PCA SDR

I just read in the Witness that "noise levels will be enforced at the next AX." What does this mean? An immediate black flag?
Will there be a display so we will see our sound level as we cross the finish line? Should I bring a second muffler in case I'm too loud?

The standard practice of noise enforcement, as I remember it, is to measure the cars at a 50-foot distance on the loudest part of the track (often the earlier or latest part of a straight or sweeper where the throttle is wide open and rev's are high). Anyone louder than 92-Db will be notified by the Event Chairs / Safety Chair regarding excessive noise. It has to be fixed by Timed Runs or you are DQ'ed for the event. Spare muffler? Maybe. Have you actually measured your exhaust Db?

There are other measures you can take: I've heard of steel wool temporarily placed in the exhaust, Super-trap(?) adapters, etc.

Hey loud-exhaust guys/gals out there: what do you folks use?

That's what I remember ....

I have no idea how loud my car is. During the past autocrosses where they monitored the sound levels I was never told how loud my car was. Now I have a new muffler so I have no idea.
Since it was stated in the Witness that it would be "enforced at the next AX" I thought it wise to be prepared.
Of course we need to know what is really meant by "enforced". If what you say is correct, Dan, then I could change mufflers before the timed runs, if necessary.

I think the notice should read "Noise levels will be enforced at ALL AX events." - not just the "next" one...

Wouldn't it be a good idea to give out some sort of "official warning" one time. I think there might be some people caught off guard who don't even realize they are over the limit. I know it's our responsibility to know these things but, after so much non-enforcement, we could end up with some very grumpy people.

So if you are under 92 dB in practice but over during a timed run does this automatically disqualify you for that run? How about subsequent runs?

Am I the only one who has noticed that AX attendance has dropped at the time as the noise level debate started?
It will be nice and quiet once the club starts losing money on events.
Just my 2 cents.

Kim Crosser wrote:I think the notice should read "Noise levels will be enforced at ALL AX events." - not just the "next" one...

This statement is more factually correct.

richard wrote:So if you are under 92 dB in practice but over during a timed run does this automatically disqualify you for that run? How about subsequent runs?

I'm not sure the actual enforcement procedures on a run-by-run basis. Typically/historically, if you're over once, you have to correct the problem and remain in compliance for the day. If enforcement become more "interpretive", that's the perogitive of the Event Chairs (in this case AX Chairs).

In all cases, enforcement come down to the responsibility of the Tech Chairs, the Safety Chairs, and ultimately the Event Chairs. The Event Chairs have the final say.

As for being under the limit during practice, and above during timed runs ... that would be interesting to see. Most drivers "go for it" during their second practice session ... unless their sand-bagging.

Just my memory from 2003-2004.

MR LIPP wrote:Am I the only one who has noticed that AX attendance has dropped at the time as the noise level debate started?
It will be nice and quiet once the club starts losing money on events.
Just my 2 cents.

Yes Marin, you are the only one.
Attendance loss is related to the economy in general and people moving up to DE and TT events. While AX is a fun quick and easy event for little expense to those who are just out for fun I would skip 4 AX events in exchange for one weekend time trial. It is just more of everything that you get at an AX. If you want to boost AX attendance get more newbies interested in the entry event.

But if we continually break the noise regulations we won't have to worry about AX attendance...because we won't have a place to make any noise at all.

It's not hard to get a car under the limit. If your car is slower with a quiet exhaust; just drive faster...

Don't get too worked up over this. If the noise from your car causes you pain when you sit in it, and it causes pain to the start finish guys, it is probably too loud. But then you knew that.

The AX team has done a lot of research and sound level studies. We are in an urban area, and the stadium does have limits. We have not been warned by the stadium, and we don't want to be.

There are quite a few cars that can go "over the limit" at certain times and under certain testing methods. Most of these cars are OK. If you changed your exhaust system to get more power and make up for your failure to take the PDS, you would get better results (read happy neighbors) from a good muffler and a few sessions with your favorite CDI.

The really loud cars are pretty obvious, and the AX Chairs/Tech Team/CDIs/Start Finish Team/The Person Parked Next To You/The Person Driving Behind You will all let you know they will buy you a beer after you fix your exhaust.

Just be considerate of the folks around you, and if you really like a loud car, then try the Time Trial series.

As you can see by this quote from Kim. We have been warning people since Oct. A few bad seeds want to ruin it for all of us. Nobody ever thought there would be a alcohol ban at the beach, LOOK what happened.


" We are the only ones who AREN'T enforcing the noise limit. We don't know if any of the residents are complaining, and I am sure that we do NOT want to ask the Stadium if they are seeing any increase in noise complaints!

I am a bit astounded that quite a few people seem to be saying "<bleep> the rules, as long as no one is complaining, who cares?"
They will likely be the same ones who will be surprised when the Stadium tells us to go away, since we won't abide by their rules - unlike all the other car clubs, including the dragsters.
I am also surprised that some people wonder why they can't make a lot more noise in an urban parking lot than on a major race course (like Laguna Seca). Duh!"

Having dealt with Sound issues at both SCCA and BMWCCA, a couple things to note for the whole sound discussion.

1. The rules set by the Stadium only specify specific dB, not Measurement technique. And believe it or not those dB are 83 before 10 or noon (can't recall which) and 92 after that time.
To meet this, SCCA does not schedule their "Mod and Prepared" classes before the specific time and only limits to 92 for the whole day.

2. Using the dB meter does not always deal with the "Sound" issue, because most of the time the "Annoying" car is not actually over the dB limit, it's just a tone/pitch that is very annoying/unpleasant to the human ear. For example two cars making the same dB have a totally different "Mental" impact on people around them. A 90 dB 4 cylinder and a 90 dB v8 are quite different, that 4 cylinder is annoying and almost painful to the ears, while the v8 may be as loud, but does not impact the ears as much.

3. Position of the meter on the Lot, weather, etc make a significant difference in the readings as well. For example, the meter in close proximity to the Jersey Barrier (K rail is the California Term, but Jersey Barrier is the Original) and pointed towards the barrier will produce a higher dB reading than located in the middle of the. An overcast Day will also increase the dB readings as the sound is transfered better.

Bottom line, placement of the meter is important, as well as exhaust note and weather for that matter.

Matt
It sounds like you have a copy of the contract. How far is the meter supposed to be from the source?
10 feet, 100 feet, 1,000 feet..a mile? That would make a difference.

BTW There will be NO METER at the DE
I knew I could sneak a plug for our DE into the discussion. (who needs double posting )
https://www.motorsportreg.com/index.cfm ... BC4F5A7358

Martin...you sneaky guy.

John