Advocacy Corner

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

Performance Racing Industry’s Washington, DC-based advocacy team, along with race track ambassador Tom Deery, work nonstop to protect and promote tracks, sanctioning bodies, and motorsports businesses around the nation. This month we are tracking several initiatives, including a new partnership with NHRA superstar Antron Brown to support vital legislation, a new appointment aimed at boosting PRI’s political action committee (PAC) efforts, and an update on a PRI-opposed rule to phase out the sale of new diesel- or gas-powered cars in California.

NHRA Top Fuel Champion Antron Brown Partners With PRI, Testifies In Senate Hearing

NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee when it considered the passage of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act on September 7, in Washington, DC. 

Brown—a professional NHRA team owner and driver who has won multiple Top Fuel Championships—began his racing career about 40 years ago when he and his family modified street-legal motorcycles into dedicated race bikes. Like Brown, most of America’s 100,000-plus racers begin competing in modified street vehicles as a cost-effective way to go racing. 

Today, however, modifications are at risk from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which maintains the position that it is not legal to convert production vehicles into race vehicles. Enter the RPM Act, designed to protect racing. (For more background information, visit saveourracecars.com.) 

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Antron Brown

“The RPM Act is essential to the racing community, particularly for grassroots racers who are just getting started,” said Brown. “It’s imperative that we protect the ability for young men and women to be able to compete at the track. The RPM Act will give racers the assurance they need to continue this American tradition.”

Brown was joined by his sons Adler and Anson, who compete in NHRA’s Junior Drag Racing Series, and his wife, Billie Jo. He shared details about his family’s personal journeys in motorsports, which includes four generations of Brown family members competing on the track. “I owe a lot to motorsports; there are many great lessons that come from racing,” said Brown. “I’m urging Congress to help protect motorsports and ensure that it remains a viable pastime for all Americans by passing the RPM Act.”

Brown’s testimony follows racing legend Richard Petty’s support for the RPM Act when he and SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola recently sat down with key lawmakers in DC to advocate for the legislation. PRI will continue to provide updates on the progress of passage of the RPM Act. 

Wade Kawasaki Named Executive Director of SEMA and PRI Political Action Committees 

The SEMA Board of Directors has appointed industry veteran Wade Kawasaki to serve as the first Executive Director of SEMA’s and PRI’s respective political action committees. In this new volunteer role, Kawasaki will oversee each PAC’s Board of Directors and fundraising efforts, reporting to the SEMA Board of Directors.

“The Performance Racing PAC is the first line of defense against anti-racing legislation,” said Samantha Large, PRI and SEMA PAC Manager. “The more people that support the PAC, the more we can get done in Washington. You may not care about politics, but politics cares about you. In other words, the racing community should pay attention to politics because there is a lot going on in Washington that will impact the future of motorsports.”  

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Wade Kawasaki

By law, PRI and SEMA may not use their funds to contribute to federal political candidates. However, each organization’s PAC allows its members to contribute personal funds that are used to help elect lawmakers who support its positions and initiatives.

Since its formation in 2021, the Performance Racing PAC has raised more than $50,000 for the lawmakers and candidates who support racing. 

For more information, visit saveourracecars.com or contact PRI and SEMA PAC Manager Samantha Large at samanthal@sema.org.

California To Ban Sales Of New ICE-Powered Cars By 2035

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has voted to finalize a PRI- and SEMA-opposed rule to implement California Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020 executive order to phase out the sale of new diesel- or gas-powered cars in the state by 2035. The rule requires 35% of new cars, SUVs, and small trucks sold to be zero-emissions starting in 2026, increasing to 68% in 2030, and 100% in 2035. The rule also sets durability, warranty, and other provisions for zero-emissions vehicles.

“[We] believe that Californians should not be directed toward a specific technology, but rather be allowed to choose the type of vehicle technology that best serves them,” said PRI and SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “While electric vehicle technology expands clean transportation options, [we] will continue to advocate on behalf of the industry that has helped make the internal-combustion engine (ICE) a reliable, affordable, and clean option for millions of consumers.”

Between 1980 and 2020, the combined emissions from the six most common air pollutants dropped 78%, thanks in large part to advancements in cleaner ICE technology, which continues to improve.

The newly adopted regulations could lead to 17 other states that have often followed all or part of California’s previous clean-car rules adopting similar proposals. 

We will continue to provide updates on this story as they occur. For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

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