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Staying Tuned, Taking Action!
Quick Response of SAN Members Stop Lawmaker’s Attempt to Sneak by Harmful Legislation
The closing days of a legislative session could be best described as controlled chaos. Bills are negotiated, compromises are made and laws are passed. While most legislators use this opportunity to finish the people’s business, others have taken advantage of this confusing time to avoid scrutiny that would have otherwise prevented a bill from being approved. SAN members in California recently experienced such an occurrence and rose to the occasion. Their vigilance and quick response ensured that such actions would not go unnoticed.
The story played out like this.
A lawmaker introduced a bill regarding court procedures in divorce cases. The bill went through the legislative process, was passed by the California Assembly and moved onto the Senate floor where it was days from final approval. In the closing moments of the session, the lawmaker changed this bill, took out the existing text and replaced it with changes to the State’s smog-check program. Better yet, it was the exact language that hobbyists defeated just a year ago that would have required all vehicles 15 years old and older to undergo yearly smog-check inspections.
The SAN discovered this change and mobilized its membership. An e-mail action alert was sent out immediately, and within moments the phones in Sacramento began ringing off the hook. Legislators were made aware of the underhanded approached taken by the lawmaker and a few of them ensured SAN members that the bill would not receive consideration.
We don’t report on this to infuriate you. We don’t share this to make you avoid working with lawmakers. There are many legislators who love and appreciate this hobby. You are introduced to them each month in the “Caucus Corner” portion of this newsletter. However, it is clear that there are some out there who do not understand our hobby or attempt to use it as a scapegoat in dealing with other issues. This fact just requires us to remain vigilant and use every opportunity to educate lawmakers on our hobby and way of life.
“I would like to thank SAN members throughout California for their quick and powerful response to this harmful bill,” said SAN Director Jason Tolleson. “While our office may provide the support and vital information about these proposals, it is through their actions that we are truly successful in preserving this hobby.”
Playing Cops and Rodders
Unique Partnership Helps to Support Community Programs
Established in 2003, the Tucson Police Foundation (TPF) is a publicly supported, charitable organization dedicated to fostering public safety through community building, education and outreach. In conjunction with the Tucson Police Department, TPF works with a range of community advocates to support, develop and implement public safety and crime-prevention programs. Various programs that TPF supports include: Safe Teen Accident Reduction Training for teens ages 16–19; a Gang Outreach Unit; Teen Citizens’ Police Academy designed to give young people an opportunity to learn about the Tucson Police Department and its operations; Tucson Police Explorer Post 2180 that offers young men and women a chance to challenge themselves while working with active members of TPD; and Hearts of Gold Police Family Outreach, which provides financial support to members in crisis as a result of a catastrophic illness or injury.
On November 10, 2007, TPF held its first car show at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson to raise funds to support foundation programs. The show was open to all years of domestic and import cars and trucks and pre-’60 antique original motorcycles. Current and restored police and fire vehicles were also on display. A kid’s Pinewood Derby Race was also held with awards given for the top three finishers in each category and for best-looking car and creative car in each age group. It was a very successful show with a total of 306 car entries with an estimated 6,000 attendees.
The Second Annual Tucson Cops and Rodders Car, Truck, & Antique Motorcycle Show will be held on November 8, 2008 at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson. This year’s show will be even better with more than 600 cars expected. Visit www.copsandrodderstucson.org for more information and to register.
Caucus Corner
Each month Driving Force will feature members of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The SEMA-supported caucus is a bipartisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles.
Here is its newest member:
California Assemblymember Rick Keene
Off-Road News
Off-Roaders May Gain Access to 2 Million Acres in Utah
Nearly 2.1 million acres of land in central Utah would be open to off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and energy development under a proposed resource management plan issued by the federal government. The land is controlled by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Richfield office and located in Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne, Piute, Garfield and Kane Counties. Among other actions, the plan would permit substantially increased OHV use in the Factory Butte badlands area, which has been subject to restricted access due to concerns about endangered plants.
The BLM is in the process of issuing six separate land-use plans that will determine how 11 million acres of agency-controlled Utah lands are managed over the next 10–15 years. Plans covering the Moab and Kanab regions have already been drafted, while plans for Monticello, Price and Vernal are still being prepared. All plans are subject to public comment.
The SAN continues to supports rational land-management decisions that provide balanced protection with opportunities for quality recreation experiences.
