Here’s something the tech committee has been working on. This should keep our friends at and around the tracks we visit on our side. I’m certain that we all agree that this is long overdue.
All machines must be equipped with effective silencers. Exhaust systems must include sound-attenuation material or devices. Open pipes and reverse cone megaphones are not considered as effective silencers. All exhaust systems must exit toward the rear of the motorcycle. Sound testing may take place at VRRA events. Failure to meet track-imposed noise limits may result in disqualification from the day’s event with no refund of entry. At tracks where noise limits are in effect,VRRA and its members shall adhere to the track’s policy.
The word “effective” is subjective unless quantified by a repeatable test procedure.
“Sound-attenuation material or devices” is open to interpretation.
Is it necessary to require exhaust outlets to point to the rear? Where else would they go?
I don’t have a problem with disallowing open pipes or megaphones but I think it would be better to implement a defined test procedure and put those requirements in the rules, and how you achieve compliance with that procedure is up to you.
Forewarning; the official procedure that Calabogie uses for sound testing in the paddock is marginally passable by modern liquid cooled 4 cylinder bikes with common aftermarket mufflers. Singles and twins are louder, two-strokes with tiny stinger mufflers are a lot louder, air-cooling is not a positive factor, not having full bodywork is not a positive factor. I’ve known people with modern bikes to have to put stock exhausts on there, and lots of people with the usual Hindle mufflers have to install an extra gizmo in the muffler to restrict it a bit in order to squeak by. I spun my Hindle muffler 180 degrees to point the outlet upward. Let’s perhaps not discuss, ahem, “tachometer inaccuracy” or “throttle position inaccuracy” in order to be able to get on track …
I know in practice Calabogie used drive-by testing (basically a trackside test station somewhere) but this is not something that someone could know whether they are compliant or not before getting to the track. It seems to be a whole lot easier to survive the drive-by testing than the paddock testing (which we didn’t have to do).
Here is the current rule in Part A for comparison.
2g
All machines must conform to the noise rules in effect at each track. It is recognized that mufflers that are not consistent with the period may have to be installed to meet the noise limits.
those rudges should look real period with a hindle exhaust on them what a complete and utter waste of time ! this is VINTAGE ROAD RACE CLUB. neither shannonville or mosport require sound attenuation devices, while calibogie is a wonderful facility to race at if it requires most of our bikes to be restricted and modified whats the point in going there. part of the joy of vintage racing is the sound of these amazing machines you want to take that away.how bought we concentrate on making sure the bikes are safe to ride and making sure the race schedule runs on time that would be something worth while!
The issue being the locals are serious complainers. Mind you, they have lived in their homes for decades longer that Bogie has been around. Unfortunately not everyone loves the sound of high revving engines.
I am more than willing to appease the noise compliancy in order to race at a world class facility.
I guess I’m curious why you believe we aren’t concentrating on the bikes being safe and the schedule running on time? You’re painting with a pretty broad brush there…
I agree with Ashton; a lot of effort goes into keeping the schedule going but we have no control over weather or accidents, just two of the many things that can affect schedules.
Have you ever spent an hour or two in the tower? If not then I doubt you can appreciate what goes on behind the scenes to run an event.
As to noise, the local requirements are beyond our control. Noise bylaws apply to most tracks, some have just not been enforced. It is short sighted to abuse the noise regulations as we could easily end up with nowhere to race.
The reality of the situation is we already are in that boat, we’re just a good customer who have chosen to give back to the communities we visit. EVERY track we visit has a noise ordinance clause. Ignorant and abusive attitudes will get them enforced in a hurry.
wil reverse cone mega,s be banned at shannonville and mosport is my question? and as for bike safety there are still a few out there that i wouldn,t ride around the pit,s let alone on the track although the club as a whole has come a long way. as for racing schedule i,ll be bringing our bike to the pregrid with warmers and a generator until i see that the time between last horn is blown and the riders actually enter the track. on p4 bikes running slicks with warmers this is an extreme safety issue going on track with cold tyres is not an option!
Were you at Calabogie where we tested the live timing? You can track, in real time, down to the minute when your group is going out. The club spent thousands to update our equipment to make that permanent in 2017.
As for the exhaust, every open pipe, reverse cone or otherwise puts every non-negotiable contract in jeaparody for the other 348 members who are willing to make concessions to continue racing. The basis by which you make decisions on the historical accuracy of your machinery are yours alone, and I’m not judging them. But if the outcome of those decisions is to maintain an unrestricted noise level, please stay home. You’re risking everyone’s ability to race based on you’re personal needs, and we have no ability (neither do the tracks) to reduce those risks.
Secondarily, the club spends thousands of dollars per year in bookings, insurances, and mentoring opportunities to give the membership every opportunity to increase their abilities and these schools and practices are oversubscribed at every opportunity. Saying we’re not concentrating on rider safety and efficiency is simply ignorant, and worse, flat out insulting to the thousands of hours your peers have spent on those efforts.