|
Tell Congress to save racing from government threat
— it only takes a minute:
Beyond additional signatures, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) is also looking for additional members of Congress to cosponsor the RPM Act. To date, the House legislation has 102 sponsors, while the Senate bill has 17. Are your elected officials among them? Visit the following link to find out, which includes a tool to locate your lawmakers: go to semaSAN.com. Given the potential impact of this rulemaking on car clubs and automotive organizations nationwide, group leaders are needed to work with Congress in passing the bill.
Greenlight the RPM Act: Congressional Legislation Will Overturn Threat to Racing Community
If you ask the average American what they love about auto racing, you’ll find a striking similarity in the responses—speed, teamwork and precision. Since the invention of the automobile, Americans have been converting their street vehicles into race cars. Powered by passion, most professional motorsports leagues were founded on this very concept. More than a century later, the very core of this tradition is under attack. Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed regulation to make the act of converting a motor vehicle into a race car illegal if the emissions system is taken out of compliance from its stock configuration. (Read More)
| HITTING THE ROAD TO RAISE SUPPORT FOR THE RPM ACT! |
Ride Along with the SEMA Action Network on the Inaugural Rev'n Rods & Heartland Music Tour
The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is on the move this summer to let motorsports participants and fans know about the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act”—the Congressional bill that clarifies that street vehicles may continue to be converted into race cars used solely on the track.
Up next is the inaugural Rev’n Rods & Heartland Music Tour. Join us July 17–22 for six days of the hottest rides, the coolest cars and the brightest stars! The event is a thrilling combination of car shows, a driving tour and nightly concerts. SAN representatives will be on hand to explain why the future of racing is at risk, update visitors on the current status of the bill and let the community know how they can help protect the racing hobby.
Each day’s events will feature a car show complete with vendors, exhibits, food and beverages with admittance free to the general public. Every night will end with a ticketed concert featuring the legends of country music. Owners of hot rods, street rods, motorcycles and classic automobiles are encouraged to go on tour with Rev’n and Heartland for one stop or even the whole trip. Each registration includes two free nightly concert tickets per vehicle.
The details for each stop are as follows:
-
July 17 – Nashville, Tennessee at Fontanel featuring Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin & Collin Raye
-
July 18 – Southaven, Mississippi at Landers Center featuring Restless Heart
-
July 19 – Cape Girardeau, Missouri at A.C. Brase Arena featuring Terri Clark
-
July 20 – Bowling Green, Kentucky at Beech Bend Raceway Park featuring Pam Tillis
-
July 21 – Bean Blossom, Indiana at Bill Monroe Bluegrass Festival Center featuring James Otto
-
July 22 – Indianapolis, Indiana featuring John Michael Montgomery (location TBA)
Visit www.revntour.com for more information. Those in attendance are invited and encouraged to stop by the SAN booth to learn more about the RPM Act.
Click here for the complete list of Legislative Action Alerts.
The Johnson team that head up Southern Wheels Magazine: Editor Karen (left) with her 1974 Mercedes 450 SLC and publisher Bill (right) with his 1964 Corvette Coupe
In 1984, Bill and Karen Johnson began publishing Southern Wheels Magazine, a magazine for car builders by car builders. The endeavor began as a dream long before ink ever hit paper. “Bill has always loved cars,” Karen explains. “He grew up in the '50s and '60s, when some of the best cars were built.” His first car was a '56 Chevy that he rebuilt in high school. Later, he joined the muscle car movement with a '67 Chevrolet Chevelle SS-396. At that point, Johnson knew that he had to find a way to make a living serving the collector car hobby. After college, the future publishers met when both were working at an NBC affiliate as television directors. The experience helped the pair learn the craft of advertising and marketing. They started the magazine after moving to Bill's home town of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
From the very first issue, the purpose of Southern Wheels Magazine was to make restoration information available to automotive builders. Among the contents are classic car dealer/vendor advertisements and a section devoted to classic cars for sale. However, the "hands-on" articles written by Bill and the Southern Wheels team about restoration techniques are what set Southern Wheels apart from other publications. The magazine’s web site, www.southernwheels.com, allows one to download the entire current issue for free each month. Additionally, an extensive archive of "Driving Old Cars" articles have been posted.
Among the many memorable events the couple has shared was when the Glidden Tour stopped by to see the Johnson’s car collection a couple of years ago. “There are so many interesting people to meet in the old car hobby,” exclaims Karen. They both believe in preserving the right of every American to buy, build, restore and enjoy their cars. As such, they encourage involvement in legislative matters that affect the car hobby. By being involved with the SEMA Action Network (SAN), they feel empowered to influence and shape legislation to protect the interests of all car collectors. A few years ago, legislation was proposed in their area to levy an annual tax on the appraisal value of antique cars before a license tag could be renewed. “Along with others in the community, we called and wrote our lawmakers, which ultimately resulted in the tax not being implemented,” Karen says. Ever the proponents of our hobby, they also promote the annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) celebration. In fact, they recently gave the “holiday” a full page PSA ad on the back cover of their magazine to inspire participation from others!
The SAN extends much gratitude to the Johnsons for being such strong advocates for hobbyists everywhere!
|
|
