SPARKS, NV (June 26) — Double-header this weekend as one group prepares for a big race in July. The other ended June with its second meet of the month.
Sparks Cars & Coffee now meets by the Starbucks located on Disc drive. That’s off the Pyramid Highway where the shopping centers are over the hill. For a warm summer day it was a pretty good turn out with many types of cars.
Of course there was the Corvette row and one car was an older one that, when bought had 19,000 original miles on it. The Corvette Coupe is owned by Tom Avery and he’s actually owned for less than a year.
“I really can’t tell you too much about it as I’ve only owned it since August. I bought it last year during Hot August Nights at the MAG Auctions,” he said. “It’s a matching number ’70 Corvette, 454 with a 4-speed. It’s an NCRS judged and it’s a Second Flight award.”
He explained that the competition isn’t really where a car competes against another car of the same vintage.
“The car is competing against the standard. And the standard would be all original 100% you know GM belts, GM hose clamps, the whole shebang. I think it runs about a 1,000 points and they divide it up and you have your Top Flight and this is a Second Flight, and you have other ones after that,” he said.
He added the Second Flight came with the car as the previous owner had scored enough points. That particular year does have some history with it.
“It drives good but it’s a 1970 so you have to consider that and it does have a repaint on it,” he said. “Back then 1970 was a low production for Corvettes as there was a strike with the auto workers union in ’69. So they didn’t start building these Corvettes until January of 1970. Only about 45 or 4600 cars got the 454 in them.”
One thing about the Cars & Coffee meets is that some cars are new, others are rebuilds where the owners put considerable time and effort in getting things they way they want them. Others however are older cars that their owners have either preserved or put new life in them.
One example is a red 1967 Pontiac Firebird Convertible owned by John LeMay.
“It has a red interior so its red n red,” he said. “The gentleman before me changed the transmission to a 3-speed with overdrive liked Moon Eyes, hubcaps, and the top used to be black now its white.”
That transmission change required just a bit of modification in the engine compartment.
“The heater core inlet and outlet used to come in where the transmission dipstick is,” he said. “So I had to get that cover from a big block but it’s the same core. A friend of mine did it for me and it took about three tries before we finally got it right.
“It drives really nice, it’s a little too low for me as I’m getting older but we’ll see what happens. My kids like it. I’d like to mess with the rims next time and maybe a paint job in the future but I’m not rushing things. I’ve entered it in Hot August Nights for the past four years.”
While virtually all the cars were street legal there one that probably isn’t. It’s owned by Billy Silveira and is set up for drag racing.
“It’s a chassised 1968 Chevelle, got a 565 big block Chevy with almost 15-to-1 compression,” he said. “It has a nitrous fogger, a plate system and the motor did make 1,080 horsepower without the nitrous.”
The car also has as history behind it.
“The interesting thing is this car was actually built here in Reno by Tom Johnson but he’s passed away and he owned 775 Customs,” he said. “A buddy of mine ended up with the car then I got it and put this engine and transmission combination in it.
“I’m having a problem with my ankle right now and I didn’t make it out to Top Gun Dragstrip yesterday.”
He plans on racing the car when his ankle finally heals.
Next up for a Cars & Coffee group is Sunday, July 3rd. That’s when, starting at 10 a.m. Reno Cars & Coffee gets the month rolling with a meet at the Keitzke Starbucks. There is usually a very large turn out for this meet.
• Saturday was a track day for the Northern Nevada Kart Club. Groups divided up and were doing all types of clean up. While one group was moving some dirt Steve Dow was going down the front stretch with his weed wacker.
Not far away others were making sure the track surface was clean. There were also a few groups painting the curbing while another group was working on making the barriers on the front stretch were secure. Last time the wind was trying to push those onto the track.
NNKC President Jeff Wamre was also present and helping the group with the project.
“We do track clean up about two to three times a year, just helps everybody with their volunteer hours,” he said. “Spruce it up, mow the grass and curbs. KPX regional race about the 9th and 10th of July and it just makes it look pretty for everybody to show up and have a good time.”
Asked about the up coming KPX series race it appears there will be a good turn out.
“The KPX has been on the schedule since February and they’ve been running about 70 entries over six classes. So it’s been a pretty good turn out we’re hoping we’ll have a bunch of people here,” he said. “It should look pretty good. Got a few more things to do and today painting the curbs take care of some weeds should look pretty good by the time the 9th shows up.”
He added Sunday’s main events maybe live streamed. Currently NNKC does live stream their main events.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Remember the Pizza Factory in Spanish Springs has a Car Show every Monday. The show runs frm 4:40 P.M. until 7;30.
• On Tuesday from 4 until 8 p.m. the south Steak ‘N Shake has a cruise in. Location is right off the freeway at 470 South Meadows Parkway.
• Wednesday, starting at 5 p.m. is when the Sparks A&W has its weekly cruise in. Location is across the street from Reed High School and there is a DJ supplying music.
• 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: •
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 five 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 of our sponsors 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.
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.
