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Driving Force (SEMA Newsletter) - August 2005


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To view the newsletter as it was printed, go to http://www.semasan.com/images/pdf/DF_0508.pdf.

We hope that the information contained in The Driving Force is useful and informative. We encourage our readers, hobbyists, enthusiasts, and car clubs to disseminate this information in newsletters and in meetings. If material from The Driving Force is used in your publications or in meetings, however, we do ask that you attribute the information to SEMA. Thank you and enjoy!

Copyright 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association, Inc. (SEMA)

SEMA Action Network Driving Force, August 2005 Issue

The Maine Event

New Law a Knockout for Custom Cars

A version of SEMA-model legislation to create a registration class for custom vehicles was signed into law by Maine Governor John Baldacci. Maine joins Montana, Illinois, Missouri and Rhode Island as states that have enacted the bill.

Sponsored by State Representative A. David Trahan, the new law defines custom vehicles as at least 30 years old and of a model year after 1948 or manufactured to resemble a vehicle from that era. The law also allows customs to have bodies constructed from non-original materials and assigns these vehicles the same model-year designations as the production vehicles they most closely resemble, allowing qualifying replicas and kit cars to be accommodated under this registration class.

?It took a long time and a lot of work by many people, but it appears that this legislation has finally happened,? said Representative Trahan. ?Having custom vehicles is a wonderful economic-development initiative that should help boost our economy. I hope that someday Maine is a destination for custom-car enthusiasts!?

The measure requires the chief of the state police to convene a committee comprised of representatives from the custom-vehicle industry to provide advice and technical assistance regarding potential inspection standards and procedures. The new law is the product of months of

consultation with the state legislators, regulators and the local hobbyist community, including the Maine Custom Auto Association. The custom-vehicle registration class was added to the state?s existing street-rod-friendly registration laws.

?Backed by the hard work and perseverance of Representative Trahan, SEMA members and the state?s vehicle enthusiast community, we are extremely gratified that Maine will join the list of states that recognize customs as a distinct class of vehicles,? said SEMA Vice President, Government Affairs Steve McDonald. ?The new law offers the benefit of also including qualifying replicas and kit cars in this specialty-vehicle registration classification.?

SEMA and the SEMA Action Network will continue to pursue the model legislation in states that either don?t have registration classifications for these vehicles or have laws that are lacking in some way.

Additional information on the street rods and custom vehicles can be found on page 3 of this issue of Driving Force or on the SAN website at www.semasan.com.

MAINE QUICK HITS

Optional Lighting: SAN-supported legislation to permit accent lighting on motor vehicles was signed into law. The new law permits the use of optional accent lighting that meets certain conditions, including color and intensity restrictions. The new law also provides for undercarriage neon lighting, although not for use on public roadways, and allows blue interior and dash lighting under some circumstances.

Inoperable Vehicles: Working with officials from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Maine Municipal Association and the state?s vehicle enthusiast community, the SAN amended a bill that threatened to repeal the current hobbyist exemption from the state?s graveyard laws. The original bill would have required hobbyists to get business licenses and be regulated as automobile graveyards. Under the SAN amendment, hobbyists will retain the exemption but will be required to screen project cars from public view and properly handle vehicle fluids to prevent environmental contamination. The bill, with the SAN amendment, was passed by the Maine Legislature and signed into law.

Nitrous: SAN-supported legislation to expand the permissible use of cars equipped with nitrous-oxide systems was signed into law. In 2003, working with the Maine Custom Auto Association, SAN amended a Maine bill that originally threatened to prohibit the operation of vehicles equipped with nitrous oxide or other ?power booster systems? (e.g. superchargers) on public roads. Under the amendment, the bill permitted vehicles equipped with nitrous-oxide systems if all canisters of nitrous have been removed or if the vehicle is en route to or from a racetrack. The new law also allows the public highway use of vehicles equipped with nitrous systems if they are en route to a car show, off-highway competition or fill station.

Street Rods: SAN-supported legislation to repeal the requirement that a vehicle owner be a member of a qualified street rod owner?s organization to apply for a street rod registration was signed into law.

Tires: SAN-supported legislation to repeal the requirement that a vehicle must only be equipped with tires that meet or exceed the load and speed rating of the original equipment tires was signed into law.

You?ve Got Mail!

