77 replies to this topic

[leevx2.2]

Never used MSV before, this certainly puts me off though. Out of interest what Exhaust, filter combo are you using (just to get an idea of permitted noise levels)

Standard filter and a Miltek Sport Exhaust.

i cant believe that it was high db reading with a miltek

[markiii]

i can i was bang on the limit with the same setup last week

[SteveA]

I'm off to Bedford in Feb with LOT and i have a milltek. It static tests at 93 but i've never had it tested on the move. Hope it won't be a problem.

[INTOGAMING-CO-UK]

Hi Darren

Hope you're well.

Unfortunately I know nothing about cars despite being a VX220 owner, but I do know a thing or two about complaints. I've taken on two or three large companies in the past, and won, and I thought I would share my strategy with you.

Although I don't like to agree with the company, your complaint is lengthy, and needs to be shorter, making things punchy, using bullet points rather than long paragraphs usually is the best way.

The second thing you must do if you want your money back from a company, and contractually if you know you are in the right, is to threaten them with legal action, and throw legislation at them. In this instance, you could use the Sale of Goods Act (Not as described.) Or alternatively you could use the Supply of Goods and Services Act (Care and Skill.)

The third thing is to strike whilst the iron's hot. I think too much time has now passed to follow up to get any sort of result on getting your money back.

Do you ever use Paypal? Ever raised a claim for something 'not received' or 'not as described?' Not many people realise that you can actually do this with a credit or debit card via your bank. Call your bank, and explain that you did not receive the service/goods you paid for, and ask them to raise a chargeback. The bank will then send you a claim form take some details over the phone and commence proceedings to recover the money. Obviously this will only work if you paid for the service by card. Seeing as though you paid £350 and probably used a card I assume this was something you could have done. Unfortunately there is a 120 day time frame in which to do this.

More on this can be found here.

CHARGEBACKS

If you experience bad service with anybody, contact me. In fact if anyone reading this has a bad experience they can also contact me. I'll be happy to help.

I've always had a refund on everything I've ever complained about, I've also successfully appealed four parking tickets, and won every single case. I don't make a habbit of it, but there are too many people out there trying to rip you off these days, and I've had no choice but to complain.

Cheers

James.

[darronwall]

you WILL repeat WILL have been told about the strict noise limits in the breifing,msv dates are among the best their is,get over yourself!!i dont think they will be reeling about loosing your business

[P11 COV]

Never used MSV before, this certainly puts me off though. Out of interest what Exhaust, filter combo are you using (just to get an idea of permitted noise levels)

Standard filter and a Miltek Sport Exhaust.

i cant believe that it was high db reading with a miltek

I was also kicked out of Bedford for noise with a Miltek and I wasn't given a second chance. Don't forget Milteks get noisier as they eject their packing over time.

[Strugs]

You made it on here then Darren! My bro-in-law has been kicked out of Bedford as well and feels your pain.. He was there the day you got kicked out and I mentioned this thread.. He did say you probably didn't endear yourself to the MSV staff by lighting up your rear tyres on the way out of the paddock, but then - if you've gotta go, you might as well go with gusto..

[c_w]

you WILL repeat WILL have been told about the strict noise limits in the breifing,msv dates are among the best their is,get over yourself!!i dont think they will be reeling about loosing your business

And how is that exactly any help when you're only informed of being too noisy AFTER you've been black flagged and then prevented from doing anything about it? Nobody knows how loud their car is exactly on driveby to a certain microphone you don't the exact position of in different weather conditions. Just a slight breeze the wrong way could make the difference. The biggest gripe people have is that you have no chance to rectify the problem.


The original complaint letter was badly written hence the short sharp responses. It was too personal and too sarcastic to warrant a serious investigation.

My thoughts on Bedford are that it's probably the worst "circuit" in the UK, not least for the poor changeable surfaces but mainly because the feeling of how the trackdays are run there appear to make you feel as though you should feel "privileged" to be there. Back in around 2001 when it first opened and ran some of the first trackdays, the guy running the day was quite literally, Hitler. Marching up and down; dont do this, don't do that , get out of the car, no passengers on track (yes, really), no cameras at all inside the car, no cameras allowed in the pitlane...no talking on site (I made that one up )

The briefings are a joke too, the last time I was there the guy doing the briefing was keen to labour how they don't make much money from trackdays and they're a pain to run. Also, having a noise limit is fine (and also the rather pointless static test as you drive in), but as driveby limits are practically anybody's guess you have the first session to gamble on whether it's a full day on track or 20minutes. I've never had a problem with noise though but I have had friends who have been black flagged after the 1st session that ended their day.

The corporate days may be great (I've done one) but for trackdays it is not.

The "MSV" circuits are great, probably because they are still maybe run by the same people who ran them before. However new stricter rules are coming in, one of which I object to (and put a downer on a day at Cadwell Park) is the banning of suction camera mounts including professional grip mounts. I've used mine for years as have friends, they weren't cheap and they are intended for outdoor camera work on vehicles. I've never ever heard of one falling off or causing a problem but I was black flagged for mine.

Edited by c_w, 02 February 2010 - 02:41 PM.

[VIX]

I've not done Bedford since May last year with LoT. The noise issues there are well documented and it was an enjoyable and well run evening. You need to do your research and pick your circuits and TDO accordingly.

