Epa Seeks To Prohibit Conversion Of Vehicles Into Racecars

DynoDave

Well-Known Member
#1
EPA SEEKS TO PROHIBIT CONVERSION OF VEHICLES INTO RACECARS

-- SEMA to Oppose Action as Threat to Modified Racecars and Parts Suppliers --

Washington, DC (February 8, 2016) – 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. The proposed regulation was contained within a non-related proposed regulation entitled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles—Phase 2.”


The 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.


“This proposed 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,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “Congress did not intend the original Clean Air Act to extend to vehicles modified for racing and has re-enforced that intent on more than one occasion.”


SEMA submitted comments in opposition to the regulation and met with the EPA to confirm the agency’s intentions. The EPA indicated that the regulation would prohibit conversion of vehicles into racecars and make the sale of certain emissions-related parts for use on converted vehicles illegal. Working with other affected organizations, including those representing legions of professional and hobbyist racers and fans, SEMA will continue to oppose the regulation through the administrative process and will seek congressional support and judicial intervention as necessary.

The EPA has indicated it expects to publish final regulations by July 2016.


About SEMA
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $36 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,633 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909-610-2030, or visit www.sema.org.

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This is it boys and girls...the EPAs first BIG attack on our hobby. Even if you don't race, the limitation of parts used to convert a street car to a race car...cams, headers, intakes, nitrous, catbacks????...will be restricted or eliminated. With a crash in sales of these parts, retailers like Jegs, Speedway and Summit will be impacted, and perhaps there will be industry consolidation (speed shops closing). And they are big sponsors of some of the best events, races, and TV shows.

The impacts of this could be HUGE, and much more far reaching than they would like for you to realize. This is a knife at the throat of our whole hobby. And if they get away with it, it will be just the first step...more regulations will follow. It's simply what they do.

I know I've posted about regional issues before, needing a front plate, what constitutes an antique, etc. But this issue is orders of magnitude greater than anything that's come along before. This is the EPAs first BIG attack on our hobby, and must be challenged.

PLEASE follow the link below to the SEMA site. There you will find a link to a petition asking the EPA to withdraw this provision. I ask that you take just a few moments of your time to make your voice heard!

I won't even get into the smarmy tactic of hiding this in a non-related proposed regulation entitled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles—Phase 2.”

SEMA
 

Mark T-TB

Car Crazy from birth
#3
Done. I also saw this on another Club forum. What a disgrace.

I'm reminded of the old Lie... "We're from the Government and we're here to help" o_O
 

Mark T-TB

Car Crazy from birth
#5
I "thought" that between SEMA and the HVA the "Car Hobby" had enough juice to keep this kinda crap from happening, but maybe not. #thanksobama :(
 
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