RENO, NV (April 5) — This Easter weekend was highlighted by three different groups meeting, with one of them having a cruise. Great weather highlighted all the meets.
• Saturday started at Need2Speed at the Northtowne Shopping area. This reporter had a chance to speak with Emma Vargas, who explained she’s a long time race and car fan.
“This is our third Kars & Karts technically. I recently became the promotions and marketing manager at Need2Speed back in August,” she said. “It’s been on my bucket list to do a car meet here as I think it ties in really well to what we do and it’s a good opportunity to connect with the community.
“A 16-year-old, Travis Martin, called us and he said, ‘can I have a car meet in your parking lot.’ I said yes and saw that as a huge opportunity to make it more than just a car meet so now it’s a car meet and patio party.”
She was surprised at how large these have become and now even the bike community is joining the meet.
Then she added, “I want to give a thank you to everybody that comes out to these events, without you this sort of thing wouldn’t be possible. I look forward to making this event bigger and better in the future.”
The patio area had concessions as well as a place to buy something to drink, a hot dog or a hamburger.
Several cars were on the patio including a McLaren that was parked next to a Lamborghini Contach 5000.
Out in the display area there were lots of people checking out the cars and pick-ups.
One car on display was a 1961 Chevy II 6 that was in great condition.
The Chevy II also had its power plant enhanced as it isn’t stock any more. The new motor is a Supercharged V-8.
In addition to cars the Reno Bike Community changed its usual Friday night ride to Saturday. Once they got going the bikes headed to the Need2Speed display area.
This reporter wants to give special thanks to Kawika V Rios as he let me use a drone photo of the display area. This give a pretty good idea of how many cars, trucks and motorcycles there were and his video is on Face Book.
• Sunday started at a gas station off Golden Valley Road. That’s where Reno Jeeps and Coffee met. For the past few months the group has just met but now things are changing,
Asked this Charles Doyle, who heads the group, said, “I want to get out that ‘s why. I think being around Jeeps is always using them. You know Reno Jeeps & Coffee is great and I call it the Ice Cream social cause we’re not actually using the Jeeps where this is a nice, simple run gets us to overlook the city.”
Before heading to the top of Peavine Mountain everyone gathered and had some social time.
Later they headed to the top where everyone stopped for lunch then the cruise ended over at Cold Springs.
• That same morning Reno Cars & Coffee had its first meet of the month. Due to it being Easter Sunday the turnout was moderate.
As expected there was a Corvette row with both front engine and mid-engine models. It wasn’t all Corvettes as in the middle was a Lexus.
One car was an older Chevy sedan with flames as part of its paint job. Over on one row was a beautiful older model Chevy sedan, with flames as part of its paint.
Jim Griffith is the owner and said, Asked about his car he said, “It’s my favorite, a ’57 Chevy. I go way back. I’ve had one before when I was a young kid and I sold it for 800 bucks and a surfboard. It was Bel Air two-door hardtop. A beautiful car and that was years and years ago so I planned to get another one.
“This is a 210 sedan and I like the post as I don’t like the hard top. It was in fair shape when I got it, the guy probably restored this but I have very little history on it, no papers, no nothing around 2000.”
He added the previous owner was handicapped and had the controls installed so he could drive it with his hands. Once he got the car those controls were taken out.
Like many Griffith changed the motor, “It’s Pretty much a GM crate motor, ZZ3 , which they quit making back in the 90’s. And a turbo 300 trans, so it needed some help, suspension, cleaning it up. Had a fire in the front so I had to have that redone.”
Asked about the paint job he said, “It was like that. When I first saw the car I thought, ‘oh no I’m not a flame guy,’ it has grown on my and not I like it. It turns out it has to be a great quality paint job cause I know its at least 27 years old. Has sparkle, has the right wheels.
“And it drives like a ’57 Chevy. It’s not a Cadillac but it’s kind of fun it brings back good memories. Got my rock ‘n roll stations on there. Haven’t used it yet but I’ve got a NOS hooked up, we’re going to try it out May 1st at Top Gun, see what it will do in a quarter mile.”
While most vehicles were the 4-wheel type, over in one row there was a motorcycle with a sidecar attached to it.
In another there was a beautiful Ford Delux sedan. It’s probably from the 1940’s.
The Ford’s motor was also cleaned and polished.
Next Sunday there will be other meets including Sunday’s meet with Sparks Cars & Coffee.
OTHER RACING NEWS
• For those racing in the Virginia City Grand Prix the course marking has started so no riding in the VC hills.
• If one is racing in the BBMX series it’s time to pre-register now. Next race is at Riverfront MX track and the side it www.battlebornmx.com.
• Those planning on racing in the 3rd annual StadiumGP sign ups are only being done on line. The website to use is www.stadiumgp.com.
• The Summer Salute Car Show is coming up and the Nevada Car Coalition needs volunteers. If one would like to help this show the contact information is on the graphic.
• One part of the Summer Salute Car Show is the Summer Salute Pinup Girl Contest. If interested please send a photo, along with a bio, to www.cherrybombbettiesevents@gmail.com.
• Trucks & Tacos of Northern Nevada meets at 6:30 on Tuesday. Location is Cielito Liindo Taqueria at 3687 Kings Row.
• 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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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.
