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Post by nutdriverrighty on Jun 1, 2012 9:13:41 GMT -5
For those of you who have been waiting for a chance to get track time at Atlanta Motorsports Park in Dawsonville, NOW'S YOUR CHANCE!!
They are having a TT/PDX this coming weekend!! They're running the short course on Saturday and the long course on Sunday. If you don't know, this is a Herman Tilke designed course. If you don't know who Herman is, he's designed quite a few of the recent F1 courses. Workers, drivers, etc all needed. Will soon post link to registration. If you can't wait for me, I expect that a link can be found on the Atlanta Region's website.
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Post by nutdriverrighty on Jun 1, 2012 9:17:25 GMT -5
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Post by tedebayer on Jun 1, 2012 12:03:18 GMT -5
Beautiful course.... but be sure you read sound levels. they will be taken at multiple locations and enforced I am told.
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Post by nutdriverrighty on Jun 1, 2012 12:35:26 GMT -5
near the top of the supps, it say "AMP HAS A STRICT 95 DECIBEL SOUND LIMIT!!" They put it in caps, not me. Additionally, the track runs counter-clockwise, so Sound Control will be on the right side of the car. Exceed 95 dB and you'll get black flagged the first time. The second time, you are done for the day. They go on to say "Those unable to meet the 95 dB limit with an honest effort will receive an entry fee refund less $50 (we still have to pay for insurance and other fees).
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Post by lancer360 on Jun 1, 2012 19:15:10 GMT -5
I'm really curious what effect the right side and the low limit is going to have on any TT/RR events held at AMP. At this point I don't see a solution to get F600's under the limit with our side pod exiting exhaust. I think most formula cars have a rear existing exhaust so they can probably do some type of elbow and/or super trap to at least have a fighting chance of passing. Many of the big bore cars are going to have issues as well. A lot of their noise comes from intake and transmission not just exhaust. Will just to wait and see what it looks like come registration time and what happens during the event.
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Post by nutdriverrighty on Jun 2, 2012 9:02:25 GMT -5
I do appreciate the note in the supps that they will refund the entry fee minus $50 if you are over the limit and make a reasonable but unsuccessful effort to comply.
I've been amazed over the years as to who gets high readings and who doesn't. Jim Downing's rotary-powered CSR is, to my ear, LOUD! However, he is able to get in under the 103dB reading that most tracks have.
Chris, I'm in the same boat as you are with the exhaust exiting the right side of the car. Very hard for me to send it out the left side. I usually read around 95dB, but might have to take a muffler with me for AMP events.
Scott
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Post by dondrennon on Jun 3, 2012 7:18:02 GMT -5
It *can* be done: Laguna Seca has a sound restriction which varies but can be as low as 92 dB. I suspect there will be a learning curve as competitors become familiar with what it will take to meet the requirement. I would hope that the track management will adopt a forgiving attitude for the first event as folks come to grips with it.
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Post by oldgiracer on Jun 5, 2012 14:06:51 GMT -5
I won't be going mostly due to the sound restrictions. My car measured 106db at TGPR AND exhaust outlets on the right, in front of the rear wheel. This was a "custom" design and the mount is in conjunction with a very nice jack pad in front of the exhaust hanger. I ordered a muffler but it won't arrive in time. Hope all have a great time and remember: you win your class, it's a track record!
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Post by farrout on Jun 7, 2012 7:23:40 GMT -5
The entry list I got from Butch shows 48 entries with 21 of those being Road Racers testing out the new track.
That is good for the event but only 27 TT drivers (below our low averages of the past 3 years) is not too good for TT if we want this to be a new TT venue.
Is it the 95dB that is keeping drivers away?
AMP is pretty centrally located so it should not be driving distance - or is it?
What is keeping people away?
