Noise at Mt Tremblant and Calabogie DEs

Noise at Mont-Tremblant and Calabogie
Written by Chris Outzen, updated June 2019 by Stan Corbett

If you are coming to Mont-Tremblant and/or Calabogie be aware that noise is a very serious issue for both tracks and that constant monitoring is in place. The tracks are under fire from the local communities and therefore have no choice but to enforce fairly strict noise limits. Contractually we have no choice but to comply. All cars will need to meet the standards described below. Cars exceeding these standards will be unable to run.

Mont Tremblant:
12. Circuit has a mandatory noise restriction policy for all events, unless specifically excluded, to ensure compliance with the by-laws of the City of Mont-Tremblant. Accordingly, Client shall be responsible for ensuring its participants respect the following mandatory noise restrictions (“Mandatory Noise Restrictions”) at all times:
12.1 all vehicles using the Track Facilities must be equipped with a muffler in good condition
12.2 the maximum instantaneous sound level (LAF max) generated by each vehicle on the track and measured by using the “fast” meter response (0.125 second) and the A-weighted decibel scale (dBA), shall not exceed 92 dBA at any time measured at a distance of 15 meters;
12.3 the maximum number of vehicles on the entire track (which includes the South and North Loops) at any one time cannot exceed thirty (30) vehicles;
12.4 the equivalent hourly sound level (LAeq -1 hour) generated by all the vehicles on the track and measured by using the A-weighted decibel scale (dBA), shall not exceed 92 dBA at any time measured at a distance of 15 meters; and
12.5 the use of the Track Facilities, including the warming up of engines, is prohibited between 5:00 PM and 9:00 AM.

In order to enforce the Mandatory Noise Restrictions, Circuit may measure  noise levels at various places around the Track Facilities at various times during the Event with its own choice of equipment and will measure noise levels at certain specified measuring stations. The measurements so taken shall be final and binding upon the Client and its members, invitees, participants, sponsors or sub-contractors (collectively referred to as the Client’s Participants) without any recourse against Circuit or right of contestation. Should the Client or its Participants fail to respect the Mandatory Noise Restrictions, Circuit may, in its sole and absolute discretion, order the suspension of the Event until all of Client’s Participants comply with said Mandatory Noise Restrictions and/or order the expulsion of the Client and/or its Participants violating the Mandatory Noise Restrictions, and/or suspend indefinitely or halt the event without recourse for any damages the Client may suffer. The Client shall not be entitled to a return of any moneys, the same being forfeited as liquidated damages, not as a penalty. THE CLIENT ACTING FOR ITSELF AND FOR ITS PARTICIPANTS SPECIFICALLY ABANDONS ANY AND ALL RECOURSES WITH RESPECT TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE MANDATORY NOISE RESTRICTIONS.

Calabogie:
15. Noise Restriction. The Client shall be responsible for ensuring its Participants respect the Mandatory Noise Restriction of 92 dB or lesser without exception. This reading will be taken on a full acceleration pass by at a minimum distance of 50 feet. In order to enforce the Mandatory Noise Restriction, CMP will measure noise levels of vehicles and/or equipment prior to being granted access to the track. The sound level shall be measured 5m in front and 5m behind a stationary vehicle with its engine operating at maximum allowable rpm or the red line of the tachometer. For a vehicle to be permitted to use the track the average sound level shall not exceed 100 dBA. At its own discretion, CMP may also conduct noise level testing at various points around the track facilities at various times during the event with its own method of measurement and choice of equipment. The measurements so taken shall be final and binding upon the Client and its Participants, without recourse against CMP or right of contestation.

To put this in perspective, that is not a lot louder than most standard street-going Porsches configured with a factory exhaust. GT3s with original exhausts have not had a problem. Cup cars and the like (if running open exhausts) have no chance of passing whatsoever. If your car is running a substantially modified exhaust, was one of the factory race cars or for whatever reason you have any doubts about whether you will meet this standard, you probably want to make sure you will comply before making the long trek to Mont-Tremblant or Calabogie. If your car is running an open exhaust then take it as a given that you must do something to make it quieter. Most drivers with cars originally produced for street use simply put on their original mufflers for these events.

The onus remains with the individual drivers to ensure they are compliant. At the event we will enforce the following rules:

Any car determined to be in violation of the track noise policy, either by NER organizers or track officials, while on track will be black flagged immediately and will be given one opportunity to correct the problem. Failure to do so will result in expulsion from the event.

Any driver found to have manipulated any testing protocol to pass the test, only to be subsequently found in violation of the policy while on track will be immediately black flagged and asked to leave.

The tracks have the contractual right to throw us off the track and/or premises if the dBa limits are not adhered to, leaving us with no choice but to enforce these noise levels.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.