EPA Seeks to Prohibit Conversion of Vehicles Into Racecars, appears legit.

[JsTA]

Originally Posted by TheJDMan

This statement is completely unfair and false. The EPA is made up of ordinary people just like you and I, both Democrats and Republicans, who work a job, pay a mortgage and have families. The EPA has no interest in eliminating any form of racing. The EPA is focused solely on reducing emission sources and in that respect they have done an outstanding job. Today we have clean air to breath and clean water in our lakes and streams to drink.

Our problem as car enthusiasts is that we don't want them in our play ground messing with our toys. So the issue we need to focus on is not bashing the EPA, but working on solutions for stopping additional regulations from becoming law which will ultimately kill the aftermarket manufacturers.

To be perfectly honest, I happen to like clean air and water. The problem is I also like racing and racecars. So I have a conflict of interest that I have to deal with. Because of this conflict, would like to see a dialog started between SEMA and EPA on possible alternatives to just a blanket law that you must have factory certified emissions equipment installed. I would like to see an alternate procedure in place whereby any aftermarket engine builder would be allowed to simply pass an emissions sniff test and have the engine be certified legal. Given the state of modern technology, computer machining processes and EFI, I don't think it would be unreasonable to be able to build an engine that could pass emissions tests without the arbitrary need for emissions hardware hanging on it.

Join SEMA Action Network today!
http://semasan.com

We live in a capitalistic economy. Let the industries sort this out and let demand drive innovation instead of threat of law driving barely any innovation. If the market doesn't want demand safer car or lower emissions, then it is obviously not a major issue in the minds of the general public. The country was originally ran by its inhabitants, not a select group of few that are "elected" and then distance themselves from the very issues they are creating. We are the employer, not the other way around.

[Ben@SpeedTech]

As mentioned before my understanding is 1975 was when cats were standard, but emissions equip dates back to the late 60s. These laws won't affect only late model cars, unless the EPA comes out and specifies that. There are many cars from the 70s, be it racer or street cars, that had emiss. equip that left the car long ago.

Besides my pro touring car I have a Nova set up for street /strip with an old school n/a SBC engine that has a pretty nasty solid cam in it. There's no way on this planet that engine will pass a sniffer test at idle and likely runs a little rich at full throttle. I used to drive this car daily daily (when I could afford to before I got married and had kids, lol) and on a good day with it's 4.56 gears it got 6 mpg. Along with perhaps 10s of thousands of other enthusiasts, not all of us has swapped an emissions friendly LS motor into our cars, nor do we all want to. So we're stuck with non-modern engines that don't burn cleaner, aren't more fuel efficient, don't get better gas mileage, and even with a pair of cats likely still won't pass a sniffer test.

But, these cars haul beans as they are built to do. Laws like this will shut them down, and that's unfortunate. Again I say it will be pretty boring to go to a race event and see a bunch of cars running down a track with engines restored to their low hp smog equip laden engines. Where's the fun in that?

Ultimately this is give and take from both sides. The EPA can't just sit back and say race cars are a direct detriment to the cleanliness of our air, they have ti realize we're a very small part of a very large problem, and part of the history of America. Boats produce emissions, airplanes produce emissions, off road bikes and other toys produce emissions, so in all that why are they now targeting auto racers only? What's next after us? Boat racing? Air shows? Motocross? ...

[Ben@SpeedTech]

The fight continues with some help in Washington.

Here's the latest from the SEMA newsletter...

"By SEMA Washington, D.C., staff

SEMA is supporting Capitol Hill allies on legislation that will clearly exempt from the Clean Air Act street vehicles converted to racecars for competition-only use. As previously reported, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a regulation to prohibit conversion of vehicles originally designed for on-road use into racecars. The regulation would also make the sale of certain products for use on such vehicles illegal.

“Despite recent indications that the EPA is considering a new rulemaking to request additional public comment on its proposed racecar rule, it is now clear that an amendment to the Clean Air Act will effectively end any debate over the exemption of motor vehicles converted for competition use. SEMA views congressional action as a decisive step to settle this issue once and for all,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “The EPA is attempting to write a new interpretation into the regulations. The racing community and parts makers need the certainty that legislation will provide.”

A SEMA-initiated White House Petition opposing the EPA-proposed regulation currently contains more than 156,000 signatures, well past the 100,000 signature threshold necessary to elicit a response from the administration."

[TheJDMan]

SEMA Action Network legislation update:

West Virginia Resolution Opposing EPA Ban on Certain Race Cars Approved by House; Moves to Senate.

What is H.C.R 68?

H.C.R 68 recognizes that the EPA regulation would impact all vehicle types, including the sports cars, sedans and hatch-backs commonly converted strictly for use at the track. While the Clean Air Act prohibits certain modifications to motor vehicles, it is clear that vehicles built or modified for racing, and not used on the streets, are not the “motor vehicles” that Congress intended to regulate.