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Post by tedebayer on Jun 7, 2012 7:54:24 GMT -5
Craig... it's sound for TJ, me and several others I have spoken to. Offering SOME rebate if we don't pass their sound requirements and get sent home doesn't compensate for loading, trip down/back and unloading. I've heard they would be checking at multiple locations on course and will be very strict as they are "trying to keep the locals" calm about what's coming to town. I don't have my own sound equipment nor a place where I could properly test. That's a long way to go to find out.  It's an AWESOME track and those I have spoken with that have driven it say they loved it. I just don't have a car that would pass nor am I willing to modify the car exhaust so it that I MIGHT pass and get to run... and then switch it back for another event a week or so later. I really do want to support the event and the new site but I think the site owners need to do some work if they want the track to be inviting to a larger percent of racers. I've been on Cloud 9 about running that place ever since I saw the track map... really disappointed I'm not going to be able to meet their standards with cars I have... if what sound stays where it is, I'm not sure I'll get a chance. Just my thoughts... may not be indicative of others reasons. |
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Post by highwayracer on Jun 7, 2012 8:39:05 GMT -5
Craig, I've got too much going on right now to be away two out of three weekends, so I have to choose the event I'm most interested in. With my son in college and taking summer classes, he can only make Dragon so that decides it for me. Like Ted, I've wanted to run AMP since I saw the track map too.
Having two events in one weekend makes it VERY attractive, however. I've tried to figure out how I can make one day, but I'm just too busy. I STRONGLY encourage keeping the two for one weekend and rotating it amongst regions.
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Post by czrider on Jun 7, 2012 9:32:08 GMT -5
I see several things as contributors to light entry based on statements from potential entrants, (95db limit, (my car is usually 78-79), late confirmation of the event, closeness to the next event, novice restriction, cost. The next to last one is a bit strange considering that PDX drivers will be running the full course with no previous experience or safety equipment required. I do plan to attend and will arrive with two other CCR drivers.
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Post by lancer360 on Jun 7, 2012 11:03:18 GMT -5
Sound is going to be very hard for a lot of people to meet since this track runs the opposite direction from just about every other competing track in a reasonable driving distance from AMP and puts sound measurement on the right side. I just don't see many people willing to do drastic changes to their exhaust system to try and pass for this one track. Especially with the upcoming road race only being a single. I'm not surprised at all at the low registration and think the upcoming RR entry numbers could be even worse. I know it is why I'm not even considering it.
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Post by nutdriverrighty on Jun 7, 2012 14:08:04 GMT -5
Craig,
My cars run right around 95db with it being tested on the opposite side of the car. If events weren't so close together, I would try to run this event, but I am concentrating on the CtD hillclimb. If I wasn't still working to fix a broken car, I would've brought my daily driver for the PDX. The 95db limit is quite concerning for "prepared" cars, but I expect that there are few daily drivers that couldn't meet this limit to run in the PDX.
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Post by farrout on Jun 8, 2012 6:51:46 GMT -5
Chris - George Bugg is trying out an inexpensive device in his F600 pipe. We will have to see how that works. If it does, it may be the simple answer for the F600 and others crowd.
I hear you that having events 2 weeks apart is not a good idea and costs us some entries. Given a choice, most people tend to support the closest event and their own Region. Quite understandable. We have the same issue in September with CMP and Dragon 2.
95dB is a tough test for those of us in SEDIV who only worry about 103dB as the limit. My 04 GSXR would never have made it to that level as I am already running a large muffler. 95 is under the track limit but Atlanta is treading a fine line between the community and the track management.
Thanx for the input
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Post by apexemall on Jun 10, 2012 20:35:29 GMT -5
I just got back from the AMP weekend. I ran the AX on Saturday as did David Stanford. I stayed on Sunday for the PDX.
The AX was really interesting as it had a steep incline into a blind right turn and then into a long left hand sweeper with gates and slaloms reminiscent of the CCR events at CMP. The surface was incredibly smooth - probably the best surface I have run on. They are very sensitive to their neighbors, and as such the AX was not even allowed to use a PA system.
Sunday came with lots of rain, so the PDX was relatively slow, but a great proving ground for the Subie and R1Rs. The PDX did require the standard PDX gear, helmet, long pants, long sleeves and instructor. The course is very technical with lots of twisting turns and multiple changes in elevation, but the front straight which really includes the long left hand sweeper into a right hand kink to a long straight has the potential for great speed in the dry. No one saw this combo this weekend since the AX course was on the sweeper Saturday and it was raining Sunday. The track maps do not do jsutice to the complexities brought on by the ups and downs which generally occur in the turns. The turn in points, apexes and track outs were all marked with cones as were the braking points. Someone did overdrive the kink and hit the wall in the rain which prompted the stewards to cancel the last set of runs for the day. We had one car spin into the guard rail during the AX. The runoffs are narrow, so track day insurance is a good idea for anyone not driving a throwaway car.
