Driving Force Newsletter - September 2006

[SEMA Action Network]

SEMA Action Network

Driving Force - September 2006

Zoned Out

Hobbyists Counter Unfair State and Local Zoning Ordinances

The SEMA Action Network has become increasingly concerned about the many states and localities attemp-ting to legislate strict property or zoning laws that include restrictions on inoperable automobile bodies and parts. In addition to several city and county proposals, state lawmakers in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia have considered legislation this year that would have established restrictions on these so-called backyard restoration projects.

?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.

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.

An active group of enthusiasts will find that in some cases it will be possible to successfully kill these proposals directly. However, in other instances it may be necessary to negotiate reasonable and fair compromise legislation. In these cases, enthusiast groups might consider supporting legislation that permits the outdoor storage of a motor vehicle if the vehicle is maintained in such a manner as not to constitute a health hazard. In addition, these vehicles could be located away from public view, or screened by means of a suitable fence, trees, shrubbery, opaque covering or other appropriate means. This would help appease those who believe these vehicles to be eyesores.

To help in this effort, SEMA has produced model legislation to provide 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 from the SAN website 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.

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LEGISLATIVE QUICK HITS

Missouri Enacts Broad-Based Emissions Test Exemption

SAN-backed legislation to exempt vehicles manufactured prior to 1996 from the emission inspection process was passed by the Missouri Legislature and signed into law by Governor Matt Blunt. Under the new law, motor vehicles manufactured prior to 1996 will only be subject to a gas cap pressure test as part of the state?s biennial safety inspection program. In addition, newer motor vehicles which have not been previously titled and registered will be exempted from emissions inspections for the four-year period following their model year of manufacture provided they are driven less than 40,000 miles for the first two years. All motor vehicles driven less than 12,000 miles between the biennial safety inspection are also exempt.

Oregon Adopts Emissions Exemptions for Specialty Cars

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has adopted new Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) requirements for 2009 model year manufactured vehicles. The adopted LEV standards will exempt newly built specialty vehicles from the state?s permanent rules requiring new motor vehicles to meet California?s tighter motor vehicle emissions standards. The exemptions are a product of weeks of consultation between the DEQ and the SAN. The new regulations will exempt assembled vehicles, replicas, street rods, and custom vehicles from Oregon?s low-emission vehicle (LEV) standards that take effect in 2009 provided that these vehicles are used only for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc., but not for general daily transportation.

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Off-Road News

Congress Crafts Compromise To Allow Off-Roading Within Wilderness

The U.S. House of Representatives approved three measures that would create over 677,000 acres of new wilderness areas in California, Idaho and Oregon. Although off-highway vehicle (OHV) use is traditionally restricted in wilderness areas, provisions were included in the three bills to establish adjacent or nearby areas which would be open to OHV use. This would include inclusion of some ?cherry-stem? roads within the wilderness areas to allow continued motorized access to existing roads and trails.

Under this measure, 275,000 acres in five Northern California counties (Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino and Napa) would be designated as wilderness. As part of a compromise, approximately 79,000 acres would be set aside as recreation management areas for off-road vehicles and there would also be cherry-stem roads within the wilderness areas.

House lawmakers also approved legislation that would create three wilderness areas in Central Idaho totaling almost 300,000 acres. Another 130,000 acres that had been set aside as ?wilderness study areas? would now be opened to off-road use. The legislation also authorizes the creation of a state motorized park. The House also approved a separate measure which would increase the Mount Hood Wilderness Area in Oregon by 41 percent. Included in the bill were provisions for converting old forest roads into new recreational trails. All three bills have been sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

?Wilderness legislation is consequential since it potentially denies access to off-roaders,? said SAN Director Jason Tolleson. ?The SAN supports land use decisions that allow local communities and government authorities to participate in the decision-making process. Within that context, the SAN supports compromise approaches on wilderness areas that balance the need to preserve access to appropriate motorized recreation while protecting some of our nation?s natural wonders.?

California Forests: The Road Stops Here

Governor Arnold Schwar-zenegger petitioned the federal government to set aside 4.4 million acres of national forest in California as ?roadless.? The petition is in response

to a rule that gives states until November 2006 to request

the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to open areas previously

closed under the Clinton Administration?s so-called ?roadless rule.? The rule covers nearly 58.5 million acres of national forests and grasslands, mostly in western states.

The rule established a process for considering state recommendations on which roadless areas should remain closed and which should be opened to logging, mining or other commercial ventures. If a state does not petition the USFS to make such recommendations, roadless areas would then be subject to the management plans of each forest. While some of those plans allow for long-range development, agency officials have noted the majority of roadless areas would be protected under current plans.

