2022 RTTL Pembrey trackday extravaganza. Sept 2/3/4

[Alan PBTD]

Don't think I'll have a problem with you lot but you should be aware of this. We've had a problem which has esculated to an unaceptable level so have had to introduce an new procedure. After Saturday spending 3/4 day sorting noisy bikes out, introduced it Sunday and strangely didn't have one bike fail the ''Drive By''. A few missed their first sessions and we sold out of DB killers tho'..

Due to an increased number of riders blatantly ignoring our instructions to fit DB Killers etc and the consequent number of riders failing the ‘’Drive By’’ Noise tests the flowing will apply with immediate effect :

All riders’ machines will be inspected in the Assembly area – pre their group session - and those found not having a DB killer fitted to a ‘’race’’ type silencer will not be allowed ‘’On Track’- until one is fitted. Those riders who feel their machines will pass the noise test ( with either an adequate DB killer fitted / Standard Silencer etc ) will be allowed ‘’On Track’’, but during the session produce more than 96.0 DB ‘’Drive By’’, will be flagged and the machine will be parked up for the day. There is no second chance. If a number of machines in the same session also fail, then the session will be terminated.

From experience any type of short / stumpy silencer ( particularly Austin Racing / Yoshi RS3 etc ) will have difficulty in reaching the noise level required without considerable assistance - whatever machine ( 600 / 1000 / 4 cylinder / twin etc ) it is fitted to. As previously mentioned, the new Ducati V4’s is problematic with any aftermarket silencer. Likewise any ''internal'' modification ( removing the Cat ) will likely mean an excess noise level above 96.0 DB.

We haven’t changed the actual noise level and the Drive By system’s been in operation for nearly 3 years now, but it seems an ever-increasing number of riders are still registering 98 / 99 / 100 + DB’s – and then decide to fit a baffle – which is unacceptable.

We would be grateful if you could ensure your bike is correctly silenced before arriving at the event.

Alan Holland Coordinator Phil Bevan Trackdays Pembrey 13th July 2022

[weeksy]

It absolutely bemused me and bollox excuses about more power or strangling the engine are just pathetic

Bikers are just bloody selfish at times. It could all be negated by running stock bikes, but so so many won't do it.

[Couchy]

It absolutely bemused me and bollox excuses about more power or strangling the engine are just pathetic

Bikers are just bloody selfish at times. It could all be negated by running stock bikes, but so so many won't do it.

Totally agree, but this ruling means the majority will be punished if a few fail, if you turn up with a standard pipe that’s completely unfair. If it’s that critical and it appears it is make it standard exhausts only no exceptions.

[Yorick]

It absolutely bemused me and bollox excuses about more power or strangling the engine are just pathetic

Bikers are just bloody selfish at times. It could all be negated by running stock bikes, but so so many won't do it.

Not quite. I've always liked my bikes to make a better, more aggressive than standard. Not louder.

There's a big difference.

My bikes always sounded good with nice pipes on, but always passed the most stringent tests.

Road riders (including you) put on after market pipes which will piss off the general public

[weeksy]

Road riders (including you) put on after market pipes which will piss off the general public

None of my bikes in the last 10 years have run anything other than a quiet exahust.

Even the ZX6 is 'aftermarket' but as quiet as a standard can.

[weeksy]

It absolutely bemused me and bollox excuses about more power or strangling the engine are just pathetic

Bikers are just bloody selfish at times. It could all be negated by running stock bikes, but so so many won't do it.

Totally agree, but this ruling means the majority will be punished if a few fail, if you turn up with a standard pipe that’s completely unfair. If it’s that critical and it appears it is make it standard exhausts only no exceptions.

I'm missing something.... the only people being punished above are the ones who flaunt the rules ?

[cheb]

There was a bit about 'if a number of machines fail then the session will be terminated'.

[weeksy]

There was a bit about 'if a number of machines fail then the session will be terminated'.

Ah right... OK, i've no problem with that either.

Make the bikes who cause the stoppage all wait at the holding area so we can all call them wankers !

[Couchy]

There was a bit about 'if a number of machines fail then the session will be terminated'.

Ah right... OK, i've no problem with that either.

Make the bikes who cause the stoppage all wait at the holding area so we can all call them wankers !

And miss a session because of a few that don’t follow the rules ? Punishing the whole session for a few isn’t right when they could just state road legal cans only.

[weeksy]

There was a bit about 'if a number of machines fail then the session will be terminated'.

Ah right... OK, i've no problem with that either.

Make the bikes who cause the stoppage all wait at the holding area so we can all call them wankers !

And miss a session because of a few that don’t follow the rules ? Punishing the whole session for a few isn’t right when they could just state road legal cans only.

I think road legal cans these days is slightly unrealistic. But really it should be negated by checking every bike has a baffle anyway, so part B of pulling the session should never come up as it's been taken care of before sending people out anyhow.

[Dodgy69]

I couldn't imagine any trackday organiser pulling off the good bikes because of some bad.

[Couchy]

Ah right... OK, i've no problem with that either.

Make the bikes who cause the stoppage all wait at the holding area so we can all call them wankers !

