SEMA Warns: EPA Attempting To Stop Conversion Of Vehicles Into Racecars
According to an alert published by SEMA on Feb. 9, the U.S. EPA has proposed a regulation to prohibit conversion of vehicles originally designed for on-road use into racecars. The regulation also would make the sale of certain products for use on such vehicles illegal, SEMA states.
The item is contained in a proposed regulation titled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles—Phase 2.†Click here to read the proposal.
SEMA points out that the proposed regulation would impact all vehicle types, including the sports cars, sedans and hatch-backs commonly converted for use at the track. “While the Clean Air Act prohibits certain modifications to motor vehicles,†SEMA writes in its alert, “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.â€
SEMA president and CEO Chris Kersting added: “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. 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.â€
The association has submitted comments in opposition to the regulation and has met with the EPA to confirm the agency’s intentions. According to SEMA, 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.
SEMA plans to continue to oppose the proposed regulation through the administrative process and will seek congressional support and judicial intervention as necessary. The association also has created an online petition so the industry can support the effort.
The EPA expects to publish final regulations by July.
:smile18:
According to an alert published by SEMA on Feb. 9, the U.S. EPA has proposed a regulation to prohibit conversion of vehicles originally designed for on-road use into racecars. The regulation also would make the sale of certain products for use on such vehicles illegal, SEMA states.
The item is contained in a proposed regulation titled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles—Phase 2.†Click here to read the proposal.
SEMA points out that the proposed regulation would impact all vehicle types, including the sports cars, sedans and hatch-backs commonly converted for use at the track. “While the Clean Air Act prohibits certain modifications to motor vehicles,†SEMA writes in its alert, “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.â€
SEMA president and CEO Chris Kersting added: “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. 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.â€
The association has submitted comments in opposition to the regulation and has met with the EPA to confirm the agency’s intentions. According to SEMA, 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.
SEMA plans to continue to oppose the proposed regulation through the administrative process and will seek congressional support and judicial intervention as necessary. The association also has created an online petition so the industry can support the effort.
The EPA expects to publish final regulations by July.
:smile18:
