RENO, NV (Aug. 3) — August means the start of the 10-day festival celebrating classic cars known as Hot August Nights. While it’s not the only thing HAN is pretty much the main attraction.
• Friday began with a Show ‘N’ Shine at Summit Racing Products in Sparks. The turnout was pretty good with both trucks and cars on display.
One of those was a Ford pick up that has been altered just a bit.
Another was a very modified 1937 Ford. That drew a lot of attention.
- Later that day the Old Slammers Club decided to get in once last cruise before HAN really got going. They meet at the Northtown Shopping Center.
- The club not only has American cars but also features many restored and altered VW’s.
• Not much on Saturday but on Sunday two groups had their first car meet of the month. One was Reno Jeeps & Coffee.
The other was Reno Cars & Coffee. There was a pretty good turn out of cars. One of them was a beautiful Toyota Supra.
The Supra was clean and even the motor was clean and easy to see as the hood was up.
One of the more unusual vehicles was this camper on a 4X4 pickup chassis. Looked like it could go anywhere.
• The biggest show, outside of the HAN in Virginia City was at the Bonanza Casino on North Virginia. It was the annual “Cruisin’ for the Cure,” show to benefit the Prostrate Cancer Foundation and the event was part of the HAN Event Series.
The event fills up the entire north parking lot and has all sorts of cars. One of them is owned by a Raider’s fan.
Most cars have been sold or bought by their current owners but there are exceptions. One of them is Melvin Wallila, who owns a 1972 Plymouth “Cuda.”
“Bought it brand new, off the showroom floor in November of ’71. It’s only got 35,000 original miles on it and it’s pretty stock the way I bought it, has a few added things but not very much.
“Has a 4-speed manual transmission, 355 gears in the rear end with a posit traction rear end, 340 engine. When I first bought it drove it for about eight years as it was my car that I drove around. The last seven or eight years I just drive it to shows. Got a lot of power to it and goes real well.”
There was also a long Corvette row. Some of them had their hoods up so people could see the motors.
At any car meet there are comparisons parked side by side. One was a Dodge Daytona, with swing up doors beside a SUV decorated in the Jurassic Park paint scheme.
In the lot there were several T-buckets. One of them is owned by John Blackburn, who was staying in the shade his chair offered him.
Asked about the car he said, “We’re looking at a 1927 T Bucket. It’s a Ford body but the components are Chevy. It only weighs 1,800 pounds and it has 600 horsepower, a 411 rear end and Positraction. I’ve been in Hot August Nights since 2002 and I cruise with it.
At the end of another row was a rare Italian car, a 1948 Simca. Probably been restored to its immaculate condition.
• This week HAN really gets rolling although Monday is a slow day. One popular event is the drag racing/burn out events at the west side of the Sparks Nugget. It’s so popular Hot August Nights announced it is been sold out.
For further information, and a complete schedule that can be printed, please check www.hotaugustnights.net.
• In addition to Hot August Nights there are a few more events happening. One of them is the Annual Hot AirCooled Nights show. Starts at 6 p.m. Monday evening, is free and all VW lovers are welcome.
• This Tuesday, starting at 6:30 p.m. Trucks & Tacos of Northern Nevada will meet at Dream Tacos & Cantina. Location is 180 Peckham Lane, across the street from the Atlantis.
• Wednesday is busy. There is the weekly Cruise-in at the Sparks A&W that has a live D.J., music and prizes. Location is 1311 Baring Blvd., across from Reed High School.
- That same night Pinochio’s Bar & Grill, located at 5995 S. Virginia Street has Ponies on the Pavement. This event is hosted by the Mustang Car Club.
– Other casinos with parking will be having displays and cruises of their own.
• Thursday gets rolling at 8 a.m. when the Iron Mafia has its weekly event at Kim’s Donuts & Tea House. Location is 1328 U.S. 395 North in Gardnerville.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Still a few weeks to go on this contest. There is a chance at winning this car but even if a person doesn’t they’ll help Honor Flight of Nevada.
• After the Fair Race at Plumas Family Speedway in Quincy there were so many problems the promoters canceled all the scheduled races. So, once again the track is dark but still no word on Diamond Mountain Speedway in Susanville.
• Davey’s American Racing is found on Face Book. His focus is on western oval tracks as well as national series.
He also posts schedules for various tracks and there related subjects.
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• 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 guys 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 890 Gentry Way.
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.
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