ORBA Convenes “Turn Down the Volume II” Summit. Aftermarket Exhaust Industry Leaders, US Forest Service, and AMA Pro Racing Discuss Sound Rules and Compliance Testing Procedures.

BAKERSFIELD,CA (March 15, 2006.) The Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) convened the second “Turn Down the Volume”meeting with the aftermarket exhaust industry to discuss how to best deal with reducing excessive off-highway motorcycle and ATV sound. Keynote speakers included American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Pro Racing SX/MX Manager Steve Whitelock and Ralph Gonzalez, US Forest Service spark arrestor certification lead. The meeting was attended by representatives of almost all of the aftermarket exhaust companies, as well as the Motorcycle Industry Council, Kawasaki, California State Parks OHV Division, and AMA District 36.

Steve Whitelock discussed new AMA Pro Racing sound rules for the ‘07 racing season and their compliance testing program. Current rules allow 102db for Pro MX/SX racing, but that number will be reduced to 99db in ‘07, which will make the Pro rule consistent with the AMA Amateur MX sound rule. Additionally, Whitelock discussed the sound rule compliance testing program that has been stepped up this year.

The consensus of the group was that fair and consistent enforcement of AMA sound rules for both professional and amateur racing would be one of the most productive measures available to reduce excessive sound. The aftermarket exhaust companies also agreed they would like to see an independent testing process for Pro SX and MX to ensure fair and consistent compliance enforcement as well as more transparent test procedure to eliminate any perception of inconsistency.

Besides new AMA sound rules, the Chief of the US Forest Service recently announced that they will be promulgating a national off-highway vehicle (OHV) sound rule in the near future. Ralph Gonzalez of the US Forest Service San Dimas Technology and Development Center talked about the current spark arrestor certification program that all exhaust systems designed for public land use must be subjected to. He also talked about the potential for sound level certification once the Forest Service implements a national OHV sound rule.

From the forest service perspective, excessive sound is one of the most critical issues faced when doing OHV planning and management. The Chief of the Forest Service recognizes the seriousness of the issue, due to the large number of times excessive OHV sound is cited by the public. Currently, all spark arrestors must be certified by the US Forest Service, and it would be logical for the same agency to also certify mufflers for sound compliance once the sound rule is finalized.

The ORBA Board of Directors recognizes that reducing excessive OHV sound is a critical component of preserving and enhancing OHV recreation for everyone, as well as ensuring the OHV industry remains strong. Accordingly, the Board has directed ORBA staff to look at various ways to reduce excessive OHV sound. ORBA Director of Land Use, Bill Dart stated “We are exploring a variety of ways to reduce excessive OHV sound, and we feel that engaging the aftermarket exhaust industry as well as the competition organizations and government agencies that regulate OHV’s is a critical component in that effort”. Dart continued “fair and consistent sound compliance programs are one of the most important ways to reduce excessive sound, but ORBA is also working with enthusiasts and trade media to change the perception that loud pipes mean more power” Dart concluded.