Archives
Archives
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Immokalee Pay$ Out The BIG Bucks
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Grandpa Stewart of Team Immokalee with Ralph Hester IRR Track Owner |
As many people know I.R.R was closed this past weekend as Team Immokalee headed north to Jackson, South Carolina for the Division 2 finals. It wasn’t looking good in Jackson S.C as the weather was overcast with intermittent rains on and off for the first couple days. Saturday morning rolled around and started off with a light rain and no sign of clearing according to the local weather channel. The schedule called for time runs starting at 8am but with a short rain delay time runs got started at 11:30am. I.H.R.A officials strategically work the schedule and did some rearranging working in the first round for Combo and Sportsman on Saturday postponing Junior Dragster and Motorcycles for Sunday morning. After first round was over on Saturday Immokalee’s hopes for a top five finish were looking slim. We started first round with 32 Senior team members (Combo/Sportsman) and was going into second round with 14 team members.
Sunday started off with great racing weather and the Junior Dragsters and Motorcycles first round. The first round of Juniors and Motorcycles consisted of 8 team members and going into second round we still had 4 remaining. Going into the semi final rounds, Immokalee still had 3 team members still going strong. It was Bob Bjorkman of Team Immokalee in the Semi finals of Super E.T. class (Sportsman), Marion (Grandpa) Stewart of Team Immokalee in the Motorcycle class, and Isaac Gray of Team Immokalee in the Junior Dragster class. Making it this far in a event this large is a major accomplishment but team Immokalee had 1 of the three competitors come out a winner and moving into the final round.
It was Grandpa Stewart of Team Immokalee making it to the final round of the Motorcycle class. In the final round Grandpa was taking on Scott Lee of Team Cherokee. Grandpa got the win running a 5.74 ET on a 5.72 dial with a NEAR perfect .508 RT taking home top honors and his first IRON MAN.
Immokalee also took home some top honors in the Team Final Specialty Awards Program for Best Appearing Team, Best Appearing Sponsors Banner along with a few individual awards. The Kleiber family was voted the Best Halloween decorated Trailer, Jim Shaw of Team Immokalee won Best Engineered Open Bodied and Grandpa Stewart won the Best Engineered Motorcycle.
Special thanks go out from all racers to Ralph Hester who supplied enough food to feed an army of Kings and of course his lovely assistant Donna VanTol for all of her hard work which was much appreciated buy all racers and families. To wrap up the entire weekend Immokalee took home 2nd place in the over all points system and gained a few pounds. Thanks Ralph You’re the Best!!!
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Pro-Mod Race A
-June 19, 2004 |
Best Out Of Three Grudge Match March 6, 2004 Phil Osborne raced against 6-time I.H.R.A. Pro-Mod Champion - Scotty Cannon  |
| Pro Mod Doorslammer Drag February 14, 2004 Mr. Mike Neal of Pace, FL won the Final Round.  |
Open Outlaw -June
28, 2003 Kevin Jones of Deerfield Beach, FL won the Final Round.  |
| Pro-Mod Race A
-April 12, 2003 Mike Neal of Pace, FL won the Final Round.  |
Pro-Mod Race B
-April 12, 2003 Doug Mills of Alachua, FL won the Final Round.  |
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New Track Records Phil Osborne of Naples, FL set this 4.04 ET at 182 MPH - 4/12/03  |
Pro-Mods
Winner - Mar. 8, '03 Phil Osborne took home top honors in his 1963-split window Corvette. (He ran a 4.12 ET at 176 MPH) |
| 10.5 Tire Class - March 22, '03 Mr. Russ Jung of Oakland Park, FL won the final round.  |
Super
Rod/Super Gas - Jan. 25, '03 Mr. Howie Hensel of Naples, FL (Super Rod is a 4 tenths pro Tree with a 6.40 index with the break out rule applying).  |
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Ralph Hester Crowned Track Promoter of the Year in I.H.R.A Saturday I.H.R.A. held it’s 34th Annual Hooters I.H.R.A Drag Racing Series points banquet in Covington, Kentucky where Immokalee Regional Raceways Owner/Operator Ralph Hester was named Track Promoter of the year. This prestigious award was given to Hester who was the most deserving out of 97 I.H.R.A. sanctioned tracks. This award is well deserved, as we all know down here in South Florida. Ralph Hester residing here in South Florida half the year and the other half in his hometown of Henderson, North Carolina knows what drivers and fans want and does everything in his powers to give them exactly that. He is even known to go slightly overboard-serving homemade ice cream to everyone coming through the gates at Immokalee Regional Raceway. He definitely treats his drivers and family members like Kings and Queens at the local points banquet serving Steak and Shrimp to all who attend. Ralph goes the extra mile for anyone attending his track and even welcomes racers from other tracks with open arms. We the racers at Immokalee Regional Raceway are proud and honored to have such a person as Ralph Hester representing our division in the I.H.R.A drag racing world. |
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By Jim Marchyshyn - IHRA Communications
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Ralph Hester w/Super Stock Winner Anthony Bertozzi, wife Malinda, and Rodney Eades |
Immokalee, FL - The inaugural 2003 IHRA Division 2 Pro AM Series race at
Immokalee Regional Raceway, January 25-26 proved to be a major success, both on
and off the drag strip.
