Dept Of Trans seminar by IMA last Wed

[Lynn A McCarty]

My new wife Sheila and I attended an IMA http://indianamotorsports.org/ seminar last week concerning DOT regulations for not only Indiana, but traveling across the US in a tow vehicle. There were some NHRA Sportsmen, circle track, sprint car, and guys representing John Force, Don Shumacher, Lucas :Oil racing teams. Also Lonnie from Showhauler and a consultant ex-State Police officer which is really for professional teams to hire. Also at the meeting was Amy a representative from the DOT which seemed to be somewhat knowledgeable although not about certain details. There was also an very young attorney that represents the Indiana State Police not a police officer.

As we talked, it was very apparent to most of us that probably 90% of all racers are grossly illegal to operate on Indiana highways. NHRA was asked to attended and no one came. It seems that all over the US police are starting to stage road blocks to National Events similar to the incident at North Carolina where Bruton Smith got involved. Going straight to the governor is what it took, but IMA recommends a grass roots level approach. I believe both are in order.

Some really disturbing revelations here the major ones are:
*Over 10,000lbs total vehicle weight makes you commercial no exceptions
*If you are an RV absolute length limit for IN is 60 feet some states 65 feet.
*If you are a commercial truck doing motorsports no length limit.
*GVW 16,000 and 26,000 lbs., you need a chauffeur license
*GVW over 26,000 you need a CDL
*California has special regulations for exhaust particulate emissions requiring capture.
*Amy & her State Police partner insisted that these are Federal Department of DOT and states have very little wiggle room.

Many State Police are targeting National Events due to revenue enhancement tactics. We need to address this as a body. The representative from John Force who does the vehicles full time said they had to make the decision NO RVs pulling race cars! It simply isnt legal in most cases. I informed the whole group that there are over 1000 race cars at Indy and probably 90% are illegal based on what I heard. The general consensus of the group was agreement. I tried to gain the entire group's help to come together to help the Sportsman as I know people like John Force cares about the sportsman racer.

This is boring and cheesy, but you might want to view the talking video link below called StartPoint. It really creates more questions than answers, but there are phone numbers to call.

http://www.in.gov/dor/4394.htm (again if you are over 10,000 gvw you are commercial)

Sheila being an attorney really doesnt think any of them presented actual studies of the law, nor is it clear in any of these instances what the laws actually are. As the website states (proudly) there is a truck load of information to wade through. In any case we are subject to the police officer who stops us. It is up to a $25,000 fine if you are considered a commercial enterprise and ignoring the laws.

[Ed Wright]

Well, I wanted to go to Indy one more time. Maybe not.

[Bunkster]

I forwarded this piece to the National Motorists Association: A group that some 35 years ago replaced the old “AAA” as the motorists best friend. Their site is :

http://www.motorists.org/

If there are any “safety checkpoints” around race tracks, investigate a little, and you’ll probably find some “grant” money involved.

LEOs do these sorts of things because we allow them to: We all, including myself, have too much “sheeple” in our blood, and we ought to be ashamed for putting up with much of this nonsense.

[chevy620]

I agree with Bunkster. If you have a couple minutes, here is a true story about a DOT stop I just went through. (It IS another FEDERAL SCAM and JOBS PROGRAM>

I have pulled over a few times towing everything from 24' trailer with a 28' junk old motor home to a new 38' pusher with a 34' trailer and last weekend just got stopped with my "latest junk", 34' pusher and a 28' one car trailer.

I learned a little at each stop but the "MAIN THING I LEARNED", the DOT enforcement guys are being "forced to stop us" due to Federal Grants that require it to see if they can raise revenues. Nothing to do with safety, or any other potential problems.

My last stop is a good example:
I was going 62 in a 65 mph zone. He did a U-turn from the other side of the divided highway. (I sorted laughed thinking somebody who passed me is going to get busted). Then it ends up he is stuck behind me with the lights on.
We pull over and I see him out of his new SUV and he attaching his measuring tape to the rear of my trailer. I get out and he tells me "you are 66' 8", maximum length in Iowa id 65', what can you do about it?"
My response...smiling of course, "get out a chainsaw and shorten the coach I guess."

At least we were on laughing terms for a minute.
He wanted to know if I was commercial, because he say the 8'x3' TrailerToad.com logo on the trailer I guess. He also asked for registrations and proof of insurance papers. Another question he slid in there was "do I write this off on my taxes?" My honest answer" "I do not". That's is because they are paid for and depreciated out so there is nothing left to deduct.

He noticed I had a Commercial Driver's License and asked if this was a commercial enterprise again. I told him I was hauling my person race car to a local race for entertainment and nobody was paying me to take it there. He asked if I ran for a cash prize.

I said yes, BUT..... it does not mean I will earn any of the money and if I do it is claimed on a 1099 tax form.

He looked EVERYTHING over closely: I have to admit, he liked the idea of the Trailer Toad as a hitch extension but had never seen one. Safety chains (make sure you are crossed under the attachment point, breakaway switch voltage (he had a voltage tester in his pocket), went in the trailer to see if I had fuel containers, how many and to make sure they are strapped down.