From the Editor:
Here is a letter forwarded to us from a SAN member in California in response to Assembly Bill (A.B.) 3053. We continue to urge all SAN members to engage lawmakers as they consider legislation that impacts—positively or negatively—the automotive hobby.
Good to hear from you.
Thank you for contacting my office to convey your views regarding Assembly Bill 3053 (Jones), a bill which would have required older and classic vehicles to obtain an annual smog-check clearance. I appreciate hearing from you.The author had the bill gutted and amended on August 22 to include content virtually identical to his A.B. 616 from last year. The bill was subsequently assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee; however, it died without a hearing.
Consistent with my opposition to A.B. 616, I was similarly opposed to A.B. 3053 as written.
Again, thank you for taking the time to express your concerns. Please feel free to communicate with me in the future on other issues of interest.
Sincerely,
Dave Cox
Senator, First District
Hey, That's My Car!
Movie Star Car
1946 Hudson Commodore
Owner: Frank and Shirley Fry
Tucson, Arizona
I got into Hudsons because that’s what my father drove until the company merged with Nash in 1954. Life went on, but I still had fond memories of them.
In 1999, I bought a ’48 Commodore Six from the Herb Bell collection in Gainesville, Georgia. It had been garaged since its first repaint in the early ’60s.
This is a unique Hudson as it was one of the two featured in the film Driving Miss Daisy. It was used for the interior shots with Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman. After the movie, it was repainted and stored again.
Once I got my hands on it, I wanted to have the car where it belongs—on the road. Thanks to the parts network in the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club, I’ve managed to keep it all Hudson and have driven it 50,000 miles in 81/2 years. Although I haven’t had to do any bodywork, I made several mechanical upgrades. It has a .060 over 308-cid ’53 Hornet Flathead six with dual carbs, a Clifford cam, headers and dual exhausts. The rest of the drivetrain is a stock three-speed overdrive transmission and 4:10 rearend. Except for the seat covers and floor mats, the interior is original. To deal with the heat in Arizona, I put in air conditioning, and future plans call for power steering and disc brakes.
In 2010, I have my 50th high school reunion in Bryson City, North Carolina. I hope to drive the Hudson there from my home in Tucson. It sure is fun to drive and gets its share of attention where ever I go.
Club Spotlight
Read All About It!
Share Your Club’s Story With Other SAN Members
As many of you are wrapping up the summer show season and putting the car away before winter, we know that your car club is still very involved in your community. We want to hear about it!
Tell us about the various community activities, charitable events and other worthwhile programs that have your club’s support.
This year, we featured clubs who have a long history and others who actively engage lawmakers with annual lobbying days in their state capitals, and we even told you about a council of car clubs in Canada. All of these clubs and activities contribute to the health and future of this hobby.
We include these features to not only spotlight the clubs, but to share with others, particularly legislators and regulators who read Driving Force, that this hobby is far more than a bunch of cars filling up a parking lot for a cruise night. We are active members of the community who care and seek to contribute to various causes whenever possible. Help us share your story.
Please send your club spotlights, photos and other information to san@sema.org.
October 2008 SAN Club Events
Arizona
October 24–26, Chandler
Thunder in the Desert
Sponsor: Copperstate Mustang Club
Information: www.copperstatemustangclub.com or 480/897-0240
October 25–26, Tucson
31st Annual CHVA Swap Meet & Car Show
Sponsor: Southern Arizona Contemporary Historical Vehicle Association
Information: http://alvintexas.org/All_American_Festival/CarShowRegistration.pdf or 520/887-7767
Arkansas
October 4, Benton
30th Annual Car & Truck Show
Sponsor: Dixie Car Club
Information: http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=dixiecarclub or 501/778-3890
