RENO, NV (Dec. 5) — This weekend cars groups plus motorcycle clubs and businesses were busy rounding up toys for disadvantaged children. It was a weekend to help others in need.
Saturday began when Reno Area Dirt Riders (RAD) and Big Valley Honda teamed up for a combined event. RAD was helping people register their motorcycles and UTVs so the paperwork and fees would be in order. And they were signing up new members.
They were also collecting toys for the Reno Toy Run and Big Valley Honda not only gave them space in the show room but also donated a 55” TV for a raffle. Those donating toys got a ticket and a chance at winning the TV.
Mike Marcum is one of the founders of RAD and explained about the toy drive.
“We’re here collecting toys for the Reno Toy Run,” he said. “The Reno Toy Run is something I helped with a lot in the last 20 plus years. It’s an all charity organization, it’s a 501 Non Profit here locally and since 1980 it’s collected thousands of toys and probably getting close to over a million dollars for local children’s charities.”
That evening Minden had its annual parade of lights and Testa Motorsports not only had entries in the parade but also has a toy drive as well.
The owner’s wife Jackie Taylor explained, “The toy drive started the day after Thanksgiving and will go until December 20th. We always have a great turnout we ask everyone that comes down to participate to bring a toy. All of the toys we collect through out the toy drive go to the Family Support Council so all of the toys stay in Douglas County.”
There was also a buffet for those donating as well as a great place to watch the parade.
Sunday started when Reno Cars & Coffee had a split event. The meet began at its usual location, by the Keitze Starbucks and there was a large gathering of all types of cars.
One of the most exotic was a Shelby Daytona Coupe owned by B.J. Sullivan. In fact under the hood is where Shelby signed it.
“The coupe was finished in 2013 but it is title registered 1966. It’s a continuation car and the VIN number is CSX9128, which stands for Carroll Shelby Motors,” he said. “The engine in it is a Winsor 383, bored out to 427 and it’s been dynoed to 500 horsepower.
“I’ve had it about four years and its fun to drive. I’m not going to take it out on the race track because it would take some getting comfortable with and I don’t do that.”
Another unusual car was a replica of the Back To The Future Delorean. Comes complete with a dash display for time travel.
The second part of the meet was when several of the cars, whose owners participated in the toy drive cruised to the Northtown Winco Parking lot where they joined the Old Slammers Car Club.
Before that happened the 41st annual Reno Toy Run was getting assembled at Summit Racing Parts on East Glendale in Sparks. The west parking lot was full of motorcycles from various clubs and there were others parked along the street.
Helping with the festive occasion Santa, Mrs. Claus and an Elf were in attendance.
Troy Regas is the Chairman of the Northern Nevada Confederation of Clubs as well as Chairman for the Reno Toy Run, now in its 41st year. Asked how this compares to last year’s event he said, “I would say it’s greater than last year’s although last year we had a good turnout. But it’s probably going to be greater by about 400 motorcycles. Last year we donated 50 grand and this year about 70 grand.”
Due to restrictions at the Convention Center this year’s Toy Run was using a different route. Santa would again lead the parade and as usual the kickstands went up right around noon.
“We’re going to go down Glendale all the way to Galetti, DMV area we’re going to cut back to Oddie and to Sullivan. We’re going to end up at the Hell’s Angels Club House,” Regas said.
Around the time the Toy Run began some of Reno Cars & Coffee participants were cruising to join the Old Slammers Car Club at the Northtown Winco parking lot. This combined effort benefits the Children’s Cabinet.
Asked about this Kristin Loebbecke, from the Children’s Cabinet, said, “It’s a really great turnout, we’re really excited to be here with the Old Slammers of Reno. We’re glad to be back this year, had hundreds of people come out with their cars and toys.”
The Old Slammers Car Club is a vintage VW group and had everything from Beetles to “The Thing.” At 3 p.m. Old Slammers will collect the toys then convoy over to the Children’s Cabinet at Rock Blvd.
Loebbecke explained on Monday the process of making sure the toys get to deserving children would began.
This weekend is when many businesses, car groups and motorcycle clubs stepped up to help brighten Christmas for disadvantaged children. A great example of people helping people in our area.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on the air from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. In northwest Nevada, it can be heard over the air at 1060 AM.
There is also a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm or it can be seen live on Face Book. The show is focused on all things automotive, trends, new developments and trivia.
SPONSOR LIST:
• If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.
Subscribers have articles posted to their inbox as soon as they are up on the site.
We now have six very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue. And let them know you heard about them through this site.
• One sponsor is G.I.S.L Land Services that, while having a global client base it has a Western U.S.A. Focus. Among the services offered are Surface and Mineral Title Reviews and Cartographic Services.
Owner Greg Ekins is a long time off road motorcycle racer competing in the MRANN Series as well as the AMA National Hare and Hound series. The website is www.gislandservices.com.
• Next sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
The shop services older and new transmissions and now has a section for high performance units and those used in towing. Phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
• Racing photographer Melissa Coker is another sponsor. If you raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake Raceway or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.
Besides photos, she produces hero cards and memory books. Her website is www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.com.
Two of our sponsors are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
• Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports (RMS). Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and their website is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
• The next shop is Moto-Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again they are a full service shop plus the showroom has about any thing a rider might need or want.
The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
• Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno, is another sponsor. The shop does quality collision repair for cars and trucks.
Owner Brian Saul is a car enthusiast himself and is committed to continuing the shop’s reputation of quality work. Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
• Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&CO for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. Wednesday evenings, starting around 5 p.m. is Bike Night, good time to meet fellow riders and have a great dinner.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or car enthusiasts? This site is a great way to expose your services to those communities. Sponsorships are very reasonable and one can contact us either through the comment section of this site or on our Face Book page.