And miss a session because of a few that don’t follow the rules ? Punishing the whole session for a few isn’t right when they could just state road legal cans only.

I think road legal cans these days is slightly unrealistic. But really it should be negated by checking every bike has a baffle anyway, so part B of pulling the session should never come up as it's been taken care of before sending people out anyhow.

It shouldn’t happen but it’s a threat to punish the whole group and that’s just weak. Police the noise properly as a circuit and be strict and you won’t have this issue.

[weeksy]

7 weeks to go then. 9.30, it'll be almost time for FP1 and to see who's brought their A game lol.

[Dodgy69]

Looking forward to it and not a bad turnout

[Alan PBTD]

Interesting comments so here’s how I see it.

We as TDO’s have to abide by the circuit rules ( and our customers the same time ) and the circuit have to operate within the permit agreements provided by the local councils. It’s the same all over the UK. In the past we’ve perhaps been a little lightweight regarding noise – and have let too many through the net.

Our previous ‘’normal’’ procedure was – if noise flagged – for the rider to sort it out and then continue – if flagged again then we’d help ( fit DB killers etc) and then if still too loud the bike would be parked up.

What actually was happening is that Joe Bloggs gets flagged – then he’d fit his baffle ( despite numerous requests ) – then flagged again - now the excuses - I forgot / it’s in the van / thought it was 98 DB and it passed @ Donnington last week. Then he'd fail again as it was originally 100 DB plus and is now only 98 etc and we have the same conversation again and it won't rev to 16K.

But recently Joe is joined by 4/5/6 others in the group ( we run 24 max ) and it gets to be a complete farse – with the marshalls spending all the session having to flag these riders and we’re in the paddock sorting all the crap out. And it’s not just the morning session – happens after lunch and the last sessions as well…And the circuits wondering what sort of event we're running.

So we’ve had a think and come up with a basic plan – we visually check the pipes before they go out – first sessions – make notes – if the rider say’s it Ok then fine – no problem but they are told if it fails then park it up – it's their call. No If’s / But’s / Maybe’s.
Last time we did this we had ONE flag all day cos he’d decided to take his baffle out for the last session and then argue – ''it was OK all day so why wait until now to flag me ?''

It shouldn’t happen but it’s a threat to punish the whole group and that’s just weak. Police the noise properly as a circuit and be strict and you won’t have this issue. –
OK so one flag and u park up ( like Silverstone ? )

And you’ve come from London and it was Ok last time - and you’ve booked for 2 days and this is in the first morning ? And as you’re sharing a van and now you're telling me I can’t ride - my mate will have to come home with me now...and he’s booked for 2 days so you’ll be refunding his and my places x 3 /4 ?

It has come to a head where I've stopped the whole session and then had to speak to all the group – I didn’t hang specific riders but it was close..
Yes, initally it seem harsh but then when so many riders ignore the request what else do u do ?

What really gets up my goat is the constant subject of noise and an increasing number of riders taking the p*ss. They just don’t fit the DB killers / baffles and then winge when it reads 99 / 100 DB I get the impression that some people tink because the circuits in the back of beyond they can get away with it ?

You'd never get enough riders @ a ‘’Road Silencer Only Day’’. Markets not big enough in South Wales ish. And ...

What do u do with Joe’s mate who came last week who’s got a bog stock Gixxer 600 with a OE road can – but we cant make out why it’s blowing so much – ''Oh I took the Cat off'' he says…Can u fit the DB killer as I've no tools ? - Happened a few weeks ago.

Or do we do like Donnington and the noise meter's also monitored by the local council - and if the ''average'' level is to high then track time is stopped by them and u have a 2 hour lunch break ?

Anyway as I said to one rider ‘ unofficially as some of the boys can do flat minutes and blow 95 DB when you get close I'll look at allowing you a Race Silencer…’’

Cheers

[Couchy]

TBH I'd go with the one strike and you're out. Make it clear but then I'm happy running a standard exhaust as I don't need the extra power, well I do but I don't care.
While at it I'd make sure anyone running a lap timer has a session out, any crashed bike found with a live timer running on it gets a ban too. For too long rules have been ignored, if we want trackdays to continue as a sport things need to change

[Alan PBTD]

Yep - we're down to ''One Strike and You're Out'' and it's all down to Uncle Al to deliver the news...

[weeksy]

Yep - we're down to ''One Strike and You're Out'' and it's all down to Uncle Al to deliver the news...

If it's one of ours, I'll give you £50 to let me send them home at 9.30, £100 if it's @Couchy

[Yorick]

TBH I'd go with the one strike and you're out. Make it clear but then I'm happy running a standard exhaust as I don't need the extra power, well I do but I don't care.
While at it I'd make sure anyone running a lap timer has a session out, any crashed bike found with a live timer running on it gets a ban too. For too long rules have been ignored, if we want trackdays to continue as a sport things need to change

GSXR1000s have a built in lap timer.
But it's shit as it has to be activated by the right hand

[mangocrazy]

Even my old Falco has a lap timer function. Same as Aprilia's RSV Mille and 250cc stinkwheels. Never used mine, but banning any bike with a lap timer would lead to a vanishingly small grid.