March 11, 2016—Chris Kersting, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) president and chief executive officer, has applauded Congressional members for introducing a bill, H.R. 4715 or the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016, that would protect American racing enthusiasts from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
Last year, the EPA published draft regulations that would make vehicle and engine modifications to convert street vehicles to racecars used exclusively in competition illegal according to the Clean Air Act. The bill makes clear Congress’ intent to exclude competition-only cars from the scope of the Clean Air Act, including converted street vehicles.
“The EPA’s new interpretation of the Clean Air Act would essentially rewrite the law and 46 years of policy and practice,” said Kersting. “Without congressional intervention, the racing community and racing parts manufacturers would be operating outside of that new law and could be targeted for enforcement.”
