Is it possible to fight a traffic ticket without being present at court?

You could potentially be represented by an attorney at the hearing but your cost will likely far exceed the $175 amount and if you are not there and the officer is competent and you don't have some evidence showing the officer is wrong, a judge is likely to believe the local officer who is there over the out-of-state defendant who is not there to tell his side of the story. Having an attorney call and try to negotiate the ticket or potentially trying to negotiate the ticket yourself by mail or phone may be possible. You don't want to miss any deadlines listed on the ticket. Good luck.