Portland Chumps...please read

[hongisto]

First of all, thanks to everyone at ChumpCar for another great event. Although our car refused to cooperate, it was great just to be there for the weekend.

While I don't wish to throw a damper on things, I do feel the need to bring up a serious subject.

I am not going to get specific, as I don't want to provide any ammunition to the very active anti-track group which has dedicated to shutting PIR down for good. These residents use sound levels and sound violations as their rationale for closing the track. While this may sound far-fetched to someone who does not live in Portland, believe me, they have almost succeeded in wiping PIR off the map for good. Many of us have written letters and attended city hearings over the years to fight to keep the track open. As a matter of fact, there is a group, "Friends of PIR", which was organized a few years ago to counter the small, but very organized group of anti-track residents.

With that in mind, it is up to all of us to be sensitive to this reality and to behave in the most responsible way possible regarding our use of the track, and in specific, how much noise we create. Even though our muffled cars create much less noise than the nearby freeway, the anti-track folks have already blocked us from racing another 24 hour race at PIR....probably ever. This means that we need to keep noise levels down at night, whether it is loud bass-thumping music, or drag car revving at midnight. As I heard at least 3 people comment Sunday morning. "that is exactly the kind of s**t that will get this place shut down".

If you want to be personally responsible for shutting down the only major league road racing circuit in the Pacific Northwest, then have another beer and turn it up. If you like having PIR around, then don't be shy about reminding your paddock neighbors to put a sock in it late at night.

[Guest bandit44]

Great post, thanks for saying this.

[turbophil]

Very good topic, thank you for bringing it up.

I would also like to make a comment about the exhaust systems on the car that are running during the day. It IS NOT necessary to run an open exhaust! Or even close to an open exhaust. While Chump officials clearly made an attempt to get some of the loud cars quieter, there was some cars (one in particular) that were way too loud. Sometimes even one car lapping with a loud exhaust can have a large impact on the way somebody (residents) feels about the noise levels.

Our team normally runs at a smaller track that has gone through much of the same issues with anti-track residents and has had to fight to stay going. So we may be a little sensative on the topic. We made sure that our car was well within what we thought were normal sound levels as to not attract too much attention.

Just because your car is loud, it does not mean it is fast or powerful, all it does is hurt the ears of the people trying to enjoy watching your car go around the track. It is possible to have a decent exhaust without the unreasonable sound levels. Plus, why would you want to get out of your own car with your ears ringing?

On that note, Was Chump taking readings? And if so, Is it possible to see them?

[Rex]

Good thread. Even though there is a sound limit (92 decibels?) and the cars probably weren't over it, at PIR we probably should shoot for something like 85 or less.

Even with that, we are going to make our car louder, it would be nice to hear what the engine is doing over the sound of the tire noise!

[autobahnracing28]

Now you wouldn't be talking about the louder than hell car that was running for track time only, managed to ignore the fact that they were not in the race, ignored the fact that we had the line and postition, but still banged into us in the chicane would you?

[PeteN95]

We actually had a sound meter and made some checks when we started wondering if the EC Miata was over the limit? It registered right at 92dB from the pit wall (inner), but most cars were in the mid 80s or lower. I don't remember any loud noises during the night, even though I slept in a tent, but I did have a beer or more before bed.

[JustinParcher]

There were two cars I can recall being louder than others. One has been mentioned already in this thread... the other is a Red import, and that's as specific as I'm gonna be. If you were there, you know which one I'm talking about. I had some friends come to watch, and the first time that car ran past (even after it's small modification to the exhaust tip) a couple people winced. One comment was "well, THERE goes the rest of my hearing for the weekend."

The noise Saturday night didn't seem to be that bad, my only thought is that once the drags stop, music and loud cars in the pit should stop too.

[Guest Stefan Mullikin]

#59 was very loud and even after the tip addition, it wasn't much better. Perhaps that team would be willing to improve their noise control a bit more for the next race?

EC Miata was legal for sound and was prepared to change exhaust if asked by CCWS staff.

I like the idea of suggesting a lower noise limit in the supplements for the Portland Races as 92 isn't bad for noise, but if we could shoot for mid-80's we could nip any complaints in the bud before they get started. Perhaps the neighbors could realize that they live in an industrial area of town with active freight tracks, an interstate, shipping lane, light rail and an International Airport in their area. Noise will always be part of their lives.

[Guest Rasta Monsta]

Now you wouldn't be talking about the louder than hell car that was running for track time only, managed to ignore the fact that they were not in the race, ignored the fact that we had the line and postition, but still banged into us in the chicane would you?

:cry:

If our SM/ITA legal exhaust bothered anyone, I sure wouldn't recommend attending a conference weekend.

[JustinParcher]

A pack of SM's is about the most annoying thing I've ever heard. I wasn't too bothered by it this weekend, but I sure could tell when you were comin' by me.

[Guest Rasta Monsta]

Just trying to keep you awake between spins, Justin!

[3G]

I would much rather see us racers set our noise limit to be 2-4 Db down from what they say the limit is, than risk infractions and or loosing the venue.

[Guest Stefan Mullikin]

A pack of SM's is about the most annoying thing I've ever heard. I wasn't too bothered by it this weekend, but I sure could tell when you were comin' by me.

