Hey everybody. I was wondering if anybody had recommendations for decent hotels at good prices near Mid Ohio. I looked at the info on their website, but I'd like to get the advice of somebody who has been there and knows. Also, does anybody have a good way to get there from the east? I'm coming in from the Philly area and don't really know how to go apart from PA turnpike West. Thanks!


Matt

 

This is where I stay when i run Mid-Ohio. They have an indoor pool, hottub, nice rooms, you can usually get a room for $59.00 to $69.00 per night. http://www.baymontinns.com/mansfield/

As far as directions, the Hotel is about 5-7 miles from the track. There is a grocery store (24x7) between the track and the Hotel. (There are a few gas stations and a steak and shake next door.)

Good luck!

 

This is my stomping ground, Mid Ohio was my back yard, The hotel that you want to look at are in Bellville and Mansfield.

Comfort Inn South 419-886-4000 apprx 10 mins from track and if you know that back way only 5 mins
Bellville - Days Inn 419-886-0278 same distance as above

Amerihost Inn - Mansfield 419-756-6670 apprx 15 mins from track
Baymont don't know number anymore
Super 8 Motel 419-756-8875

You want to run the turnpike to 76/224 Akron/Lodi then take 76/224 to 71 South and 71 south will run you into Mansfield which is where Super 8 and Amerihost are located at 71 and 13, or you can go down one exit to 71 and 97 which is where Comfort and Days Inn are located. I would stay at 71 and 13 more restaurants. If you want any other info on that area let me know and if someone would kiss the track for me. I miss it, I grew up at Mid Ohio.

 

Matt,
You're going to come west on I-76 (turnpike) into Ohio. Take I-76 to I-71 and head south. Take I-71 south to St. Rt. 97 (exit # 165). You will turn right onto 97 and take it until you come to St. Rt. 314. Head south on St. Rt. 314 until you come to Steam Corners Rd. Turn left onto Steam Corners Rd. and follow the signs to Gate 3 and you are there. Hope this helps. See you there!
Sam

 

hi matt!

have a good time at mid o racing! wish i could be there!

i like to get off the turnpike as soon as possible, due to the high tolls when towing a trailer; therefore, i like to take the turnpike to I-70 West, then take I-71 North to mansfield.

have a safe weekend!

todd

 

You aren't coming along Todd? I thought you were racing the Probe....

Thanks for the answers so far guys, I appreciate it!!!!

 

I'd like to know where all the H-T guys are staying. I really need to make some reservations here tomorrow, its this weekend!

Where are all the guys going staying?

 

Have fun at M-O this weekend guys. I'd go but have to drive down to South Carolina to pick up the boy and the dog from Grandma.

There is a little town called Ontario that is due north about 5 miles or so from the single real traffic light in the middle of Lexington, OH just east of M-O. There are motels, many good restaurants (Outback, Cheddars, Olive Garden, mexican, etc.), Pep Boys, Wal-Mart, etc. in that area for general food, lodging, movies, and supplies needs. I must have gone to M-O for a decade looking for good places (especially good food) before I stumbled into the oasis of Ontario and it isn't far from the track. There is a Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn if you have the budget, that is where I let Koni pay for us to stay during the Runoffs.

Right on I-71 at exit 168 is a clean Super 8 , a not-as-clean Travel Lodge , etc. and a Denny's, McDs, and Bob Evans as well. That is an easy 10 minute drive east from the track. You can go into Mansfield as well but the food and good lodging options are pretty thin. Ontario is my best suggestion and I-71 exits 165 and 168 will cover the basics.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Lee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I must have gone to M-O for a decade looking for good places (especially good food) before I stumbled into the oasis of Ontario and it isn't far from the track.</TD></TR></TABLE>

How is Bucks these days?
http://www.lexington-oh.com/bucks/

Before the old joint burned down, I thought it was the place for racers to go.

 

[QUOTE=speedracer33]You aren't coming along Todd? I thought you were racing the Probe....QUOTE]

i'd like to come, but right now i am a little "financially challenged". gotta save up and get the cars in shape for the upcoming season....

todd

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kedwards &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
How is Bucks these days?
http://www.lexington-oh.com/bucks/

Before the old joint burned down, I thought it was the place for racers to go.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Through some major screw up, I never heard or went there before it burned down. I drove past it for years but never stopped in. The Buck's that exists now bears little to no resemblence to the old one from one I hear. It is a basics bar & grill of minimal note IMO. It is usually busy on race weekends but more probably because there is a little go-kart track next door or to devotees of the old place than really on it's own merits. I go elsewhere for food in the area.

