Sound Tests Approved At Motorcycle Track Commissioners To Let Doellefeld Hold ‘Simulated Races’ On 2 Days

Trying to settle a noise dispute, the Kootenai County Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to allow sound tests at a Stateline motorcycle racetrack.

The commissioners will allow Joe Doellefeld to hold “simulated races” on two days between now and the end of July. Doellefeld said he’s hiring a Seattle firm to measure noise from the races. He told the commissioners he won’t sell tickets to the two races.

Doellefeld’s neighbors are upset at the noise.

“It sounds like they’re right in your living room,” said farmer Lynn Humphreys. “You can’t even shut out the noise by closing all the windows.”

Doellefeld told the commissioners that he’s built an earthen berm around part of the track and added fabric to the fencing to control noise.

“We think we’re done, but if there’s something else that needs to be done, the test will tell us,” he said.

There has been a stock car racetrack at the site since the 1960s. Doellefeld began building the motorcycle track in 1993. It is 150 yards from Humphreys’ property line.

Humphreys thinks the motorcycle noise is still much louder than the 55-decibel limit set by the commissioners in April. That’s the equivalent of background music or normal conversation.

Humphreys said he’s confident the testing will prove he’s right.

“I would stake the farm on it.”

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