Track day with MkIV with coyote at Laguna Seca - noise concerns?

[JohnK]

One of my bucket list items from the moment I decided to build a roadster was to take it out to Laguna Seca when it was finished. I'm planning to do the Skip Barber racing school there in March, and then do a couple of track days with spec Miata's to get all the "stupid beginner" mistakes out of the way in someone else's car.

When I do get the roadster onto the track, I'm wondering if I'll have issues with the noise restrictions at that track. My car is a gen2 coyote with Gas-N headers and Gas-N side pipes (the normal ones, not the quieter touring pipes). I'm 99% certain I'd get black-flagged at a 92dB track day, but will I be OK at a 103dB track day? Any recommendations for good track day companies to go with out there?

[john42]

It's really hard to know, until you know. It will also have a lot to do with where they "hide" the DB sensors and which direction they face. Given the cobras have side exit exhausts also plays a role. The weather, cloud cover and humidity will also play into it. I've done a bunch of HPDE, Time attack, etc at the tracks around me on the East Coast. I have a pretty rowdy Boss 347 and standard FFR pipes. The DB limits here are always at the 92DB mark and I float around 85-89DB and haven't been black flagged yet!

[weendoggy]

My advice is do a test check locally on a good straight road with not a lot of traffic. Oh, and do it at 50' because that's the benchmark at Laguna, where most others are at 100'. I've had my Cobra there a lot over 25yrs and never got busted for sound on a 103+ db day. However, it will not come close to the 90-92db days normally. It blows 98db all day long (had sound test at an event there). I even did my "test" prior to a 103db day just to know. I'm good. Also running a SBF37 4-into-4 with Lobac 30" spiral with 1" center tube. No material at all in those! My Coyote powered '02 Mustang wiht LT's/Dynomax Turbo's blows 87db so it can go there anytime. I have set of coated side pipes if you want to mangle them to test on. You also may want to think about a "quick fix" at the track if you do get busted. New sound rules are 2 and done...for the event!

I run with NorCal Shelby and we have a 105db day coming up early summer and I plan on taking the Cobra there. I also run SpeedSF, NASA, DriveTrackTime and HOD are good as well.

Also, Laguna is the highest $$$$ track to drive. As for the Miata and "stupid beginner" mistakes, you're in for an eye opening difference between the power/weight experience when attempting to mimick the two different cars. Good luck on that.

[JohnK]

Thanks for all the insight! Much appreciated. I've heard that they measure at turn 9, and some folks just soft-pedal or short shift coming out of the corkscrew. Is that the case, or do they roam the track?

Does the Norcal Shelby club allow guests to attend? I'd love to get in on a 105db day out there.

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree on the difference between a Miata and a Cobra. I've got hundreds of laps on the sim now in various cars (I know sims aren't perfect, but they have their value, IMO). The spec Miata and spec MX-5 are very forgiving cars and I feel pretty confident in them. The Cobra is just a bundle of heartache, and a quick trip into the gravel with the slightest mistake. Finding shops that will rent track day cars seems pretty limited in the Monterey area. Lesher Motorsports seems to be the biggest down there. They have a handful of spec Miatas that they rent, along with a couple of Mustangs, so I'll probably run those first. The Skip Barber course is also in Roush-prepped Mustangs, from what I understand.

[AC Bill]

Having been to to the Monterey Historic's event in 2012 when the track was crowded with original Cobra's celebrating the Cobra's 50th anniversary, I doubt you have much to worry about. I can't imagine your car being any louder.

[JohnK]

I've been to the historics several times (now called the Monterey Motorsports Reunion) and they are definitely LOUD! The Can-Am cars, in particular, are deafening if you're not wearing hearing protection. Public events like that (and Indy car, GT cars, etc.) don't have the same sound restrictions as track days. Track days are definitely more heavily regulated for noise. Most are 92db max, and some are 103db max. The track used to be out in the middle of nowhere on part of the old Fort Ord military base, but as more and more housing has sprung up around the track, the more regulated things have become. Personally, I find it kind of silly to buy a house next to a race track and then complain about the noise, but that's where we have found ourselves.

[weendoggy]

I did my Skip Barber there many moons ago in a Formula Ford. What a hoot! The main sound booth is 5-6 and they also use a roaming monitor. You never can be sure except the booth. Also, not much throttle being used on the downhill run so I doubt that area is heavily monitored. If there's any short shifting or lifting, it's the uphill run from 5 to 8. I really don't think you'll blow 103db.

Yes, NorCal takes guests and whatever car you want, doesn't have to be a Ford, and you can always go for a ride in a members car (not Cobra unless two roll bars). I'm not saying not to bring the Cobra, it's just a different animal on track. You can start in Yellow (beginner) with limited passing areas and learn from there. All of our groups do not allow passing in any corners at any track event. We'll be at Sonoma in Aug/Sep, not sure of date yet. Hope to see you there.