A few weeks ago I wrote a column about auto racing and that those in the sport must be pro-active in heading off any legislation and/or mandates that could deem the sport unnecessary. Currently, activist groups are more than ever, especially those against shutting down fossil fuels. Add the politicians that follow whatever the climate lobbyists’ want and there could be trouble ahead.
This issue could eventually pour over to our daily driven hot rods and 1960s style muscle cars, especially mandates that would outlaw buying any speed equipment to make your car faster in now Legal Street and strip trim.
Thus, to explain further and being that I spent 34 years of my life as first a contributor and then a senior editor of Performance Racing Industry (PRI) magazine, I am informing all my readers of what we at PRI in cooperation with Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) are doing and what you can do to prevent such a disaster for us car lovers and race fans.
On Tuesday, July 19, Richard Petty, “The King,” joined SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola in the nation’s capital to lobby Congress to pass the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The bipartisan bill (H.R. 3281/S. 2736) 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. The Washington, D.C. visit came at a critical juncture for the bill, which has been steadily gaining traction among lawmakers.
Like most NASCAR drivers, Petty competed in racecars that started out as street-legal vehicles. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains the position that such modified race vehicles are not legal under the Clean Air Act, threatening many classes of racing along with an industry that employs tens of thousands of Americans and contributes more than $2 billion to the U.S. economy each year. (Remember, the many street strip cars would fall under this Clean Air Act, too. Headers and a new dual four-barrel manifold? I don’t think so.)
Petty, Spagnola, and other industry advocates sat down with key members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to speak for the interests of racers, enthusiasts, builders, tracks, sanctioning organizations and businesses, while also looking to gain stronger congressional support to protect one of America’s oldest pastimes and hobbies: motor vehicle racing. In an effort to curtail the EPA’s overreach and extreme enforcement of the Clean Air Act, Petty and Spagnola emphasized the urgent need to pass the RPM Act, which awaits committee action in both chambers of Congress.
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 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.
“The EPA is overstepping its jurisdiction and penalizing small motorsports parts businesses,” said Petty. “The RPM Act is essential to the racing industry and protecting the careers of young racers all over the country. During most of my racing career, my fellow NASCAR drivers and I competed in racecars that started out at as street-legal vehicles.”
Petty and SEMA met with a bipartisan bevy of key congressional members. They included: Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), RPM Act lead sponsor; Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), RPM Act original cosponsor; Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Senate Republican Conference Chairman and RPM Act cosponsor; Indiana Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Mike Braun (R-IN), RPM Act cosponsors; Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), RPM Act original cosponsor; House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA); House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA); Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), RPM Act lead sponsor; Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), RPM Act lead Republican cosponsor; and RPM Act original cosponsors Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), and Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL).
“The RPM Act will save the livelihood of thousands of Americans, including many young racecar drivers,” said Spagnola. “SEMA is dedicated to ensuring our industry remains viable. Racers and the businesses that make motorsports possible deserve clarity in federal law that protects the ability to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars and sell products for these track vehicles without fear of enforcement.”
Both Petty and Spagnola are optimistic about their meetings with key RPM Act supporters in Congress.
“Motorsports has many strong allies in Congress. It was valuable for Mike and me to sit down with these lawmakers to discuss how we can work together to pass the RPM Act this year,” shared Petty.
Clearly, Petty made a huge impression on those he met with.
“Walking the halls of the capitol with Richard Petty was an unforgettable experience,” said Dan Ingber, SEMA/PRI vice president of government and legal affairs, who also joined Petty on the Hill.
He added, “Even the most stoic lawmakers couldn’t hide their excitement to meet The King, as House and Senate members approached him in the halls for pictures, a quick conversation, and one congressman even had Mr. Petty sign a diecast No. 43 car. One lawmaker, who is typically very serious, reminisced about a 1972 NASCAR race in the presence of his idol.”
When Richard Petty started racing, the cars he drove really were stock cars modified with safety items. Shown is Petty in his 1964 Plymouth. (Compliments NASCAR)
Building Momentum
The SEMA and PRI -backed RPM Act was introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) in May 2021. Although simple and straightforward, like many pieces of legislation, its route to passage has been anything but. While conceding that its forward pace can at times seem glacial, SEMA/PRI Director of Congressional Affairs Eric Snyder believes momentum for the RPM Act is now reaching the tipping point.
“We are engaging in high-level conversations with some of the most important policymakers on Capitol Hill about the RPM Act,” said Snyder, adding, “The meetings and dialogue we are having is very encouraging, but we must continue to apply grassroots pressure on the principal decision makers. We don’t want to wait until the next Congress. It has to happen now.”
Snyder added that more than a million-and-a-half people who support racing, and earn their livelihoods from it in many cases, have spoken loud and clear for the legislation.
Snyder stated, “For a whole lot of lawmakers, the RPM Act is one of the top issues that they’re hearing about. They’re familiar with the bill and are noticing the up tick in enthusiasm for the RPM Act, thanks to all of the outreach from SEMA, PRI, the racing community and fans. We are focused on leveraging this enthusiasm and excitement into Congressional action.”
At press time, 129 House members from both parties are cosponsoring the RPM Act. Including Senate supporters, over 160 members of Congress are publicly supporting the bill. Not surprisingly, many of them represent states or districts that have a strong race presence that includes tracks, racers, and racing-equipment makers.
“Indiana and North Carolina are synonymous with motorsports and have really strong representation on the bill,” he explained. “The U.S. Senators from both states are RPM Act sponsors, along with a number of their House members. Some people might not think California is the lifeblood of racing, but it is home to over 60 racetracks! Wherever there’s racing, chances are you’ll find lawmakers who are supportive of the bill. California leads the way with 15 members of the state’s congressional delegation serving as RPM Act co-sponsors.”
Which is why letters, emails and calls, in addition to reinforcing the RPM Act via social media, still count for a great deal in the ongoing legislative process. With that boost, Snyder is cautiously optimistic that the bill will finally become federal law.
“If they put this bill up, we have the votes to pass it through committee, both in the House and the Senate. It would easily pass in the House and Senate,” he predicted.
Snyder believes the industry is playing an extremely strong hand. The bill has been circulating for a few years now, and SEMA and PRI have redoubled its efforts to propel it over any remaining hurdles. The formula for success in Washington, he said, is to build a critical mass of engaged voters that can’t be ignored, something the industry is now accomplishing.
“Lawmakers know the RPM Act and the passion behind it,” he explained. “They also are very aware that we’re not going away. Combine that with the fact that there aren’t any strong detractors who are strongly opposed to the bill. Ultimately, this is about education and persistence to ensure that lawmakers understand that the racing community is well organized and expects them to pass the RPM Act in 2022.”
Author’s Note: Writer Jim Donnelly and PRI Magazine contributed to this reporting.
(Greg Zyla is a syndicates auto and motorsports writer who welcomes reader input on collector cars, auto nostalgia and motorsports at greg@gregzyla.com or at 303 Roosevelt St., Sayre, Pa. 18840.)
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