RENO, NV (Aug.2) — Biggest car event of the year started this weekend. Hot August Nights celebrates its 40th anniversary highlighting classic cars.
• This time the Hot August Drag races started on Friday. The very short strip is on the west side of the Sparks Nugget.
While most cars competed in drag racing there was one burn out early in Saturday’s program. After doing that the driver had to deal with a motor problem.
One drag race had two enhanced classic racing each other. One started its life as a Rambler station while the other was a 1950’s sedan.
Before the opening ceremonies cars and trucks from the Wicked Wayz Car Club paraded up the strip. The cars were on display where the public could see them.
A little later there was the opening ceremonies that included riders from the Patriot Guard.
Then racing resumed as drivers would warm up their tires then line up. Once the tree hit green off they went. The drag racing continues all week.
• Sunday started with Reno Cars & Coffee having its first meet of the month. While the turn out was on the light side there was quite a variety.
There was only one exotic on hand. That was a green Lamborghini and it drew a lot of spectators.
Over on one row was a 1963 2CV Citron Charleston. It was for sale if someone wants an unusual car.
The seller is John Peterson and I’ve attached the note with his contact information.
Another unusual car was this 1927 Buick racer. It was very small when compared with the other cars.
One owner brought their bug eye Sprite and even had the hood up. They were quite a sports car in their day.
Also on display was an International Harvester Scout. A boy was placing small model cars on its hood.
Behind the Scout were several model cars that eventually would go on the hood.
Reno Cars & Coffee meets again on the 16th of August.
• Up on North Virginia the Bonanza Casino was hosting its annual Cruise for the Cure show. Proceeds to go the Prostrate Cancer Foundation.
The north parking lot was packed with parked cars as well as those just cruising through. Once again the Corvette Club had a row with a pretty good selection of different models.
At the end of one row was a Chevy four-door sedan that is owned by a Raider’s fan. The decals on the doors highlight famous players.
Over on another row Cameron Crowell had a beautiful car on display.
Asked about the car he said, “It’s a 1930 Willys Whippet, it’s before Jeep and the 1931 was the last model. Then Willys went away because of the depression and then started building Jeeps for World War II.
“I’m the fourth owner, my parents got this about 20 years ago and built it up the way it looks. It’s never been a trailer queen so it’s always been driver. Got a Mustang 2 front end, 350 Chevy, the headliners all oak, everything’s oak.”
One that stands out is the paint job. He said it was actually done in 2003 and there is a mural on the back. His father has taken a lot of trips to car shows with it.
Now the car is his after his father gave it to him last year. “He’s just kind of done with car shows. He said, ‘here you go,’ didn’t have to twist my arm.”
Asked how it drives he said, “It drives so nice and smooth, it’s a beautiful car. It’s a little cramped because big guys like me weren’t back then. Other than that it’s okay.”
There were several T-Buckets. One of them was that 1923 Ford with its chromed motor.
In one row there was a 1972 Plymouth Barracuda whose owner bought it in 1971. A sign said there were just over 14,000 of these built they came with a 340 motor and a 4-speed transmission.
The show ran until 3 in the afternoon and there was a band, trophies at the end as well as t-shirts and food.
• That day, at the J Casino on 4th street registration for Hot August Nights was in full swing. There was a long line of people waiting for their turn up in the convention center.
Once there folks registered at one table where they would get a number and sticker for their car
Then they moved to another table. The staff gave them a swag bag that included things like a schedule and participant t-shirt.
Over at one end of the room people could buy event jackets as well as more t-shirts.
This week will be full of functions and daily schedules can be found at, www.hotaugustnights.net. Monday evening there are displays and cars at the Atlantis and Peppermill Casino.
• On Tuesday, starting at 6:30 p.m., Trucks & Tacos of Northern Nevada meets at the Nevada Taco Grill. Location is 2740 South Virginia or across the street from the Peppermill.
OTHER RACING NEWS
• On a somber note I’m posting the announcement for Boo & Jenifer Villanueva’s Celebration of Life. They perished in a wreck in Dayton a few weeks ago.
Both were well known in the VW community and highly thought of. The celebration is 4:30 to 6:30 at the Carson City Community Center.
• There are three things happening Wednesday evening and another car show begins a four-day run:
- The Sparks A&W has its weekly Cruise In starting at 5 p.m. Location is 1311 Baring Blvd across from Reed High School.
- PJ&CO, starting at 5 p.m., hosts it’s weekly Bike Night, great looking bikes plus good food and drinks. Location is South Wells just north of the Round About.
- Crazy D’s Hot Chicken also has a bike night with a 6:30 starting time. Location is 3652 South Virginia Street.
- The Wednesday Core Title is having a cruise in for Root Beer Floats. Times are 2 until 4 and the location is 5310 Kietzke Lane, Suite 100.
– Over at the Grand Sierra Resort the Street Heat Car Show begins. It is located in the southwest parking lot.
- The Loretta Lynn Amateur Nationals happens this week. Here is the schedule and the events can be seen live on www.floracing.com.
• Gardnerville native Lachlan Turner, who now lives in the Carolinas, has been racing in Australia. She’s dominated the WMX series and is now the 2026 champion. She’ll probably return to the states and resume racing in the WMX series when it starts again.
• 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 shop services not only dirt bikes, especially those used in motocross but also road bikes and quads. 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.
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