Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

This was an interesting mention from Ernie Saxton's article in ND. I looked it up online.

Anyone heard of this? I like some of it. Some parts, I am not sure of. I actually am ok with the higher annual plate fee for an RV/ Toter type deal. I also like the 85 ft overall length. The fuel in the fuel cell of a racecar being allowed is good, although it says that the cell must be sfi? I don't recall an sfi sticker on my alum cell.

Anyway, at least they are taking a swing at some changes.

Here is a link to the bill if you would like to review it. Now keep in mind, if you like or don't like it, you should be contacting your senator to tell them how you feel. Politicians only will listen to their constituants. They all have e mail. I would say to put the main message title as: HF2447 vote yes (or no, or change proposal,etc).
Then, put the details in the body of the letter.

We know the chances are real good the average senator will not read any of the bill, so it is possible to pursuade them to vote and vote in a way that will help if they see enough e mails from racers.


http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Legisl...ed/HF2447.html

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Jim, Thanks for posting

Is this only for Iowa ?

I don't understand the fuel part, it is currently legal to transport a car with gas in the tank I believe. Is this about gas in jugs and cans ? maybe I didn't read it correctly

Dave

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Dave, I don't know yet for sure. I do know there are efforts to try and create some consistancy with the entire process. I think the problem with fuel cells was that they were not considered when the original legislation was enacted. Fuel cells are certainly better than a standard fuel tank.

I think there needs to be middle ground on some vehicles that don't push sportsman into professional driver status also.

This looks like an attempt to do this. Maybe Jeff Teuton can chime in on this:-).

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

A racer was sited for hauling fuel across State lines in a "non-DOT approved container" A fuel cell in the race car. The fine was $4,000.

Current issue of National Dragster pg.30

Dale

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Its funny as I was just talking about this at Maple Grove this weekend. NHRA SHOULD be involved in this.

Look around the pits at most of the sportsman operations. NHRA needs to GET involved in this - before it does blow up!

And a FYI - My stuff is under legal length , DOT# , IFTA, etc... I don't need any crap on the way to/from the racetrack no matter where I'm going. And Yes I do pull across the scales...

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

One of the NSS racers was pulled over on his way to St. Louis last Friday, pulling a 24' trailer with his pickup. The Illinois officer wanted to know if he had any stickers on his car. They made him drive back to the scale house, weighed him and then looked at his car. His car had no stickers so they let him go but the Illinois State Police did call Doug Duell about the racer because Doug's name was on the flyer for the race. These states all need money so they will try anything in the name of "safety".

Dennis Breeden

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Dennis, sticker would have cost him some money? I wasn't aware we were supposed to go across scales. Motor homes too?

Sounds like we are supposed to drain our fuel cels if crossing state lines also?

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

The State police officer that called me said if the race car had any company decals on it that would be advertising and then a commercial operation. A stroke of luck Fred Rader's race car is the cleanest 63 Dodge you will ever see and has no stickers on it. Any other racer would most likely had some stickers on there car and would have been in a heap of trouble. Fred preregister for the event and the cop kept trying get me to tell him a company name that Fred used to register. Fred is a retired house painter. This is a case of the police trying drain this fine man of his cash while he is having a little fun racing. He is lucky he got away without a ticket. Someone does need to do some lobbying to our Federal and state governments on this matter. These pits at these races are going to be a ghost town if you can't tow a race car to the track without fear of getting a big fine.

Doug Duell

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

We are skipping all races in Chicago this year!

Good luck to the allstars.

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

If you have living quarters in your trailer it is considered a second residence and is protected under 4th amendment. Tell them to get a warrant if they want to look inside.

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

"If your activity is not carried on for profit, allowable deductions cannot exceed the gross receipts for the activity."

This is a quote from the IRS publication linked below:

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Is-Your-Hobby...it-Endeavor%3F

The way I see it, if the IRS makes this allowance to make some money through a "hobby" activity, how can the state's Highway Patrol or DOT have the authority to arbitrarily decide whether or not your racing activities are a hobby or a commercial endeavor? If there are corporations involved and your rig is a rolling billboard, perhaps it may warrant some scrutiny. Otherwise, it's obviously a money grab & harrasment.

Several years ago I was returning from a bracket race in Gainesville, FL and passing through Palatka, FL (State Road 17?) late at night, which happen to have DOT scales between the lanes. Passed them probably a few hundred times over 2-3 decades without ever having a problem. But that night there was a roadblock and everyone was checked for a variety of credentials - cars, trucks, trailers, etc. There was a local cop that was actually getting "giddy" about catching me not having a CDL and whatever else! (Dually & 26' trailer.) Luckily there was a seasoned DOT officer that politely asked me to refrain from challenging the local yokle about the situation, said a few words to him and waved me on.

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Why are race cars inside trailers being targeted as commercial vehicles if they have stickers on them? What's the difference between street and race cars when it comes to "advertising"? If I put a Lucas Oil sticker on my daily driver is it now a commercial vehicle? Do I then need a CDL?

If I have a medical condition that bars me from a CDL but not street driving or racing, am I breaking the law by towing to the track?

Dale

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Larry , why are you passing on the chi races ? cause of this ?

Tx.

