RPM Act Discussion

[ridered3]

The real issue I am seeing is that the EPA passed a new "Clean Air Act" last year. The hope would be that it can be repealed and replaced with something reasonable, with actual science behind it. The RPM Act was just brought back to the house in May.

The Diesel bros got fined a huge amount last year on Clean Air act basis too.

Good points on those fines being related to the Clean air Act and not in the timeline for the RPM Act.

 

[Bebop]

Good link if you want to take action

https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/SEMA/Campaigns/45394/Respond?vvsn=BGbvrAVoACSFLA4S2VY7FBA

 

[paradisepwoffrd]

Like that article says, my take from the reading I have done, says that the RPM Act is a good thing. Basically it is a stab at getting around the "Clean Air Act". If you havent already, write your legislature and tell them to push and support it. Also, if you see videos or posts like the one above, let them know that the RPM Act isnt the one to shoot down.

 

[ridered3]

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for H.R. 3281, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act). I truly appreciate you contacting my office about this very important issue. As you may know, H.R. 3281 was introduced by Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) on May 17, 2021. If enacted, this bill would ensure that vehicles used solely for competition are exempt from certain regulations of the Clean Air Act. Like you, I believe that the Environmental Protection Agency has overstepped its authority in applying statutes of the Clean Air Act to competition vehicles and these vehicles should not be encumbered by such stringent regulations. For these reasons, I offer my full support to this legislation, and I am proud to stand as a cosponsor of H.R. 3281. This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and although I do not sit on this committee, please know that I plan to support this important legislation should it come before the House of Representatives for a vote. It is an honor and a privilege representing you and all of Tennessee's Fourth Congressional District. As the 117th Congress continues to tackle the challenges facing our great nation, please reach out to my office if you have additional comments or questions on this or any other legislative matter. Sincerely, Scott DesJarlais Member of Congress​

Got this response from my local Congressman regarding the RPM Act.

 

[paradisepwoffrd]

The only concern I have against statements like that, is the competition part. I realize that this is the basis of the RPM Act, but could be a double edged sword for this trying to insure their vehicles. I know not all policies state it, but have read policies that cover "custom" or "modified" vehicles, unless they are used in racing. No insurance on our vehicles is where many of us are anyways, so not sure that it matters.

My other concern is while it will help all the tuners, race shops, vendors, etc. the EPA could still come after anyone that has "modified" their car, and has a street tag on it. They will not be able to determine if/how you have used it in "competition", but using the wording of "solely" will likely mean that it isnt street-legal anymore.

 

[Bebop]

Tempering with the emissions of vehicles that drive on the streets has never been legal and likely will never be. The EPA can absolutely come after whoever tempers the emissions of a street driven vehicle.

The goal of the RPM Act has always been to protect the people who modify/delete vehicles that will be used on private land for racing purposes. Never been to protect people who delete diesel trucks that drive on the streets.

 

[TBItoy]

Tempering with the emissions of vehicles that drive on the streets has never been legal and likely will never be. The EPA can absolutely come after whoever tempers the emissions of a street driven vehicle.

The goal of the RPM Act has always been to protect the people who modify/delete vehicles that will be used on private land for racing purposes. Never been to protect people who delete diesel trucks that drive on the streets.

I think a lot of people don't understand this...

It's just the vast majority of automotive hobbyists live in areas where they can get away with modifications on vehicles they drive on the street.


I never really understood the idea of making it "illegal" to modify a car in general (assuming the car is not street driven/registered/etc)?
How would the government be able to regulate me cutting the exhaust off of a 1994 Ford Probe to go dirt track racing? (assuming I'm not trying to drive said Probe to the track)

As for tuning newer systems, you'll see a lot more of the plug-n-play interface with factory wiring harness aftermarket ECMs

 

[Bebop]

How would the government be able to regulate me cutting the exhaust off of a 1994 Ford Probe to go dirt track racing? (assuming I'm not trying to drive said Probe to the track)

They will make it illegal to manufacture, detain or sell parts made to defeat the emissions. That's why they will start by attacking businesses, not end users.

When you cannot make and sell a catless/DPF-less exhaust because it's illegal, you'll have way less people with deleted vehicles. And if you have less people buying them, you'll have less revenue, and it'll lower the attract of the market. I guess.

