SEMA Action Network Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Driving Force - November 2007From Sea to Shining SeaCaucus Chairman Announces Growth of Legislative Coalition to All 50 StatesWith the enrollment of Alabama State Representative Randy Woods, the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus now has members in all 50 states. The Caucus, which consists of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles, now has more than 230 members nationwide.“Since assuming the position of chairman, I have made it my number one priority to grow our membership so we can ensure that this hobby is protected for years to come,” said Caucus Chairman and New York State Assemblymember Bill Reilich. Since January of this year, 116 state lawmakers have joined the Caucus.This bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers has helped raise the motor-vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and in the public’s eyes. Working in state capitals, many of these legislators have sought to preserve and protect the hobby by seeking the amendment of existing motor-vehicle statutes and creating new programs to safeguard and expand the hobby.“By informing state representatives throughout the United States of the need to monitor legislation that would either harm the hobby or friendly legislation that would protect those who invest their time and resources into restorations and modifications, we are paving a path for future generations of car enthusiasts,” added Reilich.Since its inception in 2005, Caucus members have achieved a series of significant legislative accomplishments for the vehicle enthusiast community on issues ranging from equipment standards to registration classifications, and from emissions-test exemptions to hobbyist rights. Through the Caucus, SAN members have been able to easily identify and develop relationships with these pro-hobby lawmakers.“The automobile is part of our culture and history,” said Reilich. “I am extremely pleased at how the membership numbers have increased, however, our work is not done. I will continue to help educate and encourage participation by our state governmental leaders and work toward my personal goal of having at least 500 members actively participating in the Caucus.” In working to reach this goal, Reilich has enlisted the support of his colleagues. This year alone, he has recruited 35 new Caucus members from the New York State Legislature.Click here to view a complete listing of Caucus members on the SEMA Action Network website. For more information involving your state lawmakers in the Caucus, please contact the SAN at 202/783-6007, ext. 39.=====O Canada!SAN Expands its Efforts North of the BorderThe SEMA Action Network (SAN) announced that it has broadened its legislative advocacy activities to include the Parliament of Canada and the provincial governments. This effort is in collaboration with hobbyists, car clubs, provincial and national hobby organizations to further the grassroots lobbying efforts in Canada.“Cooperative efforts of the automotive hobbyists and car clubs who participate in the SEMA Action Network have resulted in numerous legislative successes across the United States,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Canadian enthusiast groups face identical challenges. We are confident that by working with Canadian enthusiasts and hobbyist groups, we can add our voice to the debate and help legislators identify reasonable and responsible solutions to the array of issues affecting the automotive hobby.”In the United States, the SAN regularly rallies the support of 3,500-plus car clubs, thousands of individual contacts and 100-plus consumer automotive publications, with an estimated reach of 36 million enthusiasts nationwide; sends out action alerts to generate an abundance of responses to state and/or federal legislative actions and regulatory proposals; and issues timely updates of legislative and regulatory developments.“We are excited by this effort to expand the SAN into Canada,” said SAN Director Jason Tolleson. “In cooperation with the various organizations and clubs, we look forward to developing a pro-hobby platform to help protect the rights of enthusiasts across Canada.”For more information or to register for the SEMA Action Network, visit www.semasan.com.=====Busy Month in BostonEnthusiasts in Massachusetts had a busy October as state lawmakers considered two pieces of legislation which would have greatly impacted the hobby. One bill would have done considerable harm to the hobby, while the other would have helped to make it easier to enjoy street-rod and custom vehicles.The first bill, which SAN members in Massachusetts know all too well, seeks to ban the sale and installation of aftermarket exhaust systems. During an October 2 hearing, the Joint Transportation Committee heard testimony but did not conduct a formal vote on the bill. The chairman has asked interested parties to work together to find a compromise. The SAN is hopeful that the SEMA-model legislation to create a decibel limit under an industry-recognized test procedure will be the basis for that compromise.The second measure, which was heard before the same committee on October 11, would create titling and registration classes for street rods and customs vehicles. Based on SEMA-model legislation, this bill has been enacted in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington. Under the bill, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.During the hearing, committee members heard testimony regarding the difficult process enthusiasts face in trying to title and register these custom vehicles. Lawmakers responded favorably to hobbyist concerns and acknowledged support for the bill. SAN members in Massachusetts should stay tuned for e-mail action alerts as this bill moves through the legislative process. =====Hey, That’s My Car!Swap Meet Special1970 Ford TorinoOwner: Ron SerianzNewington, ConnecticutThe restoration of my ’70 Ford Torino almost ended before it even began. I found it listed in a local paper, and although it lacked an engine, I couldn’t pass up on the chance to own one of these. I got it home as Hurricane Gloria was barreling down on the Connecticut coast. I parked the car in my garage and hoped for the best.It survived the storm unscratched, and it was clear to me that it was time to begin the restoration process. I went from swap meet to swap meet looking for the necessary parts, starting, of course, with an engine. I found a disassembled 429 Cobra Jet at a swap meet, and later I would add more swap meet finds, including a shaker air cleaner and hood. To help add to the car’s style, I added a Mustang spoiler, rear window covers and Magnum 500 wheels. Once again, all items were courtesy of my local swap meets. The paint job was the hardest part of the restoration. To help reduce costs, I decided to wet-sand and buff the car myself. After putting in 40 hours of work, I was satisfied that the job was done right. In addition to the blue base coat, I picked a red-orange laser strip and placed a Cobra emblem on the rear. The final product looked very sharp. Not bad for a couple days at the local swap meet!