SEMA Action Network Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 <span style="font-weight: bold">Driving Force - March 2008</span> Click here to view the newsletter as it was printed. Lawmakers Lead the Fight in Protecting Enthusiasts' RightsPending State Legislation Would Allow Backyard Restorations Members of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus are again demonstrating their support for the hobbyist community by introducing legislation that would provide safeguards for individuals who restore or maintain inoperable vehicles on private property. Based on SEMA-model language, the legislation requires that vehicles be concealed outside of ordinary public view. Michigan State Senator Ron Jelinek, Utah State Representative Neal Hendrickson and Washington State Senator Mike Carrell have each introduced a version of the SEMA model in their respective legislatures. SEMA Action Network (SAN) members and car clubs in these states are encouraged to contact these lawmakers to provide support in these efforts. "It is vital that we rally behind these lawmakers who are working on our behalf," said SEMA Action Network Director Jason Tolleson. "They face stiff opposition from local governments, zoning boards and other municipal organizations that, in recent years, have made increasing efforts to limit hobbyist activities." In addition to several city and county proposals, state lawmakers in West Virginia have introduced legislation this year to establish restrictions on these so-called backyard restoration projects.Often, removal of these vehicles from private property is enforced through local nuisance laws with minimal or no notice to the owner. Elected officials develop these initiatives based on the notion that inoperable vehicles are eyesores that adversely affect property values or constitute health hazards. Many such laws are drafted broadly, allowing for the confiscation of vehicles being repaired or restored. For the purposes of these proposed bills, "inoperable vehicles" are most often defined as those on which the engine, wheels or other parts have been removed, altered, damaged or allowed to deteriorate so that the vehicle cannot be driven. "We believe that clear legal distinctions must be drawn between an owner using private property as a dumping ground and a vehicle enthusiast working to maintain, restore or construct a vehicle," said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald.The SEMA-model legislation provides such safeguards for hobbyists to work on collector vehicles on private property and establish reasonable provisions that vehicles be located out of public view. A copy of the bill can be downloaded at www.semasan.com.In working to present this issue to your elected officials, our experience indicates that it will be helpful to make the following preparations:• Build a coalition of interested clubs, businesses and local organizations. • Host positive and proactive meetings with city, county and state officials to address the issue. • Propose fair alternative language that benefits both the hobbyist and the community (e.g. screened from ordinary public view by means of a suitable fence, trees, shrubbery, etc.) • Garner support from local media. • Be persistent in your efforts. For additional assistance in pursing the SEMA model in your area, please contact the SEMA Government Affairs Office at 202/783-6007, ext. 39 or by e-mail at jasont@sema.org.=====Legislative Quick HitsDelaware Street Rods: A version of SEMA-model legislation is moving in the Delaware House of Representatives to create a vehicle registration and titling classification for street rods. The bill defines a street rod as a '48 or older vehicle or one manufactured after 1948 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949. Under the bill, street-rod replicas will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle it most closely resembles. Hawaii "Gas Guzzlers": In a misguided attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, legislation has been introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could require owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle. If this effort is successful, the effects on a consumers' ability to purchase the vehicle of choice, not to mention vehicle safety, could be impacted.Iowa Street Rods/Customs: SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles and provide for special license plates for these vehicles was introduced in Iowa. The bill provides that a replica vehicle will be assigned the same model-year designation as the production vehicle it most closely resembles. New Jersey New-Car Emissions: SAN-supported legislation reintroduced in the New Jersey State Assembly proposes to exempt newer motor vehicles from the state's mandatory emissions-inspection program. Under the measure, motor vehicles that are five model years old or less would be exempted. New Jersey Historic Vehicles: Hobby-friendly