Entries are now open for Round 1 of the Victorian Super Sprint Championship (VSSC) at Sandown.
Key info
- Date: Saturday 21 March 2026
- Time: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Venue: Sandown Racing Circuit
- Drivers briefing: 8:15 am
- Pit lane speed: 10 kph
- Noise limit: 75 dB @ 30m (see enforcement process below)
Before you enter (or before you turn up), please read the Sandown noise limit info below. It’s the #1 thing that can end a day early if you’re not prepared.
Questions
If you have any questions, contact motorsport@wrx.com.au.
To book your spot, visit: https://wrx.com.au/event-6545292
Sandown noise limit (75 dB) — how we’re enforcing it
The rule (the bit we can’t negotiate)
Sandown runs a 75 dB drive-by limit, measured 30 metres from the track edge (that “30m” part matters).
This isn’t us being fun police — it’s how Sandown stays open for club activity.
What’s been causing confusion
A lot of cars that are fine at other venues are right on the limit at Sandown, and small differences in:
- where the meter is,
- reflections (yes, buildings matter),
- wind and background noise, and
- how clean/repeatable the reading is
…can push a borderline car over.
What we’ve changed (approved approach)
Following a review with an independent sound technician and with approval from Melbourne Racing Club, we’ll be using two practical fairness rules:
1) Operational threshold: 75 dB + 3 dB = 78 dB
The venue limit is still 75 dB, but for enforcement we’ll treat 78 dB as the actionable threshold to account for real-world measurement variation and keep the process consistent.
2) Three clear readings before exclusion
We will not turf a car based on one spiky/iffy number. If a car is flagged, it must record three clear exceedances (over the 78 dB threshold) before it’s excluded for noise.
How it will work on the day
- Step 1 – Flag: If you’re reported/observed as loud, you’ll be flagged for a noise check.
- Step 2 – Confirm: If a reading is over 78 dB, we’ll re-check to confirm it’s real (not a one-off spike).
- Step 3 – 3-strike confirmation: Three confirmed exceedances = no more track time until it’s fixed.
- Step 4 – Fix & return (if possible): If you quieten it down (insert, muffler change, repair, etc.), we’ll re-check and you can resume once compliant.
Important Sandown note vehicle packs can push you over
At Sandown, you must be mindful of vehicle packs.
Two cars running close together can produce higher combined readings at the meter than either car would produce alone. Example: two cars that may individually read ~70 dB can measure significantly higher when they pass the monitoring point together, and the more cars close together, the worse it gets.
Practical takeaway: avoid sitting door-to-door or bumper-to-bumper near the noise monitoring area, especially if you know your car is borderline.
Tips to reduce noise (what actually works)
If your car is known to be on the loud side, plan ahead — Sandown is not forgiving.
Exhaust noise
- Fit a rear muffler (larger mufflers generally reduce drive-by noise more effectively)
- Add a resonator (helps reduce harshness and overall drive-by)
- Bring/fit a silencer insert for the day
- Fix exhaust leaks (small leaks can read surprisingly loud)
Induction (intake) noise — often overlooked
Some cars can exceed limits due to induction noise, even with a reasonable exhaust. Common offenders:
- Pod filters
- Metal airboxes
- Metal intake piping
If you’re struggling at Sandown, consider a quieter intake setup (enclosed airbox, more isolation, less metal “megaphone”).
External wastegates / screamer pipes
External wastegates (screamer pipes) can be extremely loud, especially when vented through a short pipe. Options that usually help:
- Extend the pipe further under the car
- Or preferably plumb it back into the exhaust
Driving style matters
- Short-shift near the monitoring area
- Avoid limiter use
- Smooth throttle beats “ON/OFF” spikes
Bottom line
We’re keeping the venue happy and keeping it fair for competitors:
- Limit remains 75 dB @ 30m
- Enforcement uses 78 dB threshold
- Requires three clear exceedances before exclusion
If your car is known to be loud, plan ahead. Sandown is not the place to discover your exhaust is basically a megaphone with a number plate.