|
Several years ago,
clubs which use the Devens site for events met with the site managers to
resolve community concerns about noise. What was agreed upon was a
strict noise compliance requirement. NER lead the way in reaching this
agreement and continues to lead the way in compliance with the rules.
Quieting the cars down is a small price to pay for continued use of such
a great facility! We must now meet the following restrictions: 1. The required sound limits will be 90dBA measured at 75'.
2. Sound may be measured from any side of the vehicle at any time and
includes such noise sources as intake noise and tire squeal.
3. Vehicles such as those in FM and CM which have a GCR-mandated maximum
length may exceed that length for the purposes of installing an alternate
muffler or exhaust system. The additional length may serve no other purpose.
This limit is virtually the same as the NMHS limit of 94dbA measured
at 50'. Enforcement will be very strict and competitors are strongly
encouraged to do their best to be significantly below these limits.
The violation policy is as follows (these will apply at both NMHS and
Devens) : 1. After the first violation, the competitor will be required to demonstrate
that an effort has been made to reduce sound levels before being allowed
to make a second run. This determination will be made by the event chair
or a designee.
2. If the second run is still in excess of the allowed sound limit, the
competitor will not be allowed to make any additional runs at that event
and the competitor will be required to again demonstrate that improvements
have been made before being allowed to participate at further events.
3. Event staff reserves the right to red-flag a car in excess of sound
limits and no re-run will be given.he
sound control folks will be keeping a detailed log of sound levels
at every event. This is part of our compliance agreement.
Competitors should recognize that we are implementing this policy as
an effort to maintain continued use of our sites. The risk of losing
Devens due to sound problems is *VERY* real. We cannot afford to be lenient
about this whatsoever- whether it's an AM car or an HS car, if it's too
loud, the car will not be allowed to participate until the sound level
is reduced. *This is a non-negotiable item and the Solo Chair will
not entertain discussion on this during the event if a car is determined
to be in violation of these rules.*
In spite of implementing this policy, there is no guarantee that we
will be quiet enough to avoid complaints even though it should meet all
of the Devens sound policies. It benefits all of us to make cars as quiet
as possible.
Site(s) Needed
The very
real possibility of losing sites represents a potentially devastating
blow to Solo in the Northeast. We've already lost sites for a variety of
reasons. Among those reasons - the owners decided that they didn't wish
to extend the invitation any longer, the parcels or land were sold, etc.
Further, older sites degraded over time and we no longer hold events at those sites due to safety concerns.
We are now faced with controlling sound levels at our events. This is
an issue that will not just go away. We must be proactive in this regard
or we won't have anywhere to play anymore.
This is where YOU come in. If you know of any sites that might make
a good venue for solo events, please bring the information to the attention
of the Solo Board. What they need is relatively simple: the relative
location (an exact street address is ideal). If you can get contact information,
that's even better.
What you should not do (unless the board tells you to) is contact the
owner(s) as a representative of NER SCCA. Any potential sites should
be approached in a systematic manner and it's possible to lose a site
early in the process if the owners get the wrong idea about what NER
and SCCA are all about.
What does an adequate site consist of? It must be large enough (400
by 600 over unbroken paved area is a good start). It must be free of
obstructions - no trees, Jersey barriers or islands, and any light poles
need to be well clear of any possible course configuration. Proximity
to housing is bad due to potential noise issues. There must also be adequate
space for a paddock (another acre or two), hopefully paved.
It's pretty clear that the region in particular and the Division in
general need to redouble our efforts at securing sites in order for the
Solo program to continue. Please keep your eyes peeled for new sites
and get back to the Solo board with anything that looks promising. You
can contact Solo board members at events, but it would be more effective
(and appreciated) if you would contact them via the contact information
listed in the front of Pit Talk each month or in the
Solo section of
the web site.
So - get
that car quieted down. And if you know a potential site or if you trip
across one in your travels around the region, please contact
the Solo board so that we can follow through. And we'll see you at a
Solo event soon! |