The off track amenities are still in development. There is, however, enough pavement and gravel to allow you to stay mostly out of the red Georgia mud.
I encourage everyone to go when you can. While I am no road course expert, I give it multiple thumbs up.
Clyde
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Post by czrider on Jun 11, 2012 7:38:29 GMT -5
 Several CCR drivers participated in last weekends Track Trial at AMP which was hosted by the Atlanta region SCCA. The track is layout is unique to the typical road courses in the south with its blind turns in conjunction with elevation changes. A very technical course with challenges for even experienced drivers, so no one should get bored with the course. The pavement has great grip and only a few spots where water stands since it drains well. Being the primary concern the road course has been completed but as yet the luxury items are incomplete. Due to its location in the scenic foothills of northern Georgia there are a few neighbors that located in the area for relaxation and are resistant to acknowledge that they aren't the only occupants of the world. These monied individuals make as much grief as possible for the track operators, therefore they go to extreme lengths to keep a low noise profile. This requires any car used on the site to be to at an unusually low sound level. Electric cars may be the only solution except tire noise could still be an issue. One thing I noticed is that the local population surrounding the track can make more noise than comes from the track. The paddock area (?) is declared to be a "European style " paddock where no engine revving is expected. During my forays into "European" paddocks I have not experienced that silence but maybe that was before computer controlled fuel injection turbos became the standard. Great track, lots of work and money went into it. As money flows into the area from visitors and the gripers get used to it, things should relax.
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Post by lancer360 on Jun 11, 2012 8:53:19 GMT -5
How did the race cars do with the sound requirements? Did anyone have to pack up and go home?
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hrk
New Member
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Post by hrk on Jun 11, 2012 9:38:32 GMT -5
Yes, there were people who were blackflagged from the track, some of them had to go home after failing their fixes. The course is good, and the track management are in frustrating situation trying to sell the track to the racers while fighting neighbors. The worst situation would be that we lost the venue from organised events. I had 88 DB in one of the lists and at the same time FTD, so it can be done to a car, but not as an last minute afterthought. Sound restrictions are getting strickter in all venues, and it might be a good thing to be proactive before waiting on someone forcing you to do it. There are good flowing mufflers available, but they need to be found and there needs to be room for them in the car in in the exhaust piping. Best of them involve rotating parts  Heikki |
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Post by czrider on Jun 11, 2012 10:19:18 GMT -5
While my car is high 70s at Roebling Road, it was measured by the track personnel at 91 on Saturday when the air was dry.
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Post by srduck on Jun 11, 2012 10:38:39 GMT -5
I understand this is a nice track, but I don't know how they're going to survive with all the sound restrictions. Can't even use a PA for AutoX events? Are you kidding?!
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Post by Bergsteiger Sud on Jun 11, 2012 10:56:51 GMT -5
I understand this is a nice track, but I don't know how they're going to survive with all the sound restrictions. Can't even use a PA for AutoX events? Are you kidding?! Just my $0.02 worth - they have a very special track layout (Hermann Tilke's FIA design shop) which could take quite a long time to master. Throw in variable seasons and mountain weather and I think that they have a package that will appeal to racing purists. If the racing community can adapt to the rules of track use as currently configured, it should be a great success. Maintaining the surface will be important, though. The track is challenging and fun with fresh asphalt - it could be more challenging and less fun after several years of freeze/thaw in the hills. Overall I think that it is good development for road racing in the Southeast. I passed the sound test (which was a surprise to me) but if I had to maintain a second exhaust system just for AMP I would probably do it. |
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Post by lancer360 on Jun 11, 2012 10:57:53 GMT -5
Any of the formula cars pass sound? How about George Bugg's F600?
