WISSOTA announces deadline extension for drivers
to reach 95 db limit at member tracks - but mufflers
continue to be mandatory in all cars at all tracks

HIBBING, MN (May 7) - WISSOTA’s tech committee, in response to a large volume of questions and calls from drivers, has extended the deadline date provided in the rule book for drivers to be in compliance with the new noise suppression decibel limits.

“It appears as though the June 15, 2007 deadline we had set just won’t be attainable,” said head technical adviser Bill Engelstad. “Our tech committee will continue to work hard to come up with a more specific plan to provide promoters and racers for monitoring the decibel levels at WISSOTA tracks.”

The portion of the noise suppression rule affected by this will be 3.3.4.2 on page 18 of the 2007 rule book.

Mufflers are still mandatory on all cars, however (see 3.3.4 on page 18) - there has been no change in that portion of the noise rule. In addition, the 95 decibel limit will not be changed (see 3.3.4.1 on page 18).

WISSOTA’s tech committee will announce a new date by which drivers must be in complete compliance after further examination of the procedures needed at each track to ensure consistent test results.

The current noise suppression rule is as follows:

3.3.4 Exhaust Noise Suppression

It is mandatory for the exhaust system to be equipped with a muffler of some type so as not to exceed a decibel level of 95 decibels at 100 feet. However, where local track restrictions or governmental ordinances require a lower decibel level, then it is mandatory for the exhaust system to be equipped with a muffler so as not to exceed that lower decibel level. In all cases, the decibel level should be measured at racing speed or RPM and shall not be exceeded anywhere around the race track.

3.3.4.1 The decibel limit for all cars running under WISSOTA sanctioning will be 95 decibels measured at 100 ft. from the car during racing conditions. All cars must meet this limit in order to compete. Tracks will have the option of asking you to drive your car on the racing surface individually if they question the decibel reading taken from your vehicle during the races. They may ask you to do this after the program is over, or at any time during the event.

3.3.4.2 All cars must use a manufactured muffler in meeting this rule. The mufflers must be manufactured by a company that is established as a manufacturer of noise suppression equipment (mufflers). A turn down will not be considered a muffler, nor will any tube added to the end of the header merely to change the direction of the exhaust and sound emitted. This rule does not allow the use of a muffler that is built by a chassis builder, engine builder or your local fabrication shop, or any non-recognized manufacturer of mufflers.

3.3.4.3 All tracks must be in complete compliance by the third night of their racing season. All tracks and all cars must be in complete compliance of the 95 decibel rule by June 15, 2007.

3.3.4.4 WISSOTA will not specify a manufacturer or style of muffler to be used. There are many companies that produce mufflers that are capable of meeting this rule. It will be the drivers’ responsibility to find a muffler and exhaust that will work on their car to meet this lower decibel limit.

“The mufflers must be installed in a safe manner and cannot be altered in any way from the manufacturer’s specifications,” Engelstad added. “Drivers will be subject to disqualification if they modify the mufflers in any way.”

“Because it’s going to be the drivers’ responsibility to find a muffler that makes their cars legal, they need to be very honest with the muffler manufacturers when asking for advice or getting information about different models,” Engelstad cautioned.

“Manufacturers have assured us that if a driver provided them with the RPMs they’ll be turning and the horsepower the engine has, they can make good recommendations to get under the decibel limit,” Engelstad advised. “But that advice is only going to be good advice if the drivers give them honest, accurate information. If you aren’t honest with them up front, they may recommend a product that doesn’t work well enough, and you may be just throwing money away.”

“I want our racers to understand this, because we want them to purchase the right mufflers the first time; we don’t want anyone chasing this week after week or all season with a product that just won’t work for their car no matter what they do,” he said.

For further information on mufflers or WISSOTA’s noise suppression rule, contact Engelstad at (218) 262-5823 or (218) 929-7036, or Terry Haagenson at (507) 867-4034.

For more information on WISSOTA or the WISSOTA rule book, log on to www.wissota.org.