The end of modded vehicles in NSW?

[BlackBedford]

G'day

I have been fairly busy at work of late and haven't had time to play or keep up with whats going on.
I took the grandsons to a local car show on the weekend and met up with a few mates. They were full of doom and gloom about the future of building and owning a modified vehicle in NSW. Engineers reports are gone and the new "process"  is very difficult and expensive. Existing registered engineered modified vehicles are to be targeted for defects or non-listed modifications.
This info came from level headed blokes who own and drive mildly modified vehicles. They are all concerned and angry at what is about to happen.
Looks bad and a search of the net shows lots of bad news. The 4WDers are very upset.

I found this on www.classic-ford.org and while it sounds a bit emotional, it is indicative of what is going on. I doubt that there is many CFs ( or any vans for that matter) that would survive this sort of treatment:

http://www.Classic-Ford.org/cfp/fb.ashx?m=45930

RE: New car laws Wednesday, 28 September 2011 9:05 PM
Insider information (from reliable informed industry sources) is that the proposed NSW laws are being driven by at least two powerful people:
- one guy is an ex police big chief,
- the other is an ex WorkCover big chief.
 
The mentality is (quote) "why do you need to modify cars anyway".
The mentality is that it will be too difficult/impossible and unpalatable for owners to own modified vehicles and drive on the road, and/or making RTA certifiers do their job properly by the amount of accountability they will inherit via enormous liabilities.
 
I understand any modification will be criticised. This includes details down to not being able to increase the rolling diameter of tyres no more than 15% from factory standard.
Many existing vehicles will have extreme difficulties in being registered.
 
I understand even now, many owners with vehicles that carry proper NSW RTA certification/s as modified vehicles are receiving letters from the RTA demanding that the vehicle and the owner attend  RTA checking stations for inspections. On arrival for inspection the car is taken into the closed RTA workshop while the owner is told to wait outside while the inspection takes place. Should any defects be found the plates are removed, a list made up and the owner is instructed to remove the vehicle until resolved.
 
The only way to try to stop this happening is for every one to hammer the minister day and night.
 
Don't forget should the new laws be implemented several entire industries (accessories, body builders, spare parts etc etc) will immediately collapse.

Makes the Nazi Party and Uncle Adolph look like a bunch of party goers....

[BlackBedford]

Looks like Insurance will be a problem as well...

From www.mustang.org.au


RTA NSW Vehicle Standards (VSB14) Update


An email we received........


Hi All

For those that are interested in the NSW Vehicle Standards (VSB14) here is a link to the site page, its a multi part document and explains what amendments to the rules the RTA want to put in place by the time the VSCCS (new engineers scheme) is ready very soon.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bu...


This is the Guideline to which we will have to build our cars as the future unfolds, there are things that stand out and need to be addressed as a matter of concern and they are being addressed as we speak with consultation by the ACMC Inc and other very important parties of which most are doing this voluntarily for the good of the Motor Enthusiast.

If you have any feedback please forward it to the ACMC Inc contact link page on the website - http://www.confederationofmotorclubs.org.au/index.htm

Pass this to each and every Enthusiast you can who wishes to know all the rules that are being proposed for modified cars in NSW.

Regards
Mick Saide
Business Development Manager
Shannons Ltd Newcastle
0448203025

[matty]

buy the sounds of things I could have a few v6 parts for sale as I'm now re thinking the conversion. sounds like it will be more trouble then what its worth. 

[BlackBedford]

G'day

Found this on the http://datnet.org forum:



According to the FAQ on the RTA website, the scheme was supposed start the other day (from the 30th Sept 2011) however I don't think this is the case.

Also from the FAQ, which you could pretty much hold them to were the following exerts, which you were concerned about

Will vehicles modified in the past be affected by the new requirements?
Rules will apply from the date the scheme starts. However there will be a six month period from the start of the Regulation where holders of old certificates not previously presented can present them to the RTA so that previously approved modifications will be recognised under VSCCS as approved modifications.
After that time, vehicles with modifications for which a certificate has not been presented will need to obtain a new certificate issued under the VSCCS.

Where a vehicle has a previously certified modification and undergoes an additional modification, will full VSCCS certification be required?
A new certificate will be required for the new modification, but it will not need to cover the old modification if the two are unrelated.

Will modified vehicles that have been unregistered for a period of time need a new style VSCCS certificate in order to be reregistered or will the old certificate suffice?
Modifications that had been recorded and accepted by the RTA under the Engineering Certification Scheme will continue to be accepted, where the engineering certificate can be produced. If a modification certificate cannot be produced, a new certificate will be required.

[BlackBedford]

An important message for those who own a modified car or ever wish to modify a car in NSW

2012 Motor Enthusiast Conference

STAND AND BE COUNTED


DRIVING a modified car is not our right, it’s a freedom accorded to us. Unfortunately that freedom will be significantly impacted if the proposed changes to vehicle modification guidelines (as laid out in VSB 14/VSI 59) are enacted in their current form.
If you want to retain the privilege of building and driving a modified vehicle without first having to cure cancer or spend the national debt on unreasonably-stringent testing, then you need to take a stand and be counted.