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Post by srduck on Jun 11, 2012 12:38:44 GMT -5
If the racing community can adapt to the rules of track use as currently configured, it should be a great success. Here's another question I had after looking at their rules page.... Is there going to be real wheel to wheel racing there, or is it more of a country club for gearheads that does primarily track days and the occasional time trial? And most F1 fans would say that "Tilke designed" isn't a badge of honor, necessarily  |
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Post by Bergsteiger Sud on Jun 11, 2012 14:10:33 GMT -5
If the racing community can adapt to the rules of track use as currently configured, it should be a great success. Here's another question I had after looking at their rules page.... Is there going to be real wheel to wheel racing there, or is it more of a country club for gearheads that does primarily track days and the occasional time trial? And most F1 fans would say that "Tilke designed" isn't a badge of honor, necessarily Oh, duly noted on Tilke srduck and in the interest of brevity I left off my usual suffix statement - "You know, the guy who ruined the Nurburgring, Hockenheim, etc." My point in this case is that an experienced FIA design team with computers and a working knowledge of superelevation, radius of curvature, and driving line would have a better chance of creating something exciting than a local survey/civil firm dropping random flags in the forest |
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Post by markt on Jun 11, 2012 14:15:00 GMT -5
I got a 93 at max on Saturday using a supertrapp with 12 discs and a collar. I didn't see the results from the CSR that was there but, I don't think they got flagged.
The design is about as much fun as I've had on a track and it will take a long time to master. Much of the course is 2nd and 3rd in the Miata with realistic 4th only on the front straight when using the full course. Turn 11 is a lot like the Stone Wall Turn from Eagles Nest, downhill to a right 90 then starting right back up at the apex...lots of fun
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Post by srduck on Jun 12, 2012 9:26:27 GMT -5
I'll just leave this here: www.specracer.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=308The track looks fun, and I'll probably head down to the event in August to run the AutoX if they're doing one again, or at least to flag the club race (assuming it's certified for wheel to wheel racing by then) |
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Post by farrout on Jun 12, 2012 17:48:13 GMT -5
AMP got me at 102 on their trackside meter when I was a car length behind the CSR and we were both at full song (11K rpm in 5th for me). SCCA had gotten me at 94-96 during that session. I decided to put one of the diffusers in (www.carchemistry.com) which was $100 at the track. In the later sessions SCCA got me at 86-88 so the diffuser works quite well. I did not get an AMP reading but they did not bust me again.
The Radical CSR (Hyabusa 1540cc) also installed a diffuser but I do not know what level he achieved before or after.
The track is a ball to run. I hope the August SARRC goes well there.
Heikki absolutely smoked the course. Wish I had gotten to see him run. He was about 3 seconds ahead of the next faster car (my DSR). Way to drive Heikki!
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Post by nutdriverrighty on Jun 13, 2012 7:33:22 GMT -5
Heikki cheats!! He has a turbo and that naturally reduces his dB. (yes, Heikki, I did see your note about the best mufflers have rotating parts!!) :-)
Looking forward to seeing you at Chasing the Dragon.
Scott
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Post by markt on Jun 13, 2012 13:31:30 GMT -5
Heikki cheats!! He has a turbo and that naturally reduces his dB. (yes, Heikki, I did see your note about the best mufflers have rotating parts!!) :-) Looking forward to seeing you at Chasing the Dragon. Scott So there ARE muffler bearings after all...  |
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Several CCR drivers participated in last weekends Track Trial at AMP which was hosted by the Atlanta region SCCA. The track is layout is unique to the typical road courses in the south with its blind turns in conjunction with elevation changes. A very technical course with challenges for even experienced drivers, so no one should get bored with the course. The pavement has great grip and only a few spots where water stands since it drains well. Being the primary concern the road course has been completed but as yet the luxury items are incomplete. Due to its location in the scenic foothills of northern Georgia there are a few neighbors that located in the area for relaxation and are resistant to acknowledge that they aren't the only occupants of the world. These monied individuals make as much grief as possible for the track operators, therefore they go to extreme lengths to keep a low noise profile. This requires any car used on the site to be to at an unusually low sound level. Electric cars may be the only solution except tire noise could still be an issue. One thing I noticed is that the local population surrounding the track can make more noise than comes from the track. The paddock area (?) is declared to be a "European style " paddock where no engine revving is expected. During my forays into "European" paddocks I have not experienced that silence but maybe that was before computer controlled fuel injection turbos became the standard. Great track, lots of work and money went into it. As money flows into the area from visitors and the gripers get used to it, things should relax.
