RENO, NV (Feb. 12) — Today Sparks Cars & Coffee had its first meet of the month. The turn out was pretty good and at the end there was a birthday cruise for one of the participants.
As usual there was a mix of cars including an older Corvette parked right beside a newer one. In addition there was a short line of Camaros.
One of the interesting cars was a1962 Chevy Impala SS owned by new residents, Tony and Julie Garcia.
“We bought this car about three years ago out of a classic car dealership in Arizona and brought it to California where we lived at the time. And we just moved up here to Sparks in late November, early December and it’s the first time we got to get it out here and drive it since getting it registered.
“The car has a 383 with a 350 tranny in it so it’s a good driver car. A little chrome under the engine to make it look pretty, runs good, has 4-wheel disc brakes, all new suspension so it’s a good cruiser car. Not going to win a race but it will sure get you there.”
Asked if his wife also drives the car, she answered, “No I leave that up to Tony. That’s his dream car so I let him have the baby.
Then Tony said with a chuckle, “I tried to get her to drive it several times. She drove it one time for about a mile.
“I drive it at least once a week around town just to keep it moving to keep it lubricated as it doesn’t want to sit around. It’s just a good solid, classic running car.”
At this meet there were two motorcycle riders present then later a third showed up.
On the back line there were two hot rods and the sedan looks like it’s set up for drag racing.
The meet also had a special ending; a long cruise up Pyramid, over past the south end of the lake, to Wadsworth and finally Fernley. The occasion was to celebrate Ed Hugh’s 60th birthday. He usually brings his large Dodge van to these meets.
LOOK AHEAD:
• Racing in our area starts this coming weekend with the 25th annual Hare & Hound Ice & Fire 100. The events is hosted by the Trail Blazers MC and kicks off the season for MRANN.
The site is north of the Nightingale exit off I-80 east of Fernley. As usual the Pee Wees get the honor of starting the season on a short course.
That race begins at 10 a.m. and is followed by another for younger riders at 10:45, then at noon it’s time for the mini-bikes, Saturday Women and Bombers. Sunday is for the big bikes and they start at 10 a.m. and to be classified as a finisher a rider must compete one lap.
• Moving into March the motocross riders that compete in the BBMX series start their season again out at Winnemucca the weekend of March 18/19. Saturday is for practice while Sunday is race day. This year only two of the rounds are at the Fernley 95A Motocross track.
• Looking a bit further ahead the Northern Nevada Kart Club will start their 2023 season on April 2. The site is the club’s home track, Desert Park Raceway located a quarter mile after the pavement ends for Lemmon Drive. For further information please check the website at www.nnkcreno.com.
• Looking even further ahead, Top Gun Dragstrip, located south of Fallon, is starting to gear up for its 2023 season of straight-line racing. Things get going on Friday, May 5 with a test and tune session.
Saturday, May 6, starting at 9 a.m. is the first ET Bracket race followed by an awards and pot luck dinner after the last pass has been completed. Sunday, starting at 9 a.m. is the second ET Bracket points race.
That’s it for now. Want to wish all my readers a Happy Valentine’s Day.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Well in years past the Super Bowl marked the start of Daytona Speed Weeks as NASCAR began its season. This time around it marks the start of Speed Week.
For most of the schedule Fox Sports 1 will carry the load until Sunday when FOX broadcasts the Great American Race also known as the Daytona 500.
– On Wednesday at 5:15 Pacific time it’s the Busch Lite Pole Qualifying. Remember this only sets the front row.
- Thursday starting at 4 p.m. there is the Bluegreen Vacations Duel #1 then at around 5:45 p.m. it’s the Duel #2. These races sets the field behind the first row.
- Friday at noon the Craftsman Trucks qualify then at 4:30 they race the Next Era Energy 250 and again Fox Sports 1 has the event.
- Saturday is a bit busier as Xfinity qualifying starts at 8:30 a.m. followed at 10:30 with the ARCA race. This series used to be the first to race at Daytona. Then at 2 p.m. it’s the Beef. What’s for Dinner 300 featuring the Xfinity series.
- Sunday is the big day and FOX will broadcast the Daytona 500. Green flag is supposed to wave at 11:30 a.m. and go from there. This begins the NASCAR season.
• Remember on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on Face Book Davey’s American Racing will be on. He will let you know the racing all over the western states as well as national series. Sometimes he even has special guests on as well.
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• 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.
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