Immokalee place to stay
 

anyone know any hotels anywhere near the track never been there but best i can tell the closest thing is about 40 miles anyone know of any thing Thanks

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

"Local" motels are subject to opinions. There are only one or two that I might consider. (Don't recall the names.) But I've always gone to one near the interstate.

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Myron so what are you saying the hotels are crap might as well stay home may be i will not try ihra nothing bad about ihra but i don't want to stay an hour from the track that is already in the middle of no where well i guess we should not have sold the motorhome

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Myron and Sean this my neck of the woods. You've got The Hampton Inn in Bonita Springs 239-947-9393 the Holiday Inn Express also in Bonita Springs 239-948-0699. They are both about 30 miles from the track and have large parking lots and are safe and clean.

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

OK guys let me put this in perspective !!!! For starters to anyone that has never been to the town of Immokalee let me explain to you that this area(around Immokalee) is in the middle of a large produce growing region---that is lettuce, tomatoes ,cabbage etc. The average guy that lives in town lives in Company supplied housing and works on the truck farms--- They are either migrant Mexican/Indian or poor whites that pick these crops----They make a coupla bucks an hour doing this---There is an Indian gambling casino in town( very nice) but other than that if a tornado hit the town maybe a million dollars in damage would occur and most of that would be damage to the produce warehouses---I have never been to the track when I was there ,but I will not eat anywhere in town or drink anything that did not come out of a bottle or a can(casino excepted)---Yea it is filthy and almost 3rd world !!!!!!!!!! As far as accomodations you will have to stay in Ft myers/FT Myers Beach or in Bonita/Naples area both about 1 hour away--- Those are your options---I have been to the Naples/Bonita Beach area for about 20 years so I am speaking from experience...Appalachia almost looks appealing---My 2 cents on this Comp 387

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Sean, I'm not suggesting you stay home and I can't say how good or bad a few are locally because I never stayed in-town personally. There are some I would not stay at regardless and a couple that I've heard different opinions on. The next closest motels happen to be about 45 minutes away and I decided to go there in the past. Not sure what I'll do next time but was just offering some info so you have some idea of what to expect and plan accordingly.

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

just sounds like a place i do not want to go to

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

I know several guys who race there on a weekly basis. Y'all do what you want, I guess -- I'm going racing! Ralph Hester's events have always gotten rave reviews. I'm anxious to be a part of it, first hand.

I'm surprised at some of the posts... that's like swearing off racing at Atco or E-Town because things have been stolen there. That's painting with a pretty wide brush, IMO.

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Mr. Beard--- Tell me about the surrounding areas please!!!! I have never been to "the track" itself but I have been within probably 2-3 blocks to the entrance to it---Not slamming the track or ownership in anyway---The guy asked about motels in the area just giving him a "heads up" on what to expect if/when he arrives. Not sure what you do for sleeping arrangements (motorhome/friends/park bench) but I personally rate accomodations on where I would take my wife... If a pup tent is OK with you so be it but I do not sleep in my truck and I do like to take a warm shower every nite plus eat a meal in a sanitary place---I from what I have seen am convinced that Immokalee(the town itself) has none of these to offer at this time unless there has been a major rebuilding/upgrading of Immokalee( the town itself) since March of 2007----The track may be great and the mgmt super BUT Immokalee is not on the top 1000 places to visit----Comp 387

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

MR.Beard i'm not smashing the track at all i've drove buy entrance about 2 months ago and there is just nothing out there the track its self looks great top notch track for1/8 mile i was just wondering about hotels
just wanted to run an ihra race never have always been diehard nhra this is closest race ihra has to where i live and i wanted to give it a shot and maybe run more ihra races

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Just sayin'... give it a chance. If you don't like it, don't go back. I've never been to any race track in Florida at all. Guys, Myron is about as picky as they come, about everything! He's run all of the races there. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me. I'll check with Randy Larson, one of the regulars there, and see what he recommends for accomodations.

