Need advice for fighting a speeding ticket

[PN <pajono@compsol.net>]

Yesterday I got a speeding ticket coming home from Vermont while I was in 
Massachusetts: 52 in 35 on a very rural road which had been 50 about 1/2 
mile earlier.  The road is in poor shape (narrow, potholes...) and I'm sure 
I was below 45, drifting down towards the limit (read: my suspension 
doesn't like big bumps). The officer had been traveling the other direction 
when he "clocked" me, and threw a quick three point turn to catch me. 
Extremely gruff, told me I was stupid for leaving my wallet in the trunk, 
and refused to answer any questions (he kept telling me to "refer to the 
back of the ticket). I did ask him how he clocked me, and was going to ask 
to see his calibration sheet, but he wouldn't answer me. The ticket states 
he got the speed from radar and an estimate.

The whole situation left me a little frustrated, mostly because he was such 
a snot. I'm going to contest this, but I was hoping for some words of 
wisdom about a plan of attack. Does it ever help to include an explanation 
when I send the ticket in, or will it be ignored? I plan on going back to 
take some pictures, hoping to show I wouldn't drive that fast due to the 
poor road conditions...

Thanks. I know this has been discussed before, so private responses would 
be appreciated.
Paul
87 4kq