I forgot to mention it but there is also a small Mexican restaurant that is pretty good just down the street from new Buck's and across the road from the strip mall. That building has been a half dozen restaurants in the last decade but last time was there it was pretty good Mexican food and margaritas. Had dinner with the Metalworker and a few others there a year or so ago during th Runoffs.

 

What is your preference? Cheap? Luxury? etc.

The hotels most commonly used by tracksters are the Comfort Inn and the Ramada Limited on OH 97 at I-71 exit 165. Both are pretty new and quite nice; nightly rates are $60-70. You will find them listed in websites as Bellville, Ohio. There is also a Days Inn at the same exit that is okay as well, if not quite as nice as the first two.

If you are looking to save money, the Travelodge on Hanley Road at exit 169 is the bargain in the area - not as new or luxurious as the others (no indoor swimming pool), but I've stayed there plenty of times and it's clean and decent, for around $40/night (with better parking than the cramped Super 8 lot). Listed in websites as the South Mansfield Travelodge.

All of these hotels are less than 15 minutes from the track (and are significantly closer than the Mansfield/Ontario hotels on the northwest side of Mansfield off US 30). To get to the track, just go west on the road the hotel is on (OH 97 or Hanley Road) till you hit US 42, and turn left. You'll go into Lexington, go straight after the gas station on the right in town (NOT taking the slight left turn for US 42). Right after the road swings to the right at the fire station, turn left onto Steam Corners Road. It's then about four miles to the track.

 

Im going to sleep in my car or pitch a tent right next to my car.


Jack

 

Huh, someone said pitch a tent (Beavis impersonation off).

Last time I was there my buddy and I spent the nite at the Holiday Inn in downtown Mansfield. Then we ended up hitting the crappy local bars until 2am with some Porsche drivers. Ugh. Not a good idea.

- Markus

 

So for the honda techers going this weekend, do we all want to choose one hotel?

Matt

 

El Pollo Diablo and I are crashing at the Days Inn. We're arriving late Thursday.

 

I say Comfort Inn in Bellville guys.

Stayed there before, and its a nice place.

Let me know if you guys are going somewhere else...

I'm gonna make reservations there for friday and saturday nights, hope to see you guys in the parking lot outside the comfort friday night.

JP

 

Pueblo Grande is the name of the Mexican Restaurant in Lexington and it is very good. Everytime I go home to see my parents we eat there. Bucks is okay but not at good as the old place it has just gone down hill. And as Lee said everything is in Ontario food, entertainment, and etc...and all the locals (including myself at one point in life) cruise out in Ontario on Park ave.
Dennys at 13 and 71 is gone, thank you dear Lord for taking it to a better place.

 

Alright, well I think Comfort Inn is now out of the question. They seem to only have suites left, and I can't spend that kind of money.

Where you guys wanna go? Ontario?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Toad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Pueblo Grande is the name of the Mexican Restaurant in Lexington and it is very good. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Is that the place with the 42oz margarita? If so, it was a damn good margarita...

 

Yes it is, it is like a fish bowl. We got 2 of those and seemed like we passed them around the table about a thousand times...Got to get the cheese dip though for the nachos...mmmm mmm mmmm

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by John &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is that the place with the 42oz margarita? If so, it was a damn good margarita... </TD></TR></TABLE>

If you had a 42 ounce margarita, I'm surprised you can remember how good it was...

 

what about this one then?

Bellville - Days Inn 419-886-0278

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what about this one then?

Bellville - Days Inn 419-886-0278</TD></TR></TABLE>

What about it?

I stayed there during the NASA event a year ago. It's a little smaller than the Comfort Inn and the Ramada Limited at the same exit. I know the latter two have indoor pools, and I didn't notice one at the DI, which is why I said "if not quite as nice". But it's fine...

P.S. Their nightly rates "in season" (i.e. when I go to MO at the end of May) are similar to the $60-70 at the CI and the RL, but when I stayed there in early April, their rate was significantly less (like low forties).

 

I recommend the Ramada. Stayed there for a bit last year. Good free breakfast selection and bike rentals. For food hit the Amish place on the opposite side of the street about a 1/4 mile down the road. There is also a Roadhouse grill 5 minutes in the opposite direction (away from Lex) from Mid-O. I'll second the motions for the mexican place. The dive bar on the corner at the T intersection in Lex had good pizza. I'll take a Pass on Bucks, that was a one and done.