California Reintroduces Bill to Require Annual Emissions Tests for Vehicles 15 Years Old and Older

Posted by Richard Robello on March 13, 2009

Legislation has been reintroduced in the California Assembly by Assemblyman Dave Jones (Assemblymember.jones@assembly.ca.gov) to require annual smog-check inspections for vehicles 15 years old and older. The bill would also require that funds generated through the additional inspection fees be deposited into an account which can be used to scrap older cars.

In 2004, a new law was enacted in California to require the lifetime testing of all ‘76 and newer model-year vehicles. Pre-’76 motor vehicles would remain exempt under this bill. SEMA succeeded in defeating this measure in the previous two legislative sessions.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

We Urge You to Contact Assemblyman Jones and Members of the Assembly Transportation Committee (List Below) Immediately to Oppose A.B. 859

* A.B. 859 ignores the minimal impact vintage cars have on air quality.

* A.B. 859 could entice vintage car owners into allowing these vehicles to be scrapped.

* A.B. 859 ignores the fact that vehicles 15-years old and older still constitute a small portion of the overall vehicle population and are a poor source from which to look for emissions reduction.

* A.B. 859 ignores the fact that classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven.

* A.B. 859 would increase costs by creating an annual inspection fee for owners of these vehicles.

* A.B. 859 represents another attempt by California legislators and regulators to scapegoat older cars.

Please contact members of the California Assembly Transportation Committee immediately by phone, fax or e-mail to request their opposition to A.B. 859.

Assembly Transportation Committee:

Assemblymember Mike Eng – Chair
Phone: 916/319-2049
Email: Assemblymember.Eng@asm.ca.gov

Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries
Phone: 916/319-2066
Email: Assemblymember.Jeffries@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield
Phone: 916/319-2040
Email: Assemblymember.Blumenfield@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Joan Buchanan
Phone: 916/319-2015
Email: Assemblymember.Buchanan@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Connie Conway
Phone: 916/319-2034
Email: Assemblymember.Conway@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Warren Furutani
Phone: 916/319-2055
Email: Assemblymember.Furutani@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani
Phone: 916/319-2017
Email: Assemblymember.Galgiani@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Martin Garrick
Phone: 916/319-2074
Email: Assemblymember.Garrick@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal
Phone: 916/319-2054
Email: Assemblymember.Lowenthal@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Jeff Miller
Phone: 916/319-2071
Email: Assemblymember.Miller@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Roger Niello
Phone: 916/319-2005
Email: Assemblymember.niello@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember John Perez
Phone: 916/319-2046
Email: Assemblymember.John.Perez@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Jose Solorio
Phone: 916/319-2069
Email: Assemblymember.solorio@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Tom Torlakson
Phone: 916/319-2011
Email: Assemblymember.Torlakson@assembly.ca.gov

SOURCE: www.semasan.com

VIDEO: Ernesto Roco upgrades to Agent 47

Posted by Richard Robello on March 9, 2009

The last time Ernesto Roco ran his American Iron Extreme Mustang was at the Mid-Ohio Championships last year. Yesterday Roco took to the track at Willowsprings for his first test session of the year fully equipped with new sponsors and a new front suspension. Moving on from his previous Griggs setup, Roco’s Mustang is now outfitted with Agent 47’s front SLA, K-member and shock setup. The goal of the day…to simply get a feel for the car’s new suspension while running some test laps; the result…crushing his old record by 3 tenths of a second only 5 laps into the reborn pony’s first trip out. Running a time of 1:22.5 Roco believes he can push his stang into the teens. While only time will tell if this can be accomplished, the future certainly looks bright for Ernesto and Agent 47.

SOURCE: bryan50rogers/YouTube, Agent 47