E-Mail Action Alerts Send Up-To-Date News to Your Inbox

We here at the SEMA Action Network (SAN) appreciate everything that you, the enthusiasts, do to stay informed about the laws that affect the auto hobby. To ensure a continuous flow of information, we are asking all SAN members who have e-mail addresses but are not currently receiving any e-mails from the SAN to update their information by e-mailing Jason Tolleson at jasont@sema.org.

Any time there is legislation in your state that affects the hobby, the SAN will send an e-mail letting you know how the bill impacts you, what action to take, and who to contact.

As an example, a harmful piece of legislation in Illinois was quickly modified in the last few days the state legislature was in session back in June. While the bill moved fast, the SAN e-mailed an Action Alert to all of its Illinois members and, as a result of their efforts, the bill died for the year.

These action alerts provide the most up-to-date information on the legislation in which you are the most concerned. Rest assured that any information you provide will not be sold or distributed to anyone. We simply want to provide you with the best information available in order to protect your interests as a hobbyist.

OFF-ROAD NEWS

Thirty-Two Years Later, Is The Endangered Species Act Working?

After 32 years and hundreds of millions of dollars, is the Endangered Species Act (ESA) working? That?s the question asked in a comprehensive review of law ordered by House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA).

The document, titled ?Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005,? identifies areas of concern and possible ways to address them. Enacted in 1973, the ESA currently provides protection to 1,800 species and their surrounding habitat. For years, property owners and off-roaders have argued that the law allows the government to quickly list a species and designate the surrounding area off limits.

In its criticism of the ESA, the report focuses on the high cost of compliance for landowners combined with the subpar results in species recovery. The 84-page document claims that only 10 species have been recovered and that 60% of listed species have an uncertain or declining status. Environmental groups have countered these figures by asserting that species recovery is a long-term goal and that many of the species in question were placed on the list only in the past 15 years.

The report also calls for greater input by states, the revision of critical habitat rules and the establishment of an administrative appeal process similar to the one set forth in the Healthy Forest Act. The appeals process would encourage a mediation of issues before lawsuits can be filed. Chairman Richard Pombo wants to incorporate the report?s recommendations into an ESA reform bill.

In conjunction with the introduction of this legislation, SEMA and SAN joined with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) to sponsor a Washington, D.C., Summit for Motorized Off-Highway Vehicle Registration on July 12 and 13. Participants asked members of Congress to support and promote ESA reform legislation. Participants also attended a Congressional reception and a House Resources Committee hearing on ?Motorized Recreational Use on Federal Land.? Chairman Pombo requested the Summit as a mechanism to help generate support for his bill.

Off-Roading Faces Park Service Review

Following in the footsteps of the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service (NPS) has begun a nationwide review of off-highway vehicle (OHV) use and regulations within the National Park System. Operating under an executive order from the 1970s, NPS regulates OHV use on a specific park-by-park basis, factoring in environmental impact and public input. NPS officials have indicated that it will be a couple of years before new regulations and policies are established. Officials have stated that the current review is at the most basic level, including defining what a road is and what qualifies as an OHV. Environmental groups claim that unregulated OHV use contributes to soil erosion and habitat destruction. The SAN continues support of regulation on a park-by-park basis as opposed to implementing a one-size-fits-all national policy.

Your Title Here!

SEMA Street Rod/Custom Vehicle Titling Bill Coming to a State Near You

In many states, outdated and convoluted vehicle-registration laws have created confusion among motorists and those who are charged with applying these laws at the ground level. With the growing popularity of street rod and custom vehicles, including kit cars and replicas, problems arise in trying to title and register these vehicles, which may not fall under existing vehicle classifications.

To remedy this issue, SEMA has produced model legislation that establishes titling and registration classes for street rods and custom vehicles. The model bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. The legislation allows eligible vehicles to be titled as the same model production years they most closely resemble. The bill stipulates that vehicles titled and registered as street rods and custom vehicles may be used only for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc. and not for general daily transportation. The model bill is the product of consultation with the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), local police departments, regulators and hobbyists.

Summary of SEMA-Model Street Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill:

Defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom vehicle as an altered vehicle manufactured after 1948.

Provides specific registration classes and license plates for street rods and custom vehicles.

Provides that replica vehicles and kit cars will be assigned the same model-year designations as the production vehicles they most closely resemble and allows the use of non-original materials.

Exempts street rods and custom vehicles from periodic vehicle inspections and emissions inspections.

Provides that vehicles titled and registered as street rods and custom vehicles may only be used for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc. and not for general daily transportation.