[Ebo100]

My car is also running a Miltek along with a Pipercross foam filter and there is a definite change in tone at 3000rpm, is it likely I will fail a drive by? What adjustments can you make to a car if it fails a noise test? Should I look for a different filter or re-pack the silencer?

Edited by Ebo100, 02 February 2010 - 10:15 PM.

[c_w]

What adjustments can you make to a car if it fails a noise test? Should I look for a different filter or re-pack the silencer?

At Bedford? none, that's the main gripe people have with this place.

[techieboy]

But there's no need for any gripes. Everybody knows Bedford has the strictest noise regs of any track in the country. If you have anything louder than a box standard saloon car then you need to be sure. The onus is on the driver to get the noise checked beforehand, or run the risk of getting kicked off. Yes, it's a pain in the arse but they're more than happy to measure your noise levels before the event and run it around the track for driveby readings. If somebody can't be bothered and trip a meter, then it's tough sh!t. I'm pretty sure that kicking people off the track isn't the best bit of the day for the staff there.

[markiii]

But there's no need for any gripes. Everybody knows Bedford has the strictest noise regs of any track in the country. If you have anything louder than a box standard saloon car then you need to be sure. The onus is on the driver to get the noise checked beforehand, or run the risk of getting kicked off. Yes, it's a pain in the arse but they're more than happy to measure your noise levels before the event and run it around the track for driveby readings. If somebody can't be bothered and trip a meter, then it's tough sh!t. I'm pretty sure that kicking people off the track isn't the best bit of the day for the staff there.

ding a fcuking ling

[Sutol]

when i was there a week or so ago, the marshalls were pointing at cars and then at their ears to warn the drivers (no black flag). So they're trying their best. I guess if MSV flount the noise restrictions they'll be closed down in time and that would be good for no one. It's the NIMBY crowd that are the problem, having noise restrictions must have an effect on JP's business as well.

[SteveA]

But there's no need for any gripes. Everybody knows Bedford has the strictest noise regs of any track in the country. If you have anything louder than a box standard saloon car then you need to be sure. The onus is on the driver to get the noise checked beforehand, or run the risk of getting kicked off. Yes, it's a pain in the arse but they're more than happy to measure your noise levels before the event and run it around the track for driveby readings. If somebody can't be bothered and trip a meter, then it's tough sh!t. I'm pretty sure that kicking people off the track isn't the best bit of the day for the staff there.

I've had my static tested loads and it's well under the 101db that Bedford specify (nearly 10db under). How are you supposed to know what drive-by reading you have if you've never had it measured and it's hardly a thing you can test yourself. You would need to know the position of the mic, how fast to be going past it etc, etc. I don't really object to noise restrictions but if you failed a static one you would deffo get a chance to sort it out and try again. Cadwell is militant when it comes to noise regs but even they will let you sort it and have another go.

I'm suprised TDO's haven't come up with a push fit silencer that you can hire if your car is too loud. I'm sure most would pay anywhere up to £50 to not ruin their day.

[techieboy]

Yep, they were waving a noise board at me when I was last there in August/September. When I pulled into the pits the head marshal stopped me and told me I was right on the limit on two of the meters and I was going to need to short shift past those two meters, if I wanted to stay on for the rest of the day.

[siztenboots]

Yep, they were waving a noise board at me when I was last there in August/September. When I pulled into the pits the head marshal stopped me and told me I was right on the limit on two of the meters and I was going to need to short shift past those two meters, if I wanted to stay on for the rest of the day.

by mid afternoon all the noise nazi's left their little sheds though, up till then I thought we were being well behaved, short shifting at 4500.

[SteveA]

Does anyone know the locations of the drive-by mics?

[techieboy]

I've had my static tested loads and it's well under the 101db that Bedford specify (nearly 10db under). How are you supposed to know what drive-by reading you have if you've never had it measured and it's hardly a thing you can test yourself. You would need to know the position of the mic, how fast to be going past it etc, etc. I don't really object to noise restrictions but if you failed a static one you would deffo get a chance to sort it out and try again. Cadwell is militant when it comes to noise regs but even they will let you sort it and have another go.

I'm suprised TDO's haven't come up with a push fit silencer that you can hire if your car is too loud. I'm sure most would pay anywhere up to £50 to not ruin their day.

Bedford offer a noise testing service where the head instructor takes your car out when the track is empty to do the drive-by measurements. I made the mistake of going out with him and was truly terrified he was going to kill the car in a really heavy rainstorm. Measured 2 or 3db under the drive-by on that session but on the day a week or so later, I was right on it. Was well under on the next to useless static test.

Unfortunately, they just don't have any leeway on sound. The council downloads a copy of the noise meter logs after every event and anything over the limit and they're in the sh!t. Back in the good old days, you used to get two or three chances to make your car quieter but we (as in trackday drivers in general) just took the p!ss and turned up with de-cat'd or noisy car's, knowing full well they wouldn't pass but knowing they'd be okay to sort it later. Bedford council clearly got fed up with this and imposed tighter limits and said every transgression would be logged for future reference when the Autodrome's operators licence came up for renewal. Clearly, they can't afford to jeopardise their Palmersport days or the investment they've made in the autodrome.

The really stupid thing is JP was welcomed as a saviour by the locals when he bought the place, as TNT wanted to buy it to turn into a freight airport for their parcels business.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

I think the point is though that their T&C's state you will be warned and given a chance to rectify. If they choose to then operate a "one strike" policy then they leave themselves open to this shite..... Think P11COV should try and get his money back as it was fairly recent!!!