Due to concerns raised by competitors at the recent AORC event at Hyden, the Off Road Commissionhasspent considerable time as promised,assessing firstly the need for an upper noise limit and secondly the effectiveness of the current noise testing method.
While it would certainly be easier to just give up on this, the Commission feels it would be environmentally unsound to permit "open exhausts", which in essence would be allowed if we were to abandon the current noise regulation. Given thatover ninety percent of current AORC fields are complying with the regulation shows that the 95dbA limit is achievable.
The drive by method of testing vehicle noise, has come into question as the results can vary from event to event due to environmental and weather conditions. To help alleviate these variances, the Off Road Commissionthis year introduced an allowance of +3% over the limit,as well asthree opportunities to reduce the noiseofoffending vehicles to below the limit. As a result of criticism of drive by noise testing, myself, along with Fred Severin and other scrutineers have been working on an adapted static test that would ideally be carried out at scrutinyand be easily replicated away from the track. Although results of this trial are promising, we will not be replacing the current method until we are sure the static test is effective.
I respectfully ask that if you wish to discuss this, or any other matters at the Finke Desert Race you approach myself or Marilyn Emmins (Deputy Chair AORCom) or any of the Commissioners present rather than todisrupt any official proceedingsduring the event.
