I have just gotten off the phone with the Holiday Inn. If our event uses them in 2009 as a host hotel, they are increasing the rate.

They have told me about their "sister" hotel near the airport - a new Comfort Inn - which is probably fine (also at the same 79 per night we pay now) but... I was wondering if any of you have a "favorite" in the area near Roebling Road Raceway.

We tend to look for a hotel that,
1. Likes us
2. Gives us a hospitality room
3. Lets us bring in our own food, beer and wine
4. Has ample parking
5. Keeps the price up to 79 (would prefer lower...)

Some of you have been with us - you know what we are looking for.

I've put in for a few bids, I'll have to check out a few hotels. So far the old Comfort Suites now called Quality Inn would like us back and the Travel Lodge Suites is showing interest. The Quality Inn meets our needs, I just need to know if they have new ownership (I don't like getting burnt twice) and I don't know if the TL has hospitality rooms, so I'd have to go look.

How about it - any of you know of any from your many stays in the area?

 

One exit north of the Holiday Inn, there is a brand new Country Inn and Suites that I have stayed at twice. Very nice. The parking if I recall is Ok, not huge.
Its the one on Yvette Hagins Dr. There is another hotel right across the street, but I don't recall the name. I know Nasa had a deal one time with the Country Inn. 79 I think it was.

And honestly - I have no problem staying on exit 104 I think it is. If you take the Jimmy Deloach Pkwy, it is just as fast to the track (maybe faster cause of less lights) and it is a nicer area. We used to always eat at the Ruby Tuesdays there friday.
That is where I would look.

 

I found a hotel near the airport. I visited the Country Inn - and felt - cramped. The dark blue lobby, biz center and breakfast room are all right there. One of the clubs I know were negotiating with them and were offered the whole hotel for the weekend. I don't know if they'll go for it, because they like another hotel.

I signed us up for the one across the street - right next to Sam Snead's Tavern. Where you can drink and then "walk" safely back to your room.

And talk about rooms - these are suites - two rooms separated by a small hallway with a bathroom. One room is a living room with a pull out couch (hear that Nabil? LOL) and the other is a bedroom where you can have a King, Queen or two full size beds. Same price as the Holiday Inn (I think they did us a favor not asking us back) and here's the plus - complimentary breakfast. I'm waiting for the contract -- I want to make sure they spell it out that breakfast will start being served at 6a.m. It's clean and your can bring the spouse without embarrassment! They'll may even shuttle the person to Savannah while you have fun -- or at least to the airport... (Hawthorn)

More later.... (always)

 

Sounds nice Jackie,

The place next to Snead's looked very nice, and if you got it at a good price that sounds like the ticket. Rooms sound sweet.
That exit is probably busy during the week with business travelers, but Fri eve thru Sun eve it has always been pretty laid back. And i still believe from there to the track is quicker cause of that cut thru.

Sneads is nice but could be pricey for dinner for some - but a jump over the bridge and there is a Ruby's and of course a bunch o fast food joints. OnRails and I give 5 stars to the Sonic tater tots!

I dunno about having a bar that close to the hotel
I mean, are you gonna yell at me if I miss all-hands meeting by sleeping in?

 

jackie.

nabil and i stayed at the hotel next to the host hotel. sleep in and suites.. it was ~45 bucks a night..

it was an orbitz deal. but very nice..

beers

 

Swoope,
You coming in May? Preregister on clubregistration.net
I hear Silver is hearing from the Rotary4Life folks that 4-5 of the Fla gang may come up.
I am know 6-8 off the top off my head that are probably coming down from here. We may loose a couple who want time trial points with Nasa that weekend at CMP, but I think the general feeling is this is going to be the event to come to.

Jackie, if the Fla gang joins up - we are hoping to bring you close to 20 drivers. Rx8's, Rx7's, Miata's and a couple random track cars. You treated us right, now you have to live with us!

 

yes,

i will likely be at both darkside events at rr. great everything..

btw, i need help on the next road atlanta event. as i did not make the last one and still need to get to mazcare!!!!!

btw, dano thanks for the helmet fix!

beers

 

Sing out what you need for the next RA event.
Besides the fact we froze our cajones off, it was epic!

