SPARKS, NV (NOV. 28) — The month of November ended with the second meet for Sparks Cars & Coffee. As usual it was close to Buffalo Wild Wings.
As expected many of the more exotic cars have been put away for the winter so the car count was on the low side. However there was still a good mix of cars to see and admire.
One of them is a 1967 Mustang Coupe owned by Dana Vanpool. After doing a lot of work on it he is trying to sell the car.
“It was originally a six cylinder but has a 351 400 horse power V-8 with a kitted AOD on it. The car has an aluminum drive shaft with a 340 Posi rear end. There are power front disc brakes, disc brakes in the rear and its got a three year old aluminum radiator,” he said.
Vanpool has done all the work himself including putting in leather bucket seats and a digital dashboard plus other things.
Asked how it drives he said, “Handles like a go kart got about 400 horsepower so it goes pretty good. In fact I surprise a lot of the newer Mustangs.
The car’s paint has red primer showing through. He said its called Rusto Mod but shows there is no bondo or rust. He was going to paint it but the cost would be as much as he’s asking for the car.
For further information and the price one can call Vanpool at 775-233-4768.
There were groups of cars and some may have gone on a cruise to Portola starting at noon.
Another car, kind of an art car actually, with a lot of graphics is owned by Cobey Santos and it’s a 2000 BMW 528i.
“It’s got a 2.8 liter inline six,” he said. “On the inside I changed the seats, put harnesses in, detachable steering wheel, a whole bunch of switches and an interior wrap.
“It was set up for drifting but I put money into it so I’ll just keep as a show car. The graphics were inspired by one of the shows I watched so I wanted to see what I could do with the car.”
One of the late arrivals was a Pontiac that looks set up for a drag car and has been in Hot August Nights.
Another car is owned by Cimmamom Koniezka and Terry Erikson. Apparently it originally started as a drag car and now they own it.
Asked about the car she said, “This is a 1969 Chevy Nova with a 454 bored 60 over with tunnel ram dual carbs and stacks. It has 33 by 19 and ½ inch tires caged. It’s a 4-speed and I want it to be a drag car but we’re just not there yet.
“It needs some brakes. That’s important as you if you go fast you’ve got to stop and the clutch needs to be redone. It’s a tired motor but we’re going to rebuild it however before we do that, we’re going to have some fun and see what the motor can do.”
All in all everyone seemed to have a good time showing off their cars and visiting with other car people. Fortunately the weather was great, which is not always a given at this time of the year.
REPORTERS NOTE:• Since it is the holiday season car and motorcycle groups are organizing not only their usual meets next weekend but having toy drives to help disadvantaged children in our area. The need is new unwrapped toys.
+ Things get going at 10 a.m. Saturday when RAD (Reno Area Dirt Riders) has a registration event at Big Valley Honda as well as a toy drive to help the annual Reno Toy Run.
+Sunday is a triple-header starting at 10 a.m. when Reno Cars & Coffee starts its meet and 6th annual toy run at the Keitzke Starbucks. Around noon they’ll cruise to Northtowne for the second half of the toy run.
+ Around that same time the 41st annual Reno Toy Run gets going at Reno Harley-Davidson when many bike clubs drop off toys prior to their run. This is usually led by Santa and ends up at the convention center.
+ Up at the Northtowne Winco Shopping parking lot, right off the highway, the 8th annual Toys for Kids will happen. This event is sponsored by the Old Slammers of Reno and runs from noon until 3 in the afternoon.
Reno Cars & Coffee will cruise up to this event. The toys donated will benefit the Children’s Cabinet and cash donations will also be accepted.
+ Down in Minden there is another toy drive going. Testa Motorsports, located at 1581 U.S. Highway 395N, started this on in November. It goes until December and like the others, a new unwrapped toy is needed.
These and other groups in the region are doing what they can for disadvantaged children. Should help to make their Christmas a bit brighter.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on the air from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. In northwest Nevada, it can be heard over the air at 1060 AM.
There is also a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm or it can be seen live on Face Book. The show is focused on all things automotive, trends, new developments and trivia.
SPONSOR LIST:
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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.
• One sponsor is G.I.S.L Land Services that, while having a global client base it has a Western U.S.A. Focus. Among the services offered are Surface and Mineral Title Reviews and Cartographic Services.
Owner Greg Ekins is a long time off road motorcycle racer competing in the MRANN Series as well as the AMA National Hare and Hound series. The website is www.gislandservices.com.
• Next sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
he 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.
• Racing photographer Melissa Coker is another sponsor. If you raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake Raceway or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.
Besides photos, she produces hero cards and memory books. Her website is www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.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.
