrs would not be allowed in as she easily exceeds the noise limits for all of the above tracks
     

Share This Page