The California petition seeks to prohibit development more than 20 percent of the state?s 20.7 million acres in 18 national forests. California joins New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia to submit a petition under the new rule.

The SAN has previously commented to the USFS that the state petitioning process could be an opportunity to correct inaccurate roadless designations and include uninventoried routes well known to users but that do not appear on current USFS maps. These routes could be closed if located in areas deemed ?roadless.?

Lawmakers Support SAN?s Criticism of Motorized Recreation Proposal

The U.S. House Resources Committee held a hearing to discuss the latest round of proposed changes to the National Park Service?s (NPS) management policies. The document, which serves as a handbook for park superintendents and other NPS officials, has been the focus of attention by both recreation groups and environmental organizations since the Bush Administration released its first proposed changes in 2005. The proposal envisioned more recreational opportunities for motorized recreation.

At issue in the hearing was a second draft proposal released by the NPS last month. Critics, including the SAN and the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), argue that the revised version drastically shifts the balance from ?visitor enjoyment? to a strict mandate for ?resource preservation.? These supporters of recreational access, including the use of OHVs in designated parks, claim that the latest proposal is inconsistent with the original intent of Congress in establishing the national park system in 1916.

Another area of concern in the latest proposal was in regards to noise, which directs park officials to eliminate all unnatural noise whenever possible. This broad definition would be a direct threat to recreational activities including OHVs and boating. Furthermore, areas ?possessing? wilderness features or deemed ?suitable? for wilderness status would be managed as wilderness even if the area is not formally recommended, proposed or designated wilderness. This could preclude OHV activities, snowmobiling and other motorized recreation.

While the latest draft does not directly prohibit OHV access, the SAN is disappointed by the shift away from balanced recreation opportunities within our national parks. Furthermore, the SAN disagrees with these implied directives regarding recreational access and favors a process in which individual park officials use public input and available scientific data to resolve access issues.

NPS officials intend to release the final version of the management policy later this summer.

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Calling All Car Clubs!

Entry Forms Available September 5 for annual Eagle One Golden Rule Awards

Eagle One has announced the availability of entry forms for its 14th annual Golden Rule Awards. Cash donations and products for fund-raising purposes will be awarded to car clubs in four regions judged to have conducted the most outstanding community service program in their region during 2006.

Entry forms can be downloaded at www.eagleone.com or by calling 818/501-1445. Deadline for entries will be December 31, 2006.

Cash donations of $750 by Eagle One and associate sponsor Valvoline will be awarded to each of the four winning clubs. Winners and runners-up will also receive a generous supply of Eagle One?s Bucket-Free Car Wash, Wax As-U-Dry, NanoWax, All Wheel & Tire Cleaner and Tire Shine, as well as Valvoline MaxLife motor oil, for fund-raising purposes. Winners will be notified by January 31, 2007.

Eagle One products are part of the Valvoline family of brands.

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Hey, That?s My Car!

You?re My Boy, Blue

1964 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible

Owner: Neil Kiracofe

Winchester, Virginia

Sometimes when we lose the ones we love the most, we?re lucky enough to get to hang on to something that reminds us of them and the things they loved to do. Nowhere is this more apparent than with Neil Kiracofe?s 1964 Bonneville Convertible. Neil?s uncle, a classic car fanatic and collector, was constantly buying and selling classic cars. When his uncle passed away in 1999, he left Neil (who at the time was only 17) two beautifully restored classic cars: a 1968 Camaro, and this 1964 Bonneville.

?The Bonneville was purchased from a gentleman out of Ohio in 1998, and when my uncle got it, it was a non-original dark blue,? said Kiracofe. The car was then returned to its original color by Diehl Wilson, a fantastic local painter and owner/driver of the Virginia Giant monster truck. As if the car wasn?t gorgeous enough, it also happens to be a numbers-matching car, and is nearly all-original. But make no mistake, this car and the Camaro are not garage queens. When there is time, the cars are driven and occasionally used in local parades and events. Although, sadly, his uncle never got to enjoy this car like he should have, Neil has secured a permanent space for it in his garage and, in addition, has inherited the love for all things automotive as well.

SPECS:

Drivetrain: 389 CI V-8; Hydramatic automatic transmission

Suspension: Stock

Wheels/Tires: Stock

Exterior: Returned to original blue with dark blue top

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.