legislation that would amend the state's current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their use for pleasure driving one day per week has been introduced in the New Jersey State Assembly. Under current New Jersey law, use of historic vehicles is strictly limited to exhibitions and educational purposes by the owner. Pennsylvania "Show Car": A version of SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle registration classification for "show cars" and provide for special license plates for these vehicles was introduced and referred to the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee for consideration. The bill would permit show cars to be driven up to 5,000 miles per year and would exempt them from the state's new enhanced vehicle inspection program. Tennessee Custom Vehicles: A version of SEMA-model legislation has been reintroduced in the Tennessee State Senate to create a vehicle registration and titling classification for custom vehicles. The bill defines a custom-built car as a vehicle that is built for private use and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. 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 it most closely resembles.Vermont Scrappage Program: A SAN-opposed bill has been introduced in the Vermont State Senate that would implement a vehicle scrappage program and finance it with a progressive purchase and use tax and higher registration fees for some new motor vehicles based on fuel-efficiency ratings. Funds collected under the program would be used to dismantle vehicles deemed by the state to be "clunkers," regardless of their historical value or collector interest. If this effort is successful, purchasing the vehicle of your choice could be significantly more costly. Further, this proposed scrappage program could deny hobbyists the availability of vintage cars and parts for restoration projects. West Virginia Inoperable Vehicles: For the third time, a bill has been introduced in the West Virginia State Legislature that would further restrict the ability of West Virginia vehicle hobbyists from maintaining inoperable vehicles on private property. The SAN-opposed measure would redefine "abandoned motor vehicles" to include vehicles or vehicle parts which are either unlicensed or inoperable, or both, are not in an enclosed building and have remained on private property for more than 30 days. Under current law, the abandoned vehicle law applies primarily to vehicles on public property. The bill would make a violation a misdemeanor offense punishable by substantial fines, community service and jail. West Virginia Antique Vehicles: SAN is supporting legislation that would amend West Virginia's law governing antique motor vehicles to permit their use for "occasional recreational driving." Under current law, use of antique vehicles is strictly limited to club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, testing, obtaining repairs and for recreational purposes only on Friday evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.=====Caucus CornerEach month Driving Force will feature members of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The SEMA- supported caucus is a bipartisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles.Here are its newest members:ArizonaRepresentative Tom BooneRepresentative Jerry WeiersFor a full list of Caucus members, visit www.semasan.com.=====Hey, That's My Car!Mild Street Machine1969 CamaroOwner: Ken & Anita BrownLaHarpe, IllinoisMy wife and I bought our '69 Camaro as a birthday gift for me 11 years ago from a friend who towed it each winter from Illinois to Arizona to be his warm weather cruiser. Being a teenager in the '60s, it didn't take me very long to start making a mild street machine out of it. The car was equipped with a stock 350, bucket seats and a column shift, and it was in pretty good shape. We did a frame-on restoration and after rebuilding the engine, it was able to put out 310 horsepower at the wheels.As anyone who owns a classic musclecar knows, the fun is in the thumbs up and comments made when driving by or sitting at a cruise and park functions. The long hours of working on and maintaining this mild street machine is well worth the effort.SPECSUNDER THE HOOD: 350 small-block, HEI ignition, stock polished crank, 10:1 flat top pistons, Competition Cams 280H-10 480 lift, push rods, roller rockers, double springs, 202 valves, Edelbrock dual quad manifold, Edelbrock 500 carburetors, Holley fuel pump, Hedman Headers, Napa Advantage mufflers with 2½-inch exhaust, 1800 stall converter, 350 turbo transmission, B&M shifter, Richmond 3.55 gearsOUTSIDE: LeMans blue metallic paint, Competition Engineering traction bars, Cragar 15x8 rear wheels, Cragar 14x6 front wheels, Goodyear Eagle GT11 tiresINSIDE: Stock vinyl seats, Sun tach, Auto Gauge gauges=====Canadian UpdateSAN Members Rally Against Leaded Fuel BanEnvironment Canada Proposal Threatens Competition Motor