Ear Defenders

thebullet · 5 Oct 2006, 16:21 (Ref:1728974)

I dont know how much discussion i am going to get out of this thread or that iv'e put it in the right place i just wanted to make a point about, why peaple wear ear defenders, especially at History racing today. I think one of the reasons that peaple visit racing circuits around the country to see old car racing is to listen to the beauty of the engines, weather its a V8, V12 or V16 they all sound amazing.

Listen to this that was posted on another thread.

http://www.gordonbennettbooks.com/gbblog/V16BRM.mp3

**John Turner** · 5 Oct 2006, 18:39 (Ref:1729136)

I have been going to motor race meetings for over 40 years, and I have never worn ear defenders, even in the confines of pit garages because the sound is a major part of the pleasure. However, there is no doubt that regular exposure to very loud noise does have a long term adverse effect on some people's hearing. I've also spent a lot of time listening to what we used to call 'heavy' or 'progressive' rock, like Hendrix, Cream, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd etc and still seem to be of reasonable hearing. Mind you I don't always hear what my wife is saying ......... or maybe that's selective deafness!

thebullet · 6 Oct 2006, 08:15 (Ref:1729705)

haha very good John. It must be good to be deaf sometimes

**chunterer** · 6 Oct 2006, 08:43 (Ref:1729726)

Well I'd recommend that little kiddies ought to 'wear' them, I did for a while.

However, I must say I wasn't wearing them one practice session at Birmingham F3000 in 1989, as Stephane Proulx came out of Bristol Street pits and slightly more than 'blipped' the throttle, more like gave it a big 'wang' and my right ear didn't stop ringing for the rest of the day!!!

thebullet · 6 Oct 2006, 09:21 (Ref:1729746)

I agree with the little kiddys part but it was like a time i can remember i got an ear drum infection not so long a go when i stood next to a formula 1 car at full revs in the pits at World Series by Renualt Donington Park.

Heres a video of the R25 going round Donington:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yk-jbtAQCU

But heres a Video of it playing a national anthem its not brilliant quality and you cant get the full effects but i like it when on full revs the car shakes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz3p15SXe_o

Loved every second off it the noise is amazing.

Smokey 6 litre · 12 Oct 2006, 09:42 (Ref:1735981)

There are times when i've wished i'd had ear defenders. F3 at Snetterton i was posted at the end of the Revvit Straight just before the braking zone and i think my ears were bleeding towards the end of the first practice session.
When i was about 5 my dad would regularly take me and my brothers to Snetterton to watch Pacific and Lotus F1 testing (the access was so easy, unlike now.
I was standing about 2 meters from the back of the lotus when the fired it up, this being my first real contact with a F1 car i didn't really now what to expect. when the fired it up i just ran away.

thebullet · 13 Oct 2006, 19:26 (Ref:1737420)

I think thats what i would have done.

**John Turner** · 14 Oct 2006, 08:24 (Ref:1737585)

Yes, not surprising really. I remember being at Silverstone for 1000Kms in 1991with both of my sons. My youngest, Brian, was only 5, and I was holding his hand, when Keke Rosberg who was motoring gently out of the pits slip road to join the track at the exit of Copse in the Peugeot 905, suddenly floored it. The poor lad jumped about 2 feet into the air.

Andrew Kitson · 14 Oct 2006, 08:36 (Ref:1737600)

The only places I can think of where defenders are necessary is in the tunnel at Monaco or top fuel dragsters. Club and historic racing all seems much quieter than it was back then, more the pity.

zac510 · 14 Oct 2006, 19:15 (Ref:1737919)

Different people have different sensitivities to sound. Some ears can be damaged more easily, like mine (thanks for the genes, dad).
Although some engines sound beautiful, these ears have to last me another 50-60 years and I've already damaged them by being ignorant.

I actually have an ultimateear.com business card here. Been meaning to order a pair for quite a while! I should pop into the marhall's forum and ask their recommendations?

JimW · 14 Oct 2006, 20:01 (Ref:1737948)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebullet

. . .
But heres a Video of it playing a national anthem its not brilliant quality and you cant get the full effects but i like it when on full revs the car shakes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz3p15SXe_o

Loved every second of it the noise is amazing.

Spot on. And the generosity of a French team playing the British National Anthem needs to be acknowledged.

Bet they did not get as far as the second verse though.

My favourite.

Regards

Jim

Al Weyman · 14 Oct 2006, 20:05 (Ref:1737952)

As someone who suffers from chronic tinitus I wish someone had advised me to wear ear defenders in the past.

JimW · 14 Oct 2006, 20:06 (Ref:1737953)

Yes, I've always thought that putting silencers on a racing car ought to be a criminal offence.

Ear defenders are some times necessary/comforting if you are in the pits or between walls (or listening to Tom Walkinshaw's horrid Mazda rotary) but I don't generally bother. After nearly 40 years of marshalling and some years of gunfire, (all without ear defenders mostly) my hearing still seems fine.

What was that you said?

Jim

Red Bladder · 27 Oct 2006, 10:20 (Ref:1750899)

I too would echo (no pun intended) centiment that the noise is a major part of the attraction and have the Nick Mason book with CD to boot. The sound of the BRM V16 being my favourite. I once saw it at Shelsley Walsh, the noise was unbelievable.

However, two points: 1) Children should wear them
2) They should be worn for the current F1 cars except when on the pit row for those who gan get such a privaledged access.

Prior to 2006 at the GP never bothered but for 2006 really had to since the top frequency seemed far higher than before.

**Stephen Green** · 27 Oct 2006, 10:44 (Ref:1750918)

I think it very much depends on how close to the rtace track you are standing. For example, at Silverstone spectators are a long way back from the track and so the noise has been deadened a little by the time it reaches them. At other tracks like Brands Hatch of maybe Cadwell Park where you are a LOT closer to the action, the noise from engines is correspondingly louder.

It all comes down to a matter of personal taste and preference. I always wear mine at the GP for example as I find the noise does hurt my ears. However, I rarely wear them anywhere else.

I have a set of Berreta ear defenders which stem from the days I used to go clay pidgeon shooting.

Red Bladder · 27 Oct 2006, 11:54 (Ref:1750970)

I agree Stephen. Since I am a 'flaggy' I (like you) am pritty close to the track. Now that we are 'on radio' the issue (of ear defenders) is solved for us, except when on 'the green flag' when there might be 3 on the post.

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