It was a story that quickly generated Internet outrage: A new federal regulation that would prevent automotive enthusiasts from converting their vehicles into race cars. The problem, according to some journalists, is the claim isn't entirely true.

The regulation in question appeared on the public radar after the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association issued a news release Feb. 8 claiming the Environmental Protection Agency was seeking to prohibit the conversion of on-road vehicles to race cars. At issue was the agency's interpretation of an existing regulation concerning greenhouse gas missions from vehicles.

"This proposed regulation represents overreaching by the agency, runs contrary to the law and defies decades of racing activity where EPA has acknowledged and allowed conversion of vehicles," said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. SEMA represents companies that manufacturer and sell equipment used in conversions.

It didn't take long from the story to gain traction online among both car enthusiasts and conservative news sites on the lookout for stories about government overreach. However, when journalists examined the claim, many noted the EPA wasn't so much enforcing a new rule as clarifying one that already was in effect.

"Here are the facts: nothing has meaningfully changed," wrote Jonathan Giltin on the popular technology news site Ars Technica. "Yes, other reports stated that if this proposal passes, it will be illegal to tamper with or remove emissions equipment from model-year 2018 and later road-going cars, pickups, and light-duty vehicles, even when converted solely for use on a racetrack. But this is the case now; there's just no federal enforcement." http://bit.ly/1R8kUa8

Perhaps the strangest source of criticism came from Snopes.com, a popular site that usually spends its time debunking urban legends spread over the Web. The site rated SEMA's claim "mostly false," calling the group's press release "hyperbolic."

For its part, SEMA is standing by its original press release. In statement to Snopes, the association spelled out why it believes what the EPA is proposing is something new rather than a clarification of existing law.

"(The) language that the EPA is adding to the regulations literally makes it illegal to make any changes to the ‘emission control devices, of a ‘certified motor vehicle' (i.e., any vehicle that was originally sold as complying with emissions standards for street use) even if the vehicle is being converted for racing and will never again be used on public roads," SEMA said.

"The fact that the EPA says that they don't plan on enforcing it does not change the fact that they are adding it to the regulations," the group added. http://bit.ly/218QJUV

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