While you’re average politician or public servant (RMS/RTA) may not understand cars, they certainly understand people power. To bring to their attention the vast number of people the will adversely affected by VSB 14/VSI 59 current configuration, the Australian Confederation of Motor Clubs (ACMC) has organised a rally – to be held at Eastern Creek Raceway on Sunday, February 26 thanks to kind generosity of ARDC and Eastern Creek International Raceway who have donated the use of the venue.

Furthermore, the 2012 Motor Enthusiast Conference will be a key element of this rally. At the conference, 150 to 200 invited delegates will pose questions (for clarification) and put forward proposals to a panel comprising the NSW Minister for Roads and Ports, Hon Duncan Gay, Peter Wells and other RMS (RTA) representatives, along with the ACMC and Alan Hay (Chairman of the Wollondilly Nationals – who will chair the conference). If you have any questions or proposals to put to the panel, email them to: secretary@confederationofmotorclubs.org.au.

The main thrust of the rally and conference will be about demonstrating that collectively, motoring enthusiasts are a strong and powerful voice. In the past, the RTA’s approach has been to divide and conquer – effectively diminishing the influence that each of the various modified vehicle enthusiasts groups has in regards to shaping any proposed legislation. A massive turnout with huge numbers of street machiners, mingling with hot rodders, off roaders, classic enthusiasts, muscle car enthusiasts, club racers, charity bashers and everybody in between will overwhelmingly demonstrate that all the different factions are capable of bandying together in a concerted and organised effort to ensure any new legislation is sensible. Be in no doubt change is coming, some form of VSB 14 or VSI 59 will be enacted in the near future. Rather than expend resources fighting change, we need to direct our efforts to ensuring the impending modification laws are logical, reasonable and workable – something the ACMC is working tirelessly to successfully implement.

Therefore the rally is not a protest, it’s a show of strength and information day. At the culmination of the conference, information sheets will be distributed outlining discussion topics, answers and any resolutions undertaken. Our job is to show unity and numbers, giving political weight to concerns raised in the conference.

No shenanigans, no hooning or burnouts on the day – everybody must be on their very best behaviour. While many may strong feelings on the proposed legislation, it’s imperative that everyone keep their cool. For the first time ever, we have developed a working relationship with the Transport Minister and the RMS rather than adversarial one. We have their ear and they’re taking notice! Any anti-social behaviour will play directly into their hands and provide them prime ammunition to severely restrict modified cars. We also hope to generate mainstream TV coverage, who would love nothing more than to stereo type us and sensationalise any skylarking – so don’t screw it up!

There will be room for over 1000 cars, however there will be 300 premium parking spaces set aside for those who pre-enter. If you’re interested is securing a premium parking space, contact your club representative, or email Street Machine at conference@acpmagazines.com.au. Passes will be issued strictly on a first come, first served basis – so don’t muck about.
On the day, everyone will enter through Gate 4, (on Peter Brock Drive up towards the Go-Kart track). If you want to park together, you’ll need to arrive together. No ifs, no butts, no sad lost puppy stories. There will be trade displays, sausage sizzle and entertainment to keep the friendly, family vibe going. Everyone needs to be on site by 10am and it should wrap up at around 2pm.
For more information on the rally and conference go to: www.confederationofmotorclubs.org.au

[cords]

If any one on here goes to this info day or knows any one that is going PLEASE be on your best behaviour or it could stuff it for the lot of us. The hot rod community has been all over this from the start, as our governing body is very much at the forefront of the negotiations along side the other motoring groups.  So let me stress this one more time, if you go BEHAVE your self, ranting and raving doing burnouts and generaly carrying on will stuff it for every one.
How we are percieved on the day may have a profound impact on the out come of these negotiations, we do not want to come across as hoons or yobos.
Cheers Gavin Cook
Vice President of OzERodders Hot Rod and Kustom Club

[BlackBedford]

How we are percieved on the day may have a profound impact on the out come of these negotiations, we do not want to come across as hoons or yobos.
Cheers Gavin Cook
Vice President of OzERodders Hot Rod and Kustom Club

It is a problem that there is not an idiot test when getting a drivers licence. Years ago I was one of the organisers of a large car show. We had a deal that if we behaved ourselves the Police would leave us alone. Everything went well until an idiot in a junker ran amok down the street. He had been to the show but had not been part of it. The Police then went hard on any vehicle that looked non standard. The fact that 99.9% of drivers were not running amok didn't seem to matter.

[wendyh]

yeah 95% chance i will go...some modifications make cars safer ! ie disc brakes in a beddie 
Thanx for posting and keeping us informed Black Bedford!

[John Abbott]

Gee i hope the popular motor magazines reserve a page to rally their readers on this topic!!!!