Killarney noise: Who's to blame?

ChrisBrand

Staff - Legal
Staff member
Makes alot of sense now...

Source: http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/Killarney-noise-Who-to-blame-20130605

CAPE TOWN - In June 2013, we reported that eNews Channel Africa (ENCA) spoke to some residents who have a difficult time dealing with the noise being emitted from Killarney race track in Cape Town, during race days and nights.

Watch the video

A *motorsport driver shares his perspective:

“I have been a motorsport competitor for many years. I wish to add my concern to the recent eNCA special report on the situation regarding noise levels at Killarney.

"As a motorsport competitor I must insist you keep my name out of the press, as it may jeopardise my licence. Many competitors have been banned from competing in the past, due to the fact that it is Motorsport South Africa (MSA) regulation that competitors are not allowed to speak out against any club, organiser or fellow competitor without using the appropriate MSA and/or club channels.

‘WRITING ON THE WALL FOR KILLARNEY’

“It is my opinion that the writing is on the wall for the Killarney racing facility due to a number of factors, only one of which is the excessive noise. Everybody is to blame for the situation. Event organisers, circuit management, competitors, spectators and law enforcement.

Here is why:

“There is absolutely no point in the Western Province Motor Club frantically trying to control noise levels, when they allow events for which the circuit was never designed in the first place.

“When the Goodwood Showgrounds oval track was closed down, Western Province Motor Club (WPMC) allowed the Cape Helldriver's stock-car club to officially use the circuit. This has led to noisy Thursday and Saturday evenings. Bear in mind that the Killarney racing circuit was NEVER designed to accommodate stock-car racing. It is a proper racing circuit designed for track racing cars only.

“Next, the Street to Strip ‘dragsters’ moved in. Once again, the same applies. The circuit was NEVER built as a drag strip, hence the fact that proper drag racing such as the events held at Tarlton Raceway will never be organised at WPMC due to the lack of proper facilities to accommodate true drag cars.

“These events are also held on Friday nights and at night the noise levels are extreme.

SPECTATORS BEHAVING BADLY

“Then there are the spectators. As a frequent spectator at these events I have seen how many a spectator misbehaves with extremely noisy motor cars, leading to the complaints.

“This behavior is not limited to the racing circuit facility, but in the streets around the track. It seems that some individuals, once witnessing controlled racing, becomes drag racers themselves and take to the streets surrounding the circuit, creating extremely dangerous situations on the roads around Killarney.

“This is where law enforcement is lacking as they do absolutely nothing to stop these idiotic culprits!

REDUCE THE NOISE GUYS

“The competitors themselves are guilty as hell. Having built many a race engine in my life, I know it is very easy to build a race car that is as quiet as a normal motor vehicle without sacrificing performance or speed.

“I challenge anyone to do a noise test on my most recent car and they will find that the car is actually as quiet as a road car, if not quieter. This does not mean that performance has been sacrificed. In fact, the car is extremely powerful.

“Guys, spend the money and ensure your cars conform to the regulations.

“You are the ones in danger of losing the most if the city council steps in and closes the facility. Exhaust modifications cost a faction of the amount most of you spend on your vehicles, and you will make the Tableview residents happy.

‘CIRCUIT ORGANISERS GUILTY AS SIN’

“I have deliberately left the circuit management and event organisers for last. You are all as guilty as sin. Considering all of the above, go back to your roots. This circuit is a proper race track. Not a drag strip or a stock car track. Yes, you can sort of accommodate these formulas, but the mere fact that your motivation is financial is not an excuse. Sure, the club needs money. We all do.

“I suggest you get rid of the problems, and continue working towards being a good neighbour. Building huge retaining walls is not going to make the residents of Tableview happy whereas containing the noise at night will.

“Cancel those events and let Cape Helldrivers and the wannabe dragsters find an alternative venue. That way there will be no need to upset anyone bar those who do not really belong at WPMC anyway.

“Have a ZERO tolerance attitude please. No national racer or team, no matter what their status should be allowed to breach the noise levels. Exclude them and be consistent in your application of the rules. This applies to all formulas. ESPECIALLY motorcycles! And finally find alternative ways to generate revenue.

TABLE VIEW RESIDENTS BE RESPECTFULL

“To the residents of Tableview, please also be considerate. The facility you complain about has historic value and was there for decades before your houses were built. Please also respect the rights of those people who are passionate about motorsport.

“After all, the Caltex refinery is a much bigger concern when it comes to pollution of any sort. I suggest you rather focus your energy on the greedy oil companies that are causing severe long-term health problems in your area!

“Please also work towards being good neighbours of the Western Province Motor Club.”
 

Philip Foglar

///Member
My view, it's a racetrack and noise is a given, but yes, within reason, so there should be very strict regulations for noise levels, and any cars participating that exceed this should simply be banned for taking part. If they take Street to Strip away from Killarney then as said, this will most likely force these people to take to the streets leading to more carnage! I understand that as a track, Killarney was not intended for drag racing or stock-car racing, but clearly there are not too many other options, and this seems to fulfil this purpose. Sadly though, even with noise reductions I suspect that there will still be residents complaining. And this is where I repeat what I said on the other thread, Killarney has been there for many years, and certainly before most residential areas surrounding Killarney were developed to begin with. If you don't like noise, why move into a house close to a venue like this? That's of course my way of looking at it.

In the end, this is a very tricky debate, otherwise it would have already been solved, but there has to be a balancing act be what the residents want, and what is best for the overall situation, that being, combating illegal street racing and inevitable carnage on public roads...
 

gpgold

New member
The noise from Kilarney can get quite excessive at times and I would certainly join those who would petition to force quieter racing. I for one could not give a stuff about Kilarney's "historical value"...not when you are trying to enjoy a quiet sleep in on a weekend but are forced to listen to non stop motor racing.

