Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) is a bipartisan bill that was drafted in 2019 by United States Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Paul Ruiz (D-CA). Its intent is to protect every American’s right to convert a street-legal car, truck or motorcycle into a dedicated race vehicle. The RPM Act also protects the motorsports parts industry’s ability to sell products that are intended to enable racers to compete. How important is this act? It’s vital enough that the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is now urging its members, racing enthusiasts and everyone who has a stake in this issue to contact members of Congress ands ask for them to support this bill. This is a simple process that can be done online in less than 30 seconds by visiting www.sema.org/rpm.
FINAL PUSH! CLICK HERE TO TELL CONGRESS TO PASS THE RPM ACT TO SAVE OUR RACE CARS THIS YEAR!
What will the RPM Act do? SEMA staff in Washington D.C. says that the RPM Act will reverse the Environmental Protection Agency’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use to be converted into a dedicated race car. This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years; however, in 2015 the EPA shifted their position, saying that converted vehicles must remain compliant with emissions regulations even if they are no longer driven on public streets.
SEMA president and CEO Chris Kersting says, “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.” He went on to thank Representatives McHenry and Ruiz for introducing this bill that will protect automotive racing and the businesses that produce, sell and intall parts that enable racers to compete. The five other original sponsors of the bipartisan act include Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Bill Posey (R-FL), Gil Cisneros (D-CA) and Michael Burgess (R-TX).
The RPM Act removes any doubt that it is legal to modify a motor vehicle for exclusive use on the track.
SEMA says that the RPM Act is positioned to become law as the 2019-2020 legislative session nears a close. The bill has cleared several major legislative hurdles in the previous Congress including passage by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee as well as hearings in the House and Senate.
Since the RPM Act has been reintroduced in both houses of Congress, SEMA has relaunched its campaign to pass this legislation. Most of the vehicles that are raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks across the US are cars or trucks that have been converted from street trim to race. These are the vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal which is why your help is still needed. If you’re a participant or fan of any form of motorsports, take 30 seconds out of your day and tell Congress to pass the RPM Act now: www.sema.org/rpm