NASCAR legend Richard Petty has advised fans to contact their lawmakers as he pleads for Congress to pass the Motorsport Protection Recognition Act (RPM Act).
Last month, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Richard Petty joined Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) CEO Mike Spagnola in Washington, D.C., to advocate for Congress to pass the Motorsport Protection Recognition Act (RPM Act).
This bill (HR 3281/S. 2736) is a bipartisan bill that protects the rights of Americans to convert street vehicles into dedicated race cars, as well as the ability of the motorsports parts industry to sell products, allowing runners to compete.
The 200-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner competed in cars that started out as road-legal vehicles. However, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) maintains the position that these modified race vehicles are not legal under the Clean Air Act.
This stance threatens many racing categories and threatens an entire industry that employs tens of thousands of Americans and contributes more than $2 billion to the US economy each year.
After appearing in the nation’s capital and sitting down with key members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to advocate on behalf of riders, enthusiasts, builders, tracks, sanctioning organizations, businesses and more Still, while seeking stronger congressional support to protect one of the nation’s oldest hobbies and pastimes, Petty and Spagnola discussed the issue at length with us.
“It was great to connect with some of the most powerful lawmakers in Washington and know that they support racing and the motorsports industry,” Petty said. beyond the flag. “It was encouraging to hear what they had to say and talk about how we can move RPM law forward this year.
Richard Petty has competed in race cars that started out as street-legal vehicles, so he knows firsthand what it’s like.
“NASCAR drivers competed in motor vehicles that were converted for the track,” he said. “It’s in the name and it was an integral part of what we did for a lot of my career. While NASCAR vehicles are all purpose built today, racers on tracks across the country compete in vehicles that started out as street legal.
“For all the base racers competing in converted vehicles and the companies producing and selling parts for those race cars, you need to talk to your lawmakers in Washington. It’s up to you to defend your right to run.
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Petty even brought up some of his old race cars.
“I won my first Daytona 500 driving Plymouth with a Hemiengine,” he recalls. “I went to competition in a Ford Torino Talladega in 1969.”
His advice is for racing fans to raise their voices and reach out to their lawmakers.
“Contact your lawmakers and urge them to pass the RPM law,” Petty said. “The RPM Act is the best permanent protection solution for the racing industry. The format savourracecars.com makes it easy to contact your legislators. You can also directly contact and explain to your congressman or his staff what is happening and why it is so important.
As we live in such a divided world and it becomes increasingly difficult to solve a problem that both parties can solve, Spagnola truly feels that this bipartisan bill has exactly that – bipartisan support.
“Absolutely,” Spagnola said. “Motorsports are enjoyed by Americans of all walks of life, providing training in communities across the country. I would also mention that the industry employs people in every congressional district in the United States, including areas that don’t have racetracks.
He even went into some key details.
“SEMA and PRI are leveraging the broad reach of motorsport to garner the bipartisan support of more than 160 members of Congress for the RPM Act,” he explained. “Among the bill’s co-sponsors, there are more than 120 Republicans and more than 40 Democrats who publicly support the bill.”
He admits that kind of bipartisan support isn’t that common these days, and he doesn’t take it for granted.
“That kind of bipartisan support is incredibly rare today,” he said. “We are proud to bring together politicians of all different political ideologies to support the race and all the men and women who work in the industry.”
There are, of course, those who supported the EPA and the Clean Air Act, which some might consider a hindrance. But in this case, that doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t support the RPM law either.
“We find that when lawmakers give our team and the motorsport community a chance to hear what’s going on, there’s a good chance they’ll support the RPM law,” Spagnola continued. “The RPM law is not anti-EPA or anti-Clean Air Act. The bill aims to protect the rights of riders and the companies that allow you to compete on the track.
He went on to point out that the racing industry was never a target of the EPA or the Clean Air Act to begin with.
“Dedicated race cars have no measurable impact on the environment, which is why Congress never wanted the EPA to regulate them under the Clean Air Act when the law was drafted in the late 1900s. 60s,” he said. “The EPA’s current stance has chilled the industry as small businesses fear being fined for producing or selling racing parts.
“SEMA and PRI are leading the effort to stop this. Our industry needs Congress to provide this protection by passing the RPM Act.
For those who object, Spagnola aims to send the message that this is an industry that is responsible for the livelihoods and jobs of so many people.
“The motorsports industry positively impacts millions of people in the United States,” he said. “From riders, race crews and entire race teams, to the companies that manufacture and market parts, and even the fans that support the sport, the industry has a big reach.
“When SEMA and PRI meet with legislators and their staff, we provide them with information about the role of motorsports parts companies [play] and racetracks in the state or congressional district they represent.
“It’s important for members of Congress to understand the important role motorsport plays in the communities they represent, and our team is passionate about helping lawmakers understand why we’re working so hard to pass the RPM Act and protect races. This is the most effective way to gain their support.
There is no doubt that the decision will affect more than one.
“Modifying road vehicles into dedicated race cars is often the most affordable way to get into racing,” he concluded. “Without the ability to turn street vehicles into dedicated race cars, it would limit the ability of enthusiasts to get into racing and give the hobby a chance.”
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