This is a first before French justice: the company managing the Albi circuit, DS Events, was convicted this Tuesday, January 19, 2021 for “violations of the public health code”. The circuit is found guilty of making too much noise. He is therefore sentenced to fines of €250 for the 58 days where the sound levels exceeded the authorized thresholds. And this is only for the first quarter of 2020…
In 2020, the motorcycle days and the FSBK final were suspended on the Albi circuit until it was brought back up to standard. Indeed, the French Motorcycling Federation had demanded a major modification of the current route, which involved an enlargement of the loophole between turns 1 and 2. The Séquestre circuit had taken the opportunity to install a noise barrier, in order to limit the noise pollution for local residents.
But for the first time in France, the judges condemn noise pollution. The bill is steep for DS Events, the manager of the structure: the amount of the fine is “only” €14. But we must add the sums awarded to each of the civil parties and the damages paid to the Association of Residents of the Autodrome d'Albi (ARAS). There overall bill amounts to more than 71 000 €. And the counter risks continuing to tick.
The conviction, handed down this Tuesday, January 19, related to the first quarter of operation of the circuit where 58 offenses were noted. But, every month, ARAS files new complaints, and there are still 257 complaints to be processed and judged for the 2020 financial year.
The president of ARAS also believes that the ax could fall even more heavily, because the Albigensian judge applied the “low rate”: €250 per offense. The maximum fine for this type of offense is €7. And this type of dispute can go as far as permanent suspension of the operation of the circuit.
This Tuesday, the representative of the civil parties emphasized that noise has a real impact on health and well-being and took the opportunity to cast doubt the usefulness of the noise barrier built at the end of December.
Let us remember, however, that the Albi Circuit has been a major player in motorcycling for thirty years, and only one final of the French Superbike Championship could take place in 2014, if we ignore 2020. motorcycle at the Albi Circuit is also an economy in its own right involving the motorcycle club, local riders, driving schools, trackday organizers and dealers. Let us wish them good courage in this legal battle…