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

step back non believers, there is a motel about 3 miles out of town and it is very clean and safe. i have stayed there many times when racing at immokolee. the ihra crew stays there also. it is called motel 83. very nice lady runs it and it is very reasonable.I remember going racing and sleeping in the race car, I was just happy to be there. jim

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Ive been there and its not near as bad as whats let on,,,,,sure its a small town and everyone there was a different color than me ,,,but they all were friendly ( I think) ---sorry---- I speak redneck and Im not sure what they spoke.....,,,,matter of fact,,I stayed a week with a racecar parked in the parking lot and visited the surrounding area,,,,the casino feed us for 3 days,,,,,if things work out,,,we are going back this year

track was nice,,,people were nice,,,,cant complain about anything except not winning

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Sean

What happened to the motorhome? Don't miss an event that Ralph Hester puts on.

Hammer

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

we sold it Hammer

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Sean,
Were you planning on going by yourself or is you dad going to? I'm thinking about going also but want someplace decent to stay also. Email or call me if you want. Jim

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

I am new to this board, never really watched it, or registered here before, cause I have only ever bracket raced. Some (Michael Beard) would probably say that's cause I have NO CLASS, oh well.... I know a few of you on here, the rest I hope to meet someday.

To Sean Ward, I feel compelled to reply to your comments here, and let me start off by saying, I mean no dis-respect to you, or anyone else on here, or their opinions, BUT, I feel I must set the record straight.

Although not a class racer, I do feel I can comment on this topic, as I am a "regular" (even if "only" a bracket racer) at Immokalee Regional Raceway (IRR).

The closest track to my shop is 60 miles away, BUT, my HOME track is 110 miles away. That track would be in the bustling, thriving metropolis of Immokalee. As has already been pointed out here, the town itself is not a big city. More a kin to Beenerville, maybe. NO, there are no Hiltons, Raddison's, or Sheraton's, or other 5 star hotels in town. But, the couple of little Mom and Pop hotels they do have there are not in crack town either. I have stayed in a couple of them myself, and intend to do so again for this race.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the idea of going to a race, was to race, at a race track, not a motel? If a 5 star motel is on your must do list for the wife, or kids, or whatever, then by all means, stay on the coast in Ft Myers, or Naples. If fishing is on your list, head south to Everglades City. I fished there with my dad since I was about 7 years old, and can hook you up with the best guide in town if you want. IRR has a new permanent bathroom facility, WITH showers for the campers.

Ralph Hester's "little" Immokalee Regional Raceway is the Florida version of the "Norwalk Experience". On any given bracket night AT LEAST half the racers there are from the east coast of Florida. Many of them REFUSE to run at two other tracks that are closer, just to go to IRR. Admittedly, it is in an out of the way location. For the first few years, it was "our little secret". But, that secret has gotten out now.

What really makes the facility though is Ralph himself. The man has a heart of gold, and he loves drag racing. He does not derive his sole sustenance from the track. As such he is not paranoid like many track ops these days about every nickle that comes in or out of the place. He is looking to have a good time, and more so to show his CUSTOMERS a good time! In fact, he usually goes overboard to show racers what Southern Hospitality is all about!! He frequently holds parties, with food and drink for all in attendance. This year at the bracket finals, he drove 800 miles to participate with us. He fed his team every night, Wednesday through Sunday, including steak and potatoes, and even roasted an entire pig one night, plus towed the most outrageous ice cream maker on the planet for fresh ice cream. Ralph ran his own race car enough this year to qualify to bring it to the bracket finals, to compete as an alternate, in case some one broke, he would fill in. Well, my car broke right before first round of the main event, and he INSISTED I drive his car. Even though I told him no, to take the spot he had earned, he wouldn't hear of it, he "forced" me to drive his car. That's the kind of guy Ralph Hester is.

Two years ago, one week after Huricane Wilma destroyed the track, there were over 100 racers that showed up VOLUNTARILY to help put the place back together. There were no calls for help from the track. Most of us didn't even have electricity, let alone phone service yet. But the word went out by word of mouth. Myself and another guy didn't have enough diesel fuel between us to make the round trip, but Ralph told us he would see to it we had the fuel we needed to make it back home. He also hired a BBQ caterer to feed all those there that day. Most of you don't understand, but that was the first HOT meal many of us had had in a week!!

IRR is not really just a racetrack, it's family.

Mark Ruset has posted the names and numbers of a couple very nice motels that are reasonably close.

If you want the experience of a lifetime,
3 events in one weekend,
A reason (warmth) to be able to eat home made ice cream in the winter,
The best hookin track in the South East,
And Southern hospitality the way it should be, don't cheat yourself out of this event.