“Our first
Pro-Am race was the biggest race in track history,” said a pleased Ralph Hester,
owner and promoter of Immokalee Regional Raceway. “We had a great car count and
over 2,000 spectators came out to watch IHRA’s best sportsman racers.”
Hester promoted
the race heavily, buying print and radio advertising throughout the Southwest
Florida region. The strong spectator turnout vindicated his expense, as drag
racing fans across Florida thronged to the airport drag strip.
Hester, a
successful businessman and transplant from North Carolina, utilized many of the
customer service principles he applies to his thriving food processing and
automotive supply companies.
Terri and Dan
Scammel of nearby Bonita Springs, Florida heard about the race, loaded their
camper and drove the 30 miles to Immokalee in search of a new entertainment
experience. They found it at Immokalee.
“We had a great day watching the IHRA at Immokalee. The fans are great to hang with and tickets are fairly priced ($15),” said Terri. “We
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Immokalee Owner Ralph Hester & Quick Rod Winner Jason Lynch |
hoisted our
IHRA flag and enjoyed a full-day of racing. We will definitely be back.”
Hester and his
staff did an outstanding job promoting the race and providing leisure activities
for the racers. Shuttle busses took racers to the nearby Seminole Casino in
downtown Immokalee, where according the Hester, “racers ate for free and had a
great time gaming. There wasn’t an empty seat or gaming station at the casino
Saturday night. I know the added promotion by the Seminole Casino staff added to
the excitement and success of the event.
“The casino is
constantly looking for ways to promote the City of Immokalee; they were
impressed with their first experience with IHRA and our racers,” explained
Hester. “I’m looking to build tourism in our area and the racer/casino
partnership is a great start.”
“Ralph and his
team did a magnificent job promoting the race to spectators and taking care of
our racers,” commented IHRA Director of Track Services Tom Kreager, who attended
the event first-hand. “Ralph’s efforts to bring in spectators and give them a
great entertainment value prove that drag racing fans will come out and enjoy
sportsman drag racing.”
Hester’s
version of customer service included greeting his fans and customers and
thanking them for attending the race. He also asked them to bring a friend to
next year’s race. Hooters Restaurants, title of sponsor of the Hooters IHRA Drag
Racing Series also
“I made sure I spoke with every racer and told them how much I appreciated them coming to race,” explained Hester. “I want all the racers I met, including Mark Jones of Marrero, LA, who cooked up a big pot of gumbo for my staff, the Cummings family and Edmond and Scotty Richardson, to name just a few, to come back to a bigger and better event at Immokalee every year. I enjoyed meeting Anthony and Malinda Bertozzi; not only are they great racers but super people. I want all IHRA racers to know South Florida is a pleasant and warm location to
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Seminole Casino who sponsors this entry, provided free food for racers all weekend. |
race and visit
in late January.
“I can’t say
enough about the great job the IHRA staff, including Race Director Phil
Gingerich and Tom Kreager provided. Steve LeTempt was the announcer and did a
fantastic job keeping the fans involved, added Hester. “I’m proud to be a
member of IHRA and can’t wait to get started on next year’s race.
Randy Larson Captures 1st place While Scott
Phillips Hangs on to 1st Place for the Points Finale at I.R.R.
Division 2 Heat Wave
September 27, 2002
Immokalee,
FL - Immokalee Regional Raceway
hosted its final points race this past weekend gearing up for the Summit World
Finals in Jackson South Carolina in October. It was Drag Racing at it's finest
as the top three positions in both classes were separated by as little as 3
points with each round win counting for 10 points it was a real shoot out.
In the Combo division Scott Phillips of Palm Springs was able to hang on to 1st place and take home the title of Track Champion with Don Jolly taking 2nd place and Steve Dweck taking 3rd in the final points standing. In the final round of Combo division it was Claude DeBonis of Ft. Lauderdale taking on Tony Garguilo of West Palm Beach. DeBonis got the win running a 5.00 ET on a 4.99 dial with a .502 RT while Garguilo ran a 5.16 ET on a 5.14 dial with a .539 dial. In the semi final rounds it was DeBonis getting the bye run to the final while Garguilo was taking on local racer Doug Raynor of Immokalee. Garguilo got the win running dead on his dial (5.14) with a near perfect reaction time (.503) while Raynor ran a 6.60 ET on a 6.59 dial with a .518 RT.
In the Sportsman division it was Randy Larson of Pompano Beach taking home the title of Track Champion with Ryan Myers taking 2nd place and Tom VanTol taking 3rd. Larson starting out the night from the 3rd position watching as #1 Ryan Myers went out the first round and #2 VanTol went out the second round leaving him the opportunity to move right up. Larson being no stranger these circumstances was able to pull it off going into the 3rd round with a bye run and idling down the track to take the title of Track Champion and then red lighted the next round. In the final round it was Ryan Myers coming from the buy back lanes to take on Lee Neal of Oakland Park. Myers got the win running dead on his dial (6.67) with a .533 RT while Neal running a 7.23 ET on a 7.21 dial with a .530 RT. In the semi final rounds it was Myers getting the bye run to the final while Neal was taking on George Baker of Ft. Myers. Neal got the win running a 7.30 ET on a 7.21 dial with a near perfect .501 RT while Baker running a 6.77 ET on a 6.75 dial but had a rather slow .755 RT leaving the stripe for Neal.
