EPA attempting to regulate race cars

[So Cal Mark]

If you haven't heard the latest proposal from the EPA to Congress, it's aiming to completely kill the performance aftermarket. EPA is interpreting the Clean Air Act to mean that any car manufactured with a VIN number that had to meet emission standards can't be modified or turned into a "race car" even if it will never be operated on a public highway. EPA intends to bring this proposal to Congress in July.
SEMA and several other organizations are circulating petitions that would force a review of this. Here's a link to one petition;
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petiti ... BUNIQID%5D

While there isn't space here to go into the complete proposal, it's pretty easy to find news updates if you Google the subject

[76was124]

Apparently, they have too much free time on their hands....maybe we can put the EPA in an after school program?
Sometimes common sense gets lost in the detail.

In Detroit, the State of Michigan turned Belle Isle, a park in the Detroit river accessible via a causeway, into a State Park. Overall a good thing, as they are making long needed infrastructure improvements. Belle Isle aside from its park like settingt has hosted several Formula-One and Indy Car Grand Prix races on a street type race track since 1982. But, now, no new racing events can be hosted there because as a state park the maximum speed limit is 25 mph. Maybe those EPA regulated race cars can tune for 25mph? Fortunately, the Indy Car Grand Prix event will continue under a 'Grandfather Clause'

More on Belle Isle at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit ... Grand_Prix

[SP3]

The F1 races weren't held on B.I. Only downtown. Indycars, yes. And, one of the worst places we'd go as far as working conditions.

As for the EPA, while the intent of it's mission is admirable, it is just a waste of taxpayer money. We'd almost be better off if it was shuttered. Don't forget they are directly responsible for this: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_29504 ... ew-blowout

Tell me again what we get for our ~$10B a year?

[So Cal Mark]

here's a link to an article explaining the situation;
http://theshopmag.com/news/news-blog-co ... acing-mods

[aevansgatech]

Apparently, they have too much free time on their hands....maybe we can put the EPA in an after school program?
Sometimes common sense gets lost in the detail.

In Detroit, the State of Michigan turned Belle Isle, a park in the Detroit river accessible via a causeway, into a State Park. Overall a good thing, as they are making long needed infrastructure improvements. Belle Isle aside from its park like settingt has hosted several Formula-One and Indy Car Grand Prix races on a street type race track since 1982. But, now, no new racing events can be hosted there because as a state park the maximum speed limit is 25 mph. Maybe those EPA regulated race cars can tune for 25mph? Fortunately, the Indy Car Grand Prix event will continue under a 'Grandfather Clause'

More on Belle Isle at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit ... Grand_Prix

That's good that at least Belle Isle Grand Prix will continue. I know autocross on Belle Isle is essentially dead now

[76was124]

The F1 races weren't held on B.I. Only downtown. Indycars

Your correct, the year after they ended F1 on the city course in Detroit, they were supposed to move it to Belle Isle, but it never happened, that's when in changed to Indycars.

[Redline]

As a side note, I really enjoyed the old Detroit GP (F1). We drove down from Toronto, slept in the car in Windsor and went across each day for the race. Something like 20 bucks for general admission, and you were still seemingly within touching distance. I can't believe the pictures I shot back then through the chain link fence. There is no way you would get that access these days, even for thousands of dollars. Senna's yellow Lotus heading straight for me like a missile, seeing the drivers' eyes as they piled down the hill towards the tunnel. The cars whooop-whooop-whoooooooping into the tunnel. Having Mansell and Piquet walk past me, no more than 3m away. Even the garages were open on Friday practice. Magic.

[vandor]

So if one reads the article it explains that actually it has been illegal to convert a street car into a race car since around 1979. What is actually illegal is removing emissions equipment from a pollution controlled motor vehicle, even if it will not be used on public highways.
But they will not enforce it on individuals, like they have not for 30+ years.

[SP3]

As a side note, I really enjoyed the old Detroit GP (F1). We drove down from Toronto, slept in the car in Windsor and went across each day for the race. Something like 20 bucks for general admission, and you were still seemingly within touching distance. I can't believe the pictures I shot back then through the chain link fence. There is no way you would get that access these days, even for thousands of dollars. Senna's yellow Lotus heading straight for me like a missile, seeing the drivers' eyes as they piled down the hill towards the tunnel. The cars whooop-whooop-whoooooooping into the tunnel. Having Mansell and Piquet walk past me, no more than 3m away. Even the garages were open on Friday practice. Magic.

I went to the first one with my dad and younger brother and can relate. Same experience. I started my race-wrenching career just six years later completely by luck/accident and over the next 15 years witnessed the slow creep of moving the spectators and the action further and further apart. I've been to a single race in the 13 years I've been out of racing (mostly just to see former coworkers) and can't see ever going to another (not speaking about vintage events or a regional SCCA event).