Wow, you guys dodged a bullet up there. I can almost see an over zealous
legislator banning certain body kits, almost. But racing stripes? Oh man,
some people need to get a life.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Tom" <tigers@bserv.com>
To: <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 11:15 AM
Subject: DML: Ont. Gov't Comes To Its Senses!
>
> A SMALL VICTORY FOR CAR HOBBYISTS
>
> For May 5, 2003
>
> TORONTO-After intense lobbying by specialty vehicle owners
> and Chatham-Kent Essex MPP Pat Hoy, the Eves government
> has backed down on plans to target hot rods or customized cars
> that could have hurt local auto events like WAMBO in Wallaceburg
> and the Old Autos Car Show in Bothwell.
>
> "We can perhaps claim a small victory as the Tories have come
> to their senses," said Hoy, who was contacted in February by local
> after-market businesses and the Specialty Vehicles Association of Ontario,
> creating a province-wide internet petition in opposition to Bill 241,
> The Road Safety Act; first introduced last year, it died on the order
paper
> with the end of the parliamentary session. On May 5, a new changed Act
> was introduced.
>
> "Wings, air dams, spoilers and racing stripes could have been banned,
> with fines from $200 to $1,000, or six months in jail, or both," said Hoy,
> suggesting "we all want to tackle the problem of illegal street racing,
> but the way the bill was written meant the Tories were using a
sledgehammer
> to kill a fly, and it would only have hurt law-abiding citizens."
>
> "Local tourism is strengthened by WAMBO in Wallaceburg and the
> Old Autos Car Show in Bothwell, one of the largest in Ontario," said Hoy.
> "Furthermore, the bill would have had a negative ripple effect on
businesses
> who sell and install after-market parts."
>
> "I told the Minister of Transportation, on behalf of my constituents, and
> specialty vehicle owners across the province, that the legislation needed
> change,"
> said Hoy. "It was unjust, unfair and did not directly penalize the
illegal
> racers,
> but would burden and hurt responsible, law-abiding hobbyists and amateur
and
> semi-professional car enthusiasts, many of whom volunteer as a community
> service
> at various events, including in Wallaceburg and Bothwell."
>
> The changes proposed in today's new legislation include amending the
Highway
> Traffic Act to issue an immediate 48-hour vehicle detention and/or driver
> license
> suspension to those caught racing down public streets. And the use of
> connected
> nitrous oxide on public roads to enhance engine performance would be
> prohibited.
> Mention of after-market parts and supplies have been withdrawn from the
> bill completely.
>
>
> Now someone should tell the OPP who pulled over trailered race cars and
> cars with wide
> rear tires going to and from Toronto Motorsports Park last Saturday and
Sunday!
> On Sat., the OPP had their portable checking equipment set up on the road
> running
> in front of the track about a half a mile away in both directions. On
> Sunday, the OPP
> set up their equipment at the intersection of Hwy 56 & Hwy 3 (about 10
> miles from
> the track) which most racers have to use to get to the track.
>
> I would have loved to have seen something said about those who keep their
> racing
> on legitimate, controlled facilities :-(
>
> Wonder if they'll pull over some of the Winston Cup boys (e.g. Sterling
> Marlin, etc.)
> who are coming up this coming weekend to race at the (short track) Cayuga
> Speedway?
>
> Bob
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Feb 06 2004 - 11:46:31 EST