here's some more info from
www.diesel-central.com ---
just about like I had it figured--a lot of talk with no real demand to shut down the diesel events--but what will the VTPA do is the real question--will they fight it(I hope so) or will they take the easy way out--I personally don't feel to confident, but if they don't fight it the CARB will then start to go after the gas vehicles I'd bet---
Well I got a copy of the letter today to both Tractor Associations, I have read it over and over and also went to the Safety and heath website to see what codes are in question.
This is only my opinion
There was a spectator that was at the event (it does not state who it was) but Some people do know, There was a picture that was takin of tractor smoking{ Emitting high concentrations of exhaust and exposing nearby spectators to these emissions}
now there are a couple of H&S codes involved also.
The one that seems to me that I might not agree with completely, Not saying I do not agree at all just completely is.
H&S Code 41700 No Person shall Discharge Pollutents
Except as otherwise provided in Section 41705, No person shall dicharge from any scource whatsoever such quantities of air contaminants or other material which cause injury, detriment nuisence or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or to the public, or which cause,or have a natural tendency to cause, injury or damage to bussiness or property.
Ok now what happens on the 4th of July every year for the last 227 years, and is bound to happen on the 4th of july this year.
H&S 41701 No Emissions Shall Exceed Ringelmann 2
Except as otherwis provided in section 41704, or Article 2 ( commening with section 41500) of this chapter other thn Section 41812, or Article 2 ( commencing with section 42350) of chapter 4, no person shall discharge into the atomoshere from any scource whatsoever any air contaminants other then uncombined water vaper, for a period or periods more then three minutes in any on hour which is
(A) as dark or darker in shade as that designated as NO. 2 on the Rinelmann Chart, as published by the United States Bureau of Mines, or (b) of such opacity as to obscure and observer's view to a degree equal to or greater then does smoke decribed in subdivision (A)
Ok I have seem some video, and it states no long then 3 mins of smoke
Warm up 1 min
Pull up to 20 sec.
Cool down 0 to 45 sec
Now obcure the observers view, Unless he or she has a pit pass and has sign the WAIVER that states that Whom ever is putting on the show is not responsible for personal injury and or damage needs to be in the assigned area for viewing, Which in almost all cases is in a realitvely safe and controlled area, grand stands
this letter does state this
( We hereby REQUEST that you DIRECT your association members to immediately cease and desist from modifying their engines resulting in these excessive emissions)
It goes on to say
Our objective is to work cooperatively with you and your associations to: gain Voluntary compliance so we can avoid and formal action.
Then it states some other things ab out the history of diesel fuel and the exhaust and there findings and what toxicing that diesel fuel puts into the air and goes on to state thing on prop 65 and TAC
On thing it says ( Diesel fuel is also a major source of particuiate pollution in CA, 94% of diesel emissions are estimated to be fine particles, less then 2. 5 microns in diameter that can bypass respiratory defense mechanisms and lodge deep in the lungs.
on the last page is says
Its not intent to outrail tractor pulls as a sporting event, We are vary concerned about the unnessary diesel engine over-fueling praticed by a FEW members of your organiztion, We have observed the high emitting tractors on your web sitts and at events like ... ..... ( I left that blank) This over fueling does not increase the power developed by the engines: instead, it creates gross amounts of toxic air contaminants resulting in the immediate toxic exposure to the spectators. W chailenges the vary talanted tchicians and engineers participating in these events to use their skills to compete with powerful but low emitting engines (i. e. engines need to stay within the manufacurer's specifications) This is possible, as demonstrated by the many tractors that successfully compete in these events without emitting gross amounts of visible air pollution.
Please direct your association members to take immediate and decisive action to prevent this toxic exposure, caused by a few rogue participants with gross emitting engines, to the spectators of your events.
I know I think I just opened a big can of worms here but I think you all needed to see the truth on this letter, and I'm sue some of you will say if you can handle the smoke then do go see the tractor pulls and I agree with you it is a free counrty but, There is coming a time when the clamp down is going to happen, I think its time to unite together ans one and somehow com to a comon ground on this as we all love pulling and would hate to see it go away.
IMO only