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Just a reminder folks for the nation wide inspection blitz June 3- June 5.Saftey is fine and dandy, but this stuff is about pocket pickin' plain and simple and messin' with CVSA scores and such. Be ready, John Kissel

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Rick, that and they plowed up the back forty. It could be another mess of long distance towing. I must admit Patsy did a very good job towing the racecar last year.

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Are you talking about the NSS race that went along with NMCA at Gateway this weekend? If so I was at the same race and was pulled over on the way home late Sunday night. By the same officer that I wrote of In Larrys IL DOT thread a couple of weeks ago. I was not ticketed, he just asked a ton of questions again. I got no idea why he keeps wanting to talk to me but he does. I really don't know what to do about it at this point. He is looking for something but for damn sure wont tell me what.

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Larry , are you meaning they plowed the pits up ? And why in the heck would they do that ? That where I now like to park .

Tx again

Rick

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

I was up there 3 week ago and they had put drain tiles in all the grass area

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Sorry for the topic change .......

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Yes this is the NMCA at Gateway last weekend.

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

[QUOTE=SSDA Hemi;432844]

NHRA needs to GET involved in this - before it does blow up!

QUOTE]

Yes, they should. They have a vested interest in these issues also.

I would add that every restaurant, gas station and hotel owner needs to get involved, too. These small track owners are going to suffer even further with low car counts. I have ZERO intentions of attending races in Illinois at this time. When we have to travel through to get to a race in another state, I'll be on pins and needles until we get through there. I talked with a friend who is with the Missouri DOT about this problem. He said Illinois is by far and away the worst state about hasseling people and its going to get worse. Their fines are 3 times what they are in Missouri. My friend that was pulled over in So Illinois was told to start stopping at every weigh station for a check out. If you do that, you may as well stand there with your check book out and ready. If they'll take a check!

The next step will be to pull all the decals, license the car and take my chances from there. I don't think I'm ready to start dealing with the DOT.

Wade

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

I suppose the license plates will be changed to Illinois: The Police State

I've had that at the US border too where they fished for the commercial aspect for a while at the booth outside before sending me into the building for two hours of harrassment and a hundred buck "green card" work permit for a race that was rained out anyways. Last time i've raced in the US, I don't intend to go back with a car now that i'm flagged by their system.

Nobody else i know has been asked,
Funny thing is the stickers were 1960's ones for some companies long defunct that probably paid their latest contingencies to Gas Ronda and Pete Robinson.

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Would it be possible for you to PM me your phone number so I could call you?

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Myron and Dale, yes and yes.
I have a stick-less car and tried to enter an event a few years ago. Nicest tech guy in D5 said NO. I had to put a Lucas sticker on to pass tech and make a pass. As regards the IRS rules "Does the time and effort put into the activity indicate an intention to make a profit?" No, I do not plan on winning and getting a check - duh.
"Losses beyond your control." Like him going .005 and I'm .050?!
"Have you changed methods of operation to improve profitability?" Every day!
"Do you have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business?" Arguable.
"Have you made a profit in similar activities in the past?" Sure, won a few.
"Does the activity make a profit in some years?" At 1500 miles round trip @ $3.90 per gallon - RIGHT!
"Do you expect to make a profit in the future from the appreciation of assets used in the activity?" Always hopeful.
As long as I don't get the Barney Fife type on the freeway.

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Why would you pay the $400 extortion fee to tag your vehicle when it looks like a CDL in Iowa only cost $8.00?
http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/types.htm

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

A CDL and "professional" status carries a lot more hassle than a 400 fee. Not saying 400 is a good number exactly, but I know in Illinois it is 120 for an RV plate. I would be willing to pay more than 120 to have a category that makes sense. I have never been pulled over in Illinois. I have lived in Illinois all of my life. I bet they are like most states. They try and hassle the out of state people.

I do know the system as it stands is crazy. It is bad wrong and varies from state to state. The reason for this is ignorance and apathy in my opinion. At least someone appears to be making an effort. It would be good to see something on a federal level. (as long as it makes sense)

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Bad news on this matter. Fred Rader just got a letter from the state of Illinois. The letter stated even though he did not get a ticket last week they are giving a fine of $750. It also states if he does not pay in a few weeks he has to pay $1000. I will get more details on this matter but can you believe the crap? More to follow.


Doug Duell

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

how about having a "Ford" emblem on the racecar?
would THAT be considered advertising?

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

I guess, just stay out of Illinois? Or register your rig there? Or do they treat local rigs the same way ?

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

I'd be tempted to write off the state of IL and tell them where to put their fine

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

I can just imagine this cop getting in trouble for giving him a break and his supervisors backtracking to impose the fine. Is this even legal?
Isn't that called "double jeopardy", or something like that in legal speak? Innocent the first time around, but guilty the next!?!?

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Doug, so what then was the violation that the state is now trying to hammer him on ? This could be bad news in Illinois for the next few weeks with div and nat events in the area !

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

I just spoke Fred and he is going to get me a copy of this letter. The infraction is no DOT number. The letter is made out to Fred Rader Racing, not his personal name. His 3/4 pickup and 24 ft trailer are in his personal name with no stickers or writing on the truck or trailer. This is not good for racetracks in Obamaland.

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Well.....where did they come up with "Fred Rader RACING " ???

Re: Motorsports Recreational Vehicle Bill HF2447
 

Any update on this ??