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LEGISLATIVE FRONT LINES



Tell Congress to Stop the EPA and Support the RPM Act!

It’s time for the U.S. Congress to act. The “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016” (RPM Act) has been introduced to reinforce that it has always been legal to modify a street vehicle into a racecar used exclusively at the track. The U.S. Senate introduced its version, S. 2659, which is a companion bill to H.R. 4715, introduced earlier this week in the House. Take action now by asking your House member and your two Senators to support the RPM Act: www.semasan.com/issue_alert.asp?g=SEMAGA&issue=EPA&parent=SEMAGA 

Already contacted your House member? Thank you! Now we need you to weigh in with your two Senators. Please resubmit the form to ensure your voice is heard by the Senate! Also, check out the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) new video PSA about the issue and share it with your friends using the following link: https://youtu.be/EtSeZr-ndFs


 


Legislative Front Lines

Click here for the complete list of Legislative Action Alerts.

 


SEMA SAN Strike Force


Steve Gibson’s ‘71 Chevrolet Camaro was built for Land Speed Racing (LSR) and is seen here at its home track: California’s El Mirage Dry Lake. Currently, the car has a 361 c.i. small block Chevy engine that is set up to compete in the “Classic Gas Altered” class. While he’s competed in many LSR events, Steve’s dream is to eventually race at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) in Utah.


While he’s been involved with a few car builds, Steve Gibson’s ‘71 Chevrolet Camaro is by far his favorite.  The project has been ongoing and always changing.  However, he says the main reason it tops the list is because of the struggle associated with it.  “I was in a severe car accident ten years ago and suffered a traumatic brain injury, shattered part of my skull and lost my right arm,” Steve recalls.  “Miraculously, I’ve recovered almost completely (limbs don’t grow back…yet) but my experience has given me a much different perspective when trying to do things I once did before my accident.  Everyone likes when things go easy for them—for me there’s no greater feeling than being faced with a challenge and successfully overcoming it.”  As he continues to seek records with his Camaro, Gibson remarks that his automotive wish list would fill multiple pages.  Near the top of the list are a ’29 Ford roadster pickup, a ’66 GT40 Mk1 replica and a Corvair Monza coupe—but he indicates that he’d have to build each of them his own way.

Steve is a member of the historic Road Runners car club, a charter club of the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) which sanctions Land Speed Racing (LSR).  In order to compete for records and points at El Mirage, a driver must be a member of one of the clubs that makes up the SCTA.  “The Road Runners is one of the original car clubs that formed the SCTA back in 1937 and I’m very proud to be a member.”  His racing efforts are supported by some close friends, technical partners and a few small sponsorships.  Gibson feels that the collective action to restore and preserve the Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) by groups like the SCTA, the Utah Alliance, Save the Salt and the SEMA Action Network (SAN) holds great meaning to him and other racers who have the dream of competing at Bonneville.  He recently wrote the Utah legislature requesting support of a House Resolution urging the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to restore the BSF.  “I’ve been involved with LSR for almost 25 years, and while its roots at El Mirage run deeper, Bonneville is where the sport grew its notoriety,” adds Steve.  “To drive my Camaro wide-open for several miles—just as Mickey Thompson, the Summers Brothers, Al Teague, Don Vesco and other notable LSR drivers have done—would be absolutely incredible.  The deteriorating condition of the salt flats, which probably could have been prevented once upon a time, has made me consider the fact that I may never be able to race at Bonneville.  The SAN has a proven track record of success in helping to preserve the auto hobby and I’m thankful that this organization is among those on board with helping to preserve this natural wonder for us racers.”

Your story of triumph is truly inspiring, Steve!  For the benefit of all our legislative pursuits, including the BSF, may your unwavering perseverance be harnessed by all of our car-loving community.

 


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