Feffman

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.

https://www.sema.org/news/2016/02/08...-into-racecars

Chris Paveglio

iTrader: (2)

Does anyone have a link for public comment to the EPA?

Nickster 7

Biggest load of BS I ever read. Damn government will do anything to try and ruin our fun. Let's all line up in front of the EPA headquarters and do a big smokey burnout in protest.

70 Bug Mid Engine

So it seems as long as we use our cars on the streets, we are still good. That way it is not a track dedicated car, just a car modified for track use.

I can see groups like SCCA, NMCA, and NHRA fighting back because there are a lot of classes that have factory cars turned in to non street legal race cars. It would kill the racing industry.

Midnight02

iTrader: (8)

Thanks for sharing Feffman.

This is such a disappointment....I'll read up so I can understand more about what they're trying to do and will be happy to provide them feedback directly.

Borowski Race

Yes, they are after your race cars. Here is a link to an article just published in Engine Builder Magazine:
EPA Proposed Regulation Has Consequences for the Performance Industry
http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2016...89&bid=1309601

Here is a link to get SEMA's comments: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documen...2014-0827-1469

Borowski Race

The EPA tried to back door their little surprise with one sentence in a big new regulation. Here is their little gem: “Certified motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines and their emission control devices must remain in their certified configuration even if they are used solely for competition or if they become nonroad vehicles or engines”. 80 Fed. Reg. 40138, 40565 (July 13, 2015)."

WANT TO FIGHT BACK? Sign this petition and get everyone you know to sign it too. Then rattle the cage of every elected official you can find with phone calls, letters, emails, whatever.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pet...les-racecars-0