I have only ever bracket raced before. But for this event I have secured the necessary hardware to participate, and have both my cars there. That should be enough reason for all the H/R racers to make a beeline to this event. Somebody gets a duck first round each day!!!

Oh, and just for the record, I am not on the IRR payroll, just a very appreciative local racer of his, Michael Beard will verify this. Sean, in closing let me say this, if you attend this race, please come and look me up. I will be there with two (red & blue) 69 Camaro's "Wire Nut" that weekend. If you don't feel the race experience at IRR was worth the drive to and from the motel of your choice each day, I will personally reimburse you for your fuel costs to and from the motel. You are less than 300 miles away from what potentially could be the best divisional race you have ever attended, I have that much confidence in Ralph, his son Thomas, and the entire rest of the staff at IRR. Many on this board that are planning to attend are traveling AT LEAST twice, to three times that far. Consider yourself fortunate you don't have that drive.

PS. If anybody has an "extra" stocker they would like to see goin down track at IRR, please let me know.

Sincerely, Randy Larson

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

OK, Randy you have convinced me! I might just have to give this one a try! Jim

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Thanks for posting, Randy. Did you get up with Zapp? He said to tell you that he's done the "have helmet, will travel" thing before... as long as he can reach the pedals in your car. ;)

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Jim everything that Randy stated is the gospel. You and everyone else won't be disappointred. As an alternative to motels why not look into motorhome rental for the week. Staying at the track for all of the goings on is going to be unbelievable.

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Hi Guys

I normally don't get on here a say much, but i will say that i have raced at Ralph's track 3 times for the IHRA Div. races, it is one of the best hooking tracks i have ever raced on,trust me with a SS/CA and a B/SA ya better have good bite, i can put both of them on the bumper anytime there, The race is run good, Ralph will do anything to help you,like some people said the neighbourhood was alittle diff. ya they are right, lots of peanut pickers there, but we don't race in the town, and ya usualy don't see alot in the stands and they are Full for the races, Hospitality too the top, i hope everyone can make it there this yr.
i will not be there, as i will be in the sand pitt working this yr and if ya think that Neighbourhood is diff. ya want to try this place, most of ya know where i work, the have towel's on the heads for Helmet's LOL Ralph i hope ya have a good race there, sorry i will miss it, and i hope everyone who goes there, has a hell of a good time, if ya like to Party also,get some rest, ya will need it, sorry for the ones staying at the Hotel's, ya will miss a good party and get the SHOE to sing LOL Later Brian

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Yeah Michael, hooked up with the Zapster, I didn't think about the pedal thing though, is he a Leprechaun?

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

He doesn't live in a tree, but he does make some mean cookies. ;)

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Randy i never said anything about 5 star hotels just wanted to know how far the hotels were from track because looking on internet the closest i can find is 45 min to an hour away can you give me some that are closer just need to be clean and safe i've never been down there to race heard it was a nice place to race so maybe you could send me the names of the mom and pop hotels in a pm Thanks

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

sean, I posted the motel that is the cleanest and safest in the area as well as being close. , jim

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

randy, email me. jim

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Jim do they concider motel 83 in the town of Immokalee or is it call something else or do have the # Thanks

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

Sean,go to
www.switchboard.com
Put in Motels and Immokalee, Florida, you'll have to go thru a LOT of advertisers that are no where near the area. But the last ones are in or near Immmokalee....hope this helps...jlk

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

The one I've stayed at a few times is the Immokalee Inn. It's on SR 29, about 3 miles from the track, right next to a Rib City Restaraunt. I'll get you the phone # tomorrow. The crazy part is, I called for reservations for myself and somebody else, and the goof I talked to said they weren't taking res till the end of January. I pointed out to him that the weekend I needed the res for was only a week or so after that. His excuse was something about his computer. Like I said, it's nothing special, but, last time I was there, it was clean, and OK. One of the regular track guys is from the east coast. He party's with some of the others on regular Satruday nights, and usually stays over till Sunday. I plan to go over there a little early next time I race at IRR, and just show up there at the motel and see what the deal is. I will also check into a couple of the others, and let you know what I find out.

Re: Immokalee place to stay
 

sean, the # is 239-657-8283 and it is motel 82 , not 83 as i stated previously. jim