Exempts street rods and custom vehicles from a range of standard-equipment requirements.

Allows the use of blue-dot taillights on street rods and custom vehicles.

Those interested in reviewing the model bill or obtaining information on how to pursue a plan to enact the model into law in their states should contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. To download a copy of the model bill, visit the SAN website at www.semasan.com.

Hey, That?s My Car!

All in the Family

Owners: Carol and Rich Papp

Longmont, CO

Our 1930 Ford Coupe was first pulled out of the sand in Needles, California, by my brother David and some of his high school friends in about 1961. They got it running during their senior year. At that time, it had a Model B engine, and the drivetrain was stock. My brother died in 1965, and the car was not driven again. It just sat in my mom?s back yard for a long time. But after Rich and I got married, we built a makeshift shed around it. There it sat. A lot of people wanted the car, but I would not let it be sold.

After it sat for about 37 years, Rich started to build our rod out of what was left. Since we have only a one-car garage, he worked on the frame in the backyard under a tree for shade. Our friends came over and saw what he was doing and said he really and truly was a ?Shadetree mechanic.?

We hope that next year we will be able to take the car back to California and meet with some of my brother?s friends who helped him pull it out of the sand all of those years ago.

Specs: 1930 Model A Coupe

Engine: ?85, 270hp. donor 350 engine; 350 trans with 2400 stall and remote cooler; Corvette valve covers; Corvette dual-quad intake with WCFBs; Ram horn exhaust; dual 2-inch pipes with Smithy glasspacks and chrome tips

Suspension & Steering: ?60 vintage 2-inch drop axle with ?40 Ford spindles; split Model A wishbone; seven-leaf model A spring; reversed steering column handbuilt with Corvair steering head, sprint car steering wheel; Toyota 4x4 steering box; Lokar vintage shifter

Tires & Wheels: ?35 Kelsey Hays wire wheels with ?35 hubcaps and beauty rims; fronts, 16x4s wrapped with Goodyear 5.00x16s; rears, modified rims with 15x10s wrapped with BFGoodrich 285/70-15s.

Misc: A ?push? start button. (To Rich, real hot rods must have a starter button.)

Thanks to all who have sent in or e-mailed us photos. Please continue to send us photos of your trail rides, restorations in progress, rod runs, car shows, charity events and drag races. Kindly submit pictures to: The Driving Force, SEMA, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765. You also may send high-resolution digital pictures (minimum resolution of 300 pixels per inch; minimum 5 inches wide) by e-mail to carrw@sema.org.

In for the Long Haul

Despite sweltering heat up north, monsoon-like conditions down south and the radiator fan on the bus disintegrating 50 miles into the trip, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) made the annual pilgrimage across the heartland on the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. Starting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and winding its way down to Kissimmee, Florida, the Power Tour brought car enthusiasts from across the country in what has become one big rolling family reunion. At each venue the SAN took photos of enthusiasts and their vehicles, which were then sent back to their hometown newspapers.

?I would personally like to thank the over 1,000 enthusiasts who signed up for SAN while on the Power Tour,? said SAN Director Jason Tolleson. ?Each day of the tour, I had the opportunity to meet with countless individuals who understand the importance of becoming involved in influencing the laws that impact our hobby.?

Editor?s note: For you long haulers out there who had your cars featured in your local papers, please send a copy to:

