Rob Loszewski
Remember been in the 1960s when hot rodding was all the rage? One of the first things you did after buying a new Corvette was to go and modify it – swap the exhaust, modify the engine, increase the horsepower and then run it at the drag strip? Well, if the Environmental Protection Agency has its way, those days will be gone forever.
According to a press release from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the EPA is proposing new regulation to prohibit the conversion of vehicles originally designed for on-road use into racecars. The regulation would also prevent the sale of aftermarket parts for such conversions making them illegal for sale.
Below is the press release from SEMA:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2016
Media inquiries contact: Della Domingo
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.
We cannot disagree more with this potential threat to the Corvette aftermarket hobby. Please consider signing the petition below to oppose this!
