Originally Posted By: d00df00d
No, they are not banning race cars! What are people thinking when they come up with these titles?
The EPA is re-asserting that it's illegal to screw with a vehicle's emissions. That's bad because it will crush the aftermarket and limit power mods.
So yes, this is a very bad thing. But it is NOT a ban on race cars. It's not even a ban on converting road cars for track use, because you can still modify everything else about the car.
Read first, post later.
You are correct, it is not a ban on race cars. It is essentially banning the modification of a street vehicle or former street vehicle in a way that would impair the emissions compliance of the vehicle. Not their domain. If the vehicle is no longer used on public roads, then it's out of their jurisdiction, in my opinion. This would not impact any purpose built race vehicle.
The specific wording in the proposed regulations (
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-07-13/pdf/2015-15500.pdf) states:
page 40596, subpart G, section 1036.601, paragraph a, 2
(2) The provisions of 40 CFR 1068.235
that allow for modifying certified
engines for competition do not apply for
heavy-duty vehicles or heavy-duty
engines.
Certified motor vehicles and
motor vehicle engines and their
emission control devices must remain in
their certified configuration even if they
are used solely for competition or if they
become nonroad vehicles or engines;
anyone modifying a certified motor
vehicle or motor vehicle engine for any
reason is subject to the tampering and
defeat device prohibitions of 40 CFR
1068.101(b) and 42 U.S.C. 7522(a)(3).
Note that a new engine that will be
installed in a vehicle that will be used
solely for competition may be excluded
from the requirements of this part based
on a determination that the vehicle is
not a motor vehicle under 40 CFR
85.1703.