The view is beautiful from the heights of Chateaubourg : view of the Rhône… but also of the karting circuit. And the noise has become incessant, even unbearable for the neighborhood. “It’s permanent, it looks like hornets flying all the time… it drives you crazy” Emmanuelle smiled yellow. With Maryline, who lives next door, they are at the origin of the group that wants to try to change things. In other words, less noise.
In question : the Arena 45 karting circuit, in La-Roche-de-Glun. The pilots do laps, the hum is indeed permanent from the heights. “Every day, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., then from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.” says Emmanuelle, “also on public holidays, and until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, when the hours are not exceeded” says Marilyn.
The collective which currently brings together six families of residents intends to expand. Tractions in the area are planned. They also ask for the installation of sound sensors, to be able to indicate the intensity of the decibels undergone by the neighborhood, and appeal to the manager of the site as to the prefecture of the Ardèche.
Not to be confused: we are not talking about the karting of La Roche-de-Glun, but of the Arena 45 karting circuit just next door, which belongs to the CNR. This is’a circuit created in 1975, which made reference in the 80s and 90s. The current manager took over operations in 2019. The site has since brought together several activities: it is a flight school, also an approved training center and a resale store karting equipment and maintenance. Moreover, an association of licensees is housed there. The manager is none other than Didier Andre48 years old, former professional pilot, now trainer and manager.
There is clearly a problem, we are aware of it. We try to find common ground. Inevitably it takes time – Didier André, the manager
_”When I recovered the operation of the site, l_he association had 70 licensees. Today we hit the 250 mark. There is again an attraction and attendance. There has been change. We have more people, so inevitably, there is more noise” explains Didier André.
Regarding the noise of the engines, Didier André assures that he is in the nails. “We are governed by the French Motorsport Federation. There are defined specifications. _There are federal constraints, all the karts that run are in the legislation._“ And to add: “Even if we had the power to change something, it would go against the approval of the vehicle!”
As for the installation of sensors, the former professional pilot remains cautious. “You still have to know what measure we are talking about; we are on a site on the banks of the Rhône, with a cliff in front. Inevitably the noise tends to ricochet, whether on the water or on the rock. Depending on the wind, higher up residents can even hear too. If it is clearly putting a sound level meter at the exit of the karts, we are in order, we only have approved equipment! The study is not that simple.”