- Governor Kelly signed HB 2416 on April 6, 2026
- Around 20 racetracks in Kansas receive civil immunity against nuisance lawsuits
- Residents within five miles (approximately eight kilometers) who moved in after the track was established can no longer sue
Anyone who moves next to a racetrack and then complains about the noise will have a hard time in Kansas from now on. Governor Laura Kelly signed HB 2416 into law on April 6, 2026, the so-called Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act. The law grants existing motorsport facilities across the state immunity against civil nuisance lawsuits, provided the respective track already existed before the complaining residents moved in.
What the Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act Regulates
The law clearly defines its scope of protection: A racetrack or motorsport facility is immune to lawsuits based on nuisance or similar legal theories if the facility existed before the property acquisition or development by the complaining resident. In the wording of the legislative text, a racetrack is immune from liability in any civil action based on nuisance, condemnation, or similar legal theories, provided the facility was established before the surrounding property owner acquired ownership.
The protection radius covers five miles (approximately eight kilometers) around the respective facility. Anyone who acquired or developed property within this radius after the track was established can no longer assert civil claims. The law protects not only traditional racetracks but all areas used for motorsport competitions, including spectator facilities and associated grounds. Around 20 existing motorsport facilities in Kansas fall under this protection.
However, there are limits: The protection does not apply if a track violates its operating permits, for example by holding events outside approved times. Likewise, immunity is voided if no competitive race has taken place at a facility in the four years prior to the development of neighboring properties.
Broad Alliance Behind the Law
A broad coalition of motorsport associations and industry organizations stands behind the law. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) spearheaded the so-called Right-to-Race campaign, supported by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and Performance Racing Industry (PRI). Max Colchin, AMA’s Eastern States representative, described the passage as a welcome victory for Right-to-Race legislation and announced plans to continue leveraging the momentum of this success.
The law passed the Kansas House of Representatives unanimously on February 12, 2026, receiving broad bipartisan support. It was introduced by Representative Leo Delperdang. During the hearing before the Senate Transportation Committee, several track operators spoke in favor of the law. John Allen, general manager of 81 Speedway and Humboldt Speedway, told the committee that the law was a good way to protect the investments made in the communities. Cindy Bell of Kansas International Dragway also supported the bill.
Motorsport as an Economic Factor in Kansas
The economic significance of racetracks in Kansas is considerable. According to the AMA, motorsport facilities in the state generate annual revenues of more than 743 million US dollars (approximately 690 million euros). They create nearly 5,700 jobs and generate tax revenues of more than 77 million US dollars (approximately 72 million euros) for the state and local communities. These figures underscore why legislators want to secure the long-term existence of these facilities.
Nationwide, the picture is even more striking: According to a 2025 PRI study, local racetracks in the USA contribute 69 billion US dollars (approximately 64 billion euros) annually to the national economy. These facilities are not just venues for weekend entertainment but economic engines, employers, and institutions deeply rooted in their communities for generations.
National Right-to-Race Movement Gains Momentum
Kansas is not alone. The state joins North Carolina and Iowa as the third to pass such Right-to-Race legislation. At the same time, Kansas is the westernmost state with such a law.
SEMA and PRI report that they are currently working with legislators in 16 states to push through similar regulations. Legislative initiatives are already underway in Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Indiana. In Georgia, a corresponding bill was moved through committee within days of its introduction.
However, there was a setback in Wisconsin: Although the state legislature passed the law with bipartisan support, Governor Tony Evers vetoed it. The AMA expressed disappointment. According to industry estimates, racetracks in Wisconsin generate an economic impact of 2.46 billion US dollars (approximately 2.29 billion euros) and support more than 10,600 jobs. The contrast between Kansas and Wisconsin shows that the debate varies from state to state.
Laguna Seca: The Most Prominent Case in the USA
The case of the legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California illustrates how urgently such laws may be needed. The track, which opened in 1957 on the Monterey Peninsula, hosted MotoGP races and continues to be used for IMSA and IndyCar events. In December 2023, a residents’ group called the Highway 68 Coalition filed a lawsuit against Monterey County and the operating organization Friends of Laguna Seca. The group argued that the number of events had significantly increased in recent years, causing excessive noise and traffic.
The track already operates under strict regulations: a maximum of 35 event days per year, with spectator limits of 5,000 for 24 of those days, and noise caps of 90 and 105 decibels respectively. A settlement was reached in March 2024. Under its terms, racing operations may continue as planned, but in return an acoustic assessment must be conducted and noise mitigation measures implemented with a budget of up to 2 million US dollars (approximately 1.86 million euros) over a five-year period. The six spectator events in 2022 alone generated an economic impact of 247 million US dollars (approximately 230 million euros) for the region, according to track management.
Brands Hatch, Donington Park, and Germany: Europe Is Simmering Too
The problem is by no means limited to the USA. In the United Kingdom and Germany, historic racetracks have been battling similar conflicts for years, and the situation there is in some cases even more complicated than in the United States.
