Noise is a huge problem…
As a track day participant and race and track day organiser I am sympathetic to both points of view. I reproduce, below, an article which I put together for the VSCC newsletter. It isn’t very clever, consisting as it does of mainly quotes from the MSA Blue Book, and it’s only one point of view and is aimed at those who compete in old cars but you may learn something from it…
NOISE
Noise is a major environmental issue affecting all motor sport disciplines. VSCC competitors need to understand the impact of noise on those who only tolerate our sport. Whilst it may be argued that noise is part of the character of the car and that a silencer free exhaust system is a significant contributor to performance, the argument is one which will no longer gain exemption. More and more establishments, both regulatory bodies and venue owners, are imposing noise limits which we ignore at our peril. The next step will a total ban on motor sport or even on old cars generally because we have failed to take heed of the environmental issue which is noise. Below are listed (unexpurgated) extracts from �Section �E�, Common Regulations� for Competitors of the Motor Sports Association Yearbook (�The Blue Book�) which are often referred to in the Supplementary Regulations for events issued by the Club�s Competitions Department. It would serve you well to read them carefully. All competitors must understand the requirements for silencing and comply with instructions as issued either in the Blue Book, Supplementary Regulations or Competitors Instructions. The penalty for failure is exclusion from the event, often resulting in a non-start.
12.17. Silencing.
The reason for Silencing (SOUND CONTROL)
is to reduce environmental impact and to keep Motor Sport running. Recent Environmental Protection legislation has increased the pressure on activities generating noise and Local Authorities have the power to suppress any noise source deemed to be causing a nuisance. Our system of control is acceptable to most Environmental Bodies and must be considered as part of eligibility to compete in events.
12.17.1.
All competing vehicles are subject to mandatory silencing, unless a specific waiver for that Class, or Formula is granted. Where specified as mandatory, a silencer must be used, irrespective of the exhaust sound generated without it.
12.17.2.
Vehicles which comply with the Technical Regulations of FIA Formulae and Championships set out in the current FIA Yearbook and other FIA approved Championships, Series and Cups which are participating in races for such Formulae, Championships, Series and Cups at meetings which have been entered on the FIA International Calendar are exempt from MSA sound test requirements but must comply with the sound test requirements set out in the appropriate Formulae, Championship, Series or Cup Regulations.
12.17.3.
Silencing is not mandatory for the following categories of vehicle but is strongly recommended, and may be made mandatory in the SRs at the request of the Circuit/Venue owners:
_ All cars of periods A to D. (This does not include events any part of which takes place on the Public Highway where national laws will apply.)
_ Formula 1 and other single seater racing cars of periods E and F
_ Drag race vehicles.
12.17.4.
For British Formula Three and British GT Championships the sound test shall be conducted
as set out within these regulations but with the meter located at 45� to 3.0m distant from the exhaust with a maximum permitted sound level of 110dB(A). Special regulations will apply for British F3000 and the British F3 Championships.
12.17.5.
Temporary Silencers, by-pass pipes or the inclusion of temporary parts to achieve silencing requirements are prohibited. Officials may refuse to carry out Sound Checks on vehicles utilising temporary parts in exhaust systems. Organisers are empowered to exclude in such situations.
12.17.6.
Sound levels may be reduced following changes in EU Regulations.
12.17.7.
Circuit/venue owners/organisers may impose additional restrictions in SRs.
12.17.8.
Sound Test Requirements. Measurements will be made at 0.5m from the end of the exhaust pipe with the microphone at exhaust outlet level at an angle of 45� with the exhaust outlet. Where more than one exhaust outlet is present, the test will be repeated for each exhaust and the highest reading will be used. In circumstances where the exhaust outlet is not immediately accessible, the test may be conducted at 2.0m from the centre line of the vehicle at 90� to the center line of the vehicle, with the microphone 1.2m above the ground. Measurements should be made outdoors with no large reflecting objects (e.g. walls etc.) within 3.0m (in the 0.5m test) or within 10.0m (in the 2.0m test). Background sound levels should be at least 10dB(A) below the measured level. With distances from 2.0m to 8.0m it is necessary that there be a minimum of 20.0m radius open flat space around the vehicle. Where possible measurements should be taken as close as possible to the vehicle, at the defined distances, to avoid background noise. Generally it is impracticable to take measurements over 8.0m as the background noises create problems with accurate and steady readings. Cars of periods A to D falling within Sections C and D should run engines at two thirds maximum RPM. The 8m location of the microphone, for practical purposes, can be considered to be 7m from saloon car bodywork. This measurement can be made from either side of the car. The highest reading registered being the one needing to comply with the maximum noise requirements.
12.17.9.
Sound testing should be carried out BEFORE taking part in any competition. The time and location of sound testing should be advised to competitors prior to the event.
12.17.10.
It is stressed that all participants in motor sport, competitors, officials, marshals, etc., should be aware of, and protect themselves from, noise.
