A couple of years ago Hurricane Andrew blew through Southern Florida, leaving Immokalee Regional Raceway in its wake. With the help of about a hundred of his local racers, IRR track owner Ralph Hester was able to rebuild his decimated drag strip, turning it into one of the nicest, most exciting racing venues in the Sunshine State.

There are no hurricanes on the horizon, but Hester might want to keep his loyal group of friends on call because October 4 the 2008 O’Reilly Auto Parts Thunder Jam schedule will conclude with a blowout in Immokalee, a motor sports bash no one has seen the likes of before. After the jet truck, trains and quad finish their flame-throwing passes at the Thunder Jam you never know what kind of destruction they will leave in their path. A bathroom was burned down at the season-opening Thunder Jam in Immokalee…Thunder Jam event director Jim Marchyshyn hopes they are able to keep the damage to a minimum.

“Ralph Hester loves to put on a big show and you never really know what’s going to happen,” Marchyshyn said. “We had a little incident with a bathroom in the spring, but what can I say…the bathroom was in the way. When you look at all the vehicles we are bringing to Immokalee Regional Raceway for the Thunder Jam Oct. 4 there is about 100,000 horsepower combined. It’s going to be awesome.”

Pepe Urban’s pavement-pounding “X-Treme Machine” Jet Semi will headline the event, a 20,000 horsepower jet semi truck that will light up the south Florida sky with a giant ball of flames. The “Battle of the Jet Trains” will also be held in Immokalee, with the “Chattanooga Choo Choo” doing battle with the “Cannonball Express.” Kenny Nelson’s “Cool Bus”, the world’s only wheel-standing school bus, will also thrill the crowd as Nelson tries to carry the front tires the entire length of the drag strip. You will also witness the Florida debut of the insane flame-throwing Jet Quad…a four-wheel ATV unlike anything you have ever seen before.

“We have a power-packed line-up,” Marchyshyn said. “We had one show in Immokalee six months ago so we know we have to raise the bar. We didn’t just raise the bar; we ripped the bar down and burned it up with some jet fuel. I’ve been to hundreds of Thunder Jams in my lifetime but I have never been as excited about one as I am about the season finale in Immokalee.”

Families matter and Thunder Jam puts its money behind its commitment to family entertainment. You can pick up $5.00 off adult admission discount coupons at area Toyota dealers. The discount coupons are available at the Toyota dealersin Naples (Germane Toyota), Fort Meyers, Bonita Springs and at Southeast Toyota in Punta Gorda.

“We know times are a little hard right now and Toyota stepped in as an amazing partner with us on this race,” Marchyshyn said. “They provided an outstanding outlet for this discount coupon, so you can save some money and see a great show. And each ticket is a pit pass as well so you can get up close and personal with the drivers. You can also get an intimate look at these incredible vehicles. We don’t charge for parking, either, so this is an affordable night of entertainment the whole family can enjoy.”

 You can purchase tickets for the Thunder Jam at the gate or by calling (239) 860-4424 or logging on to www.immrace.com.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Thunder Jam at Immokalee Regional Raceway will take place Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7pm. Immokalee Regional Raceway is located on Airport Blvd., State Rd. 846 East and Highway 29 in Immokalee, Florida.