Prodrive moves to silence speedway critics

Prodrive has developed a new exhaust silencer, which it said should help to keep speedway racing alive.

In recent years, noise complaints have threatened the closure of several speedway tracks.

As a result, the sport’s governing body, the International Motorcycling Federation, has introduced a noise limit of 115 decibels from January 1, 2010.

The new Prodrive silencer for speedway and grasstrack bikes was designed to meet the new noise limit without any reduction in power.

The company said it can be applied to existing engines with the minimum of re-tuning, avoiding considerable expense.

The news could come just in time for the Birmingham Brummies Speedway Club, which this September was given 12 months by local authorities to cut noise levels or face the axe.

Mick Metcalfe, principal design engineer at Prodrive and a lifelong speedway fan, said:  “I hope what we have managed to do is create something those appeals to the competitors and that will satisfy planning authorities in the UK and overseas.”