Maine Racetrack Being Sued For Being ‘Too Noisy’

Let's be honest, shall we? We can be a loud bunch here in Maine. We like Flowmaster mufflers, double-barrel shotguns, garage stereo systems and hootin' and hollerin' around a summertime bonfire.

Yep, it's pretty much in our culture that we like our hobbies to be loud. But what happens when others among us think that we're being too loud? Well, we get sued, that's what.

According to an article that was published in the Kennebec Journal, a Maine-owned race track is being sued by neighbors that say the noise produced there is 'ear-splitting'. But how did this all come to be?

According to the news article, the track in question is Get Er Done Raceway and Motorsports which is located in Skowhegan on Dudley Corner Road. The article goes on to explain that a judge has ordered the track to temporarily shut down following a complaint lodged against the track from at least two neighbors.

Who is doing the suing?

Bob Reisner and Denise Miller have been dealing with what they say is nonstop noise from the racetrack just up the hill from their place on Dudley Corner Road. And they’re not the only ones who say they're upset about it. A bunch of their neighbors in the quiet, rural farming area say they’re fed up, too.

The couple’s been pushing the town to step in for years, but so far, officials say Get Er Done Raceway and Motorsports hasn’t broken any local rules. So Reisner and Miller, who’ve been living on their family farm since 2006 have now taken things to court, filing a complaint against the raceway’s owner and operator in Somerset County Superior Court.

They want the racetrack permanently shut down

Reisner and Miller are asking the court for a permanent injunction that would shut down the racetrack’s races, mud runs, demolition derbies, and use of its loudspeaker system. They’re also seeking compensation, including damages for emotional distress, however, they haven’t specified an amount that they'd like to receive.

Steven Rackliff, the racetrack's operator, said in part,

“Every town official says I did not break any violations or any codes or anything, and I have my licenses. So, I don’t understand how this guy really has any chance at this other than slowing down the process of opening the track sooner than I want to, I guess. I guess that’s his main goal.”

We'll see how this shakes out in court and whether or not the neighbors are able to get the track permanently shut down. What are your thoughts on this suit? Send us a message through our free app!

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