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Caucus Corner

Each month Driving Force will feature members of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The SEMA-supported caucus is a bi-partisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles. Here are its newest members:

Maine

Representative Richard Cebra

Maryland

Delegate Don Dwyer

Oregon

Representative Alan Brown

For a complete list of Caucus members visit www.semasan.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2006 SAN CLUB EVENTS

ALABAMA

September 1-3, Birmingham

30th Anniversary Stampede

Sponsor: Mustang Club of America

Information: www.mustang.org or 770/957-7501

ARIZONA

September 8-10, Flagstaff

2nd Annual Route 66 Days

Sponsor: Route 66 Car Club

Information: www.route66carclub.com or 928/779-0898

CALIFORNIA

September 3, Long Beach (Queen Mary Seawalk Plaza)

Cadillac Concours D'Elegance/Car Lovers Celebration

Sponsor: Cadillac Club International Consortium

Information: 951/845-5916

September 10, Belmont Shore

17th Annual Belmont Shore Car Show

Sponsor: Bay City Rodders

Information: 562/946-9800

September 22-24, Cayucos

San Jose 40 Fest

Sponsor: San Jose 40?s

Information: 408/398-8736

September 24, Long Beach

Mustangs at the Queen Mary

Sponsor: Beach City Mustang Club

Information: www.bcmc.net or 562/498-2262

COLORADO

September 16-17, Arvada

Show in the Park

Sponsor: Colorado English Motoring Conclave

Information: gfgv12e@aol.com or 303/477-0189

GEORGIA

September 30, Braselton

Street Masters Benefit Show

Sponsor: Street Masters Car Club of Athens, GA

Information: 706/797-3626

ILLINOIS

September 9-10, St. Charles

Fierorama 11

Sponsor: Northern Illinois Fiero Enthusiasts

Information: paulv@xnet.com or 630/983-6434

September 10, St. Charles

36th Annual Midwest Antique Car Show

Sponsor: Model T Ford Club International, Midwest Chapter

Information: www.midwestswap.com or 847/669-3848

September 15-16, Galena

Quad State 2006

Sponsor: Illinois Valley Olds Chapter, Oldsmobile Club of America

Information: quadstates06@hotmail.com or 708/444-7625

September 16, Fairfield

Fall Fun Fest Car Show

Information: 618/842-3169

September 17, Chicago

Chicago Gearhead?s Picnic and Show

Sponsor: Chicago Gearheads

Information: 312/305-6221

September 17, Oak Brook Terrace

9th Annual Pontiac & GMC All Pontiac/

GMC Car Show

Sponsor: Pontiac-Oakland Club International, Illinois Chapter

Information: 815/838-7956

INDIANA

August 30-September 4, Indianapolis

Gathering of Gassers

Information: 800/884-6472

September 22-24, Indianapolis

25th Annual Advance Auto Parts Fall 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals

