Justice down to the wire: Superior Court Judge to rule on bike race at Fairgrounds

With flat track motorcycle race just 10 days away, the City of Rochester and its attorney look to grab the checkered flag. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - The decision of whether the Rochester Agricultural and Mechanical Association will be able to have its fund-raising Flat Track Motorcycle Race event at the Rochester Fairgrounds just 11 days away is now in the hands of a Strafford Superior Court judge.
The Rochester Agricultural and Mechanical Association, known as RAMA, is the longtime organizer of the Granite State Fair, formerly called the Rochester Fair, which began its run at the fairgrounds in 1874.
RAMA's lawyer, Marcia Brown of Brown Law; and Rochester City Attorney Terence O'Rourke were both in court on Friday to argue whether or not the event, seen as a vital fund-raiser for the fairground's maintenance, will be allowed on June 21, a Saturday.
Brown told The Rochester Voice on Monday that O'Rourke's main argument was that the flat track racing event was no longer a "grandfathered" event because the racing took a hiatus in 2008 after a 15-year run, because the race promoter was in "declining health."
He argued that after a year the grandfather rights go away.
However, the flat track racing event, like dozens of other one-day events such as cover band concerts, Phantom Gourmet barbecue and Parrot Head events "have been declined by the City of Rochester for the last several years due to the city's apparent attempt to demonetize the fair, so it can force RAMA to sell the property to the city, which has been eyeing the land for city development for more than 10 years.
"The Rochester attorney was making the same tired arguments he's been using for years now," Brown said.
Another talking point for O'Rourke was that the original lawsuit from 2022 was over no longer allowing "grandfathered" events, and wasn't specifically about flat track motorcycle racing.
It should also be noted that when Rochester's Zoning Board of Adjusted approved the "grandfathered" motorcycle event, they approved it without restrictions or further hoops to jump through to move forward.
Now, with the city of Rochester continuing its fight to shut down the event that was approved nine months ago, it has put the new face promoter, Megan O'Connell of SOS Racing Promotions, in a tight spot.
"They are totally in a bind and hoping to get quick approval so they can have the race," Brown said.
Brown told The Rochester Voice the judge agreed to seek to expedite their ruling.
Brown has stressed all along that RAMA needs to have more nonfair events so they can maintain the 72-acre fairgrounds, noting they don't make nearly enough from the Granite State Fair to keep the fairgrounds property afloat.
Rochester's Zoning Board of Adjustment approved the return of flat track motorcycle racing in mid-September over the objections of City Attorney Terence O'Rourke, who said their application for a variance was flawed.
The event, if they are still able to have it, will feature top dirt track racers from around the world.
During the September ZBA meeting O'Connell said that the Rochester Fair location and its half-mile oval is known internationally among flat track motorcycle racing enthusiasts.
SOS Racing Promotions was also approved last September to present a second Flat Track Motorcycle Race during this year's Granite State Fair.
The June 21 event is part of the Super Oval Series Racing Promotions that was established in 2021.
The Rochester Voice reached out O'Rourke on Monday, but he has refused comment per usual.