H.C.R 68 recognizes that this proposed EPA regulation represents overreaching by the agency, runs contrary to the law and defies decades of racing activity where EPA has acknowledged and allowed conversion of vehicles.

H.C.R 68 acknowledges that SEMA submitted comments in opposition to the EPA regulation and met with EPA officials to confirm the agency’s intentions to prohibit conversion of vehicles into racecars and make the sale of certain emissions-related parts for use on converted vehicles illegal.

Overview: A West Virginia House Concurrent Resolution (H.C.R. 68) to urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not to prohibit conversion of vehicles originally designed for on-road use into racecars was approved by the West Virginia House in a vote by all members. The pending EPA regulation would also make the sale of certain products for use on such vehicles illegal. The resolution will next be considered by the Senate.

Please follow the link below, and send an email to WV lawmakers urging them to support H.C.R 68.

http://semasan.com/page.asp?content=aa2016WV7&g=SEMAGA

[TheJDMan]

Use this search form to find your elected officials at all levels of government. Write your officials, request that they oppose the EPA's proposed changes.

http://semasan.com/lookup.asp?g=semaga

[Ben@SpeedTech]

More support from gov't reps-

"H.R. 4715, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016 (RPM Act) was introduced by U.S. Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Bill Posey (R-FL) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY) to ensure that converting street vehicles to race cars used exclusively in competition does not violate the Clean Air Act. The practice was unquestioned until last year when the EPA published draft regulations that would make vehicle and engine conversions illegal and subject to the law’s tampering penalties.

The language in H.R. 4715 makes clear Congress’ intent to exclude competition-only cars from the scope of the Clean Air Act, including converted street vehicles, according to SEMA."

Read the whole article here- http://theshopmag.com/features/congr...car-protection

What he said- https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...&highlight=EPA

[JsTA]

For some reason I have the feeling that once the dust settles on this, race cars and all that will not be effected but modified street cars will be hung out to dry.

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Claiming they're simply clarifying a rule already in place is something I have a hard time believing. Something tells me it's setting them up to allow, should they feel the need, for future laws being enacted and put into force. With any type of legislation that gives them power to enforce rules as they feel necessary it will lead to limiting our hobby in some way. It's likely impossible to limit race cars as they have stated and not have it affect street cars in some way too.

[TheJDMan]

Breaking News: White House Responds to Racecar Petition

Action, Support for Congressional Bill More Important Than Ever. ACT NOW!

Earlier this year, the White House was flooded with nearly 170,000 signatures from racing enthusiasts and industry stakeholders concerned about an over-reaching regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Obama Administration's “We the People Team” recently responded, noting that the EPA is still considering the proposed standards and that the issue is still in review. But we need to keep the pressure on Washington.

While the battle regarding the EPA proposal continues, the U.S. Congress has introduced the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act, legislation which – if enacted into law – will ensure that street vehicles can continue to be modified for the race track. Even if the EPA removes the provision to prohibit the conversion of motor vehicles into racecars from its regulation, the RPM Act is the only way to guarantee that the practice of modifying street vehicles into dedicated racecars is protected not just today, but in the future as well.

Many legislators and government officials have voiced support for the RPM Act. However, many elected officials are still undecided. It is crucial that the entire racing community continues to send letters to their congressional lawmakers demanding support for the RPM Act. Take a minute to write your legislators below. Every letter counts!

http://www.semasan.com/page.asp?cont...6FED2&g=SEMAGA

[JsTA]

Originally Posted by TheJDMan

Breaking News: White House Responds to Racecar Petition

Action, Support for Congressional Bill More Important Than Ever. ACT NOW!

Earlier this year, the White House was flooded with nearly 170,000 signatures from racing enthusiasts and industry stakeholders concerned about an over-reaching regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Obama Administration's “We the People Team” recently responded, noting that the EPA is still considering the proposed standards and that the issue is still in review. But we need to keep the pressure on Washington.

While the battle regarding the EPA proposal continues, the U.S. Congress has introduced the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act, legislation which – if enacted into law – will ensure that street vehicles can continue to be modified for the race track. Even if the EPA removes the provision to prohibit the conversion of motor vehicles into racecars from its regulation, the RPM Act is the only way to guarantee that the practice of modifying street vehicles into dedicated racecars is protected not just today, but in the future as well.

Many legislators and government officials have voiced support for the RPM Act. However, many elected officials are still undecided. It is crucial that the entire racing community continues to send letters to their congressional lawmakers demanding support for the RPM Act. Take a minute to write your legislators below. Every letter counts!

http://www.semasan.com/page.asp?cont...6FED2&g=SEMAGA

Sent but I feel like mine will fall of deaf ears. One of my state reps was highly instrumental in getting our only local drag strip closed.

One thing I am still worried about is how this effects street cars. Is the RPM Act all inclusive towards them? It seems rather ambiguously worded in that regard and only looks to protect people that convert cars and will never street drive them again.