Even though the race was run at a time when normally the 103 db limit would apply, the limit for the race was 101 db for reasons unknown to me. I was 103.2 db, so well over the 101 db limit.

I support the sound limit, but:
a) The recorded sound weighting is not the same as what the human ear picks up. My car is in the quieter half of the cars racing, and much quieter than some cars which are under the limit.
b) Inconsitancy. For the last 4 years (with no changes) the car has been 96-98 db at Laguna, then suddenly I am 103 db. That is almost 4 times as loud. I accept that wet weather makes the meter read louder, but how about having the meter read the same in all conditions?
c) Delay of feedback. I checked the sound levels from practice and qualifying and my car was not even loud enough to warrent a recorded level. The first warning was the meatball during the race.

This sound limit gets many people. How about a little thought into making it better? eg Putting a display under the bridge with the last db reading on it would give instant feedback and I'm sure would make everyones weekend better.

Over winter I'm going to put in one of the big magnaflow mufflers I use on the street cars. I need to cut out the spare tire well and mount the muffler sideways across the back of the car, which also puts the outlet of the left corner of the car. They are very quiet - the intake noise will be more that the exahaust sound.

 

Just have your exhaust exit to the left and you dont' need any extra mufflers. you exit straight back on the wrong side (IIRC).

-Ry

 

That really sucks! I almost fell in to the same bucket, as i thougth we were following the time schedule for sound, yet our race was classified as a 101 db race. I put the little diverter can on just before the race.

I too dont understand the sound measuring limits and ranges. There were some REALLY loud cars that somehow were only 103, and my car is always 101 to 102 and seems quiet by comparison.

mk