EPA Decides To Not Ban Street Cars Converted Into Racing Vehicles

Apr 18, 2016 08:02 AM EDT | Vanessa Doctor

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken out controversial language contained in a proposal to regulate emissions of heavy duty trucks that previously rendered modified cars for racing purposes illegal. This means that street vehicles that are converted into racers are no longer banned on public streets.

The proposed legislation was submitted in July 2015 and contained statements that prohibited the conversion of vehicles into race cars as well as the sale of some emissions-related parts to be used on converted vehicles unlawful. Several months later, trade groups and hobbyists began to lobby against the proposal. Afterwards, a new bipartisan bill was presented to Congress with the purpose of clarifying and explaining the Clean Air Act to mean that it was never prohibited to modify a street car and convert it into a racer.

According to Fortune, as a result, Congress apparently ordered the EPA to remove the confusing language completely from the final rule.

Jalopnik cites the EPA in stating that their focus is on companies that do not abide by the rules and create and sell products that disable pollution controls on motor vehicles operating on public roads. They were not specifically targeting race cars or converted race cars. They stressed their concern over the illegal cheating devices that allow vehicles to emit dangerous air and particles into the atmosphere that people breathe.

“EPA supports motorsports and its contributions to the American economy and communities all across the country. EPA’s focus is not on vehicles built or used exclusively for racing, but on companies that don’t play by the rules,” stated the EPA.

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting stated that the confusion still lingers and the need for clarifying law will confirm that the car modifications are not illegal.

The agency continues to assert new-found authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate modification of vehicles for use in competition. This means that those converting and racing competition vehicles, and the parts and services industries that support them, do so under new EPA policy that considers the activity illegal,” Kersting stated.

However, the EPA emphasized that although they do not particularly target race cars or modified race cars, it is always unlawful to cheat the emissions control systems of vehicles or tamper with such devices.

Drivers, trade groups and hobbyists should expect new clarificatory legislation to be proposed and implemented soon. More updates and details from the EPA are set to surface in the following weeks.

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