to loud at tremblant ?

[WillM]

I hate the way this started, but love the way it is going.

I supported the board's decision (at the event) to uphold the rule exactly as it is written, but hate that the situation had to come up at all. I hope the driver is not too put-off by the DQ, as he & his wife are two wonderful people and a welcome sight in the paddock and on-track.

Having a sound meter available for self-testing would be a nice addition to the club. As Nate pointed out, it would be GREAT to get official sound postings from the track, if we could work that out. I'm very much in favor of helping members determine their approximate sound rating and supporting them to make the right decisions to be in compliance with the track's rule.

As others have said, it is all about sharing information at this point.

Which reminds me...I miss the radar. What happened to it? I like having it on the wall at the exit of 12 @ NHMS. 72MPH...good exit...!

[timmmy]

I agree with Will, this is a good first step.

Maybe the easiest thing to do for now is to have someone monitor the sound meter during each of the run groups on the first day and take a note of anyone who is over a certain level, then publish the list of car numbers and DB somewhere. That way if you are not on the list you know you are below a set limit, if you are, you know what DB you are at and can act appropriately, or not.

I suggest this as it may become a logistics nightmare if people are coming up to ask what thier Db reading is.

H

[nateh]

We could post a handwritten list on the tech shed wall, and update it as time allows during the day.

[962porsche]

thats a good idea !

[nateh]

If only Amos weren't about to go back to college, I'd ask him to help out. Too bad, our handy and cheerful slave is escaping.

[bhoss]

I have the radar display & gun but do not have the room to carry it from event to event. I can bring it to NHMS3 if someone would like to take it over.

[962porsche]

amos ! hes always there to help people out . i'm realy going to miss the extra set of hands working on my car .

[brucesallen]

Note that the Board had a lengthy meeting to make the decision. In the end, to pardon this person would break our clearly written rules and leave other rules open to subjective interpretation so we went with the rule as written. It is just extremely bad luck that the first time sound was exceeded by this driver was in the final time trial. The track's policy was to end your session for the first two violations and end your day for the third. I was flagged on the first day for 2 Db over and I added a third muffler. No more problem. But was I close?

The SCCA has a full time person for sound enforcement. See their manual for the methods that are to be used. We cannot get into enforcement but spot checks may help the drivers. Tracks posting their readings or just the readings within 5 Db would be great.

[chaos4NH]

Note that the Board had a lengthy meeting to make the decision. In the end, to pardon this person would break our clearly written rules and leave other rules open to subjective interpretation so we went with the rule as written. It is just extremely bad luck that the first time sound was exceeded by this driver was in the final time trial. The track's policy was to end your session for the first two violations and end your day for the third. I was flagged on the first day for 2 Db over and I added a third muffler. No more problem. But was I close?

The SCCA has a full time person for sound enforcement. See their manual for the methods that are to be used. We cannot get into enforcement but spot checks may help the drivers. Tracks posting their readings or just the readings within 5 Db would be great.

All great info Bruce, thanks. Sounds like a healthy subject for the next BOD meeting. I am all for helping our members stay within legal limits.
Pete and Paddy were also black flagged. The track asked me whether they should be allowed to run again. After discussion, I told Pete and Paddy they could go back out after they were POSITIVE they had the problem fixed. They went into town and had a big muffler welded on - problem solved.

[therooster]

"I do not believe that COM wants to be the sound policeman." Sam I agree. I was that guy when the sound started becoming an issue. Not a fun place to be.

Nate, I thought that the club already had a sound meter. We had one for the Bridge and it was still part of the Event Op's stuff when I left. I sort of remember someone bringing a very expensive and complicated meter to some events at NHIS because people thought our cheap meter was inaccurate and we found it was pretty close.

Chris Aylward

[nateh]

If there is one, great. I can compare mine to it.

[miatapeter]

I'm Peter Perrault and new to COM. I am Chief of Sound Control for SCCA New England Reg.
I would be happy to run sound level readings ( I have all the equipment ) during a Time Trial session. TT would be the best time to get sound readings because the cars are spaced, which allows for more accurate readings.
I'll be at the track this weekend, with my Miata ST4 #700, and would be happy to discuss this with anyone.

[nateh]

Peter -

That is great to hear!

I'll look forward to meeting you. I should be in garage #2. Car 47, a modified SRF (VW engine).

- Nate

[chaos4NH]

YAY! Thanks Peter (I think!?)

[brucesallen]

Wonderful, Peter! Welcome to COM.
However the unfortunate incident at Mt. Tremblant was the surprise to the competitor when he was flagged for the first time during the time trial and consequently DQed. It would be of great value for readings to be taken of all Sunday drivers and posted before the time trial so anyone close to the sound limit could be forewarned. That said, I have not heard of the track complaining about any COM noise in the last year or more.