U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) on Oct. 16 sponsored a bipartisan bill to exclude vehicles used solely for sporting competitions from provisions of the Clean Air Act.
“This legislation upholds Congress’ intent of the Clean Air Act and protects motorsports, for professionals and amateurs alike, for years to come,” Sen. Burr said on Wednesday when he introduced the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act, S. 2602, with cosponsor U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), which would end what he considers is regulatory overreach of American motorsports.
According to Sen. Burr’s office, the Obama administration in 2015 proposed a rule that would let the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fine amateur motorsports enthusiasts for converting their personal vehicles into racecars. While the EPA eventually removed this language from its final rulemaking, the agency still considers vehicle modification for motorsports illegal, according to the senator’s staff.
“American racing runs on traditions,” said Sen. Burr. “For more than 50 years, motorsports enthusiasts have purchased cars and modified them to race, off of public roads. However, this tradition was threatened when the Obama EPA attempted to make these modifications illegal.”
Among the 24 other members joining Sens. Burr and Manchin in introducing S. 2602 are U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Todd Young (R-IN), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
The bill also has garnered the support of numerous organizations, including the American Motorcyclist Association, the Auto Care Association, Harley-Davidson Motor Co., the International Hot Rod Association, the Motorcycle Industry Council, the North American Trailer Dealers Association, the Off-Road Business Association, and the Tire Industry Association.