All the about 200 cars and motorcycles racing in the Macau Grand Prix this weekend will have to pass a noise test, a new rule imposed by the Grand Prix committee this year based on the standard set by the FIA to control the impact of noise on local residents.
Initial noise tests began yesterday. Chief Scrutineer Daniel Tam Ka Keong told reporters in the paddocks that about three to four cars had been slightly over the limit so far, based on FIA’s ‘half-metre’ test.
According to Tam, the committee decided to implement the noise control measures to make the motor racing event more environmentally friendly.
“There’re no impact on the cars, [but] it’ll be less noisy for the public,” Tam said.
Based on FIA’s standard, the noise generated by the touring cars and motorcycles must not exceed 115 decibels at 3,800 rpm. For Formula 3s, the limit is 110 decibels. The measurement is taken at a distance of 0.5 metre and at a 45-degree angle to the point of exit of the exhaust.
The noise test is part of the technical and safety test that the cars and motorcycles need to pass before the qualifying races.
Tam said that the first six cars and motorcycles will undergo a noise test again after the qualifying races.
“We normally run the technical and safety tests on the first six cars and motorcycles after they have completed the qualifying races to make sure there are no violations, this year, the noise test will also be included,” Tam said.
“If they fail the noise test, we’ll report back to the jury and they will decide what to do,” Tam said.(macaunews/macaupost)
