RPM Act is Reintroduced in the U.S. Senate

U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), along with 24 original cosponsors, have reintroduced S. 2602, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2019 (RPM Act). This bipartisan bill protects the legality of converting street vehicles into dedicated racecars, as well as the motorsports parts industry’s right to sell the products which enable racers to compete.

The RPM Act states that turning motor vehicles into racecars used exclusively for competition does not violate the Clean Air Act. This rebuffs the position which the Environmental Protection Agency took in 2015, which required converted street vehicles that compete on the track to remain emissions-compliant, although they are not driven on public streets or highways. The previous policy also prohibited the equipment used to transform a street vehicle into a racecar.

“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,” said Kersting. “We thank Senators Burr and Manchin for reintroducing a bill that will protect businesses that produce, install and sell the parts that enable racers to compete.”

The RPM Act has been passed by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee, and has received hearings in both the House and Senate. Lawmakers were able to settle on the language of the bill last session, positioning it to become law in the 2019-2020 Congress.

“American racing runs on traditions,” said Senator Burr. “This legislation upholds Congress’ intent of the Clean Air Act and protects motorsports, for professionals and amateurs alike, for years to come. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to seeing it move through the Senate.”

A majority of the approximately 1,300 racetracks operating across the USA, from oval and road tracks to dirt and off-road courses, feature converted race vehicles currently considered illegal.

“A big part of the fun of motorsports is the tradition of modifying regular cars into racecars,” said Senator Manchin. “This legislation upholds amendments to the Clean Air Act that exempt modified vehicles and racecars from certain environmental regulations, protecting motorsports for years to come. I am proud to be a part of this bipartisan bill and look forward to the boost it will give to motorsports.”

Members of Congress need to hear from the racing and automotive enthusiast communities to understand the importance of passing the RPM Act into law during this session of Congress. To write a letter to your U.S. Senators, visit www.sema.org/rpm.

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