Sound Levels.....

 I think the single biggest change is the reduction of the sound level s for the four stroke machines,

This now sets the upper level at 94db for the four strokes

Whereas the two stroke limit remains a 96db

The best advice I can give when it comes to not having a problem with Sound levels, the standard 2008 machines will have been designed to pass the 2008 test when new. It is advisable to keep a log of the amount of hours that you have ridden with the silencer; there will be a point where the packing will need replacing....  and it could be sooner than you think.....

          The rule of thumb is a silencer that is freshly packed will take a period of “break in” to produce the best results, 

There is a large amount of aftermarket performance exhausts available for modern machines and it’s to be noted that it isn’t the same sound level standard across the world, this can sometimes causes problems, as maybe a silencer produced for the US market where the limit is higher does not meet the levels applicable to the UK.

If you are intending on running an aftermarket pipe please be sure you run it in the configuration that is proven to give the sound level required, this might be that some form of removable baffle is to be inserted, if there are inserts or baffles included with the tailpipe please be sure to bring them with you on the race weekend as there is a Zero tolerance policy when it comes to sound levels,

Number plates and backgrounds....

           In this modern age I can understand how something as innocuous as the colour of backgrounds and the colour of numbers must surely now be unimportant, as we have transponders to do lap scoring don’t we.......

          This is a rational argument, but there is not a betting shop in the land that would take a bet on a complex computer system working without fault for the amount hours of racing we have ahead of us....  this is why clear and legible numbers  are there As part of a manual backup system (a gang of real people with paper and pen reading the numbers of the bikes as they wiz past.....) we need to make it as easy as possible for them and you deserve to be in the results, so please, please make your own life as easy as possible and stick to the correct size and colour of numbers plus the correct background colours....  it’s for your own sake.... it could make the big difference,

A little note on transponders...

          It’s not often that a meeting goes off without someone having a problem with their transponder....  this boring orange bit of plastic needs to be looked after...

          Please make sure it’s charged, it has an indicator a little light that flashes to give an indication of the charge by flashing a set pattern , if it flashes four times in quick succession it’s fully charged,  if it’s three it’s between 50 and 75 %, two flashes is between 25 and 50 % and if it’s flashing red it needs charging ASAP.... the level of charge is important to the field of pick up and on some tracks where the transponder loop is deep  in the ground sometimes a low transponder will skip and have to be manually added in to the system..... I bet you never gave it a second thought...... I suppose it goes without saying don’t forget to  securely fix it to the machine... I think most people don’t trust just the R clip alone and put some tape or a zip tie on there as additional protection.. but also don’t go out on a bike without a transponder on it makes the timing crews life miserable as it causes them to start panicking about the timing system going down.... they don’t need any more stress...... none of them are over 22 but the stress has been hard on them........

Post race testing

          During all rounds there will be post race testing of noise and sometimes marking of engines to be checked.....

This process is a simple one... you will be asked to stop in an area where the test can be made... this process is normally over quickly and please we understand that you have been racing hard but if your asked to wait whilst another competitor is tested please just do so until it’s your turn... you will be given a thumbs up or down as to if you passed the sound check, if you do fail for whatever reason the Clarke or the course will apply the standard penalty which generally consists of a time being added to your race time,   (dropping you down the result )

If the machine is going to be checked for engine size there will be a paint mark put on the crankcase / barrel area and then you can return to your parking area... the checking will be made using the ACU’s new quick check gauges and the only item of the engine that needs removing is the spark plug (which we understand might involve removing the petrol tank also,) if you are adverse to having the engine checked at the venue we can alternatively apply a non removable seal and it can be done at a more convenient location