(From left to right) SPEED SPORT's Ralph Sheheen, US Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC), and Greg Fornelli of NCMA, SRI Performance, and Stock Car Steel & Aluminum

Greg Fornelli is well-known in the racing industry as the president and owner of SRI Performance and Stock Car Steel & Aluminum. Mr. Fornelli is also the Chairman of the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA), where he promotes and serves the motorsports community as part of the program’s mission to provide legislative and regulatory representation at the state and local levels.     

Fornelli and the NCMA—and PRI—are working to move the vital RPM Act through Congress. The bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act), H.R. 3281, is designed to guarantee the right to modify street cars, trucks, and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles and ensure that the industry can offer parts that enable racers to compete. 

Recently, Fornelli invited US Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Ralph Sheheen from SPEED SPORT to visit the SRI facility in Mooresville, North Carolina, to discuss the importance of the RPM Act for the racing industry. PRI caught up with Fornelli to get his perspective on what the RPM Act means to him, his business, and the state of North Carolina as a whole.    

PRI: Why is it important that federal law ensures that it is legal to convert a street vehicle into a race car?  

Fornelli: This is what motorsports was built on, and to this day, it is the foundation for how millions of people make their living. This legislation will help ensure these people remain employed throughout the country.  

PRI: Stock car racing has a rich history in North Carolina. How does the RPM Act impact racing at tracks in the Tar Heel State?  

Fornelli: If the RPM Act isn’t passed, it would most likely devastate the vibrant local and national track businesses that are thriving today. Again, affecting millions of good jobs and effectively ruining a thriving industry.  

PRI: What does the RPM Act mean to your business?  

Fornelli: Absolutely everything! Without legislation like the RPM Act to protect our industry, there will simply be no industry to protect. This Act will help keep people employed, enthusiasts engaged in motorsports and manufacturing thriving.  

PRI: The RPM Act protects grassroots racers and motorsports parts businesses that produce and sell the products that racers need to compete. How does the racing that takes place at local tracks impact the highest levels of racing?  

Fornelli: Grassroots racing is the stepping stone into a livelihood of motorsports and the foundation of all racing, professional and amateur alike. SRI does robust business with all the professional series (NASCAR, NHRA, IndyCar, etc.), but it is the grassroots racers we strive to serve and nurture. Without these guys, there is no future in the professional fields.  

PRI: How can people get involved in helping to pass the RPM Act?  

Fornelli: Introduce this bill to all levels of motorsports. The RPM Act is not well known throughout our country, and it is imperative to get racers from all levels involved. Start at the grassroots levels and progress from there with a strategic marketing program. And, write to lawmakers. Share this info on social media and visit and support the websites and organizations that are working for these rights. You can go to www.saveourracecars.com right now and write to your representatives.   

PRI: Is there anything else you’d like to add?   

Fornelli: A big thank you to all the folks fighting for this Act!