Phlash brought the camper and set up over 10B. Full bar, outdoor heaters.
The alleged skidpad got abused.
Down in the paddock, we hooked up and set up with ROAR.
TA, Lego, Francois all podiumed at the yearly awards. Kurt jumped into TT. OnRails posted a 3rd place for the day in TT on street tires. L8Apex, SilverEight, Charlie (mazcare), Olddragger, Russ,.... I know I am gonna miss someone.
And some new folks, Peppy and Racerbabe.

Epic weekend dude. They had IMSA lites (LMP type cars) running in TT, Ford GT teams out there. A "toy race" open to any racer - 80 cars on grid to start!
Meyer Motorsports gave us a brake compound class and generally let us hang out and check the cars.

Sorry you missed it!

 

Daniel,

At the Holiday Inn the bar was right there in the hotel. At least at the Hawthorn, I'll know that you'll get a little bit of exercise

Sleep Inn is a great hotel. But it cannot accommodate our group. You know we love our Friday night hospitality - and I fear the spill over would end up at the Holiday Inn parking lot - not a good thing. But you cannot beat the make a call directly to the hotel and get a 49.99 room.

However, Red Roof - which is across the street from Ruby Tuesday's also has a 49.99 room - but it it not as shiny new as the Sleep Inn.

Believe me it was a tough choice - I just learned Crown is going into the Wingate. So many new hotels, so many choices - but I looked at it this way - we get spouses (hey Old Dragger - Tish coming?) and if it were me in the neighborhood staying, well, choice is made :-)

Tell you what - you can let me know what you think in May....

 

short and sweet.

i need to get up to mazcare to get my transmission swapped out.. and a new clutch while it is out.

would like to do it during an event weekend. kill two birds with one stone.

that was the plan for the epic weekend, but sickness got in the way.. sounds like fun was had by all.

beers

 

jackie,

i will say that the hospitality at the holiday inn was very well done..

beers

 

i am so used to sleeping in the car ANY place will be great!
OD

 

Better get preregistered. Lots of folks signed up already.

Swoope, make sure you holler when your coming. March RA event is not too far out, and will let you know if anything pops up local sooner.

 

Who's George?

Everything is falling into place. And if you guys all love track - they I love you being there.

Merry Christmas

 

George = Peppy

The Hawthorne is very nice. I stayed there once when it was part of the Hyatt family and I had some Hyatt points. Its hard to go wrong with any of the places mentioned. The hotel for a track weekend is simply a hot shower and a clean bed. The real fun is at Roebling and the unbeleivable hospitality of the Darkside. I wore my Darkside shirt the other day and I must say I did so with pride. Cool club! In 2009, I am more likely to DE over TT. This event is looking to be the event for 2009 for our group.

 

A few more have signed up. John is back for more punishment. I don't know Travis - need to know his run group - but it's nice we have time... we are up to 8 Rx8s and Daniel.

Again, thank you for making my Christmas.

Meanwhile, Nabil - Hawthorn is still part of Hyatt and still doing points. A dollar a point and 1000 points a free night. Hope things are doing nicely for you... be in touch.

 

I be Travis.

 

Nice meeting you Travis

 

sorry for any confusion in my emails with you...ADD tends to take charge on a regular basis, and now more than ever.

Looking forward to joining your group at RRR, and meeting a bunch of new track junkies.

 

i have registered---hope you got mine --when it demained a car (for that little window) i used Don's as it did not have mine listed.
OD

 

Please go back to your profile and "add car" -- I can switch it from admin - but need it listed to do that!

Thanks.

 

am i missing something? not finding registration on the darkside website..

beers

 

Pre-registration is on the link below. Sign up dude.
I am excited already. We have 10 rotary's and my little track toy signed up.
We are hunting more entries. I wanna see if we can get 15 Rx8's there plus the other Mazda's we bring.
Brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it.
Rx8 HPDE capital of the world could be Pooler, Ga. GaRx8 club might have to print up T-shirts or something..

We also might have to chip in and send you some funds if you plan on bringing some good beer. Gonna be a big paddock.




http://clubregistration.net/

 

^I think I might be there!

 

Just do it!