Republicans to EPA: Race cars off limits

Race cars would be shielded from the Environmental Protection Agency under new legislation.

The Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act — better known as the “RPM” Act — was introduced Friday by Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and would prohibit the EPA from regulating motor vehicles that are converted into race cars, so long as they are only used on closed tracks.

The bill has 44 co-sponsors, including four Democrats.

{mosads}“Converting a motor vehicle into a race car is a significant part of American automotive heritage with the practice having played a large role in the foundation of NASCAR,” McHenry said.

This comes after the EPA last year dropped plans to regulate these modified race cars under the Clean Air Act following significant blowback.

But the lawmakers are concerned the EPA may try to revive the race car rules.

The RPM Act would prohibit that from happening. The lawmakers argue that the Clean Air Act’s non-road vehicle regulations provide an exemption for modified race cars.

“Automobile racing plays an important role in our state, both as a significant part of our local economy and also as a pastime for many North Carolinians,” McHenry said. 

“Last year I was proud to lead the fight against the misguided EPA regulation targeting racing, but our work is not done,” he added.