Hobby Racers vs Uncle Sam!!

[wheelsup]

Attention: "Freedom Loving Law Abiding Citizens"
Check out this article:

http://www.dragracingonline.com/deadon/vii_7-1.html

Here's my deal:

Everyone entering / traveling a registered gaming state in a "DOT spec vehicle" (regardless of registration status) should be under the same prejudice as we. Am I wrong? Hear me out; You are possibly participating in an activity that may pay out money that is reportable on a 1099. Same as driving to a destination with the possibility of entering a race, if you never even win, just the same. We are being abused by the government for participating in a past time, hobby, or whatever you call it, in an industry that already pays its share of corporate fees and taxes.

Most of us out here in the real world look at going to the race track much in the same way we look at going to the woods for the weekend. We're NOT there for the money. We may have a sponsor or two to help out with our expenses, and giving them some advertising constitutes a business contract? I dont think so. More of a barter if you want to analyze the balance sheet. Uncle Sam can get up with Johnny Law and go have a circle jerk. They know what they can do with that log book too....Hauling more than 110 gallons fuel? Add hazmat endorsements($100.00) and anti-terrorist background check including full fingerprints, and waiting period ($100.00) oh, and you cant haul your Nitrous in the same vehicle........
For those that are racing for a living, big deal, you gotta follow the rules, same as any other business. Budget the extra expenses and voile'. Us weekend warriors with our day jobs need to organize now to stop uncle sam and his jack booted thugs from ruining OUR country. Sick of being told were lucky to enjoy the freedom we have? I sure am, got a belly full of that crap. We sign their paychecks guys(we really dont, they sign their own!? ), and that I would believe makes us the CEO of this place we call the land of the free? There has got to be a better way!
Stop them now, write your congressmen and women, LETS MAKE SOME NOISE. We know how to do that.........
Can you share my anger? Good

[sixty_foot]

i read your post , but i am somewhat confused at what message you wish to convey to our congressman. do you feel that any vehicle/tow rig should go totally unregulated ? should there be no concern for anyone hauling large amounts of race fuel and nitrous ? should only some haulers be regulated by rest requirements ?should only professional racers be required to account for their financial involvement ?
don't get me wrong, just what message are you trying to send ??

[jones_performance]

this is an ongoing debate on alot of dracing forums, thing is the dot claims that if your raceing for money then you need commercial license, ins logs etc, but if you dont claim racing expenses on your taxes howe can you be racing for profit as they are claiming? and if you never make it to a money round hwo can they say your getting paid for racing? how about the time i am just going out to the desert to ride my quads and camp? they gonna say im doin that for profit as well? hell i wish i was lol, just another thing where big brother is effing with the little guys for no good reason.

[sixty_foot]

something that i see that is brought up a lot, is the logic that if you dont make it to a money round....then you should not be held accountable. the minute you pay your entry fee....wether you can fire the car up or not, you are a participant in that event.many people feel that they should only be scrutinized if they generate prize money. the money came out of your pocket first to get in the gate........that....is considered a business.

[Guest]

Sixty foot, since you put it that way. I have a single axle semi with living quarters on it and a 48' semi trailer with crew quarters in it. Both the truck and trailer have air brakes and the combo is in excess of 26,000 lbs which would by law, require me to have a Commercial drivers liscense.
to get that I have to take a written test, then pass a very thorough physical, and then pass a driving test.

Ok, while I'm pulled over getting the once over by DOT, Mr and MRS Elderly (no disrespect to the elderly but trying to prove a point) pass us in a 40,000 pound motorhome complete with air brakes and a pull behind tow dolly for there scamper car, or a small enclosed trailer with whatever in it. They are going to the Casino to gamble and have a good time. Is that a business? No. No more than some racing teams are.
I think the CDL liscense came about to try and slow some of the traffic fatalities involving commercial drivers. It regulates the health of the driver, the amount of hours that can be driven in a 24 hour period and so on.
Now the motorhome will kill you just as quick as the semi and the drivers are often not in good health, been on the road for long periods of time, and there motorhomes not inspected.
What about professional BASS fisherman? they have trucks and enclosed trailers now with lettering all over and they are going to get paid if they hcatch enough fish.
I think if I should have to comply they should too.

Enough rambling. lol Ya'll have a good day
David

[sixty_foot]

i have to agree with your rational on the motorhomes and other vehicles that require air brakes. vehicles that are that heavy should require log books and monitoring. but when you pay an entry fee to a "money" event, that is a business. dont get me wrong, i agree the roadside inspection thing for us recreational racers is going too far. (as for the bass tournaments.....i can go on for days dogging "tournament fishing" !)