| SEMA’s New RPM Act Letter Urges Immediate Congressional Action |
Your voice is again crucial to furthering progress on the RPM Act. Send the new letter today!
After a seven-week recess, Congress has returned to Washington, D.C. Time is limited before lawmakers head back home for the fall campaign season. While your federal elected officials are in the Capitol, your voice is crucial to furthering our progress on the RPM Act. Now is the time for action!
To mark lawmakers’ return, SEMA has drafted a new letter urging action on the RPM Act in the final months of session. The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is urging its membership and racing enthusiasts everywhere to send the new letter to federal elected officials today. Even if you have previously sent a letter, your voice is needed once again to ask for immediate congressional action to pass the bill this year.
Here is a quick and easy way to send the new letter. Simply visit www.sema.org/rpm and fill out your name and contact information. It only takes a moment!
Voters Will Decide November’s Victors in Heated Election
It’s often said that 90% of success is showing up. In politics, this is especially true. At its core, our form of Democracy is based on the idea of civic engagement. It is the right and responsibility of each citizen to participate in the political process and get engaged. The greatest tool at each citizen’s disposal is the right to vote. Voting gives the people a voice in government, allowing one to choose leaders and shape the future of the country. On November 8th, the nation will head to the polls in what could prove to be the most pivotal election in recent years. However, those being governed can’t make a difference if they don’t make their voices heard.
This Fall, Americans will not only vote to elect a new president, but every U.S. House member, one-third of the U.S. Senate, and numerous state and local positions. There are many issues at stake that affect hardworking taxpayers. For SEMA Action Network (SAN) members in particular, a lot is on the line. (Read More)
Click here for the complete list of Legislative Action Alerts.
Dan Hobgood sits proudly at the wheel of his ‘77 Ford Bronco.
Many who enjoy the car hobby were first attracted to automobiles as youngsters through four-wheeled die-cast toys. In the late ‘60s, that same bug bit Dan Hobgood. It didn’t take long for him to turn his attention to the real thing. “Growing up, my favorite experience was when my dad would bring home a brand new car,” Dan recalls. “Boy, was it exciting! We owned Buick Rivieras and Olds Toronados in the ‘60s, Cadillacs in the ‘70s, Jaguars in the ‘80s and then Infinitis.” He later parlayed his passion for cars into a career. After spending 17 years with the Nissan Motor Corporation, Dan has spent the last nine years working as a head of SEMA’s Marketing Department. “I love the automotive business and have met a whole lot of great people in the industry.”
The ‘77 Ford Bronco shown above has been Hobgood’s favorite car. The Silver Lake, California-resident enjoys showing it regularly at local events, such as Knott’s Berry Farm’s Fabulous Fords Forever and cruise-ins held at the Petersen Museum. “I wish I could have a ‘68-‘77 Ferrari Daytona GTB/4,” he says. “But with prices in the millions of dollars for one, it will likely remain a dream. For now, I think I’ll just stick to the vintage 4x4s.” In fact, his first vehicle was a 1971 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 with manual steering, manual shift and manual brakes. He believes that the all-manual experience was the best drivers education tool a teenager could have.
Dan’s Bronco is the last year of the early, first-generation design for the model. It has original, uncut fenders and only a few factory-spec preplacement parts to retain the old-school look. This Ranger edition features an automatic transmission, power front disc brakes, rear drums and Dana 44 axles front and rear. “Since I bought it in 2001, I’ve rebuilt the engine and transmission, installed a new steering box and restored the interior with the original front and rear seat inserts featuring green/black hounds tooth-patterned cloth.” He also located the new factory-spec dash pad and front and rear-seat armrests, which he’s dyed the original shade of dark green. The original hard top was removed and is hanging from a stout beam in Hobgood’s garage. The Bronco is currently sporting a traditional-style bikini top so that he doesn’t get baked in the So-Cal sun.
“The SEMA Action Network (SAN) means everything to me,” Dan explains. “This group protects our hobby, an American institution.” He and many fellow Californians had good reason to contact their state legislature earlier this year. A bill was introduced to exempt motor vehicles prior to the 1981 model year from emissions inspections. Unfortunately, his vintage Bronco is not currently exempt from the state’s emissions inspection requirement. The law requires lifetime testing of all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles. In an upset, the state Senate failed to gain final approval. “California is a tough nut to crack but I can rely on the SAN’s legislative powerhouse to keep on trying to bump up the age limit. Hopefully we’ll prevail one day.”
Thanks for fighting the good fight with us, Dan! The SAN legions nationwide share your optimism for pro-hobby auto laws.
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