RENO, NV (July 16) — On the hottest day of the year Reno Cars & Coffee had its second meet of the month. Fortunately it began at 10 a.m. so it wasn’t that hot although the turn out was less than normal.
There were also a few motorcycles. One black Harley was parked next to a black Corvette.
One truck stood out and that was a beautiful 1953 yellow Chevy Pickup owned by Harold Fudge.
“Just had a new interior put in it,” he said. “Has a LS Engine, all new suspension, new front clip, disc brakes on all four wheels so it’s practically a brand new truck.”
He’s the second owner of this truck.
“A fireman in the Bay Area built it and it took him 12-years then I bought it at the Good Guys Show in Pleasanton,” he said. “I had the engine put in and everything else.
He did comment that, with the exception of the motor and interior most of the work can’t be seen as it’s all under the carriage.
“I’ve got three other cars and I rotate around. I’ve got three Corvettes and this,” he said. “This is going to be in Hot August Nights and I’ll be between the Grand Sierra and the Atlantis. It’s a fun truck, I feel like I could get in it and drive to New York without any problems.”
There was also a Morris that was fitted out to be a drag racer.
One couple arrived with two very different high performance cars but that had similar colors. The wife, who we highlighted a few months ago, arrived in her Corvette while her husband, Larry Dufek brought his 2015 Lamborghini Aentador roadster.
“It was still on the lot in 2016 when I bought it new,” he said. “When I got here I looked and it has 18,988 miles on it. I driven it to Oregon twice, to Las Vegas three or four times and I’ve been to Palm Springs.
“I driven it all over the place and I average probably a little over 2,000 miles a year. It’s probably more than the average Lamborghini owner.”
Asked about driving it on trips his answer was different than expected.
After pointing to his wife’s Corvette he said, “To be honest with you this one is more comfortable. In the Lamborghini I can’t have a wallet in my back pocket when I’m driving and I’ve got to get out about every two hours to walk around.
“This (Corvette) I drove all the way to Oregon, nine and a half hours and didn’t get out of the car once. I’ve broken about half the bones in my body so I’ve got to take care of myself. I just crashed everything you could crash.”
He’s also very aware of the car’s capabilities. So far Dufek has had it up to 187 then later 190 on some open roads but that’s not the way he usually drives it.
“As far as it goes, performance wise it’s 100% stock. I did add the carbon fiber wing last week and she side skirts,” he said. “Going up Geiger Grade or the Mount Rose highway it will do more than the average guy can think about doing. So I pretty much baby it.”
While exotic cars like this can reach high top speeds there is another aspect that usually isn’t mentioned but one that is very important.
“It’s a lot easer getting up there than stopping,” he said. “Stopping is the scary part. Once you get up there you have to have some room and do it slowly, can’t just stomp the brakes. If you burn the tires up just the front brake pads are $3,500 dollars each.”
The cost jumps if the discs are damaged. Another good reason why he drives his Lamborghini easy.
“Just drive it to go to shows and go on trips,” he said. “There is a small luggage area so have to roll up socks, pants, underwear and shove them behind or underneath the seats. We’ve gone to Palm Sprints for a week and just had to get by with what we have.”
These car meets have contrasting cars. Two very nice looking Mustangs had their hoods up. That way people could admire the engines in these cars.
Over on another row was a Chevy station wagon. It appears there is some restoration going on with this car. Many times a car person will buy an older, maybe not so good looking vehicle and breathe new life in it.
Next Cars & Coffee meet will he Sunday, July 23rd. That’s when Sparks Cars & Coffee meets at 10 a.m.by the Starbucks at Disc Drive.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Wednesday is a big day. Up at Sun Valley it’s the13th annual Cruise Night at Hobey’s Casino. There is covered parking and that opens at 3 p.m. with registration starting at 3:30.
For the first 150 entries there will be a free t-shirt and dash plaque. In addition there are prizes and awards.
- That same evening, starting at 5 p.m. the Sparks A&W, located across from Reed High School, has another Cruise In. There are prizes, D.J. Music as well as cars to see.
• Thursday is another busy day. The weekly Thursday Cruznite to the Chilcoot Frosty & Goodwins General Store is happening. Easy to get to, up Highway 395 then turn west on Highway 70.
- To the south it’s the Thursday Nite Cruisers in Carson City. Hours are from 5 until 7 p.m. This week the assembly point is the Empire Ranch Golf Course located at 1875 Fair Way in Carson City.
• Daveys American Racing is usually on at 6 p.m. Wednesday evenings. One can see the show on Face Book and get into the chat was well.
Davey covers national series as well as racing in the western United States. His focus is on oval tracks.
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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.
• Our newest sponsor is State Farm agent Kelby Schoorl, who was a racer in his younger days. He has some supplemental insurance that racers might be interested in checking out.
There is medical that covers visits to the ER, ambulance rides and if a person has to stay in a hospital. In addition trailers as well as tools and tools in shops can be covered with additional policies.
If Kelby isn’t available the other associates at his office will be very happy to explain what they can offer both to racers and those enjoying motorized recreation.
Office hours are from 9 until 5: 30 Monday through Friday, appointments are needed on Saturday. The phone number is 775-827-2255 or at his website, www.kelby@insuringreno.com.
• One of our sponsors 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.
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 the site 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.