VehiclesThe Canadian Department of the Environment has issued a proposal to terminate the current exemption from environmental restrictions for leaded gasoline used in competition motor vehicles. If approved, the regulation would require a ban on vehicles using leaded fuel by January 1, 2009, resulting in the likely demise of all international drag-racing competition in Canada."In the first call to action by the newly created SEMA Action Network-Canada, the response by enthusiasts, car clubs and businesses has been overwhelming," said SAN Director Jason Tolleson. "We are indebted to the individuals and groups who have spearheaded the efforts against this shortsighted proposal."According to government figures, competition motor vehicles use only 1.5% of all leaded gasoline consumed in Canada. The aviation industry, which owns a permanent exemption from the ban, accounts for the other 98.5%. It is also worth noting that U.S., U.K. and Australia regulators have not seen the need to enact a similar ban.Of significant concern is the negative impact a leaded fuel ban will have on local and national economies. According to data compiled by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), drag-racing competitions and related expenditures by race teams, event organizers and tourists, among others, the ban would bring with it a multimillion dollar windfall for regions hosting these events. Comments on the proposal were due to Environment Canada by February 13, 2008. Updates on this proposal will be available in future issues of Driving Force, as well as on the SAN website, www.semasan.com. =====Club Spotlight60 Years and Counting!In 1948, a group of students and graduates of an Indianapolis high school founded the Cluster Busters Hot Rod Club. Until recently, little was known about the original members other than their love for drag racing.By the early '50s, hot rodders had acquired a reputation as "hoodlums." The Cluster Busters wanted to change this image. They became advocates of safe driving and organized racing on the track instead of the street. With the help of a local judge, the club negotiated with the National Guard to use the Stout Field airstrip for a racing event. This resulted in the first organized drags in Indiana in the summer of 1955. The event, set-up by the Cluster Busters and sanctioned by the NHRA, was chronicled in the October 1955 issue of Hot Rod magazine.Bolstered by the success of this event, the club formed the Indianapolis Timing Association. The two organizations hosted more events at Stout Field throughout the '50s. From there, the club helped design and organize Indianapolis Raceway Park (now O'Reilly Raceway Park) in 1960. Members of the Cluster Busters formed the Indiana Street Rod Association in 1971, became affiliated with the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) in 1976 and hosted numerous custom car shows throughout the '70s and '80s. The club also continued its efforts to promote safe driving and supervised racing with an amateur drag-racing series.As the third-oldest, still active car club in the United States, the Cluster Busters will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2008. Over that time, the mission has remained the same: promote safe driving and racing for all ages and present hot rodding as a safe and responsible hobby.While current members of the club are quite aware of its lengthy history and deep ties to the Indianapolis drag-racing scene, all were surprised when three of the original members showed up at the July 4th Rod Run last year. Current members were excited to meet and learn more about these original members and hoped to see them again soon.=====Newly Introduced LegislationNote: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state legislatures:EmissionsArizona HB 2308/Hawaii 2178/Kentucky HB 271/West Virginia HB 4133: Allows each state to adopt emissions standards established by the state of California for new vehicles. Hybrid Vehicles/Clean FuelHawaii HB 2106: Creates a one-time tax credit for the purchase of a new or used hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicle. The credit would be for anyone that purchased a qualified vehicle between December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2009.Oklahoma HB 2777: Extends the tax credit for the purchase of a clean-fuel vehicle until 2016.New Jersey AB 1905: Creates a 50% tax credit for the purchase of a diesel-engine conversion device that allows the vehicle to be powered on fuel other than diesel fuel.Missouri HB 1628: Changes the annual alternative-fuel fee to exempt historic vehicles.InspectionMississippi HB 343: Repeals the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Law.Oklahoma HB 2961: Creates an inspection program for all vehicles. Exempts "ancient vehicles" from the program.MiscellaneousHawaii SB 3133: Creates a deposit on vehicle battery and tire purchases to increase the number of products that are