Car owners pump up the volume

Around 200 car stereo enthusiasts from all over the country - some with audio equipment that plays louder than a jumbo jet - gathered in Wolverhampton for an event to find out who has the loudest hi-fi system.

Organiser John Royce, who has competed against celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, a big car stereo fan, said the competition was one of the biggest in the UK.

Yesterday’s event took place on a deserted industrial estate in Neachells Lane - well away from residential properties - with police in attendance, helping to marshal traffic.

Shop manager Mr Royce said organised events such as this one were aimed at improving the image of “boom box” fans, some of whom give the pastime a bad name by turning up the volume when driving through towns and city suburbs.

“They have given people like us a bad reputation, stereotyping fans as irresposible young lads who like doing up their cars but there are lots of respectable followers of the hobby.”

Other famous car audio enthusiasts include Alma Gates, the 73-year- old sister of Microsoft magnate Bill Gates, who retired from competition two years ago.

Some equipment can reach sound levels of 170 decibels , compared to a gun shot which is about 136 decibels and a jumbo jet which reaches around 145 decibels.

Among vehicles at yesterday’s event were stretch hummers and a lamborghini fitted with the latest digital technology.

Mr Royce, who lives off Milking Bank, Dudley, said he was beaten by Jamie Oliver in the sound quality category at an event in Doncaster in 1996 in which the TV chef came third.

“You can’t discriminate against everyone who likes to have a nice car stereo, that’s why it’s important to hold proper organised events like this one. We don’t blast out music when driving along residential streets. It’s just a hobby, like line dancing.”

The event was also a chance to show off cars with fitted internet access and reverse cameras, used instead of mirrors when driving in reverse.

Mr Royce’s shop, Bass Junkies in Neachells Lane, customised a Fiat Panda for a competition in France last October which won third loudest in the world in its category.