=====Off-Road NewsFederal Government to Close 100,000 Acres to OHV Use in UtahThe Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the closure of approximately 100,000 acres in the Indian Creek Corridor of San Juan County, Utah. While OHV use will be permitted on existing roads and trails, all “cross-country” OHV activity within the designated area is prohibited. This closure will remain in effect until the BLM completes a review of its existing management plan for OHV use in San Juan County.Large-scale public land closures are consequential to SAN members as they deny access to off-roaders, further limiting recreation activities for this increasingly popular hobby. The SAN is actively working with the other land-access groups on reasonable land-use policies that protect motorized recreation and our nation’s natural wonders.=====Club SpotlightStreet Rodders Playing Santa ClausWith more than 1,100 members and growing, the Georgia Street Rod Association (GSRA) has worked to bring together auto enthusiasts from across the state of Georgia. Since its inception in 1976, GSRA has been committed to working within the community and preserving the great street-rod tradition. Even though it’s a street-rod association, members welcome anyone interested in the car hobby. You don’t even need to own a car. As a strong member of SAN, GSRA continues to push for pro-hobby legislation in the Georgia Legislature, including recent efforts to have the SEMA Street Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill introduced.In its ongoing effort to support community programs, GSRA hosts an annual “Santa Cruise” to benefit the Marine Corp Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. While over 650 vehicles participated in last year’s event, GSRA has already planned for bigger and better things by moving to a venue that can host over 1,000 vehicles. This year, the GSRA hopes to collect over $10,000 worth of toys for the deserving cause.For more information on the Georgia Street Rod Association and the 2nd Annual Santa Cruise, visit www.gsra.com or call 478/757-8552. =====November 2007 SAN Club EventsArizonaNovember 16–18, Scottsdale10th Southwest NationalsSponsor: Goodguys Rod & Custom AssociationInformation: www.good-guys.com or 925/838-9876CaliforniaNovember 3, Lucerne ValleyCandy Cane Classic Car ShowSponsor: Lucerne Valley RoadrunnersInformation: 760/248-9606November 10–11, Pleasanton18th Autumn Get-TogetherSponsor: Goodguys Rod & Custom AssociationInformation: www.good-guys.com or 925/838-9876November 16–18, Palm SpringsPalms to PinesSponsor: Porsche 356 ClubInformation: 213/665-2040FloridaNovember 2–3, Pinellas Park32nd Annual Car Show & Swap MeetSponsor: Florida West Coast Region, AACAInformation: 727/595-7554November 8–11, Panama City BeachEmerald Coast CruizinInformation: www.emeraldcoastcruizin.com November 18, Bradenton16th Annual Super Sunday Mustang and Ford ShowSponsor: Mustang Club of West Central FloridaInformation: 941/351-3789November 22–25, Daytona34th Annual Daytona Turkey RunSponsor: Daytona Beach Street RodsInformation: www.turkeyrun.com or 368/767-9070November 23–24, Ormond Beach50th Gaslight Parade, Block Party and Antique Car ShowSponsor: Volusia Region Antique Automobile Club of AmericaInformation: www.aaca.org/volusia or 386/441-7793IllinoisNovember 17–18, Rosemont26th Annual Fall Chevy VettefestSponsor: Nickey ChicagoInformation: www.chevyvettefest.net or 248/373-1700IndianaNovember 3–4, Richmond35th Annual Indoor Rod & Custom Car ShowSponsor: Vintage WheelsInformation: 765/966-0541MarylandNovember 3, Glen Burnie4th Annual Hot Rod JalopyramaSponsor: The Rusty Nuts H.R.G.Information: www.jalopyrama.com or 440/437-3763North CarolinaNovember 3, Cleveland County Fairgrounds in ShelbyHog Happening Bikes Cars BarbecueInformation: www.hoghappnin.comNovember 3, Wilmington9th Annual Brits and Battleship Car ShowSponsor: The British Motor Club of the Cape FearInformation: www.bmccf.org or 910/799-2753November 16–18, AshevilleCorvettes at Biltmore 2007Sponsor: RTP CorvettesInformation: www.corvettesatbiltmore.com PennsylvaniaNovember 4, WayneThe Cruisers Memorial Toy RunSponsor: Chester County CruisersInformation: 610/647-0401 TexasNovember 9–10, BastropBastrop Veterans’ Day Car ShowSponsor: Bastrop Area CruisersInformation: www.bastropareacruisers.com or 512/303-6775November 11–12, 2007, Houston2007 SVT Cobra & Shelby GT 500 NationalsSponsor: SVT Cobra Mustang ClubInformation: www.svtcobraclub.comNovember 16–18, Jasper7th Annual Rod RunSponsor Lakes Area CruisersInformation: 409/384-8745 or 409/565-4913November 22, Houston48th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts AutoRamaSponsor: MillwindersInformation: www.autorama.com or 936/344-9441Check Out These Early December 2007 EventsGeorgiaDecember 1, Forrest Park2nd Annual Santa CruiseSponsor: Georgia Street Rod AssociationInformation: www.gsra.com or 478/757-8552MarylandDecember 1–2, TimoniumEast Coast Indoor NationalsInformation: www.eastcoastindoornat.com=====Attention Car Clubs, Event Organizers and Enthusiasts: Put SAN on Your Mailing List!We like to know what’s going on with SAN 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.You can send correspondence to Attn: Jason Tolleson, SEMA, 1317 F St. NW, Ste. 500, Washington, DC 20004-1105 or via e-mail at jasont@sema.org. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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