End of our Hobby... End of an Era... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Angrybird 12 · 02-08-2016, 08:30 PM

I dont know if it has been posted before but Roadkill just posted this to Facebook.

Read this, just came to us from SEMA.

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.

What do you think?

SS 1LE · 02-08-2016, 08:42 PM

Doubt this will happen, and if so, good luck fully policing it.

Bhobbs · 02-08-2016, 08:42 PM

I think it's time to start cutting government agencies down. The EPA is simply looking to justify its existence and keep the money rolling in.

motorhead · 02-08-2016, 08:51 PM

Well, GM, Ford and Fiat may like this. They could possibility sell more factory built race cars then. This is very huge if it happens.

*DGthe3* · 02-08-2016, 09:09 PM

It will either get pared back, get sprinkled with a variety of exceptions/clarifications, or not passed at all.

But getting passed as summarized there? Not going to happen.

Of course ... the actual legislation being proposed might not even plan to restrict things the way that its alleged to in that little piece. Wouldn't be the first time something posted on Facebook was less than 100% accurate ...

cajun1le · 02-08-2016, 09:14 PM

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

I recon it's real, straight from SEMA.

Tr6 · 02-08-2016, 09:22 PM

I just saw it on Facebook... While I do appreciate why such legislation and laws exists, some are just wanting me to bang my head on a support beam till I die...

*DGthe3* · 02-08-2016, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajun1le

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

I recon it's real, straight from SEMA.

I'll revise my statement:

Wouldn't be the first time something an industry advocacy group was less than 100% accurate ...

cajun1le · 02-08-2016, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

I'll revise my statement:

Wouldn't be the first time something an industry advocacy group was less than 100% accurate ...

Good one! lol

EricTheCamaroGuy · 02-09-2016, 05:50 AM

Because of so much opposition of the proposed EPA law, they probably will not be very successful.

xc_SS/RS · 02-09-2016, 08:38 AM

so they want to take on not only those who take cars and turn them into track machines, but also race teams and car manufacturers who take their road cars and turn them into race cars to sell to the public? That's at least what I'm seeing here as their aim.

Good luck. I think they would have better luck actually enforcing laws already in place

RaceFuel · 02-09-2016, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xc_SS/RS

so they want to take on not only those who take cars and turn them into track machines, but also race teams and car manufacturers who take their road cars and turn them into race cars to sell to the public? That's at least what I'm seeing here as their aim.

Good luck. I think they would have better luck actually enforcing laws already in place

I read it that if it's been VIN'd and registered on the street that it will be barred from being converted into a non-street legal race car.

Stuff like GT350R-C's, Z/28.R's, Cobra Jets, COPO's and such would still be legal and allowable since they're not able to be registered as street vehicles.

This is just the EPA desperately trying to remain relevant in a country where the majority of the people dislike them.

alexlj92 · 02-09-2016, 09:05 AM

Its not a law it is a regulation. It technically doesn't have to pass anything, The EPA just creates it and it will take someone challenging it in court to get it reversed and by the time the court system reverses it (or parts of it), the industry will be irreversibly changed (as typically you have to abide by the regulation until it is reversed unless you can convince the court to hold it until the process is over).

The EPA has been doing this with power companies for years there is one such instance happening right now where the courts recently refused to halt the requirement for increased emission reduction protocols while the trial process goes on. So by the time it is reversed the power companies will already have paid to make the changes or gone out of business ipso facto even if the regulation is ruled to be illegal/unconstitutional the changes have already been made and the EPA gets their way anyway. The same could very well happen here.

xc_SS/RS · 02-09-2016, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaceFuel

I read it that if it's been VIN'd and registered on the street that it will be barred from being converted into a non-street legal race car.

Stuff like GT350R-C's, Z/28.R's, Cobra Jets, COPO's and such would still be legal and allowable since they're not able to be registered as street vehicles.

This is just the EPA desperately trying to remain relevant in a country where the majority of the people dislike them.

Ahh I gotcha now and totally agree on them trying to remain relevant. I don't think this will pass

02-08-2016, 08:30 PM	#1
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,547	New EPA regulations to prevent building a Racecar from a street car. I dont know if it has been posted before but Roadkill just posted this to Facebook. Read this, just came to us from SEMA. 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. What do you think? __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

02-08-2016, 08:42 PM	#3
Bhobbs Drives: 2015 SS 1LE Red Hot, 1970 Chevelle Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 6,989	I think it's time to start cutting government agencies down. The EPA is simply looking to justify its existence and keep the money rolling in. __________________

02-08-2016, 09:09 PM	#5
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,372	It will either get pared back, get sprinkled with a variety of exceptions/clarifications, or not passed at all. But getting passed as summarized there? Not going to happen. Of course ... the actual legislation being proposed might not even plan to restrict things the way that its alleged to in that little piece. Wouldn't be the first time something posted on Facebook was less than 100% accurate ... __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

02-08-2016, 09:22 PM	#7
Tr6 The Dogfather Drives: #1 off the line for a customer. '16 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Andover, KS Posts: 2,621	I just saw it on Facebook... While I do appreciate why such legislation and laws exists, some are just wanting me to bang my head on a support beam till I die... __________________ 2SS, Garnet Red with Adrenalin red, NPP, MRC M6 coupe #33 off the line #1 order for Customer. Build thread HERE! Story of my delivery HERE!

02-09-2016, 08:38 AM	#11
xc_SS/RS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: somewhere in MD Posts: 4,883	so they want to take on not only those who take cars and turn them into track machines, but also race teams and car manufacturers who take their road cars and turn them into race cars to sell to the public? That's at least what I'm seeing here as their aim. Good luck. I think they would have better luck actually enforcing laws already in place __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Z/28 intake, NW, FAST 102, speed engineering LT's, some exhaust, ATI -10% pulley, GM flex fuel injectors, DSX flex fuel sensor, MGW shifter, HP Tuners, some suspension work, stickers and a little weight loss. 12.63 @113.53

02-08-2016, 08:42 PM	#2
SS 1LE マスタング = 遅い Drives: 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Florida Posts: 7,061	Doubt this will happen, and if so, good luck fully policing it.

02-08-2016, 08:51 PM	#4
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,850	Well, GM, Ford and Fiat may like this. They could possibility sell more factory built race cars then. This is very huge if it happens.

02-08-2016, 09:14 PM	#6
cajun1le The Mechanic Drives: a sports car Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Louisiana Posts: 316	https://www.sema.org/news/2016/02/08...-into-racecars I recon it's real, straight from SEMA.

02-09-2016, 05:50 AM	#10
EricTheCamaroGuy Drives: 2016 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Maryland Posts: 200 View My Garage	Because of so much opposition of the proposed EPA law, they probably will not be very successful.

02-09-2016, 09:05 AM	#13
alexlj92 Drives: 2014 Black 2SS Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Atlanta Posts: 31	Its not a law it is a regulation. It technically doesn't have to pass anything, The EPA just creates it and it will take someone challenging it in court to get it reversed and by the time the court system reverses it (or parts of it), the industry will be irreversibly changed (as typically you have to abide by the regulation until it is reversed unless you can convince the court to hold it until the process is over). The EPA has been doing this with power companies for years there is one such instance happening right now where the courts recently refused to halt the requirement for increased emission reduction protocols while the trial process goes on. So by the time it is reversed the power companies will already have paid to make the changes or gone out of business ipso facto even if the regulation is ruled to be illegal/unconstitutional the changes have already been made and the EPA gets their way anyway. The same could very well happen here.