properly recycled. New York AB 9877: Prohibits the sale and use of any product that alerts drivers of photo enforcement equipment.Oklahoma SB 2021: Makes it illegal to emit any noise that can be heard from over 50 feet from a vehicle. RegistrationIdaho HB 364: Amends the salvage vehicle code to create a uniform policy regardless of vehicle age. Changes the salvage title fee to $15.Street RacingNew Jersey SB 797: Raises the fine for those convicted of street racing for first-time and subsequent offenses. Fines would range from $500-$1000 for the first offense and $1,000-$2,000 for subsequent offenses.TiresMaine SB 836/Indiana HB 1243/South Dakota HB 1170: Allows for tires equipped with retractable studs to be used year-round if the studs are retracted during non-inclimate weather.=====March 2008 SAN Club EventsAlabamaMarch 8, BirminghamCorvette & Hot Rod Car ShowSponsor: Mid Alabama Corvette ClubInformation: http://www.maccattack.netMarch 29, Maxwell Air Force BaseMaxwell AFB Open Car ShowSponsor: Heart of Dixie Mustang ClubInformation: http://hodmc.huntingdon.edu/carshows/Maxwell_Flyer_2008.pdf or 334/233-5369ArizonaMarch 1, Tempe4th Annual Catch a Wave Car ShowSponsor: Kiwanis Nuevo InternationalInformation: http://kiwanisnuevo.org or 602/284-0137CaliforniaMarch 1-2, San DiegoBig 3 Auto Parts ExchangeInformation: http://www.big3partsexchange.com/ or 619/464-5445March 15-16, Costa Mesa2nd Orange County Get TogetherInformation: http://www.good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=08-805 or 925/838-9876March 16, Arcadia2nd Annual Cal Rod Car ShowSponsor: Cal Rods San Gabriel ValleyInformation: http://www.calrods.com or 909/626-0300March 29-30, Pleasanton26th All American Get-TogetherInformation: http://www.good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=08-801 or 925/838-9876FloridaMarch 1, Naples20th Annual Antique Car ShowSponsor: Naples-Marco Island Region of AACAInformation: http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.fm?club=naplesmarcoaacaor 239/774-6993March 2, Homosassa24th Manatee Car & Truck ShowSponsor: Citrus County CruisersInformation: http://www.citruscountycruisers.org or 352/527-0024March 16, Miami22nd Annual Spring Meet Corvette ShowSponsor: Sunshine Corvette ClubInformation: http://www.sunshinecorvetteclub.com or 305/274-7977March 29, MiamiDowntown Miami Classic Car ShowSponsor: South Florida Region of AACAInformation: http://local.aaca.org/southflorida/eventinformation.htm#Down or 786/251-4454March 29, Pensacola1st Annual Panhandle Cruisers National Car ShowSponsor: Panhandle CruisersInformation: http://www.panhandlecruisers.org/carshow.html or 251/946-3327March 29, Vero Beach31st Annual Antique Auto ShowSponsor: Indian River Region of AACAInformation: http://local.aaca.org/indianriver/2008carshow.php or 722/569-4855IdahoMarch 6-9, Boise36th Annual Boise Roadster ShowInformation: 208/938-8986MichiganMarch 7-9, Detroit56th Annual AutoramaInformation: http://www.autorama.com/casi/detroit.htm or 586/771-7110NebraskaMarch 28-30, Omaha53rd Annual World of WheelsInformation: http://www.autorama.com/casi/omaha.htm or 402/478-5277North CarolinaMarch 7-8, Kure BeachBack to the BeachSponsor Sun Coast CruisersInformation: http://www.suncoastcruisers.com/back_to_the_beach_2006.htm or 910/655-1989March 29, New Bern22nd Annual Shine & Show Open Car & Truck ShowSponsor: Colonial Capital Rods and ClassicsInformation: http://www.colonialcapitalrodsandclassics.com or 252/633-0527OhioMarch 14-16, Cincinnati48th Annual Cavalcade of CustomsInformation: http://www.autorama.com/casi/cincinnatti.htm or 859/331-7181OregonMarch 21-23, Redmond9th Annual Central Oregon Rod & Custom ShowSponsor: Central Oregon Street Rod AssociationInformation: http://www.centraloregoncarshow.com/index.htm or 541/317-9351TennesseeMarch 29, Clarksville2nd Annual March MadnessSponsor: Wildhorses Mustang ClubInformation: http://southernfordracing.com or 931/980-4453WashingtonMarch 30, BellinghamLeprechaun Daze Show and ShineInformation: 360/380-2733Check Out These Early April 2008 EventsCaliforniaApril 4-6, Del Mar8th Del Mar Rod & Custom NationalsInformation: http://www.good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=08-623 or 925/838-9876FloridaApril 5, Crescent CityCatfish Festival Car ShowSponsor: Azalea City CruisersInformation: 386-684-9309April 5-6, Pinellas Park19th Annual Westcoast Mopar ShowSponsor: Westcoast Mopar ClubInformation: http://westcoastmopar.org/AnnualShow2008.htm or 727/584-1210GeorgiaApril 5, Macon12th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Mustang & Ford ShowSponsor: Flag City Mustang ClubInformation: http://www.fcmccherryblossom.webs.com or 478/390-2986=====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.Terms under which this service is provided to you: sema.org/disclaimerSEMA's mailing address: 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765Copyright 2007. Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now