Regarding the mention of the refinery...there is already ongoing intervention to ensure the facility becomes greener.

My 00.2c
 

moranor@axis

///Member
Official Advertiser
measure noise levels of the cars anyone who fails cant compete simple :)

the night events are a bit of a problem i dont think that can be resolved unless they do some drastic landscaping to block the sound... then spectators will still be a problem...
 

Clownshoe

Active member
:bravo:

What I have been saying all along. I mentioned before a friends track in Auz went through this. After imposing noise limits and black flagging loud cars people adapted and carried on quietly. (excuse the pun).


moranor@axis said:
measure noise levels of the cars anyone who fails cant compete simple :)

the night events are a bit of a problem i dont think that can be resolved unless they do some drastic landscaping to block the sound... then spectators will still be a problem...
Fisantekraal landing strip out at Durbanville. Perfect location for drags. Maybe even Morningstar would widen the runway if it got extra revenue from track events.
 

Fordkoppie

///Member
The a$$holes who built/bought houses right next to a racetrack should take their stuff and F-off if they dont like the noise. They knew what they were letting themselves in for
 

ambroseg1

New member
Fordkoppie said:
The a$$holes who built/bought houses right next to a racetrack should take their stuff and F-off if they dont like the noise. They knew what they were letting themselves in for

+1. Track was there first. if you buy a house next to a sewerage plant, dont complain about the smell. You should have bought elsewhere.
 

Junky

New member
Fordkoppie said:
The a$$holes who built/bought houses right next to a racetrack should take their stuff and F-off if they dont like the noise. They knew what they were letting themselves in for

Agreed.
It like buying a house next to the airport and bitching about the noise....:thumbdo:
 

slotcars1

///Member
gpgold said:
The noise from Kilarney can get quite excessive at times and I would certainly join those who would petition to force quieter racing. I for one could not give a stuff about Kilarney's "historical value"...not when you are trying to enjoy a quiet sleep in on a weekend but are forced to listen to non stop motor racing.

Regarding the mention of the refinery...there is already ongoing intervention to ensure the facility becomes greener.

My 00.2c

While I agree with you if the track came after the houses, it didn't, and it was there way before.

As per other comments in the thread, if you buy a house near a race track, then deal with it.

I used to stay in Parklands, and it really was not that bad at all.
 

ravenx786

New member
Agree guys.

When buying property you must know what you let yourself into. You must know your surroundings. You cant move in today then complain of a racetrack that has been there for years!
 

Clownshoe

Active member
What I find amusing is that the area that complains about the noise is populated by people that knowingly bought a house is close proximity to:
a) Caltex refinery
scan0054.jpg

b) Sewage treatment plant
images

c) Horse Farm
images

d) Fedmis, fertilizer plant
images


And not to go into detail but mosquitoes from hell.

Maybe we have misunderstood the complaints, maybe the sadomasochists are actually complaining that the track is not loud enough!!!
 

NavZ

Active member
My sis lives in Parklands, not too far away.
It's really not that bad, unless you were dumb enough to pick a house right next to it :tease:
 

Coisman

Administrator
Staff member
This is a real "Dambed if you do, Dambed if you don't" situation!! :thinking:

The people in the areas and streets complain about illigal street racing. A track makes a plan to get these guys off the streets, and now they get grilled. :thumbdo:

I can understand the track might not have been purposely built for drag racing, but its getting the illigal racing off the public roads. :thumbs:

Yes, there will be teething problems, as with any new venture, and I trust with some PROPER assistance from the local law enforcement, the few spectators that become Schumachers after these events can be brought under control. :locked:

Now concerning the noise levels... SERIOUSLY?!??! I come back to my original argument... The people complain about illigal racing, then when something is done about it, they complain about that!! :flyfun:

For a guy that is actually racing himself, to make these comments in protest of what the track and event coordinators and the few community members involved are trying to do to make the roads saver, and educate the young guys and getting them involved in becoming legal, is in my oppinion STUPID, and instead of complaining and bringing up all the flaws, GET INVOLVED, Mr. Racer, with ALL your knowledge, and help to get these event organised better!! :idea:

Go and educate the public as to what it is you guys are indeed trying to do, and MAYBE then the people will be a bit more forthcoming in acceptance of these events!! :praise:

...this is my oppinion, and if I'm offending anyone personally, then feel free to send me a PM. :thumb:
 

Philip Foglar

///Member
Clownshoe said:
:bravo:

What I have been saying all along. I mentioned before a friends track in Auz went through this. After imposing noise limits and black flagging loud cars people adapted and carried on quietly. (excuse the pun).


moranor@axis said:
measure noise levels of the cars anyone who fails cant compete simple :)

the night events are a bit of a problem i dont think that can be resolved unless they do some drastic landscaping to block the sound... then spectators will still be a problem...
Fisantekraal landing strip out at Durbanville. Perfect location for drags. Maybe even Morningstar would widen the runway if it got extra revenue from track events.



We were talking about this last night, and said exactly the same thing - Fisantekraal could actually be a very viable drag strip! I know that CAR magazine used it for their December multi car shoot-out tests (well appears so in their photos)...

And yes, living close to Killarney, I would be so much more concerned about the fall-out and pollution from the refinery! We have friends who live in Richwood which is pretty close to Killarney, and while the noise of cars is noticeable, it's the fumes that I am mostly aware of!
 
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