Sponsor: Special Events

Information: www.familyevents.com

IOWA

September 4, Iowa Falls

10th Annual Labor Day Scenic City Show

Sponsor: Scenic City Cruisers

Information: www.sceniccitycarshow.com or 641/648-4824

September 8-10, Greenfield

44th Annual Early Wheels of Iowa

Information: www.earlywheelsofiowa.com or 515/961-3657

September 17, Dubuque

Camp Albrecht Acres Benefit Car Show

Sponsor: Tri-State Auto Club

Information: 563/557-1081

KANSAS

September 1-3, Kansas City

5th Mid-Western Nationals

Sponsor: Goodguys

Information: www.good-guys.com or

925/838 9876

September 16, Tuttle Creek

2nd Kansas Krawl

Sponsor: Trail Krawlers 4x4 Club

Information: 785/633-8625

MARYLAND

September 9, Columbia

The All-Chevy Car Show

Sponsor: Maryland Camaro club

Information: www.mdcamaroclub.com or 301/854-2014

September 22-24, Garrett County Fairgrounds

Strut Your Stuff Shine and Show 2006

Information: www.strutyourstuffcarshow.com or 240/580-0937

MASSACHUSETTS

September 16, Norwood

5th Cadillac Village Show

Sponsor: Cadillac LaSalle Club, N.E. Region

Information: 617/288-6626

MICHIGAN

September 15-17, Kalamazoo

Street Rod Nationals North

Sponsor: NSRA

Information: www.nsra-usa.com or

901/452-4030

MISSOURI

September 15-17, Springfield

18th Annual O?Reilly Auto Parts Fall Street Machine Nationals

Sponsor: Special Events

Information: www.familyevents.com

September 22-24, Kansas City

LightningFest 4

Sponsor: National Lightning Owners Club

Information: www.LightningFest06.com

September 30, Warrenton

8th Annual Charity Car Show

Sponsor: American Roadhouse Car Club

Information: www.americanroadhouse.org or 636/946-4389

NEW JERSEY

September 24, Folsom

Fall Memorial Car Show and Toy Run

Sponsor: Cruisin? Classics Auto Club

Information: www.crusinclassics.com or 609/561-2581

NEW MEXICO

September 22-24, Los Lunas

NMCCC Annual Swap Meet

Sponsor: New Mexico Council of Car Clubs

Information: oldcarnut1932@earthlink.net or 505/884-7912

September 30-October 1, Edgewood

Edgewood Harvest Festival

Information: onestacksmack@att.net or 505/832-1503

NEW YORK

September 8-10, Lake George

18th Annual Adirondack Nationals

Sponsor: Albany Rods and Kustoms

Information: www.adirondacknationals.com or 518/821-6237

September 10, Wampsville

46th Annual Antique Car Show and Flea Market

Sponsor: Mohican Model A Ford Club

Information: www.28-31ford.org or 315/736-1928

September 15-17, Lake Placid

Volvo Club of America Midwest National Meet

Sponsor: Volvo Club of America

Information: www.vcoa.org/events/2006-east_coast_national/ or 816/891-8900

September 15-17, Rhinebeck

14th East Coast Nationals

Sponsor: Goodguys

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

OHIO

September 4, Mt. Vernon

Newton?s 4th Annual Car Show

Information: 740/392-9921

OREGON

September 9-10, Sandy

Sandy Oktoberfest Car Show

Sponsor: OCOVA

Information: 503/668-4096

PENNSYLVANIA

September 24, Hershey

21st Annual All Oldsmobile Fall Meet

Sponsor: Oldsmobile Club of America, Blue/Gray Chapter

Information: 717/277-0789

September 27-October 1, Carlisle

31st Annual Fall Carlisle

Information: www.carsatcarlisle.com or

717/243-7855

SOUTH CAROLINA

September 2, Myrtle Beach

Wheels at the Beach

Sponsor: Myrtle Beach Car Club

Information: 843/650-3098

SOUTH DAKOTA

September 22-24, Mitchell

2nd Annual Outkasts Car Club Cruise In and Hot Rod Show

Sponsor: Outkasts Car Club

Information: or 605/996-7203

TENNESSEE

September 2-3, Millington

3rd Annual All Star Event

Information: 901/377-5575

September 22-24, Nashville

27th Annual Music City Convention

Sponsor: Mid-Tenn Classic Chevy Club

Information: 615/824-7522

September 23, Pulaski

23rd Annual Antique Car Show

Sponsor: P.A.C.E. Car Club

Information: www.pacecarclub.com or 931/363-2585

TEXAS

September 9, Houston

15th United Way Bud Classic

Information: Raymond.buchman@anheuser-busch.com or 713/675-2311

September 16, Seguin

7th Annual Open Classic Car Show

Sponsor: POCI, South Central Texas Chapter

Information: 830/438-2878

September 29 - October 1, Fort Worth

14th Lone Star Nationals

Sponsor: Goodguys

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

VERMONT

September 22-24, Burlington

Northeast Street Rod Nationals

Sponsor: NSRA

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

VIRGINIA

September 23, Manassas

31st Annual Edgar Rohr Memorial Antique Car Meet

Sponsor: AACA, Bull Run Region

Information: www.aaca.org/bullrun or

804/338-1404

WISCONSIN

September 10, Saukville

Saukville in September Car, Truck and Cycle Show

Sponsor: Rods-n-Relics Car Club

Information: www.rodsnrelics.org

September 18, Sheboygan

21st Annual Riverfront Custom Car Show

Sponsor: Kettle Moraine Corvette Club

Information: www.oopcd.com/kmcc or 262/965-5255

Check out these early October 2006 events

CALIFORNIA

October 1, Burbank

Throttlers 2006 Car Show

Sponsor: MTFCA, San Fernando Valley Chapter

Information: 818/361-0645

October 1, La Palma Park

37th Annual All ford Picnic and Car Show

Sponsor: Early Ford V-8 Club of American, Southern CA Region #11

Information: 949/675-4234

October 1, Long Beach

(Queen Mary Seawalk Plaza)

Cadillac Concours D'Elegance/Car Lovers Celebration

Sponsor: Cadillac Club International Consortium

Information: 951/845-5916

New York

October 1, West Lebanon

Car Show, Swap Meet and Nostalgia Drags Sponsor: Capital Area Rods

Information: www.capitalarearods.com or 518/872-2344

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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.