WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
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SOURCE SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association)