Track Day Sound Test?

[SteveD]

i phone app (noise metre)

[Young Pretender]

I don't think Brands has metres around the track and it's just the static test. I didn't have any issues at brands a couple of months ago but they didn't do the static test on mine. They have details on the sound testing on the web site, think its 0.5m up and 0.5m away from the exhaust and read at 45 degrees up from the exhaust outlet at 3/4 max revs. Just fib slightly on the max revs as well

Thanks kev, that's what I needed. I've downloaded an iPhone App.

Adam, cheers mate I did know the surrey area meet had a sound meter but the next get together is on 12-May and I want to book the track day before then so it doesn't book out.

[kevip6]

Which day are you booking? I could be interested in other day out there

I'd be a little weary of the iPhone app I was told they're not accurate over 100 dB and so if you're borderline then you may not be getting useful readings from the phone app. If it helps, I've got a 2ltr zetec with standard Westfield exhaust and I'm around 94 dB on SmokeyMows sound metre.

[Young Pretender]

I'm going to book 28-Jun. It's a full day, open pit for £225 though Club MSV. Yeah you should come along if you're available, you obviously enjoyed your last visit? Do you think I'll be ok as a track day beginner?

Noted regarding the app. I will definitely pop down next thursday morning for a test at the track, it's only 15 mins from me.

[GreigM]

if you or anyone has a smart phone like an iphone download the db meter app. its accurate and free.

unfortunately doesn't work reliably over 100db

[Mark (smokey mow)]

It's definately worth testing at the circuit in question whether it be brands or anywhere else. From my experience the consistency of testing and the accuracy and calibration of the meters used can be quite varied. My car regularly tests at between 93-95dBA and reads the same on my own meter, however on one occasion at Castle Combe a couple of years back they recorded 102dBA

Other than fibbing about your revs at peak power a few things can help give more favourable results when being test.

1. Don't park alongside anything that may cause reflection of the noise, for example close to buildings, sides of vans or walls.

2. Build the revs up slowly to the required revs. Sound meters typically record peak levels, so you dont want it to read any higher than it has to.

3. Parking on or alongside absorbant surfaces helps. I tested 88dBA at Crystal Palace last weekend as the car was on grass and surround by trees

Failing all of the above i always carry a Supertrapp in my toolbag just in case... But thankfully never needed yet.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Search.do?method=delegate&n=1884&p=245668&s=Supertrapp

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

For what it's worth 105dB(A) is a high figure. MSE airfield days are 100dB(A) and mine (2 litre Pinto) passes it with a 6" Wunoff box. That extra 5dB is a huge rise in noise 'cos it's a logarithmic scale. Every 3dB is roughly double and every 10dB is ten times. If you make sure you warm the engine and silencer well first and bring the revs up slowly to the (usual) 4,500rpm you stand a better chance of passing than trying to do it all quickly in my experience. Good Luck...

[kevip6]

I'm going to book 28-Jun. It's a full day, open pit for £225 though Club MSV. Yeah you should come along if you're available, you obviously enjoyed your last visit? Do you think I'll be ok as a track day beginner?

Noted regarding the app. I will definitely pop down next thursday morning for a test at the track, it's only 15 mins from me.

Hmmmmm, tempted! It was great fun. It was my first track day and still the only proper track day I've done (I've done the North Weald airfield activity day in Essex since which I would highly recommend and a way of playing with and getting used to the car at its limit)

I would say its probably a tough first track day and I was looking at doing Bedford or somewhere with a bit more run off as I was a little cagey at the corners to say the least. But it was amazing fun so I guess that the amount you can get into your first track day depends on how much space you have on track to get used to the track without worrying about other traffic around you?

Others will have more useful experience/comments but that's my opinion

[Mark (smokey mow)]

I've only ever sprinted at brands hatch, never done a trackday there. My advice is to drive at a pace you feel comfortable with.

The only place i'd be cautious is padock hill bend, the apex is blind and the camber can throw you wide as the steering loads up. Over the winter they've reduced the size of the gravel trap at druids and increased the amount of tarmac at the outside of the corner, so you've got a bit more room for braking now if you leave it late than there was before. Theres plenty of room on the grass at graham hill bend and the grip was very good across it the last time i made that excursion

It's one of my favourite tracks both to drive and spectate at, enjoy yourself

[kevip6]

I don't think Brands has metres around the track and it's just the static test. I didn't have any issues at brands a couple of months ago but they didn't do the static test on mine. They have details on the sound testing on the web site, think its 0.5m up and 0.5m away from the exhaust and read at 45 degrees up from the exhaust outlet at 3/4 max revs. Just fib slightly on the max revs as well

I stand corrected, was just looking at the club msv days and there is a drive by limit at Brands Hatch, all the limits below

http://www.clubmsv.com/Car-trackday-noise-limits.aspx

[Fangi0]

Good thread.

What is the limit for Goodwood, anyone know?

[craigjruss]

Noisy days at Goodwood are 105 static and 110 drive by which is normally checked at the pit lane entrance were you r at full throttle coming on to the straight! Not sure about the quite days but rink is it 98 static.

[SootySport]

Go to Brands on a all day trackday, not evening, to have your noise test, there is a marshall who sits at the at the last garage all day doing noise tests.

As for driving Brands as a novice, it is a busy track and the 1st. morning you'll be constantly giving way to the faster boys which makes it difficult to get into your stride, you'll even be giving way to the young kids in their stripped out Paxos and other GTI's You can pay for some instruction which will help a lot in building up your speed and going on the right line, definitely worth the £20 odd. Brands Indy consists of about 5 corners so you'll soon memorize the layout and which gear to be in. Paddock Hill bend is one to savour when you get your speed up and the line just right, it's the only reason I go there.

[Stuart]

There's a sound meter app for iphones. No idea of its accuracy.

[hilux]

So am I right in understanding then, that Palmer motorsport venues do not only test at the beginning of the session but continually throughout?

At Bedford its 101 Db static (1m at 45 degrees) when you arrive - if you fail its on the way in they simply send you out the gate the wrong way - you dont even see the track. There are three drive-by mikes that will trip if you are over 87.5Db so if you spot them you can ease off if you are marginal - not done Brands so dont know about that venue.

If you have a slight air leak in the exhaust any popping or banging can put you over the limit if you`re near it, also a load of cars with loud exhausts can trip the drive-by`s.

Equally you have to be bl**dy loud to be 105 static - no need to be quite that loud in my opinion but induction roar is something to worry about if you are marginal. My Golf is 85 DB when measured at front and back!!

An effective way to limit noise is to turn the exhaust down (or put a turn down bend on it) or get a silencer for the tail pipe

I`ve been there many times and you dont automatically get black flagged but if its marginal they will watch you and next time its bye bye no arguments