The Scene

THE SCENE

IVAN J. WAGAR

CERTAINLY THE most controversial issue ever to come before the executive committee of the American Motorcycle Association is the muffler rule. It all began when the 1972 Competition Congress declared that all machines in professional racing would be muffled to 92db(A) after January 1, 1974. But the executive committee has the power to overrule the Congress, and that is what happened just before Daytona this year.

Opponents of the muffler rule believe that mufflers will take the glamor out of professional racing; that noise is part of the thrill of spectating. Another consideration is that mufflers, especially on two-stroke machines, may come adrift and cause a hazard to following riders. That’s about it for arguments against mufflers.

Supporters of the muffler rule contend that it only is a matter of time before the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) gets into the act and establishes noise limits, anyway. And if government makes the rules, the permissible levels may be so low that we would not be able to live with them. Certainly the EPA is serious about the Noise Control Act of 1972, as it was stated that noise limits would be established for everything from washing machines to jet aircraft.

Another governmental agency that is liable to attack us on the noise issue is OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). OSHA has the authority to protect workers from excessive noise while on their daily job. It can be said that a professional ride would come under the control of OSHA. For instance, Gary Nixon should not have to listen to the noise created by Art Baumann’s motorcycle during a race. It is almost certain that government will get involved. There are reams of data proving that noise causes fatigue, and that people subjected to excessive noise suffer some degree of permanent hearing damage.

All this noise about noise is not limited to our country. Throughout Europe motorcycling is increasingly coming under fire from government agencies. England has a serious land closure problem concerning trials venues, and trials machines usually are pretty well muffled. There were many complaints about noisy exhaust systems at this year’s Scottish Six Days Trial, and some of the dour Scots made it quite clear that something had better be done beforenext year. Motocross and speedway races have muffler requirements in England, but not before losing some of the racing venues. A growing number of Manx people are protesting the noise emissions from Grand Prix machines, when some of the production bikes go just as quickly and are as spectacular to watch, yet quiet.

Probably the strongest argument for mufflers on all racing motorcycles, especially in professional racing, is that it is hypocritical for the AMA to argue with legislators over land closure while the premier arm of our sport does not require mufflers, thus sanctioning noise. There is no doubt in the mind of anyone who has sat through a land closure hearing that we lose riding places because of noise. Erosion and ecological damage, in most cases, just don’t hold up as valid arguments, and in the end, when we get down to the nitty gritty, it’s noise that’s the real issue. And this is the real reason for the serious land use problems in California, Ohio and Michigan.

Those are just some of the reasons why the new AMA executive committee, elected last February, reversed the former committee’s decision, thus supporting last year’s Congress ruling. With only three members of the 12-man committee opposing the muffler rule, it is not likely to ever come up as a voting issue again.

So there it is. Some people are going to be upset. But the future of racing, even professional racing, is in trouble if we don’t clean up our act. And I think the new committee showed a good deal of courage in passing the rule.

Another item of serious concern to the committee is the insurance problem. It is the growing cost insurance (and fighting legislation) that caused dues to increase to $12. But the worst part of the plan we were forced to accept last year was the $1000 deductible clause, which means you really don’t have insurance unless you do a damn good job of crashing. Now, under a new plan, the policy is back to $100 deductible.

A cloud hung over the two-day meeting, however. The death of Lloyd Houchins at San Jose, and of Jarno Saarinen and Renzo Pasolini the day before was on everyone’s mind. Sunday May 20th will go down in history as one of the blackest days ever.