October 24–25, Little Rock
Big Cruise Fest in the Rock
Sponsor: Arkansas Pontiac Association
Information: www.bigcruisefest.com/bigcruisefest.php or 501/370-3201
California
October 2–4, Sacramento
Golden State Nationals
Information: http://nsra-usa.com/index.php/site/evdet/18 or 901/452-4030
October 5, Anaheim
39th Annual All Ford Picnic
Sponsor: Early Ford V-8 Club of America–Southern California Region #11
Information: http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=socalearlyfordv-8 or 714/846-9677
October 11, Rio Vista
17th Annual Rio Vista Bass Festival Car Show
Information: http://bassfestival.com/carshow.asp or 707/374-6892
October 12, Burbank
Throttlers 2008 Car Show
Sponsor: San Fernando Valley Model T Club
Information: 818/361-0645
October 12, French Camp
19th Annual Hot Rod Party
Information: www.petepaulsen.com/Hot%20Rod%20Party/HRP08%20Main%20Flyer.pdf or 209/983-0271
October 25, Citrus Heights
OctoberFest Car Show & Toy Run
Sponsor: Capital City Cruisers
Information: http://capitolcitycruisers.org or 530/622-6608
Delaware
October 26, Dover
Del Rods Fall Wrap-up Show
Sponsor: Del Rods
Information: www.delrods.org or 302/653-8214
Florida
October 10–12, Tampa
Southeast Nationals
Information: http://nsra-usa.com/index.php/site/evdet/19 or 901/452-4030
October 11, Palm Coast
7th Annual Fall Corvettes ’n Classics
Sponsor: Flagler County Corvette Club
Information: http://flaglercountycorvetteclub.com or 386/437-6888
October 17–19, Lakeland
Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival
Information: www.lakemirrorclassic.com/content or 863/683-2228
October 25, Tampa
27th Annual Mustang, Shelby and Ford Roundup
Sponsor: Mustang Club of Tampa
Information: http://mustangcluboftampa.com/index.php or 813/961-3223
Georgia
October 3–5, Atlanta
Super Chevy Show
Information: www.superchevyshow.com/AMSinfosheet.pdf or 800/692-6230
October 5, Covington
Cars of the Past on the Square
Sponsor: Covington Cruisers
Information: 770/464-1327 or 770/380-1715
October 18, Marietta
Fun Run 21
Sponsor: Creepers Car Club
Information: http://creeperscarclub.org/annual_car_show.htm or 770/424-0764
Kansas
October 18, Kansas City
Beyond the Blues
Information: www.beyondtheblueskc.org or 913/281-2221 ext 122.
Kentucky
October 17–19, Bowling Green
1st Nostalgia Nationals
Information: www.good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=08-612 or 925/838-9876
Maine
October 4, Winterport
7th Annual Fall Car Show & Drag Race
Information: 207/215-5663
Maryland
October 5, Gaithersburg
All Pontiac Car Show
Sponsor: Royal GTOs
Information: www.royalgtos.com/New_Folder2/King_08%20(2).pdf or 301/879-2816
October 25, Bel Air
32nd Annual Car Show and Flea Market
Sponsor: Harford Region Antique Automobile Club of America
Information: http://local.aaca.org/harford or 410/877-2912
Massachusetts
October 1–5, Hancock
GOF MK 84
Sponsor: New England MG ‘T’ Register
Information: www.nemgtr.org/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=95&Itemid=104 or 585/586-2806
October 18, Rochester
Gathering of the Faithful 9th Annual Speed Meeting
Sponsor: New England Speed Society
Information: www.autonetnewengland.com//vintage-speed/vintage-speed/new-england-speed-society-86-0.html or 508/888-3103
Mississippi
October 5–12, Gulfport
Cruisin’ the Coast
Information: www.cruisinthecoast.com
New Hampshire
October 5, Stratham
17th Annual Stratham Hill Car Show
Information: www.troop185.net/docs/StrathamHillCarShow2008.pdf or 603/772-5133
New Jersey
October 5, North Brunswick
21st Annual Meet
Sponsor: New York/New Jersey Slant-Six Club of America
Information: http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/nynjslant6/index.cfm or 732/549-2478
October 5, Bridgeton
2008 Wheels of Thunder
Sponsor: Wheels of Thunder Classic Car Club
Information: http://wheelsofthunder.org/about13.html or 856/455-6025
October 19, Paramus
33rd Annual Fall Swap Meet and Peoples Choice Car Show
Sponsor: Class Glass Corvette Association
Information: www.classglasscorvette.com/News&Events.htm
October 24–28, Millville
Tri-O-Rama 2008
Sponsor: Mercedes-Benz Club of America–South Jersey
Information: www.sjs-mbca.org/TOR.htm or 215/735-5874
New Mexico
October 5, Albuquerque
Fiesta of Wheels
Information: 505/232-6022
New York
October 5, Nanuet
