Gt Noise Limits????

[gixxer]

With circuits like combe having problems with noise levels,why do the gt cars need to be running at 118dba?

Does silencing the them damage the engine's?

or is this just a myth?

Every petrolhead loves the sounds of sports cars but at what cost?

should something be done or does everybody think it should be left alone?

[TerryC]

Any kind of silencer used in race car restricts & disturbs the overall air flow in the system and therefore may affect performance in a way. I wouldn't think it would do any damage (look at road cars) to the engine itself.

[Osella]

my non-expert reply is that the silencer costs horsepower...
and you're lucky you missed seeing the original Panoz live or seven McLaren F1s at Silverstone--- way beyond merely loud

[Jeffrey-Lee]

why do the gt cars need to be running at 118dba?

Well, they just do... Any obstruction in the airflow would cost power.

You reckon they should be silenced then? (me thinks not! )

[Ian Sowman]

I think the issue is - better for them to be silenced and race than unsilenced and not race.

[gixxer]

Exactly but wether any of the teams agree will have to be seen!

surely if a each class has a horsepower limit adding a heavy clad silencer should cause tha same amount of power loss?

[Edmonton]

Originally Posted by gixxer

With circuits like combe having problems with noise levels,why do the gt cars need to be running at 118dba?

Does silencing the them damage the engine's?

or is this just a myth?

Every petrolhead loves the sounds of sports cars but at what cost?

should something be done or does everybody think it should be left alone?

The rules for the ALMS says that all cars-prototype/Gt can't be any louder than 108dba's a 3/4 throttle.

[TerryC]

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

I think the issue is - better for them to be silenced and race than unsilenced and not race.

You really think so? It'll be interesting to see the outcome of the Castle Combe situation. It somehow reminds me of the A1 Red Bull Ring redevelopment story...

[kickstart]

I know all about noise problems with my single seater - it is limited in the UK to 108dB but the available room for a silencer is very limited as they cannot extend beyond a line with the rear wing. With a rear engined GT car there will only be so much room available which may not allow that much silencing.
Personally I am of the theory that the nimbys will not be happy with any noise let alone 108dB - hence draw a line in the sand and fight the issue now. Race circuits are much quieter than airports.

[TheNewBob]

I take it that British GT runs to 118dB? is that the problem at castle combe? i thought international racing was louder than that...

what sort of noise levels do the likes of Ferrari 550's, Saleens, TVR's, Porsches and Corvettes make in international guise?

I'd also like to know how the Judd's in the likes of the RFH cars compares with the loudest anyone has heard...

Noise is an integral part of GT racing - it's part of the package. If I wanted to see GT cars without them making much of a noise, I'd just go to a motor show somewhere. Can you imagine Le Mans with reduced noise? I'm sure that would be truly awful...

[gixxer]

Yes that is the problem,one car was running at over 120dba last year and the locals said it was just as loud in the village as it was circiut side as the wind was in their direction

Combe wants to run at 114dba

according to Edmonton ALMS have to run at 108

is this correct????