How Loud Is Camping at the Red Bull Ring? Sound Levels Compared

How loud is it at the Red Bull Ring – and can you even sleep down there? We compare concrete sound-level figures and explain why the Schitterhof is quieter at night than your average big-city apartment.

Honestly: this question comes up a lot. "Isn't it way too loud down there?" – especially when someone camps at the Red Bull Ring for the first time. Sure, during the day it kicks off: Formula 1 machines or MotoGP bikes thunder past at up to 130 dB(A) (measured on track). For comparison: a jet taking off reaches around 120 dB(A) at a similar distance. But at night? That's where it gets interesting – and surprisingly quiet.

During the day: loud, but that's exactly why you're here

During the races the sound levels right at the track sit at around 110–130 dB(A), depending on the vehicle type and location. At the Schitterhof, about 900 metres from the main entrance, only clearly muffled values arrive – thanks to the terrain and the distance. A model calculation to ISO 9613-2 (the international standard for outdoor sound propagation) shows that the sound attenuation over this distance is considerable. During the day you can of course hear the engines, but it's more of a dull rumble than an ear-splitting scream. Anyone who's here for the racing anyway won't find it disturbing – on the contrary, it's part of the atmosphere. If you need peace and quiet, you retreat into your motorhome or chalet; modern vehicles dampen the sound even further.

At night: quieter than in your own apartment

Now it gets interesting. As soon as the guaranteed quiet hours begin at 23:00, the level drops dramatically. There are no races, no test runs, no events. At the Schitterhof the rule is: no loud partying, no boomboxes, no generator units (those are banned anyway). The security team makes sure the quiet is respected – on duty around the clock during the events. A long-standing guest measured about 38.7 dB(A) at night with a calibrated sound-level meter. To put that in context: a quiet residential street sits at around 40–50 dB(A), a normal conversation at about 60 dB(A), a whisper at around 30 dB(A). In other words: at night the Schitterhof is quieter than many city apartments with the window open to the street.

Why is the Schitterhof so quiet at night?

Three factors work together. First: the location. The Schitterhof is only about 900 metres from the Red Bull Ring, yet far enough from the big grandstand noise hotspots and party zones of other sites. Second: the clear rulebook. Quiet hours from 23:00 are enforced consistently – anyone who's loud gets a visit from security. That's exactly what families with children value, along with everyone who simply wants to sleep after a long race day. Third: the guest mix. Many regulars camp at the Schitterhof, people who value comfort and quiet. No wild party groups, no loud generator neighbours (those are banned, after all). The result: at night you might hear quiet voices from a neighbouring pitch or a tarpaulin rustling in the wind – but no music, no roaring engines.

What does this mean for you in practice?

During the day: motorsport sound is part of the deal – if that bothers you, you're at the wrong event. At night: much quieter than expected, comparable to a peaceful rural setting. If you're sensitive to noise, pack some earplugs – they also help against the occasional snoring neighbour. If you sleep in a modern motorhome or in the Swiss-pine chalet, you'll hear practically nothing at night. The PREMIUM and PREMIUM XL pitches sit on level, well-tended meadow, well lit and monitored – you sleep soundly there. And let's be honest: after a day at the Ring you're so tired anyway that even 40 dB(A) won't keep you awake.

All measured values and the complete model calculation to ISO 9613-2 are in the independent noise report.