Ohio Rep. Kellie Deeter, R-Norwalk, has introduced a “Right to Race” bill that would make it a lot harder for new neighbors to sue long-established vehicle and motorsport racetracks over being, well, racetracks.
House Bill 639 would create a broad legal shield for racing facilities against certain nuisance claims arising from everyday track realities such as noise, traffic, dust, and lighting. The protection would apply in cases where a property owner bought or developed nearby land after the racing facility was already there — a setup lawmakers are clearly trying to discourage: move next to the track, then try to shut it down.
“Each ‘Right to Race’ bill aims to give long-established race tracks more stability and predictability, enabling them to continue hosting events, supporting local jobs and serving the motorsports community,” Deeter said in a release. “Together, these proposals reflect a growing, pro-motorsports approach in statehouses to protect the places where grassroots racing happens and where the next generation of racers and builders get their start.”
Supporters say the bill is meant to give established tracks stability and predictability so they can keep hosting events and supporting local jobs, while still requiring compliance with state and federal environmental, health and safety laws.
The measure also targets local government. If passed, it would bar counties and townships from adopting rules that conflict with the state’s new protections — the kind of preemption that tells you the sponsors expect local pressure campaigns and zoning fights to keep coming.
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