Sound Management

In today's Motorsport activities, sound management is becoming a growing concern for all parties. If Motorsports is to continue to grow and flourish, the responsibility for noise management will need to become a joint task shared by all members including tracks, clubs, participants, promoters and even fans. Image

In looking at many of the tracks, including the various racing series, you will see that there is a clear trend for not only new, but established facilities to impose noise guidelines, testing procedures and maximums. To date, no one facility has established a definitive standard on how to measure sound reasonably and accurately in a racing environment in a means that would be applicable and acceptable to all. As a result facilities and series racers alike have come up with their own procedures for testing.

CMP too has come up with a sound protocol using guidelines to clarify and simplify this procedure for suitable and accurate sound management that will be consistent and acceptable and will ensure our compliance at our receptors.

  1. Screening Test - After a brief visual muffler check, a stationary test is undertaken. Sound levels will be measured 15 feet in front and behind the vehicle while the engine is revved at the maximum allowable rpm or the red line of the tachometer.
    • Cars, the average should be no more than 100 dbA with no single reading over 104 dbA.
    • Motorcycles, the average should be no more than 98 dbA with no single reading over 100 dbA.
  2. Pass-by Test - With the vehicle under full acceleration on the track, a reading will be taken from 50 feet. The maximum level allowed is 92 dbA. This level and standard is the most commonly used in North America and Europe and is where the entire industry is headed. Tests are valid for 9 months unless modifications to vehicle are made.

Cars and motorcycles that do not meet the noise criteria in the pass-by test will be black flagged and not be allowed to run until modifications have been made and a re-test performed to ensure compliance with the guidelines. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure their vehicle meets the noise restrictions that CMP has in place.