29th Annual All Pontiac & Oakland Fall Car Show
Sponsor: Garden State Pontiac Oakland Club International
Information: http://gardenstatepoci.org or 201/652-5651
North Carolina
October 4, Wilmington
Brits and Battleship Car Show
Sponsor: British Motor Car Club of Cape Fear
Information: 910/616-7045
October 19, Denver
4th Annual Benefit Car & Truck Show
Sponsor: Hillbilly Hotrodders
Information: http://hillbillyhotrodders.ipower.com/page5.html or 828/428-0915
October 24–26, Charlotte
15th Southeastern Nationals
Information: www.good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=08-604 or 925/838-9876
Ohio
October 3–5, Owensville
33rd Annual Pumpkin Run Nationals
Sponsor: Fastiques Rod & Custom of Southern Ohio
Information: www.pumpkinrunnationals.com or 513/528-0387
Pennsylvania
October 1–5, Carlisle
Fall Carlisle Collectors Car Swap Meet & Corral
Information: www.carsatcarlisle.com/ce/events/fall-carlisle or 717/243-7855
October 12, Houston
13th All Pontiac Car Show
Sponsor: Western PA Chapter of Pontiac-Oakland Club International
Information: 412/922-0616 or 412/833-1441
Rhode Island
October 5, Warwick
28th Annual Mustang & Ford Fall Round-Up & Swap
Sponsor: Mustang Car Club of New England
Information: www.mccne.com/events/FRUS08Flyer.pdf or 508/674-5462
South Carolina
October 5, Columbia
Carolina British Classics II
Sponsor: British Car Club Midlands Centre
Information: www.britishcarclubmidlandscentre.com or 803/397-5556
October 10–11, Ladson
21st Annual Lowcountry Mopars Show & Shine
Sponsor: Lowcountry Mopars
Information: www.geocities.com/scmopar/#events or 843/797-3246
October 16–18, Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Fall Cruise
Sponsor: Myrtle Beach Car Club
Information: http://rightcoastcars.com/shows/mbfc or 800/753-3978
October 31–November 1, Hartsville
Palmetto Nationals Mopar Drag Race and Car Show
Information: http://moparproshop.com/palmetto_nationals
Tennessee
October 4, Lynchburg
2nd Annual Cruisin’ the Hollow
Sponsor: Whiskey Runners Car Club
Information: 931/759-6500 or 931/759-5583
October 18, Franklin
19th Annual Antique & Classic Car Show
Sponsor: The Battlefield Region of Antique Automobile Club of America
Information: http://battlefieldregionaaca.googlepages.com/ouroctobercarshowimformationpage or 615/725-5059
Texas
October 3–5, Fort Worth
16th Lonestar Nationals
Information: www.good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=08-621 or 925/838-9876
October 26, San Antonio
27th Annual Charity Car Show
Sponsor: San Antonio Mustang Club
Information: www.samustang.com/pdf/2008-flyer.pdf or 210/253-8800
Virginia
October 24–26, Newport News
Sponsor: Virginia Peninsula Car Club Council
Information: http://vafallclassic.org/index.php or 757/928-4285
Wisconsin
October 4, Neillsville
4th Annual Car Show
Information: http://thehighground.org/documents/car_show_flyer.pdf or 715/743-4224
Early November 2008 Events
Arizona
November 8, Tucson
Cops and Rodders
Information: www.copsandrodders tucson.org or 520/434-0437
California
November 7–9, Trona
Panamint Valley Days
Sponsor: California Association of 4WD Clubs
Information: www.cal4wheel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=92 or 626/280-0308
November 8–9, Pleasanton
19th Autumn Get-Together
Information: www.good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=08-804 or 925/838-9876
Florida
November 9, Dade City
20th Annual Pasco Bug Jam
Information: www.pascobugjam.com or 352/567-6678
North Carolina
November 1, Shelby
Hog Happnin’ Bikes & Cars Barbecue
Information: www.hoghappnin.com or 704/739-7760
Attention Car Clubs, Event Organizers and Enthusiasts!
Put SAN on Your Mailing List!
We’d like to know what’s going on with SEMA Action Network clubs and enthusiasts across the country; what charity events you’re involved in; when and where the rod runs, car shows, trail rides, rallies and tech meetings are held; and what legislative and regulatory issues concern club members and individual enthusiasts.
One of the best ways to keep us abreast of what’s going on and what’s important to the vehicle hobbies nationwide is for us to receive your club newsletters and updates. Please consider placing SEMA on your mailing list. Send correspondence to: SEMA Action Network, 1317 F Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20004-1105. Or by e-mail to san@sema.org.