Antron Brown Urges Congress to Pass SEMA-Backed RPM Act
Top Fuel driver Antron Brown urged Congress to pass the SEMA-supported Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act while appearing before the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, according to SEMA.
The three-time Top Fuel world champion, who began his racing career nearly 40 years ago, appeared before Congress to share personal stories about his support for a federal law to protect grassroots racing and the motorsports parts industry.
Joined by his two sons and wife, Brown shared how motorsports taught him to set goals, work hard to achieve them, and other important life lessons, Brown said. He also discussed his start in racing, his NHRA career, becoming a team owner earlier this year and his support for the NHRA.
“Americans all over the country enjoy the hobby of modifying vehicles into racecars,” said U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. “The bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act would clarify that vehicles to be used solely for competition are not to be treated like the cars that drive on our nation’s roads. This legislation would ensure small businesses that help hobbyists who transition vehicles into racecars, which are not driven on the roads, are not unfairly punished or targeted through EPA enforcement. It was a pleasure to welcome champion driver Antron Brown today and hear his life’s story, which reinforces how the RPM Act would protect the future of motorsports by making clear those who want to pursue their passion can affordably do so without fear of Washington bureaucrats.”
Ranking Member Capito is among the 31 bipartisan co-sponsors of the RPM Act. First introduced in 2016, the bipartisan bill would affirm that it is legal to modify street vehicles into dedicated race vehicles, SEMA representatives said.
“Racing is much more than just a pastime for me,” said Brown. “I have countless fond childhood memories and have learned many life lessons at the racetrack. I have built a life on the track and am building a business through AB Motorsports. I feel strongly that we must keep the path to entry into motorsports accessible to future racers.”
Brown explained that for amateur racers, modifying production vehicles is the only cost-effective way to get into racing, SEMA said. He testified that the converted motorcycle that he began racing cost about $5,000; a purpose-built vehicle would have been 10 times that amount.
This practice of converting street vehicles into dedicated race vehicles had gone unquestioned until 2015 when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a draft ruling stating that it is not legal to convert production vehicles into dedicated race vehicles. Although the ruling was never finalized, the EPA maintains its position that such conversions are not legal and continues to enforce against the production and sale of high-performance parts, SEMA said.
Brown emphasized during his testimony that the RPM Act is focused solely on dedicated race vehicles that are trailered to and from the racetrack. Opponents to the RPM Act acknowledged during the Senate hearing that such vehicles do not have a measurable or meaningful impact on the environment.
“Racing is important to many Arizonans – and it’s a part of our state’s legacy,” said U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ). “The RPM Act will help provide certainty to Arizona’s amateur racers and auto mechanics from EPA regulations, which could harm their ability to enjoy the hobby of motorsport.”
The RPM Act would not impede on the EPA’s ability to enforce clean air laws, according to backers. Vehicles driven on public streets would continue to be governed by the federal Clean Air Act.
“For nearly 45 years, the Clean Air Act did not apply to dedicated race vehicles. The EPA’s recent interpretation of the law has thrown the motorsports industry into a state of uncertainty,” said Mike Spagnola, president and CEO of SEMA. “Now that the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has held a hearing on the RPM Act, we urge the committee to schedule a vote on the bill. SEMA is urging all racers, motorsports businesses, and fans to ask their elected officials to support and pass the RPM Act.”
“Racers and small businesses that manufacture, distribute and sell race parts have waited long enough. It’s time to pass the RPM Act and give the racing community the clarity it needs and deserves,” said Spagnola.
