SPARKS, NV (July 27) — Sparks Cars & Coffee had its second meet of the month. Location as usual was near the Starbucks off of Disc Drive.
Once again variety is part of any show like this One interesting comparison was a T-Bucket parked next to an import.
One of the exotic cars came with a racing history. That was the Ford GT-40 owned by Larry Cooper. The original version of this car was used by Ford to win at Le Mans.
Asked about it he said, “It’s not an original, its called a Continuation. Under a license they’re allowed to use the GT-40 designation, even Ford can’t do that. They continue the chassis from the original and its actually built by Superformance out of South Africa.
“You can order various options, mine’s right side drive like the original and the shifter is on the right. I tried to make it as authentic as I could then customize it a little bit for my taste.”
Cooper explained he’s had the car for about 10 years but it has taken him a long time to get it to where everything works.
“I’ve had to make a lot of modifications and gone through several engines. I now have a really good engine builder and its now getting quick. We were quick last track day and we’re almost there.”
Next question was about it handles hills like Mt. Rose or Geiger Grade.
“It has 4 Weber Carburetors so it doesn’t stand up to modern fuel injection. So right now the car is tuned to perform sea level, where the tracks are. Running around here it’s a little on the rich side. I will lean it out on notch as I’m running the Virginia City Hill Climb, on August 23rd.”
Asked about having it at the meet Cooper explained that people like to see something different. I do this because people like to see something different and people seem to enjoy it.
“Even the young people come up and go, ‘cool I saw that in the movie.’ I took this to the premier and walked in with the steering wheel as that’s my anti-theft device. One of the guys in there worked on the original, he saw me and we became good friends.”
He also has added other improvement since he takes to SCCA Track Days.
“It’s a car that’s quick, its really light. I added all sorts modern safety things like bladder fuel cell, a roll cage. I built all the stuff myself and as far as I know it’s the only GT-40 that’s legal to race in the Sports Car Club of America. It’s the only one, which is kind of neat as it’s a track car.”
At these meets there all types of vehicle. The smallest was “driven” by almost two-years-old Liana Bernal. The car, a Mercedes GLA 45, was remote controlled by her father Christian as they toured around while Liana was enjoying a snack.
There were several Corvettes at the meet and one is owned by Martin and Lorrie Conyac. It is a 2023 Corvette Coupe that has a Caffeine Brown Metallic paint scheme.
“It has the top grade 3LT Interior and options, its got the high performance package, the brakes, the radiator, the upgraded exhaust system and all that without a spoiler,” he said. “If you look very hard and closely on the order sheet there is a little box that says, ‘spoiler delete.’ If you do that they remove the rear spoiler and the front air dam, that way you can get up steep driveways with no trouble.”
He added the car has red touches for the brakes and the engine cover.
“That’s for a little bit of color accent but other wise its absolutely box stock, like off the show room floor. It was built on June 1st of 2022 as the first week build of a 2023. So it’s a very early 2023 build, built in 2022.”
Conyac mentioned he’s had C6, ZO6s and had one of them up to 175 miles an hour out in the Nevada Desert. This car he’s only had up to about 140 miles an hour.
He did the 175 miles an hours on what used to be a 90-mile north-south stretch from Ely that he thinks the highway is 318. That highway has two special events each year.
“They do that race twice a year, one is called the Silver State Challenge and the Nevada Open Road Challenge. I was following that race on-line but my wife and I were touring around. I looked and said “you know I think that’s where they have that big Nevada race, one in the spring an once in the fall.”
He and his wife also went through the Ron Fellows Driving School.
“When you buy a brand new Corvette they give you a certificate to go do the Ron Fellows Driving School and it’s for about $1,000 otherwise this driving school is getting close to $4,000 dollars. I think anybody can go but you pay the price unless you’ve got a certificate. I did it when they had all Corvettes, everybody driving in the school for several days.
“So I got to drive a car that was the same color, just like mine except it’s got the seats, the harnesses, the helmet and of course the communication system where you can talk to the leader as he leads you around the course, giving you hints about how to approach a curve. It was a kick, really fun, highly educational.”
He does use the car as a daily driver. He also had an opinion about many that own similar cars.
“It’s a really good car. I guarantee you that the new Corvettes have way more performance capacity than 99% of the drivers. The cars are fantastic but most drivers never get close to the limits of what the car is capable of.”
Then Conyac added, “I’ve driven Corvettes for 50 years and my first was a 1972 LT1 Coupe. Over the years this is my 9th Corvette. I’ve restored about three or four but most were new. I’m in my 5th Corvette Club all around the country.”
Now this week we end July and head into Hot August Nights. Going to be a busy time for car people.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• The chance is still there, in fact Rory Planeta and the car were at the Sparks Cars & Coffee meet. A donation gives one the chance and also helps Honor Flight Nevada.
• Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m., Trucks and Tacos of Northern Nevada meets at Daddys. Location is 4840 Mill Street.
• Wednesday, starting at 5 p.m. is Cruise Night at the Sparks A&W where they have a live D.J., music and prizes. Location is 1311 Baring Blvd. in Sparks, across from Reed High School.
• Thursday, at 8 a.m. is when the Iron Mafia meets to get the weekend rolling. Meeting place is Kim’s Donut and Tea Shop at 1328 U.S. 395 North in Garnerville.
• 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.
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.
• 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.
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.
