Protect Your Right To Modify

Protect Your Right To Modify
Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners each year, both amateur and professional. Retail sales of racing products make up a nearly $2 billion market annually. Most of the vehicles raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks operating across the U.S. are converted vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal.

U.S. Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5434, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2019 (RPM Act of 2019). The bipartisan RPM Act of 2019 protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete. SEMA is urging its members and all racing enthusiasts to contact their members of Congress and ask for them to support the bill. To send a letter to your members of Congress (it takes less than 30 seconds), visit www.sema.org/rpm.

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar. This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways.

“SEMA looks forward to working with Congress to enact the RPM Act and make permanent the Clean Air Act’s original intention that race vehicle conversions are legal,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We thank Representatives McHenry and Ruiz for introducing a bipartisan bill that will protect racing and the businesses that produce, install and sell the parts that enable racers to compete."

The RPM Act is well positioned to become law in 2020. The bill cleared several major legislative hurdles in the previous Congress, including passage by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and hearings in the House and Senate. The bipartisan RPM Act included five other original sponsors: Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Bill Posey (R-FL), Gil Cisneros (D-CA) and Michael Burgess (R-TX).

H.R. 5434 is the House counterpart to the Senate’s version of the bill, S. 2602, which was introduced by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) and currently has 28 bipartisan cosponsors.

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar.

To send a letter to your members of Congress (it takes less than 30 seconds), visit www.sema.org/rpm.

Related Articles

F1 vs Rally Car vs Drift Car vs Pro4 Truck - RedBull's Ultimate Race F1 vs Rally Car vs Drift Car vs Pro4 Truck - RedBull's Ultimate Race
Red Bull brought together four motorsport heavyweights for an all-out battle on a track built for pure adrenaline. An F1 Car, a Drift Car, a Rally Car...
The Ultimate PASMAG Award Announced The Ultimate PASMAG Award Announced
Over 400 competitors are currently registered in the 9th Annual PASMAG Tuner Battlegrounds Championship presented by LIQUI MOLY and sponsored by...
SEMA 2021: Back In Action SEMA 2021: Back In Action
SEMA’s triumphant return to form after the first hiatus in the show’s history. After a skipped year of in-person SEMA due to the Covid-19 pandemic,...
DPS Automotive Wins SEMA PRO Cup Challenge Award at 2021 SEMA Show DPS Automotive Wins SEMA PRO Cup Challenge Award at 2021 SEMA Show
Accessorized Volkswagen Atlas represents best package to appeal to mainstream consumers DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2021) – DPS Automotive, an...
SEMA Announces Battle of the Builders® Top 12 Finalists SEMA Announces Battle of the Builders® Top 12 Finalists
Winner to be announced Friday, November 5, before SEMA Ignited LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Nov. 3, 2021) -- The Specialty Equipment Market Association...
Oracle Lighting Features Sidetrack™ LED Lighting System for Jeep Wrangler JK During 2021 SEMA Expo Oracle Lighting Features Sidetrack™ LED Lighting System for Jeep Wrangler JK During 2021 SEMA Expo
Recently Patented, This Tactical-Inspired Body Cladding is Equipped with Multi-Function Integrated LED Lights that Provide Benefits to Both Driver and...