The RPM act is here to protect the people who want to modify vehicles to go racing, which currently aren't exempt under the Clean Air act. Basically, even if you want to go racing on private grounds, you're not allowed to modify the emission systems under the current regulations.

You have to remember that not everyone is able to fabricate their own parts, and the Clean Air act also concerns the ECU tuning. So even if you were to physically remove the emission devices, tempering with the tune to make the engine run without them is also considered illegal.

Same as Europe basically.






PS : If you look at most emission delete and tuning platforms, they always say "for offroad use only". EPA said this wasn't deterring enough people currently so when they passed the Clean Air act they used a broader spectrum.

PS2 : from what I understand it also maters in case you purpose build a vehicle (think tube buggy) because you still aren't allowed to remove the emission devices from an engine you'd get from an EPA regualted vehicle, IE using an LS3 from a Camaro without the Camaro exhaust etc. If you were to build you own engine from scratch I guess you technically aren't concerned by the clean air act, but I'm not sure how many people are in this case.

 

[TBItoy]

as soon as battery tech catches up electric will dominate all motorsports. Just like in the RC world.

So the Clean Air Act instantly makes company like Holley or Edelbrock a criminal enterprise?

 

[Bebop]

as soon as battery tech catches up electric will dominate all motorsports. Just like in the RC world.

Agreed 100%.
I work with EVs all day and they are a million times better than gaz in every single way outside of range. Which will be solved "soon".

So the Clean Air Act instantly makes company like Holley or Edelbrock a criminal enterprise?

Yes and no. It depends on the product. If it's emission related, yes.

Edit : I'm not a lawyer and this is my understanding of the problem, which may be wrong.

 

[paradisepwoffrd]

They will make it illegal to manufacture, detain or sell parts made to defeat the emissions. That's why they will start by attacking businesses, not end users.

When you cannot make and sell a catless/DPF-less exhaust because it's illegal, you'll have way less people with deleted vehicles. And if you have less people buying them, you'll have less revenue, and it'll lower the attract of the market. I guess.

The RPM act is here to protect the people who want to modify vehicles to go racing, which currently aren't exempt under the Clean Air act. Basically, even if you want to go racing on private grounds, you're not allowed to modify the emission systems under the current regulations.

You have to remember that not everyone is able to fabricate their own parts, and the Clean Air act also concerns the ECU tuning. So even if you were to physically remove the emission devices, tempering with the tune to make the engine run without them is also considered illegal.

Same as Europe basically.






PS : If you look at most emission delete and tuning platforms, they always say "for offroad use only". EPA said this wasn't deterring enough people currently so when they passed the Clean Air act they used a broader spectrum.

PS2 : from what I understand it also maters in case you purpose build a vehicle (think tube buggy) because you still aren't allowed to remove the emission devices from an engine you'd get from an EPA regualted vehicle, IE using an LS3 from a Camaro without the Camaro exhaust etc. If you were to build you own engine from scratch I guess you technically aren't concerned by the clean air act, but I'm not sure how many people are in this case.

Yeah, that is the biggest issue I see, as to who they have been going after. I get that removing emissions equipment being illegal, but they are going after engine tuners and programmers and such. While we all know that many of those tunes are to get around the emmisions equipment or what not, just tuning an ECU doesnt have to mean poor emissions. That is where I believe they are overstepping alot. Well, personally I believe it is all overstepping.

But you are correct, in that it seems they are trying to shut down the vendors, to basically kill the industry.

 

[The-Boss]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/holley-largest-performance-automotive-aftermarket-120000238.html

 

[ridered3]

Looks like there's been an update to the RPM Act, as it's been officially introduced into the House and Senate to be voted on/possibly into law.

https://www.votervoice.net/SEMA/campaigns/45394/respond
Our voices have been heard! After receiving more than 1.5 million letters from enthusiasts like you, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act) has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate in the 2021-2022 session of Congress!

The RPM Act must be enacted into law to guarantee your right to modify street cars, trucks, and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles, and ensure that industry can offer parts that enable racers to compete.

Now is not the time to take our feet off the gas. Even if you’ve previously contacted your lawmakers about the RPM Act, we need your voice once again now that the bill has officially returned for consideration in 2021! Tell your lawmakers to do their part to finally save racing from government threat by supporting and passing the RPM Act into law this year.