Castle Combe - Noise ?
Discussion
I am thinking of doing Castle Combe on July 12th. Do they do static or drive-by noise tests ? I have an SR3 with a race silencer which i have just repacked, I've also got a muffler inserted into the end which I guess I can also "wad" out if I have to - might just scrape 100db but not sure. Anyone had any bad experiences there in an SR3 regarding noise ?
They do a static test and are quite strict. I've booked a day there on 8th Aug but have been pestering them for ages to tell me how they test a Radical as in writing it states 100dB for cars and 105dB for bikes. I've finally had an e mail reply saying that they test bike engined cars the same as a bike, so that's 105dB at 75% of redline.
I've been there quite a few times in different cars and have been pulled off once (in a Caterham) and re-tested because 'I was too noisy'. Sailed through the static test again and had to promise to short shift coming along the start / finish straight to keep the revs down. So I guess that means that they are using a driveby as well but they don't specify a limit as far as I know. Perhaps more of a problem in a k series Caterham as the exhaust points out of the LHS?
I've been there quite a few times in different cars and have been pulled off once (in a Caterham) and re-tested because 'I was too noisy'. Sailed through the static test again and had to promise to short shift coming along the start / finish straight to keep the revs down. So I guess that means that they are using a driveby as well but they don't specify a limit as far as I know. Perhaps more of a problem in a k series Caterham as the exhaust points out of the LHS?
BAT have a track day booked at CC on 17th June the noise regs are 
94dB drive by and 100dB static !! IMHO you might manage the static test with a huge silencer but on track at 94dB will require a lot of short shifting. As for Donington well, its a f-----g joke bearing in mind the track is at the end of east midlands airport !!
94dB drive by and 100dB static !! IMHO you might manage the static test with a huge silencer but on track at 94dB will require a lot of short shifting. As for Donington well, its a f-----g joke bearing in mind the track is at the end of east midlands airport !! I am not convinced that they will test to 105dB at coombe. My one and only go there in the rad (CS) they specifically asked for 3 yellow lights to try and get below 100. It didn't happen. That was with a brand new radical "quiet" box (not the most recent one) and a Merlin motorsport dongle. Got to 103db.
Good luck!
Bert
Good luck!
Bert
That is exactly why I asked for it in writing. If the noise guy insists on 100dB it will get flapped in his face followed by some interesting words with Combe. There is some degree of logic in this though. Their bike trackday limit is in their brochure at 105dB at 75% so unless they have a number of 'loud' days that they allocate to bike days why shouldn't the same limit be applicable to bike-engined cars?
Hi Martvr , any chance you can send me this email. I am happy to act as Guinea Pig on July 6th if you like - I can then tell you what they say !?
I realise this is something you have spent a lot of time getting sorted so will understand if you're not happy to forward on, however if they have confirmed a rule for one person, that rule should apply to all.
My email address is alistair.coker@modisintl.com - let me know.
Cheers
Ali
I realise this is something you have spent a lot of time getting sorted so will understand if you're not happy to forward on, however if they have confirmed a rule for one person, that rule should apply to all.
My email address is alistair.coker@modisintl.com - let me know.
Cheers
Ali
Hi all, I just got this email from Castle Combe:
"When we started the track days about 10 years ago, we did stipulate "road cars only", but I must admit that over the years, we have started to have race cars (mainly Caterhams) coming on these days as well. We group all race or non road cars in a separate group from the road cars.
As you correctly state we are "funny about slicks", and don't allow them. Unfortunately, therefore your Radical wouldn't be suitable for the track days, however you are very welcome to come along on a test day instead.
"When we started the track days about 10 years ago, we did stipulate "road cars only", but I must admit that over the years, we have started to have race cars (mainly Caterhams) coming on these days as well. We group all race or non road cars in a separate group from the road cars.
As you correctly state we are "funny about slicks", and don't allow them. Unfortunately, therefore your Radical wouldn't be suitable for the track days, however you are very welcome to come along on a test day instead.
sounds like CC is run by a bunch of old farts who are even older than me!! Had a chat with Van Kaiser on saturday. He had been to a CC track day on friday with an SR4 and an SR8. He somehow managed to get the cars to 98db (the limit for the day). However CC were very unhappy about the slicks and only agreed to let the cars run after a long chat and an agreement on how they were going to run.
So looks like CC is pretty much out for track days in Radicals :-(
Bert
So looks like CC is pretty much out for track days in Radicals :-(
Bert
I think they're missing the point here! An SR3/8 even on toyo R888 or similar 'road legal' tyres, or even on inters, will still be *significantly* faster than most of the other cars on track?
Also you'll need an MSA licence to attend a 'test day', so to offer these as alternative trackday to faster cars is slightly misleading.
Also you'll need an MSA licence to attend a 'test day', so to offer these as alternative trackday to faster cars is slightly misleading.
I think you will find most TD companies and circuit owners insist on a roll cage if you are running slicks. IMO Castle Combe's problem is all about noise and meeting the local council and resident's demands. Just to throw another one in re tyres! I know of two cases, one at Goodwood and one at Brands H who were told to adjust !! their driving as their road tyres were making too much noise !! 
what next !! maybe on track radar controled speed limits with heavy fines to boost the the local economy 
what next !! maybe on track radar controled speed limits with heavy fines to boost the the local economy Gassing Station | Radical | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff