There did use to be an issue with DRZ's, can't remember the designation, but one of the models came with a standard exhaust that was feckin loud. That is the reason behind the wording in the regs. There was also a warning for CRF riders last year that removing the baffle would result in disqualification.
The reasons behind it are simple. Noise will kill off-road sport for all of us. Anyone who believes otherwise is at best deluded, at worst selfish, ignorant and stupid.
It is unfortunate for anyone who bought the offending DRZ model, that they will have to fork out for an aftermarket silencer to quieten the bike down to enter events, but anyone who spends money to make their bike louder and is excluded deserves not sympathy but ridicule. 99% of the riders can't utilise the extra 0.2 hp they gain, if they can actually notice it. Far better to spend the money on getting someone to set up their suspension properly, or take a lesson with one of the off-road schools to improve their skills.
If this sounds like a rant, then I'm sorry, but I have helped out with scrutineering at the Hafren a few times now, and noise testing, and some of the feckwits who turn up really do annoy me.
On a further note for any potential entrants, wheel bearings and loose spokes will get you excluded, so check them before you go. Also read the tyre regs carefully, if it says no MX tyres, that is what it means!
Mark
) when Marianne broke her leg.