You've not been around many peripheral port rotaries then

[Guest Rasta Monsta]

Noise is monitored continually by the venue, through use of a permanent dB meter in a top secret location. If a car is too loud, event organizers are made aware of it within minutes. And frankly, the real risk of losing PIR to angry neighbors evaporated when the City spent $15 million on the new surface.

I appreciate the concern, but the track has the noise issue well in hand.

Are squirrels always so grumpy, or is it just when they run out of fuel?

[parid]

I would much rather see us racers set our noise limit to be 2-4 Db down from what they say the limit is, than risk infractions and or loosing the venue.

It is. PIR's limit is 95db, ChumpCar's limit is 92db.

[Guest Alpo-na Mike]

We actually had a sound meter and made some checks when we started wondering if the EC Miata was over the limit? It registered right at 92dB from the pit wall (inner), but most cars were in the mid 80s or lower. I don't remember any loud noises during the night, even though I slept in a tent, but I did have a beer or more before bed.

Pete, did we really get a 92 on the Miata?..I think that might have been when I was showing the difference between dbA and dbC. (DbA is the important one because it falls mostly within human hearing frequency range) I seem to remember most passes when it was all by itself right at 85dbA and some other car at 82dbA all the other cars 80dbA or much less. Does that seem correct?, weren't we kinda amazed that the Miata was right at the legal limit? BTW the differences between 80, 85, and 90dbA are Fn tremendous.

Anyway sometimes what seems loud (two strokes and rotarys for example)doesn't really have much sound energy and therefore doesn't carry very far. I'll bet lots of people suddenly found out there was a motocross track a couple miles from their house only after Yamahas YZ400F led the MX 4stroke revival around 1998.

[Guest posnova]

If you like having PIR around, then don't be shy about reminding your paddock neighbors to put a sock in it late at night.

Thank you for reminding all of us to be responsible and act responsible. That doesn't mean no-fun-allowed, it does mean respect.

We actually had a sound meter and made some checks when we started wondering if the EC Miata was over the limit? It registered right at 92dB from the pit wall (inner), but most cars were in the mid 80s or lower.

As did we, in 3 places. The city sound monitor, the working crew sound monitor, manned, with radio, and CCWS' own sound monitor, on a tri-pod, measured 50 ft off the racing surface as all other measurements are made at the venue. The CRX was flagged, and repaired the exhaust. The Miata and CRX, from that point forward, would reach the limit but did not exceed it. If either had, a black flag would have been issued immediately. CCWS is very sensitive to the noise issue at PIR. I attended this year's noise variance meeting and spoke in support of all PIR track activities. PIR is your CCWS West Coast team's "home." We all live here in Oregon. Please know with certainty that racing noise at PIR, and any venue which imposes a noise restriction, is a very serious concern and is always handled appropriately.

EC Miata was legal for sound and was prepared to change exhaust if asked by CCWS staff.

That is correct. An entire spare exhaust system, from the collector back, with hangers and all was placed at the pit wall, and welder's gloves to handle a hot exhaust. The team was well aware that the exhaust may in fact exceed the CCWS noise limit, and that CCWS' noise rules in fact DO apply to EC cars. Therefore, if the car would have exceeded the sound limit as measured on any of the 3 monitors, the car would have been in the pits, immediately, resolving the issue.

If a car is too loud, event organizers are made aware of it within minutes. ... I appreciate the concern, but the track has the noise issue well in hand.

Thanks for your support, realizing that we in fact did monitor and take action on racing noise in every way possible.

[hongisto]

I never meant to imply that any of us were too loud on the track. The series does a great job of monitoring noise, and I do not think we need to lower our sound limits any additional amount. The sound I was concerned with was late night off-track noise.

As for the advice to not worry about it, because the track has the noise issue "well in hand", I'm afraid that's just not reality. Mark Wiggington and his staff do an outstanding job surviving in a hostile environment, but I'm sure they would agree that the sound issue is a constant thorn in their side.

We are just lucky that PIR is built on swamp land that is pretty much considered unbuildable. If that were not the case, it would have been snatched away and developed into something else many years ago.

[JustinParcher]

Just trying to keep you awake between spins, Justin!

Thanks... I personally didn't contribute toward another PIR Fiero spin cycle award, but we had one rookie driver who did. I believe his remark was "I spun probably 10 or 12 times between my two stints." Ouch.

As far as noise is concerned, we thought our car might have been a tad loud, so we brought a backup solution with us in October. Turns out we were probably in the middle of the road as far as noise goes. Having an alternate solution is always a good idea. Apparently, that was the case with the Miata this weekend. Props on the foresight. What it boils down to is this: as far as on-track activity goes, ChumpCar has got it taken care of, enforcing the rules. If a car is too noisy, it's taken care of either by having it fixed, or having the car parked until it is.

[Guest Todd]

First IMHO the Portland teams are sensitive about the noise regulations at there track. AND THEY SHOULD BE! Can't tell you how many times driving to Portland or Seattle to race I would say "man I wish we could race at home". If we ever have the same problems I would be just as sensitive about! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! We may on the outside looking in but if they close Portland down we can't race there either!

Now again IMHO, yes there was 2 really noisy cars there. We all no that if any car was over the noise limit they WOULD be black flagged. If not Chumpcar could risk the chance of not being invited back to host a race. BTW it was only 2 out of how many cars? I thought it was a lot quieter than last October. And what happened after our race Saturday I have no commit. I was in a self imposed Nyquil induced coma. Hell I didn't even hear the Drag racing end.