You will, no doubt, have noted that vehicles of periods A � D are often exempted from the regulations. The Blue Book describes period defined vehicles as follows (it should be noted that the Blue Book definition of PVT is not the same as that used for eligibility within the VSCC):
Period Defined Vehicles (Non Rally)
A � (Veteran) Cars built before 1/1/1905.
B � (Edwardian) Cars built between 1/1/1905 and 31/12/1918.
C � (Vintage) Cars built between 1/1/1919 and 31/12 1930.
D � (Post Vintage Thoroughbred) Cars built between 1/1/1931 and 31/12/1946.
E � Cars built between 1/1/1947 and 31/12/1961. (up to 31/12/1960 for single seater and two seater racing cars).
F � Cars built between 1/1/1962 and 31/12/1965 (from 1/1/1961 for single seater and two seater racing cars and up to 31/12/1966 for Formula 2).
G � Cars built between 1/1/1966 (1/1/1964 for Formula 3) and 31/12/1971 which are no longer eligible for current competition.
H � Cars built between 1/1/1972 and 31/12/1976 which are no longer eligible for current competition.
Period Defined Vehicles (Rally)
Historic � Cars first registered before 1/1/1968 which comply with K 22.14 or K 37.10.1.
Post Historic � Cars first registered between 1/1/1968 and 31/12/1974 which comply with K 22.15 or K 37.10.2.
The following additional rules will be found in the Rallying section (K) of the Blue Book:
- Sound Testing
5.1.
Before the start of a competition the cars of all Competitors, and Officials who are expected to follow a substantial part of the route, must pass a sound test conducted by an Environmental Scrutineer, using a sound meter in the manner prescribed by the Technical Regulations [E 12.17, C 11, C 12, C 13]. This test will prohibit any car reading over 98dB(A) from starting, except for Special Stage Rallies, where a level of 100dB(A) is permitted, unless the SRs specify lower levels. (All measurements refer to the 0.5m test). [E 12.17.8.].
5.1.1.
For cars of periods A to D there is a waiver from the requirement to use a Sound Meter on daytime events. However, Driving Standards Observers for sound must be appointed.
5.1.2.
The organisers must make all the arrangements for a suitable site to be available and will ensure that adequate personnel are appointed.
5.1.3.
A further test of the sound created by Competitors and Course Cars must be made on the road sections, manned by a Driving Standards Observer and/or Judges [13.1, 13.2, 24.2.11(h). 24.2.12(a), C 12, C 13.] qualified to carry out their duties by experience. They shall have the authority to prevent the further participation of the car concerned until the car complies with the relevant regulations. [C 12.1]
Rally cars must always therefore be silenced in accordance with the Road Traffic Act no matter how old they are. It is worth noting that some cars were very close to being excluded from the Measham Rally 2005 � testing is mandatory to the levels at Section D in the table for night rallies (K5.1.1).
Most racing venues are allowed a certain number of �noisy� days and where this is so then cars of periods A � D may run un-silenced and VSCC race meetings usually follow this rule. Please note that periods A � D do not include certain VSCC invited categories. Other venues rarely have the luxury of truly �noisy� days and you should note the caveat at 12.17.6 and 12.17.7. Most venues insist on silencing and where this is so it will be clearly stated in the Supplementary Regulations.
As a general guide it is fair to say that the following will apply at VSCC meetings:
_ Race meetings � un-silenced for cars of periods A � D only but NOT cars of period E or later, e.g 50s Sports/Racing Cars
_ Testing/Track days/instruction days � usually silenced but sometimes �noisy�; see event regulations
_ Sprints/Hill Climbs � most venues insist on silencing: see the table for limits and note 12.17.1 and
12.17.5
_ Driving Tests � venue dependant but usually mandatory silencing
_ Events using the public highway i.e. Rallies, Trials, Tours etc � 12.17.3 applies as does K5
Measurements will usually be taken at the 0.5 metre distance. For many people the problem will be knowing just how loud their car is BEFORE they turn up at an event. There is no easy answer to this other than to get your hands on a test meter somehow or have the car formally tested. This may not be easy but try to find someone who has a test set. The RAC or AA may be able to help but, apparently, government test centres do not offer such a service. One thing is for sure � you WILL be tested at the start and maybe during an event where silencing is required.
All competitors (and officials!) are urged to heed the warnings about noise.
Whilst I am no exhaust or tuning expert I would have thought that it must be possible in this day and age to have an exhaust which is both tuned and quiet…(being the Devil’s advocate) Why do people insist on buying the noisiest exhaust they can and then complain when it isn’t quiet enough to do what they want to do with it…and I am well aware of the period cars argument
On the other hand, there is no doubt that noise is part of a fast car attraction and I know the the UK circuit owners asked the MSA to increase the noise limit on BTCC cars a couple of years ago to regain some of the spectacle - they didn’t and now the average BTCC grid has 14 cars…
Consistent measurement IS a problem as is getting a reliable (?) reading from any source other than a track day or race organiser. Noise is not part of the MoT test as such although noise output is covered by the RTA and you can commit a noise offence on the public highway…
Bl**dy NIMBYS
Hey ho…