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We are considering taking a more stringent approach to sounds limits at our Solo events in the interest of both keeping sites where we can play and safeguarding our participants' hearing. At our last event we used a limit based on the SCCA national default values of 98dB warning/100 dB fix-it-or-park-it. It turned out on both days that the cars, especially the loud cars, were not really on throttle where the meter was placed. That said it is safe to say there were 5 particular offenders that should really consider doing something about noise because the chances that they will continue to "make sound" are essentially zero. I don't have names/numbers in front of me, and even if I do remember your name I'm not (yet) going to publicly shame you, but in no particular order the cars were: black s2000, blue Focus, gray Roush Mustang, black Mustang, & white NA Miata.
We will once again run sound at this Sunday's event at the Hoover Met using the 98/100 dB limits, but this is likely the last time the limits will be that high. Any car going over 100 dB will get one warning to fix it. A second offense will result in a disqualification. Additionally, since we are considering a 96 dB park-it limit for future events, we will record high readings and warn any car near or above 96 dB so they can return their exhaust to something sane before another event.
If you an issue with this, please consider the following:
We will work with anyone with sound issues to help mitigate the problem. There are short-term tricks that might enable one to reduce the noise enough to keep running for the day (wet towel zip-tied to the tailpipe, for example). But if you have to resort to something like that to finish an event, please don't show up for future events without doing something to really fix the problem.
One final thing...please note that we do NOT have to be running a sound meter to park a vehicle for noise. The supplemental rules for our Solo seasons (2015 version found here) state:
We are considering taking a more stringent approach to sounds limits at our Solo events in the interest of both keeping sites where we can play and safeguarding our participants' hearing. At our last event we used a limit based on the SCCA national default values of 98dB warning/100 dB fix-it-or-park-it. It turned out on both days that the cars, especially the loud cars, were not really on throttle where the meter was placed. That said it is safe to say there were 5 particular offenders that should really consider doing something about noise because the chances that they will continue to "make sound" are essentially zero. I don't have names/numbers in front of me, and even if I do remember your name I'm not (yet) going to publicly shame you, but in no particular order the cars were: black s2000, blue Focus, gray Roush Mustang, black Mustang, & white NA Miata.
We will once again run sound at this Sunday's event at the Hoover Met using the 98/100 dB limits, but this is likely the last time the limits will be that high. Any car going over 100 dB will get one warning to fix it. A second offense will result in a disqualification. Additionally, since we are considering a 96 dB park-it limit for future events, we will record high readings and warn any car near or above 96 dB so they can return their exhaust to something sane before another event.
If you an issue with this, please consider the following:
- Sound complaints are one of the primary tools used to shut down motorsports venues. We don't intend for somebody's ridiculously loud car to be the reason why the rest of us can't have nice places to play.
- Loud cars are a very real threat to our participants' hearing. I'm not talking about the driver or passenger who are wearing helmets. This means the corner workers and particularly the poor person working start. If the starter winces or covers his ears every time you launch, your car is too freaking loud.
- If you think fast car = loud car, please take a look at the cars running the fastest times at each event. I bet you find fast car = loud car to be as ridiculous as "loud pipes save lives".
We will work with anyone with sound issues to help mitigate the problem. There are short-term tricks that might enable one to reduce the noise enough to keep running for the day (wet towel zip-tied to the tailpipe, for example). But if you have to resort to something like that to finish an event, please don't show up for future events without doing something to really fix the problem.
One final thing...please note that we do NOT have to be running a sound meter to park a vehicle for noise. The supplemental rules for our Solo seasons (2015 version found here) state:
"11. Sound Limits:
Vehicles deemed to be too loud by the Event Chairman will not be allowed to compete without modification. We must be respectful of our neighbors in order to keep our current event sites. If in doubt about your vehicle, please consult with the chairperson prior to the event. Drivers are reminded that the need to be respectful of our neighbors increases on the public streets surrounding our events. Disciplinary action may be taken by the Event Chairman against drivers failing to represent our event in a positive manner"
Vehicles deemed to be too loud by the Event Chairman will not be allowed to compete without modification. We must be respectful of our neighbors in order to keep our current event sites. If in doubt about your vehicle, please consult with the chairperson prior to the event. Drivers are reminded that the need to be respectful of our neighbors increases on the public streets surrounding our events. Disciplinary action may be taken by the Event Chairman against drivers failing to represent our event in a positive manner"
my car's not on the list
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