Bedford Track Day - 23rd Feb 2008 -

[pablo]

I did notice that there were a few BM's booked on plus a few cars from Northloop. Look forward to meeting you Nige and if you like you can come out for px lap

[Nige]

Pablo, be aware there is a noise issue at Bedford at the moment, thought it best I give you a heads up

Long thread on Northloop, but basically:

I was at Badford last Saturday with Lotus-On-Track, and MSV were very strict on the noise enforcement issue.

The circuit has a 101dB static noise limit, but also an 87.5dB drive-by noise limit. The circuit are operating a one-strike rule, meaning that if you trip the noise-meter you will be black-flagged and sent home. No second chances.

It is the drive-by limit that you need to watch out for, even if you pass the static test. Last Saturday, and also on the trackay the previous weekend apparently, there were several cars sent home for failing the drive-by, even though they had easily passed the static test.

These rules are imposed on the Bedford circuit by the local council and will be enforced to the letter. This is a serious issue, and there are already rumours circulating that this will be the last year that trackdays will be held at Bedford because of this.

Bedford Autodrome

There are two noise tests. First your car will be subjected to a static test, in which the noise level is measured 50cm away from your exhaust pipe with the engine at 75% of maximum rpm. The reading must not exceed 101 dB(A).

Secondly, and more significantly, you car must comply with our drive-by noise limits. The noise emission from your car must not exceed 87 dB(A) measured 20 metres from your car, which shall be accelerating maximally at over 60mph.

If you fail the drive by ONCE, thats it, day over and you go home, NO second chance or time opportunity to adjust

BE AWARE !!!

[pablo]

Thanks Nige. The last time our car was static tested it came out at 95 db. I think we should be ok for the drive by test as well, although we were planning on trying a new bonnet for improved cooling which has 2 large vents in. This may cause a problem.

Thanks for the warning.

[Vectraman]

Got back from Bedford 'a little early' today as i got binned after 4 laps for excessive noise... gutted doesn't even cover it as this is a seriously good circuit. What can i say? Noise restrictions suck

On a different note, met up with Pablo, Coyote (and Bart briefly). Hope the slipping clutch didn't spoil your fun too much guys.

[Coyote]

Hi Vectraman, good to meet you today just sorry you got black flagged! We had a good day and all went very well as i'm sure Pablo and Bart will explain in due course

[duncan]

Got back from Bedford 'a little early' today as i got binned after 4 laps for excessive noise... gutted doesn't even cover it as this is a seriously good circuit. What can i say? Noise restrictions suck

On a different note, met up with Pablo, Coyote (and Bart briefly). Hope the slipping clutch didn't spoil your fun too much guys.

nightmare - Bedford is pants for that reason.

They might as well force you to drive and Prius around the track...

Cadwell is better and Snetterton and Donington and Knockhill and....

[pablo]

Static noise test was 99.2 db . It was 95 last year.

Hi Vectraman nice to finally meet you, gutted for you today. Oh and Alan loves the Senna print...Thanks for that

Hi Nige great to meet up with you. Sorry we didn't get much time to chat or go for pax laps, but you know how these days go. The only time we saw your car in the pits was to change passengers How's the brake bias control :-D

The slipping clutch issue was finally sorted after Alan had done a few laps in the new race seat and realised that he had been resting his foot on the clutch....leadfoot

We had a really good... no it was a great day . With all the overheating problems that dogged us for months and then the oil smoke problem at donny this was a very important day, especially with the time attack nearing. If we couldn't get this right.....

The second aspect of the day was to test the new suspension and various other areo bits.

The engine ran sweet all day although we have found that we have a faulty temperature sender unit, this will be replaced by an after market temp gauge. The engine itself ran the coolest it has ever run No oil found on the undertray and NO oil smoke
Alan reported that he could a difference when the front splitter/undertray was used although it will now have to be re-made in alloy as it snapped in the middle on the back straight whilst Alan was doing 125 mph No drama though as it did not come amay from the car

With the improved grip and handling of the car came higher cornering speeds and we have managed to do more damage to the tyres in this one day than we had done in the last 6 months


The repairs to sort out the oil issues have resulted in the car picking up a bit more boost Suffered a bit of brake judder towards the end of the day but went away once the brakes had cooled....New pads and check discs.

Alan (Bart) and Kev (Coyote) who did the graphics on our car, have been talking about re-designing the car for the time attack. This has resulted in Kev arranging for a potential new sponser to meet with us at the circuit today. At this time all I can say is :-D

Kev ....Cheers mate you the man :-D

Will put up more pices tomorrow.

[duncan]

Sounds like a good test Pablo.

So engine temps were spot on ?

[pablo]

You could put your hand on the water exspansion bottle and never got hot First time ever.

[Gerry H]

You could put your hand on the water exspansion bottle and never got hot First time ever.

Greatnews guys. After your problems at Donny last year the work has really paid off. Shame about the undertray but flat sheets of wood on cars went out with the guy carrying the red flag. F1 excepted

From, what I remember of Bedford. Static used to be 101dB and drive by 97dB Bloody shame for Vectraman. The Autodrome's 20 minutes from me and I can't use it.