Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I’ve seen a few opinions here about noise, and they seem to be on the side of caution, better not offended the public living close by, or those that may be offended by the loud noise of Racing Motorcycles.

Agreed, that tracks that are in close proximity to people that would be offended, should have decibel limits.

No one likes a neighbor that mows his yard at 0730 on Sunday morning, like the guy across the street last week.

But, I think the tracks mentioned were Homestead and Moroso. There is no housing or urban development near Moroso, so I see no problem with noise there.

Homestead is owned by the same people that own Daytona, NASCAR races there and it’s plenty loud with their open exhaust.

Jennings GP and other tracks have rules stating a time which race engines can be fired, just follow the rules, and don’t exceed decibel limits while at these tracks.

In my opinion, tracks that have no pesky neighbors, and want to run motorcycle races with no sound limits, should be able to do so. After all it’s racing, I’d rather hear a loud exhaust go by than the sounds of a whistling wind over a fairing, and chain and sprockets hissing by.
Might even scare some deer off from some Places.

I like the idea of loud pipes as long as no one is offended, and might show up next time at these tracks without the baffles.

Henry Madsen
CCS #296
Jacksonville, Florida

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

In regards the issue of noise complaints by activists.

Here in Ontario we have a racetrack (Toronto Motorsports) which is beset by activists, to the point where they shut it down. This track was built on an existing drag racing facility. Because it did not get R.A.C.E. sanctioning for events, it primarily became used for trackdays by enthusiasts. It became very popular, as sportbike riders would very much rather race on the track, than on their local highways. But the locals, spurred by a media blitz, concerning “evil biker gangs” became concerned with all the “bikers” showing up, and asked that the track be shut down.

They of course, then used noise complaints. The OPP (law enforcement) helped foster this image in their minds by setting roadblocks/checkpoints on the road into the track, to stop any import cars and racebikes, and do “safety inspections,” to show the locals they were helping make their town safe. This track went all the way from noise checks of every bike that entered their track, to finally before the end mandating “stock” muffler bikes only–as well as over a million dollars in track noise abatement sevices like huge dirtwalls. Even stock-mufflered bikes were considered “too loud.” This track is now shut down, riders, having gone back to their local highways for their fun.

The irony of this is, the drag racing facility was never at issue, even though it is NHRA sanctioned (and whatever other bodies race their) which means they have Top Fuel cars, jetcars, etc., on a regular basis. They ARE LOUD. The road facility, was literally behind the grandstands for the drag track, I have seen, coming through turn eight, looking ahead, and in my peripheral, a jetcar streak by. The rumble of a Top Fuel car means you cannot even hear the bike under you for a couple seconds, so clearly noise is not the real issue, getting rid of undesirable activities is the real problem here–as they are still allowed to run cars on the road race track, only bike trackdays were closed.

This will not end, once the noise problem is solved, as they will use any other issue they can then. So, bend over, quit the hobby that you love, because some minivan drivers have decided they feel threatened by your freedom, and live the boring life they mandate for you. Then they can go after some other activity, that concerns their sensibilities, like those darn,… (fill in the blank here).

Gord Lalonde
R.A.C.E. #814
Supermoto Canada # 814
Guelph, Ontario, Canada