RENO, NV (Feb. 8) — Two big car meets highlighted the weekend. It was the first time for one while the other the other happens twice a month.
• Saturday is when Need2Speed had the “Parking Lot Take Over,” at the Northtowne shopping area that is located where 580 and North McCarran meet.
In the west side of the parking lot there were many cars and even more were arriving after the meet began.
As usual many ears and types of cars were displayed. In one row a yellow Nissan Z was beside a front engine Corvette while others had their hoods up.
At these meets many times older cars have been restored and given a new life. One of them was a beautiful white car owned by Johnny Mac.
Asked about his car he said, “We are looking at a beautifully restored 1964 Chevy Impala Convertible. Everything from the ground up has been touched. I’ve had car pretty close to 20 years this is just done last summer and I’ve been behind the wheel three times.”
Mac said it was a frame off restoration. The frame was redone, powder coated and cleaned up, a new wiring harness installed as well as 4-wheel disc brakes.
He also installed a new 350 motor and hooked that to the Turbo 350 Transmission. He also kept the stock suspension.
In addition Mac installed a new top as well a brand new interior.
Asked how it drives he said, “We pretty much everything you could think of. I expected to drive like brand new again but when you do things like that there are certain kinks and we’re just now figuring out what those little bugs are.”
Not far away was a 1977 Mustang II. It was sporting an enhanced motor.
There were also several exotic cars including a McLaren Convertible over by the concession trailer.
In another row there was a reddish orange McLaren that was drawing its share of spectators.
Close by was yet another McLaren this one almost an orange color
Over by a tree a Lamborghini was in a group with two different models of Corvettes. It was estimated the meet drew around 150 cars.
• On Sunday Sparks Cars & Coffee hosted its first meet of the month. Once again it was a pretty good turnout.
One interesting car rarely seen was a Toyota MR2 Spyder. This might be the only one in our area.
The Spyder is a mid engine convertible. The power plant is a VVT-1 16 valve motor.
Contrast is always part of any Cars & Coffee event and this was no exception. In row there were American cars next to imports.
Some rows have a surprise in them. In the middle of one was a Lotus.
Close by was a vintage Coupe that had custom paint and is owned by Ron Trevor.
Asked about the car he said, “This is a 1932 Ford Duce Coupe, it’s a kit car, has a 350 Chevy with 300 Horse and has a special paint job with the flames. The paint was done by a guy in Everett, Washington.
“I bought the car in July of 2025 and just been enjoying the heck out of it. It’s what I call the Ultimate Geezer Cruiser. It has power windows and air conditioning. It drives really nice, very sweet”
In another row a beautiful front engine Corvette anchor another row of various cars.
One of the vintage cars on display was owned by Joel Gorzalski and his wife Debra.
Asked about the car he said, “We’ve got a 1946 Chrysler Winsor Club Coupe and it’s a 350 Chevy, 350 Trans, 57 Chevy rear end. It has a Mustang II front suspension, brakes, power steering, all good stuff.
“I bought it pretty much how it is, put some different mods on it and added some parts. I added an intake carb, exhaust and just went through everything. It was sitting in a garage for about eight years so I had to go and change all the fluids, bleed the brakes, flush the tank, replaced it and the lines.”
When it came to describe how it drives he said, “It runs and drives like a regular car except it’s 80 years old.”
Another interesting car was a Sparks Police Cruiser. It was fully outfitted but it’s probably just someone’s show car. Otherwise there would have been a uniformed officer near by.
Next Sunday Reno Cars & Coffee has its second meet of the month. As usual the place is by the Human Bean Coffee Stand located near the corner of Keitzke and Moana Lanes.
• This week’s meet for Trucks & Tacos of Northern Nevada will be at Cielito Lindo Taqueria. Meet starts at 6:30 Tuesday evening and the location is 290 Lemmon Drive.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Wanted to give everyone a head’s up to what is coming. This weekend, both Friday and Saturday evening, the Kicker AMA Arenacross series visits the Livestock Events Center. It’s a wild night of racing and hearing protection is advised.
• If you enjoy Hot August Nights and want to be a part of the festival, well they are looking for volunteers. It’s an opportunity to be part of this, for more information please check, www.hotaugustnights.net/volunteer-member/.
• If you are in a car club or represent one then this meeting is for you. Nevada Car Coalition is using this Calendar Planning Meeting to be sure clubs don’t conflict with each.
• Now that the Super Bowl is history it’s time to get for racing to start. Speed Weeks has changed to Speed Week and here is the Daytona schedule. Sadly on two of the events are not behind a pay wall.
• Davey’s American Racing can be found on Face Book.
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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