In the Jr. Dragster division it was Nathan Gray of Ft. Lauderdale taking home the title of Track Champion with Daniel Futch taking 2nd place and Isaac Gray taking 3rd place in the point standings. In the final round it was Lucas Hamlett of Immokalee taking on Karisa Famularo of Parkland. Hamlett got the win running a 8.53 ET on a 8.51 dial with a .540 RT while Famularo running closer to her dial (7.93 ET on a 7.92 dial) but had a slower reaction time (.634) leaving Hamlett the win. In the semi final round it was Hamlett getting the bye run to the final while Famularo got the win over Daniel Futch of Immokalee. See Final Points Standings for 9-21-02.
I.R.R. Pays Out the Big Bucks on Memorial Eve
Race
By Tom VanTol
Immokalee Regional Raceway hosted a Mega Bucks race Saturday, May 24th paying
out one of the largest purses in Florida for Footbrake and Combo. The purses
totaling just under $10,000.00 dollars make this one of the largest purses in
Florida. Racers came from all parts of the state hoping to claim their piece of
the purse. As the afternoon rolled on the storms starting rolling in and
surrounding Immokalee but as fast as they rolled in they parted and skirted the
racetrack leaving only cool breezes and a dry track for everyone to enjoy.
Elimination's got started just after 6pm with a full venue of evening races.
The first class up was the Jr. Dragsters, who were battling it out for one of
Immokalee's own Iron Man Trophies. In the final round it was Brittany Taylor of
Lehigh Acres making her 3 appearance in the last month in the final round this
time taking on Brett VanTol of Naples. Brittany got the win as VanTol leaving
too soon (.456) turned on the red light. In the semi final rounds it was VanTol
taking on Ethan Doty of Margate. VanTol got the win running a 9.00 ET on a 8.93
dial with a .554 RT while Doty having a better reaction time (.539) but could
only run a 13.96 ET on a 13.74 dial.
Next up was the Combo class who was also battling it
out for one of Immokalee's own Iron Man trophies and a $3000 purse. In the final
round it was Roy Hagadorn of Venice taking on Brian Boose of Naples. Hagadorn
got the win with a near perfect package, running dead on his dial (5.01) with a
.501 RT while Boose breaking out of his bracket running a 4.999 ET on a 5.00
dial with a .523 RT.
In the semi final rounds it was Boose getting the bye run to the final round
while Roy was taking on Tony Weems of Bonita Springs. Weems on a roll for the
last month was headed once again to the final round. This time Hagadorn stopped
him short though. Hagadorn once again with an almost near perfect package (.506
RT and dead on his dial 5.01).
Last up was the Footbrake class (Sportsman), battling
it out for $3000 dollars and an Iron Man trophy. In the final round it was Ryan
Myers of Bonita Springs taking on Shane McFadden of Kissimee. Myers got the win
as both drivers broke out of their bracket (Myers 6.71 ET on a 6.72 dial with a
.573 RT, McFadden 8.01 ET on a 8.03 dial with a .506 RT). In the first semi
final rounds it was Myers getting the bye run to the final while McFadden was
taking on Phil Anzalone of Bonita Springs. McFadden got the win running a 8.08
ET on a 8.03 dial with a .572 RT while Anzalone having a rather slow .651 RT and
only running a 7.23 ET on a 7.18 dial.
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2005
Track Champions at IRR
To top the night
off, Cheryl Godfrey of Lehigh Acres, who is an employee for I.R.R along with
Friday
the 7th kicked off the first of three $10K races where in the first
final round of the weekend it was a family feud. It was
Scotty Richardson of Goodlettsville, Tennessee
taking on his brother Edmond Richardson of Greenbriar, Tennessee. It was Scotty
getting the win and the first $10,000 dollar check as Edmond leaving too soon
turned on the red light. In the semi final rounds it was again, an all
Richardson round. Edmond running 2 cars with both in the semi’s getting the bye
run in one and taking on brother Scotty in the other one. In this round as you
already know, Scotty got the win as both drivers breaking out of their bracket,
Scotty breaking out less running a 5.057 ET on a 5.06 dial with a .504 RT while
Edmond running a 4.712 ET on a 4.72 dial with a .534 RT. 
Saturday
then kicked off the 2nd race of the weekend where we found a familiar
face in the winners circle. In the final round it was
Jim Shaw of Davie, FL taking on Ken Etchison of Sarasota. Shaw got
the win running dead on his dial (5.20) with a .514 RT while Etchison having a
slight edge on the light (.511) but ran a 5.07 ET on a 5.06 dial leaving Shaw a
small margin of finish line. In the semi finals it was Shaw getting the win over
Mike Ferraro of Ft. Lauderdale and Etchison getting the win over Duayne Roberts
of Lakeland.
