Noise at the track

Bruce Colby · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2004, 11:55 AM

Yesterday AROSC had it's Competition Board meeting and noise was one of the many topics discussed. The outcome was a decision to start monitoring noise and trying to get the really loud cars to be a bit less so. There are two reasons for this. One is that we are starting to see houses getting closer to our "local" track, WSIR, and we feel the longer we can be "good neighbors" to the inhabitants, the longer WSIR will stay open. The other reason is that excessive noise can cause hearing loss. While loud cars out on the track probably aren't much of a problem in this respect, they can be a real problem in the pits, especially for young children.

So, at present, while we are not going to establish a noise limit in the strict sense, we will be paying attention. If you have what we consider to be an "excessively loud car", we will have a talk with you about it and ask you to try to quiet it down by driving carefully in the pits at the current event, and by adding some kind of sound reduction device for the next event. If this approach doesn't seem to work, we will establish a noise limit criterion and police it aggressively. However, we'd really prefer not to have to turn into "noise policemen" if we don't absolutely have to.

I should add one final comment. Most of our entrants are already doing a reasonable job with noise control. It is only a small number of cars that this posting is directed towards.

Your cooperation will be very much appreciated.
Thanks,

**italcarguy** · #2 (**permalink**) 12-06-2004, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Colby

Yesterday AROSC had it's Competition Board meeting and noise was one of the many topics discussed. The outcome was a decision to start monitoring noise and trying to get the really loud cars to be a bit less so. There are two reasons for this. One is that we are starting to see houses getting closer to our "local" track, WSIR, and we feel the longer we can be "good neighbors" to the inhabitants, the longer WSIR will stay open.

**Sniady** · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2004, 07:24 PM

If WSIR regulates it, then that's there responsibility to deal with it. I personally don't think AROSC should be monitoring this. It is a race track. And if noise bothers some, maybe they should'nt attend. Or invest in ear plugs. my 2 cents

geh458 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2004, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniady

If WSIR regulates it, then that's there responsibility to deal with it. I personally don't think AROSC should be monitoring this. It is a race track. And if noise bothers some, maybe they should'nt attend. Or invest in ear plugs. my 2 cents

BigSwede · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2004, 12:46 AM

You don't have noise limits? wow... lucky you. we have 95dbA at driveby.
You allow small children in the pits? what are they, mechanics?

Whats the noise level at Laguna?

**italcarguy** · #6 (**permalink**) 12-07-2004, 08:01 AM

Noise limit at Laguna is 92 db. They have been scaring people sayings it's 90 but its really 92. Children are allowed in the pits here. at club events it's not uncommon to see people come out as a whole family. I been hanging out in the pits since I was in a stroller.

BigSwede · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2004, 08:16 AM

Oh, ok. Club events are a bit more relaxed here too, guess i misunderstood.

92db is really low, how is it measured? Is there a certain routine?

**papajam** · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2004, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniady

It is a race track. And if noise bothers some, maybe they should'nt attend.

**italcarguy** · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2004, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSwede

Oh, ok. Club events are a bit more relaxed here too, guess i misunderstood.

92db is really low, how is it measured? Is there a certain routine?

Bruce Colby · #10 (**permalink**) 12-07-2004, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italcarguy

They have a sound meter on the drivers right between turns 5 and 6. They have also been saying that the sound meter is roving which means every session it's at a different section of the track...it's been in the same spot as it's always been. Monterey county, not Laguna Seca, has someone sit in there all weekend and measure cars. You get a couple warnings and then I think on the third time they talk to you, they give you the boot for the remainder of the weekend.

fatbillybob · #11 (**permalink**) 12-23-2004, 06:48 PM

What's loud? I don't know waht that means on a race track. To me race track means loud. Anyway it is difficulte to measure loud. AROSC needs to give us something more than the first nebulous post. It is cheap and easy to buy a DB meter from radio shack to get some numbers at idle but it is pretty hard to drive around with my arm sticking a DB meter out the window. So is there an at idle DB number? I'm one of the louder guys in the TT group but when I went to the race group I sound like a stock Honda. So...what's loud? I certainly want to be considerate of my fellow AROSC member but I don't want to hassle finding yet ANOTHER "limit".

JackOlsen · #12 (**permalink**) 12-25-2004, 02:17 AM

I think curbing the really loud cars is a good idea. I don't think you want to go as low as Laguna, but the loud-for-loud-sake cars are annoying in the pits, and the days of needing open exhausts in order to make acceptable power are long gone.

Norman Silverma · #13 (**permalink**) 12-26-2004, 02:29 PM

I may be wrong, but I think the idea is to keep the db's in the pit areas (exception hot pit) under 98 dbs - the level that causes permanent hearing damage.
We usually have lots of motor homes, kids, etc. in the area. Laguna sets 92db as a limit on the track, but control of dbs in the hot pits and on the track is the track's perogative.

super-racer · #14 (**permalink**) 12-29-2004, 06:00 PM

I think that noise restrictions at race tracks are a bit much. If certain cars are loud then it should be the drivers duty not to unnecessarily rev the hell out of his motor. However, once the car is on the track, it should be as loud as it has to be. I definitely agree with papajam when he says that its a person fault for moving near by an airport let alone a race track.

Norman Silverma · #15 (**permalink**) 12-30-2004, 09:00 AM

I hope you pay more attention in school

In summary again.
The noise will be monitored in the cold pit area, camping and general gathering places. Hot pit and track is subject to State, County and/or Local regulation. This is a one year test to determine the extent, if any, of excessive noise where people gather and work. We don't want you or the children you may bring to the track some day to grow up as deaf as I am. Though it is somewhat of a blessing not to be able to make out most of the things women say to me.

Over 98db's can cause irreprable nerve damage.