Tracking legal, legislative, and regulatory developments impacting the racing and performance industry.

PRI’s Washington, DC-based legal and advocacy teams work continuously to protect and support motorsports venues, sanctioning bodies, and businesses around the nation. We are tracking several initiatives this month, including new movements in the fight to maintain a technology-neutral approach to motor-vehicle technology, and how PRI is spearheading a grassroots campaign for industry resources and support.

SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola Provides Comments to EPA Opposing Proposed Standards

SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola testified and provided written comments to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opposing the agency’s proposed new federal emissions standards for motor vehicles model years 2027 to 2032. The proposed rulemaking seeks to have battery electric vehicles make up 67% of all new vehicles sold in 2032 and ignores the many other technologies that can get us to lower emissions faster. PRI extends a huge thank you to the industry members and enthusiasts who sent more than 7,700 letters to the EPA. 

“Thousands of small businesses and their employees will be adversely impacted by this proposal’s overly aggressive push to electrify America’s automotive sector,” said Spagnola. “There are many options on the road to zero emissions. American-grown biofuels, carbon capture, and innovations in engine production are all aimed at this shared goal. The specialty automotive aftermarket has also led the way in fuel innovations and conversions of old vehicles into new and cleaner technologies and is committed to playing a central role in the evolution of automotive technology, including the parts and products that power our vehicles. However, this proposal embraces electrification as the technology of choice to the detriment of many of our members and their innovations.”

PRI and SEMA have also coordinated a grassroots and media campaign, and highlights include:

Spagnola and Kim Pendergast, CEO of Magnuson Superchargers; Rob Simons, principal with Automotive Consulting Services; Billy Brooks, director of Engineering for Cobb Tuning; Dan Millen, owner of Livernois Motorsports; Mike Copeland, CEO of Arrington Performance; Laurel Moorhead, regulatory compliance engineer with Transfer Flow; and Keith Cavallini, owner of Green Diesel Engineering testified before the EPA in May about the proposed rule, speaking about how it would impact their businesses and the importance of the EPA maintaining a technology-neutral approach to motor-vehicle technology. 

Ian Lehn, the founder and CEO of BOOSTane, spoke to ABC News 5 in Cleveland, Ohio, about how the EPA’s proposed rule could unfairly tilt the market toward electric vehicles (EVs) over the next decade. He also wrote an op-ed that was published on Cleveland.com. 

West Virginia state lawmaker and SEMA member Gary Howell (R-WV) penned a powerful op-ed piece against the proposal for Maryland’s Cumberland Times-News. 

Spagnola wrote an op-ed for the Washington Examiner and was interviewed on the Smoking Tire Podcast.

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution published an op-ed from Chelsea Allen, owner of Crush Customs, and Nick Caloroso, national sales manager for Driven Lighting Group. 

The EPA is expected to issue its final rule later this year or early next. Through PRI and SEMA’s grassroots and education efforts, the work on this issue will continue over the coming months. While the EPA can issue its final rule, Congress still oversees the agency and its actions, so we expect this fight to make its way to Capitol Hill and continue well into 2024. 

For more information on these efforts, visit sema.org/advocacy/ice-bans. 

House Committee Passes PRI-Supported Bill Protecting ICE Technology

In a win for motorsports, the House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, and H.R. 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act. In addition, US Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), the co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, introduced S. 2090, a Senate companion bill to H.R. 1435. 

These PRI- and SEMA-supported bills seek to preserve vehicle choice for consumers and prevent the federal government and the state of California from choosing only one form of technology (such as electric vehicles) over the many others to achieve their emission reduction goals.

PRI and SEMA have strongly supported the bills, which are designed to prohibit the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing regulations that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) in California by 2035. As a reminder, this could lead to other states following suit, as 17 others have followed all or part of California’s previous clean-car rules.

“PRI believes that vehicle owners should not be directed toward a specific technology, but rather be allowed to choose the type of vehicle that best serves them,” said Eric Snyder, PRI Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs. “It’s important that members of Congress hear from you about how important it is that the American people, not the federal government and California, are able to choose the technology that powers their vehicles. We need to make sure that this issue is a top priority for the racing community and performance parts businesses.” 

Ask your Congress members to support the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act at https://p2a.co/qasAcva. 

Ohio Introduces Bill Supporting Internal Combustion Engines

There’s a new opportunity for Ohio racers and enthusiasts! The state has introduced PRI-supported legislation (H.B. 201/S.R. 155/H.R. 198) which would prevent any state or local government unit from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles based on the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including ICE technology. H.B. 201 awaits consideration from the House Transportation Committee, and S.R. 155 was offered in the Senate. H.R. 198 awaits consideration from the House Transportation Committee. 

“PRI and the racing community across Ohio have a vital stake in the outcome of these bills. If Ohio adopted California’s internal combustion ban, it would be costly and burdensome for motorsports teams and businesses, which are a major economic driver for the state,” said Christian Robinson, PRI Senior Director, State Government Affairs & Grassroots. 

Industry members are encouraged to voice their support for the bills in a few clicks by visiting https://p2a.co/DMm4tNV. 

PRI Track Ambassador Continues Grassroots Campaign for Industry Support

PRI track ambassador Tom Deery continues to visit industry events, including a winged sprint car race at Eldora Speedway, Street Car Takeover at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, and the 57th annual Redbud 400 pavement late model event at Anderson Speedway. Deery is bringing awareness to PRI’s advocacy efforts, with a focus on the Race Track Promoter Helpline available to track owners, operators, promoters, sanctioning body officials, and related motorsports professionals. Industry members can contact 202-847-6593 and PRILegalHotline@performanceracing.com for access to relevant legal resources, peer-to-peer discussions, grassroots campaigns, lawyer referrals, along with additional support.