SEMA Action Network

1317 F Street, NW, Suite 500

Washington, D.C. 20004

AUGUST 2005 SAN CLUB EVENTS

ARIZONA

August 6-7, Prescott

31st Annual Car Show and Swap Meet

Sponsor: Prescott Antique Auto Club

Information: 928/445-6555

CALIFORNIA

August 5-7, Pomona

8th Pomona Nitro Nationals

Sponsor: Goodguys

Information: www.good-guys.com or 925/838 9876

August 14, Calimesa

Bob?s Big Boy August Nights Cruise

Information: 909/795-0291

August 14, Costa Mesa

Chevy Madness Car Show

Sponsor: L.A. Classic Chevy Club

Information: 310/335-2567

August 20, Atascadero

16th Annual Atascadero Lake Car Show

Sponsor: Mid-State Cruizers

Information: www.midstatecruizers.org or 805/466-2265

August 26-28, Pleasanton

19th Havoline West Coast Nationals

Sponsor: Goodguys

Information: www.good-guys.com

August 28, Chatsworth

40th Annual Parts Exchange

Sponsor: San Fernando Valley Chapter

of the MTFCA

Information: 818/765-0552

IDAHO

August 25-27, Lewiston

19th Annual Hot August Nights

Information: 208/743-1122

ILLINOIS

August 14, Geneva

All-Pontiac Car Show

Sponsor: Cruisin Tigers GTO Club

Information: www.cruisintigersgto.com

August 17-20, Lincolnshire

All-Buick Show, Swap Meet, and Car Corral

Sponsor: Chicagoland Chapter, Buick Club

of America

Information: www.buickclub.org/chicagoland or 847/464-1301

August 20-21, Olney

19th Annual Car Show and Cruise Night

Sponsor: White Squirrel Cruisers

Information: www.whitesquirrelcruisers.com or 618/393-7738

August 26-28, Springfield

26th Annual O?Reilly Auto Parts Hot Rod

Super Nationals

Information: www.familyevents.com

INDIANA

August 19-21, Indianapolis

12th Annual Toyo Tires Import and Truck Bash

Information: www.familyevents.com

KENTUCKY

August 4-7, Louisville

36th Annual Street Rod Nationals

Sponsor: National Street Rod Assn.

Information: www.nsra-usa.com or 901/452-4030

MASSACHUSETTS

August 21, Medway

Mass Cruisers 14th Annual Car Show

Sponsor: Mass Cruisers

Information: www.masscruisers.com or

781/986-4259

August 26-28, West Springfield

3rd Annual Eastern States Nationals

Sponsor: Right Coast Association

Information: www.rightcoastcars.com or 800/753-3978

MICHIGAN

August 20

11th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise

Information: www.woodwarddreamcruise.com

MINNESOTA

August 11-14, Cloquet

1st Cloquet Class Car Extravaganza

Information: 218/879-4948

August 27, Farmington

17th Annual Car Show, Swap Meet

and Craft Fair

Sponsor: Southern Cruzers Car Club

Information: www.southerncruzers.com or 952/469-5963

MISSISSIPPI

August 18-21, Hammond

Two-State Rodders 50th Anniversary Nationals

Sponsor: Two-State Rodders

Information: 601/684-2609

MONTANA

August 12-14, Polson

5th Cruisen by the Bay

Sponsor: Valley Cruisers

Information: jackoartz@charlo.net

NEVADA

July 30-August 7, Reno/Sparks

Hot August Nights

Information: www.hotaugustnights.com

August 4-7, Reno

40th Annual Reno Classic Car and Parts|

Swap Meet

Information: www.renoswapmeet.com or 916/933-0949

NEW MEXICO

August 21, Cottonwood

14th Annual Make-a-Wish Car Show

Sponsor: Rio Grande Corvette Club

Information: 505/298-0627

NEW YORK

August 21, Sylvan Beach

29th Annual Antique Car Show

Sponsor: Mohican Model A Ford Club

Information: www.28-31ford.org

NORTH CAROLINA

August 27, Mooresville

All-GM Cruise-In

Sponsor: Carolina Crossroads Vintage Chevrolet Club of America

Information: asbanner@statesville.net or 828/728-9048

OHIO

August 6, Columbus

Neo-Fest Custom Compact Nationals

Sponsor: Classic Events

Information: www.classicevents.com or 614/268-1181

August 20, Cambridge

20th Annual Cambridge Classic Cruise-In

Sponsor: Y-City Custom Car Assn.

Information: ken@mcpeck.com or 740/454-0437

OREGON

August 4-7, Bend

Flashback Cruiz 2005

Sponsor: Central Oregon Classic Chevy Club

Information: jredding@bwndcable.com or 541/382-9370

PENNSYLVANIA

August 6-7, Blair County

Convention Center

Blair County Antique Auto Club 30th Anniversary Celebration

Sponsor: Blair County Antique Auto Club

Information: www.bcaac.com or 814/695-2549

August 23-28, Harrisburg/Carlisle

National Solid Axle Corvette Club Convention

Sponsor: National Solid Axle Corvette Club

Information: www.solidaxle.org or 302/436-4974

August 26-28, Carlisle

Carlisle All-Truck Nationals

Sponsor: Carlisle Events

Information: www.carsatcarlisle.com

August 26-28, Macungie

WOTSRA Rod and Custom Jamboree

Sponsor: Wheels of Time Street Rod Assn.

