Exhibition of Speed

Location: Oregon

I got a ticket a couple days ago for "accelerating too fast" while merging onto a 35mph highway. The ticket is for "exhibition of speed" under the "speed racing" statute in oregon. Got a call from a traffic lawyer today, they want almost double what the ticket is worth, but they told me that apparently this ticket comes with a license suspension if found guilty. That seems completely ludicrous to me but what do I know. I don't think I accelerated too fast and I would like to keep my license. I would also not like to pay nearly a grand to defend myself, however I've been told numerous times now that it is almost impossible to successfully defend yourself in oregon traffic court, and that 99.99% of the time you will be found guilty to the fullest extent without a lawyer. Anybody have any advice on whether legal counsel or self representing is worth it?