He asked for a logbook (I told him since I was not Commercial at this time I am not required to keep a logbook; he agreed), don't fall for that. If you keep a logbook you are pretty much declaring you MIGHT be commercial.

He did tell me I was the 12th tow vehicle with trailer he stopped that morning. To my credit.. I was the SHORTEST. The longest was 86 feet.

He was not writing tickets for over length but he did say a few guys got citations for non-working brake safety switches, lights that didn't work and out of date registrations.

He also said he was stopping motor sports trailers on orders from his boss. He was pretty candid when he said it is like any other business, they need more revenue to keep their employees.

As we parted, my last response was " Doesn't it seem strange you guys "actually work for us" as employees yet we seem to be the target of government officials". As he walked off he said "Yes, it is stupid and I hope you have a fun day at the races."

You interpret it your self but IF WE DO NOT WORK TOGETHER with support from track owners, sanctioning bodies, etc this sport will disappear because most of the racers are getting older and if I have to go racing with a pickup and an open trailer in 100-degree heat...I am taking up fishing I guess.

[JEFF ESSMANN]

after reading this it makes me feel even better abought downsizing motorhome is for sale trailer is only a 28ft tag going to use my dually to pull it. I have to deal with these revenue rangers every day they have nothing to due with safety they just want your dollars and California is the worst if the new laws take effect in 2-3 years like they are talking I,ll be working at walmart or mcdonalds and prices are going to be so high that nobody will be able to race after 25 years of dealing with the dot I can say I,ve had enough and its gotten so bad that every small town is sending their cops to dot school so they can get a piece of the action its all abought revenue nothing else

[G Anderson]

With that over 10k# law been the limit for commercial does that mean EVERY motorhome on the road is commercial ?(just askin)

[chevy620]

I am pretty sure they are talking about a trailer with GWR of 10,000 or greater. I think if the actual "combined weight" of tow vehicle and trailer are over 26,001 lbs (and here is the confusing part) and you are a commercial enterprise, you will need to meet "commercial Hauling requirements" which could include:
1. Commercial Driver's License with air-brake endorsement if you have air brakes.
2. Log Book that is kept seven days a week, even if you are not driving as they want to know your activity to make sure it was not driving (Correct me if I am wrong on that J.Essman, but I think that is how I understand it)
3. This brings all sorts of Federal "time limits" to your travel as there are changing regulations all the time.

I am not commercial and I am going to keep on racing with my stuff that I have. If they fine I will get an attorney and see WHY I am being treated as commercial enterprise and IF IS LEGAL for the DOT to write me a citation. Then we will know one way or the other I guess.

Here is how I am going to view and what action I am going to take:
I am going to write and call my Iowa Legislators from my region. Explain what is happening, tell them about the financial impact they are about to lose and suggest two little changes for now:

1. Change length limits on NON-COMMERCIAL "motorsports and agricultural hobbies" tow rigs to 85 feet. If you are "commercial, you will need to meet the commercial requirements".

2. If #1 doesn't work; use the Florida "over-length permit" system. Annual cost is $15.00, if I remember right, and you describe what you have and send the form in. It is for "not for hire" tow rigs..

If we do nothing the Government will continue to pick on anyone they think has money to fund their stupid departments. Most of if not all of the Government enforcement programs are just "Federal Jobs Programs".
Think about it:

The TSA? Seriously, what do they do for travel safety? search baby carriages?

The Department of Energy? What "energy" have they found for us? Thy just issue regulation and employ about 16,000 people on our nickel..
It goes on and on; at some point we have to stand up to "our government", we pay them.. Remember?

The Department of Education? The more they spend the lower or kids are ranked against the other kids of the World Of course, that is the plan. The less informed the people are, the more they rely on big government then the more likely they are to keep re-electing the same morons in our government.

It will be up to us, not the government to fix this.

Jok

[DIAPERMAN]

If you remember I posted last year at Topeka I was pulled over by Kansas DOT 1/2 mile from track.First question was where is your DOT # # 2 question was WHO IS YOUR SPONSOR I knew then what they were fishing for.So I played DUMB and said it is all personally funded .# 3 question Can WE SEE IN THE TRAILER. I said yes MAM .They said is the little decals on car all you sponsors ,I said no we win a prize if we win with there decal no money OK #4 question do you haul race fuel I said no we buy at track OK # 5 question Can we see registation Motor Home and Trailer Stacker Yes Mam .I went in motorhome and next thing I know Lady Cop was in the motorhome asking me IF MY SPONSOR PAYED FOR THIS NICE MOTOR HOME I answered no MAM my dime. Motor home and trailer registerd PRIVATE that is the Main thing to remember. This happened early in the week,when we got to the track we contacted head of security and I was told he made some calls and got it shut down. Did not check Length,Weight,Chains ,Break away NO SAFETY They let me go after a STATE POLICEMAN showed up

[Rob Petrie E395]

Just to let you all know June 4-6 is Roadcheck 2013. Its nationwide so if you dont think your stuff is right stay off the road.

[rognelson777]

Diaperman is correct, if registered in personal name, it is not a commercial vehicle. If it is registered in business name, becomes a grey area. 2 this is a hobby, you have to turn a profit for it to be a commercial business, does not matter there is prize money or sponsor money.