Can the EPA stop motorsports? (3rd Update)
On the one hand, cars that use public roads are and will be prohibited from making changes to their manufacturer's EPA mandated standards. On the other, cars that are exclusively used for track activity can be modified
What about cars that are used for both purposes?
Not only will this position have major impact on rally cars, but it will also severely effect the growing number of track day, non competitive cars that now comprise a growing proportion of a track's customer base, as well as many club racing competitors who use their cars for both everyday use and racing.
Given that laws inevitably continue to change, and restrictions can be expected to become even more severe in the future, what protection for these groups of dual users can be provided when the other government departments, including those defining mechanical and other "safety" systems, start to enforce restrictions on other systems? Will owners be able to change such things as shock absorbers, brake systems, exhaust systems, even tires, once rampant controls become even more defined?
Consider such extremes (I use extremes to make my point, not because these are necessarily currently realistic), when car's top speeds become limited, as is currently being considered as a control mechanism in the U.K., using GPS and car computer interface to control speeds in different speed limited zones.
Then what happens when authorities ban gasoline engines, as is currently being suggested in some EU countries?
Motor sport faces major problems for its future in many ways, but perhaps none as scary as creating legislation. Alan Wilson
11/01/16 UPDATE Nicholas W. Craw, President & CEO of ACCUS, FIA Inc. told AR1.com that ACCUS obtained from EPA what is known as a "no enforcement letter" (attached).
The RPM Act of 2016 has only a slight chance of passage during the remaining legislative calendar; the EPA letter was designed as an insurance policy in the event the RPM Act failed to pass.
While legislation would have the force of law, the letter is a strong statement of EPA policy and intent, protecting motorsports. (follow-up letter)
10/31/16 Could the EPA ban auto racing? In this weeks SPEED SPORT News Center, North Carolina Congressman (R) Patrick McHenry took his first laps in a dirt late model at the East Lincoln Speedway in Stanley, NC and gave Derek Pernesiglio an update on the RPM Act of 2016 to stop the EPA from putting major restrictions on motorsports.