Brands Hatch in the county of Kent, whose Indy circuit has existed since 1950 and Grand Prix loop since 1960, is subject to significant restrictions due to resident complaints. The GP loop may only be used for regular car racing on around 20 days per year. An additional 20 days are permitted for so-called quiet events, where vehicles must not exceed 98 decibels in the static noise test. A comprehensive noise management plan regulates operating hours, decibel limits, and even the use of the public address system. The track lost a High Court case against Sevenoaks District Council, setting a precedent regarding statutory nuisance. Some of the complaining residents live in houses from whose windows they have a direct view of the track. Brands Hatch offers all residents free season tickets, but this does not prevent individual complainants from having operations restricted. The regulations have contributed to making a Formula 1 race at Brands Hatch, last held in 1986, practically impossible.
Donington Park could also face a similar situation. A major development project called Isley Woodhouse is planned in the immediate vicinity of the track, comprising around 4,250 new residential units and potentially bringing approximately 10,000 new residents to the area. Schools, shops, hotels, and leisure facilities are also included. A consultation process with North West Leicestershire District Council is underway. Should the project go ahead, the Brands Hatch pattern could repeat itself, as more residents typically mean more noise complaints.
In Germany, the situation is different again, as the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) in conjunction with the Technical Instructions on Noise Abatement (TA Lärm) governs the operation of racetracks. The regulations are in some cases extremely strict. At the Sachsenring, for example, which hosts the Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany, the nearest residential buildings are only about 100 meters from the racetrack. Regular operations are subject to statutory limits of 55 decibels in residential areas and 60 decibels in mixed-use areas, which is nearly impossible to maintain at a motorsport facility. For major racing events such as MotoGP, a special exemption applies for only ten so-called noise days per year. This strict limitation makes it difficult for organizers to break even and has, among other things, prevented the Sachsenring’s interest in hosting a German Superbike World Championship round from progressing to negotiations. The operator has reached private agreements with some immediate neighbors in which they tolerate higher noise levels in exchange for compensation. In 2022, BUND Sachsen (a German environmental organization) submitted an expert report to the Saxony Regional Directorate documenting that noise limits had been exceeded. The authority responded by establishing four additional measurement points where limits must now also be met, which will likely force the operator to implement further noise reduction measures such as additional sound barriers or a reduction in operations.
At the Nürburgring, the situation is also complex despite 297 approved operating days per year for the Nordschleife. The track runs right through the town of Adenau and close to three other communities. Since 2009, the operating permit has been tied to strict noise protection requirements, prescribing a maximum vehicle noise level of 130 decibels and a daily dose value of no more than 76 decibels. The projected annual average must not exceed 65 decibels. The operator invests a six-figure sum per year in noise protection, according to its own statements. At the Hockenheimring as well, noise regulations regularly lead to restrictions on racing operations: Different noise categories are distinguished there, and it can happen that the daily noise quota is exhausted before driving operations end, resulting in an early shutdown.
A Model for Europe?
Kansas demonstrates with the Motorsports Venue Protection Act a concrete legislative path for protecting existing racetracks from retroactive lawsuits. The core logic is remarkably simple: Anyone who knowingly moves into the neighborhood of an existing facility cannot subsequently complain about its operations. Neither the United Kingdom nor Germany currently has comparable legislation. In Europe, the trend actually runs in the opposite direction: While Kansas immunizes its tracks by law, new measurement stations are being set up at the Sachsenring and noise limits are being further tightened at the Nürburgring.
In SEMA’s wording, this common-sense legislation ensures that facilities that existed before their neighbors are legally protected, thereby preserving urban and rural jobs, tourism, and community traditions. Whether more US states will follow this example seems to be only a matter of time. Whether European countries will adopt a similar approach remains an open question. The debate is in full swing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act?
The Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act (HB 2416) is a law that protects existing racetracks in Kansas from civil nuisance lawsuits by residents who moved in after the facility was established. It was signed into law on April 6, 2026 by Governor Laura Kelly.
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Which US states have a Right-to-Race law?
Kansas is the third US state to pass such a law, after North Carolina and Iowa. Legislative initiatives are currently underway in 16 additional states, including Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Indiana.
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How many racetracks does the law protect in Kansas?
The law protects around 20 existing motorsport facilities in Kansas, which together generate more than 743 million US dollars in annual revenue and support nearly 5,700 jobs.
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Why was Laguna Seca sued by residents?
The residents’ group Highway 68 Coalition sued Monterey County in December 2023 over allegedly increased noise levels and a growing number of event days. A settlement was reached in March 2024 that preserves racing operations but requires an acoustic assessment and noise mitigation measures.
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What restrictions apply to Brands Hatch due to noise complaints?
The Grand Prix loop at Brands Hatch may only be used for regular racing on around 20 days per year. An additional 20 days are permitted for quiet events below 98 decibels. A court-enforced noise management plan regulates operating hours and volume limits.
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