RENO, NV (March 18) – The annual Off-Road & Motorsports Expo is part of the larger Lockett Shows Reno Expo. Over in one area is the Off-Road and Motorsports Expo. Not only is racing highlighted but off-road clubs, organizations as well as a series, tracks and suppliers.
Nevada Four Wheel Drive Association is an organization looking out for those wanting to use public lands for recreation.
One of them is Nevada Four Wheel Drive Association and this reporter got some comments from the secretary Craig Clark.
“We are a state-wide non profit organization and we monitor legislation that has to do with keeping our public lands open. You know for the public, multiple use,” he said. “Now various people introduce legislation that we feel is in a negative way towards our members. Our members are 4-wheel drive people, whether it’s a UTV, a Quad as long as it qualifies, trucks, Jeeps, what ever. We work with other organizations like AMA, the motorcycle people.”
Nevada Four Wheel Drive Association was involved in the recent Washoe Lands bill they joined with other groups like miners, cattle ranchers, sportsmen and those interested in out door recreation.
“We use our membership the money that allows us to pay lawyers to litigate these claims if we feel they aren’t in the best interests of our members,” he said.
He feels they were successful in getting Washoe County to move away from the amount they wanted. Then a wilderness group moved away and the bill was put aside. For further information about Nevada Four Wheel Drive Association please check their website at www.n4wda.org.
Among the off-road clubs having displays were the Sierra Stompers.
There were other clubs with booths including Hills Angeles 4X4 Club (www.hillsangels4X4.com.). Another club was the Sierra Stompers 4X4 Club as well as the Lake Tahoe Hi-Los Four Wheel Club (www.laketahoehilos.com.).
A few dealers were also on hand and Carson KTM had a large display showing the line of products they offer. It ranges from parts, motorcycles all the way to a selection of UTV’s.
Another racing organization on hand was the Northern Nevada Kart Club. Board member Alec Beaudoin commented on the club.
“Hanging out at the Boat and RV Show with the Northern Nevada Kart Club’s display, trying to get more community interest to come out and join the club. Come check it out as we’re kind of a hidden gem,” he said.
Northern Nevada Kart Club booth. Many youngsters got to try out the kids kart in the display.
This is probably the first time NNKC has been at the show in several years. Beaudoin complemented Al Lockett for giving them a good rate.
Asked about the response Beaudoin said, “Pretty good, Thursday and Friday were a little light just because there’s less foot traffic on those days as people are at work. So far today (Saturday) and tomorrow has been pretty busy so there should be a lot of interest I think.”
The club hosts one more driver’s seminar where drivers need to bring their karts then the season begins in earnest. That will happen on March 30.
Asked about the upcoming season he said, “I think there will be a good turn out, a lot more kids racing, last year was a little thin in the Junior 1 ranks but I think Junior 2 is going to be big and senior is going to be huge. First race is April 7th, right around the corner. We have an open practice day next Saturday, March 23rd kind of get a feel for everything and knock off some dust.”
He suggested that if someone would like to see the karts race and get aquisnted then the March 23rd date would be a good time. For further information on the club please check their website at www.nnkcreno.com.
Other vendors displaying products was Summit Racing that took up several booths. Another was the Reno Region of the SCCA, which will be hosting Solo 1 events at the Livestock Events Center in the north parking lot.
Reno SCCA had a display featuring several cars that race in Solo 1.
Also represented was a booth from the Off Road Hall of Fame, which has a pretty large display in the Harrah’s Auto Museum.
Another big display was from Fernley 95A Speedway. The track has an ambitious schedule for this season including a very special race in mid-September.
Most of the time Danielle Simpson was manning the booth for her father and track owner Dan. He finally showed up after the track’s play day and made some comments.
Danielle Simpson manned the booth for Fernley 95A Speedway. There was even a full size sprint car as part of the display.
Asked about the Play Day he said, “I think it went really well, I left there about 3 o’clock we had 40 cars at that point and there were still a few people that said they were coming. The track was good and they were happy. They were unhappy I would only let two cars at a time out but we weren’t insured for a race.”
Simpson added that they’ve got a pretty big schedule for this year. One part is five races with spec sprints with wings, like the KWS Light series.
“The only exception is guys with crate motors can run 4-barrels and these are 2-barrels,” he said. “I’m listing them as 360 because that’s what they are.”
Looking at the schedule of course the special event is going to be Sunday, September 15th. That’s when the World of Outlaws series makes it first visit to the track.
To get ready for that date the area now used for pits outside of Turns 3 and 4 will be terraced for lawn chairs and additional spectators. This will entail moving the pits back where they used to be.
“That allows us to get about 2,000 more people in, which we need badly,” he said. “We actually have the lowest prices for the World of Outlaws and this is the first time they’re going to be here. This is the first time they’ve been in Nevada.”
When it was pointed out the series has raced in Southern Nevada, Simpson said with a chuckle, “That’s Clark State, they’re not in our state. So in real Nevada this is the first time the World of Outlaws are going to be here. So every should come to welcome them in their first running for the World of Outlaws in the State of Nevada.”
In order to get onto the circuit it was necessary to book the series on a Sunday. Next year Simpson hopes they can get a Friday, Saturday date for the series.
“There are more tracks that want the World of Outlaws races than there are days in the calendar,” he said.
The series will be coming from a date in Calistoga on Saturday evening, come to Fernley then head for a long haul to their next date, which is to the east.
Then he gave some breaking news regarding the road course that is right beside the Speedway’s oval.
“Dan Shore, a good friend of mine and we’ve been working on this for a long time, did the paper work Friday night for gthe purchase of the pavement track,” Simpson said. “That will be finalized before this month is out and we’re going to allow drifters to run there on April 13th. So that will be the first pavement for over three years.”
Simpson explained how solid he is and mentioned the Shore is a Corvette racer. They are making sure that when road racing returns they layout will allow spectators to see all of the action.
Simpson explained he’s optimistic about the future and now with Shore owning the road course they can use all 600 acres when it is time for this year’s Lantern Fest.
That is a two-day festival, Friday June 22 is a concert while the Lantern Fest itself will on Saturday evening, June 23rd.
For the full track schedule please go to www.fernley95aspeedway.com. Not included is the September 15th World of Outlaws date.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
- This weekend the KPX series started in Redding, California and Nevada Kart Sport Racing had some good results.
Cain Fredricks won the KA100 Junior crown. In KA100 Seinor Zack Rivera was 4th and 7th place was Nick Short. In KA100 Masters Steve Ryckebosch ended up third while 5th place was held by Jeff Wamre and young Gabe Tesch ended up seventh in Jr.206.
• Teresa’s garage will be on the air from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday. The program covers all things automotive.
Teresa’s Garage Radio Show poster.
I have a preview section at 2:15 although voice will be a bit strained this week. We can be heard over the air, streamed on the Internet and seen live on Face Book.
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Two of them are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports. 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.
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If you are in to karting or want the most cost effective way to start racing please check out Nevada Kart Sport, the only full service kart shop in this region. Owner Rodney Rivera will maintain, build or store your kart.
The shop is located at 894 Deming Way, off East Glendale, in Sparks, Nevada. The shop’s website is www.nevadakartsport.com, and the phone number is 775-219-4184.
Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&Company for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports.
If you’re a rider, well Wednesday evening is Bike Night, always a great time to see some great looking bikes and meet like minded people.
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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