By JOHN KOZIOL

Staff Writer

LACONIA — The City Council’s Public Safety Committee meets this evening to discuss how, if at all, a group of local business owners might be able to bring vintage motorcycle racing to the downtown next month.

The committee convenes at 6:45 p.m. in Room 200A at City Hall to consider the request of the group which wants to have demonstration races in the downtown on Sunday, June 13.

The group, which includes Black Cat Cafe co-owner Kinney O’Rourke, last month asked the City Council for permission to relocate the U.S. Classic Racing Association’s Vintage Races to Laconia.

The races had been previously held at the Gunstock Recreation Area, but Gunstock officials, citing logistical problems and declining attendance, decided not to host the event this year.

The Public Safety Committee is expected to recommend its findings on the vintage races to the full council when it meets on Monday.

O’Rourke has said he’s optimistic that the races can be brought to Laconia and noted that the financing for the endeavor has begun to fall into place.

When the council initially considered the idea on April 26, several members raised concerns about the cost — depending on which of two proposed routes was used for the races, the Department of Public Works estimated that it would cost between $19,000 to $55,000 to set up and break down after the races — as well as the drain on police and fire resources.

Police Chief Tom Oetinger has said that his department typically gives some officers Sundays off so that they are fresh for the coming week.

The week following the vintage races is the first full week of Bike Week 2004, which this year will be held from June 12-20.

While acknowledging the challenges that he and the other business owners will face in bringing the vintage races to the downtown, O’Rourke was hopeful nonetheless.

"I don’t think anything is insurmountable. I’m a glass half-full guy and that’s my attitude toward this whole thing," he has said.