Information: www.wheelsoftime.org or

610/845-7177

August 28, Rothsville

16th Annual ?A Taste of Britain?

Sponsor: Lanco MG Club

Information: www.lancomgclub.com or

717/292-0579

SOUTH DAKOTA

August 12-14, Pierre

16th Annual Dam Run

Sponsor: Street Masters Car Club

Information: 605/224-4476

TEXAS

August 12-14, Fort Worth

Yellow Rose Classic

Sponsor: North Texas Mustang Club

Information: 817/595-6900

VERMONT

August 6-7, Essex Junction

11th Annual Bond Auto Parts 4-Wheel

Jamboree Nationals

Information: www.familyevents.com

WASHINGTON

August 6, Raymond

16th Annual Raymond Cruise-In at 8th Street Park

Sponsor: Pacific County Cruisers Car Club

Information: 360/942-3142

August 19-21, Spokane

4th Great Northwest Nationals

Sponsor: Goodguys

Information: www.good-guys.com

WEST VIRGINIA

August 20, Dunbar

Klassy Kruzers Car Club Annual Car Show

Sponsor: Klassy Kruzers Car Club

Information: www.klassykruzers.com

WISCONSIN

August 6, Green Bay

14th Annual Denil - Wall Oldsmobile Show

Sponsor: Olds Club of Wisconsin

Information: 920/465-1502

August 6-7, Elkhorn

20th Annual Madison Classics? Car Show

Sponsor: Madison Classics

Information: www.jeffersonswapmeet.com or 608/244-8416

August 12-14, Waukesha

16th Great Lakes Nationals

Sponsor: The Goodguys

Information: www.good-guys.com

August 20, Graham

AMC Rendezvous 2005

Sponsor: The Coalition of AMC Clubs

Information: johngbarnes@comcast.net or 206/243-5403

Check out these early September 2005 events

IOWA

September 5, Iowa Falls

9th Annual Car Show

Sponsor: Scenic City Cruisers

Information: www.sceniccitycarshow.com or 641/648-9559

MASSACHUSETTS

September 4, Marshfield

25th Annual Car Show, Car Corral and Swap Meet

Sponsor: Spindles Auto Club

Information: spindlescarclub@yahoo.com or 781/335-9754

TENNESSEE

September 3, Sweetwater

Open Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show

Sponsor: Wheels of Time Car Club

Information: cruiser002@charter.net or 423/337-2603

Newly Introduced Legislation

Note: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state legislatures:

EQUIPMENT

Pennsylvania HB 727/HB 1760: Prohibits the use of nitrous-oxide systems on public roadways. Owners of vehicles equipped with nitrous-oxide systems must remove the canisters while operating on public roadways. Exemption provided for vehicles going to or returning from racetracks as long as the nitrous lines are disconnected while on public roadways. Provides penalties for violations.

Pennsylvania HB 1294: Requires sellers to notify a buyer if a vehicle contains a vehicle-event data recorder. Allows removal of data recorder with consent of owner and provides penalties.

MISCELLANEOUS

Pennsylvania HB 1776: Prohibits drivers with learner?s permits or junior driver?s licenses from using mobile phones. Provides exception for emergency situations.

New York SB 5603: Creates the ?motor vehicles owners? right to repair act,? requiring manufacturers to release vehicle-repair information to owners.

Attention Car Clubs, Event Organizers and Enthusiasts!

Put SAN on Your Mailing List!

We?d like to know what?s going on with SEMA Action Network clubs and enthusiasts across the country; what charity events you?re involved in; when and where the rod runs, car shows, trail rides,rallies and tech meetings are held; and what legislative and regulatory issues concern club members and individual enthusiasts.

One of the best ways to keep us abreast of what?s going on and what?s important to the vehicle hobbies nationwide is for us to receive your club newsletters and updates. Please consider placing SEMA on your mailing list. Send correspondence to: Jason Tolleson, SEMA, 1317 F Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20004-1105. Or by e-mail at jasont@sema.org.

On The Road Again

We invite you to stop by and meet with Jason Tolleson, director of the SEMA Action Network, at these events in August:

36th Annual Street Rod Nationals

August 4-7

Louisville, Kentucky

www.nsra-usa.com

11th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise

August 20

www.woodwarddreamcruise.com

==============================

Produced by:

SEMA

1575 S. Valley Vista Dr.

Diamond Bar, CA 91765

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