RENO, NV (Oct. 2) — Fall is here, cruise-ins are disappearing but car meets still happening. Oval track season in Northern Nevada has one more weekend to go while desert racing and motocross events are continuing plus some big events are to come.
Over on TV, major series are either finishing their seasons or heading for the races that will determine their championships. All this happening while the days grow shorter and the air cooler signaling that fall is in the air.
• Saturday is when Rail City Casiono opened the month with its Octoberfest Car show in the west parking lot. There were cars, trucks and some motorcycles plus live music, been and eats.
There were lines of cars including several with their hoods up. One car beautiful car belonged to Tony Lucero and is a much modified 1941 Plymouth Coupe.
“It’s got over 23 modifications from Frenchman headlights, chopped down the grill, removed the emblems on the front, chopped top, shaved doors,” he said. “There are way too many more to mention.”
Lucero didn’t start the modifications but has continued the work since he bought the car.
“When we bought it when it was in the beginning stages of being built so the body work was being done and we kept and finished it out. The paint is a custom mixture of a Porsche Red and a Violet.
“We added the graphics and the pin striping. Underneath it’s on a Ridetech Air Suspension, Air Bags, 4-link rear end Chrysler motor so it’s Morpar had to toe. I appreciate my wife Stacy letting me build it.”
There was also a nice line of roadsters on display. Even some motorcycles were there to be seen and admired. Over on one side Daniel Edwards was standing by his 1972 F-250 Ford Pickup. For him it’s been an on going project.
“Found it in a vacant lot, guy had to get it out of there so I bought it from him and been working on it every since then,” he said. “Did a little motor work, added 100 horses to it, now I’ve got over 300 horses. I dropped the truck 3 inches in the front, 4 inches in the rear to give a little more of a low rider look. Keeping the patina on it for now as I don’t want to paint it.
“I built my own bed cover out of wood. Its hinged so I could open it up. Got a wood floor in the bed, made my own center counsel for my speakers. Just do a little bit here and a little bit there and keeping it the way I want it.”
• The next day Reno Cars & Coffee had its first of the month meet by the Keitzke Starbucks. While not a huge turn out as other things were happened it was pretty well attended.
Once again there were a variety of cars and types on hand for folks to come and see. This included several front engine Corvettes. One of the vintage cars on display was a 1953 Hudson Hornet owned by Lance Freitas, the honcho for Reno Cars & Coffee.
“It’s all stock pretty much. I took out the original motor and put a small block Chevy turbo 350 in it. Transmission is a Turbo 350. All original, original suspension, original steering, original rear end even repurposed the original driveline to make it work with the 350 transmission,” he said.
“All original brakes but someone did it before I bought it and put a disc conversion to the front. On the road she purrs, it is amazing how the original suspension and steering does, cruising down the freeway it is amazing.”
At the other end of the display area was a row of imported sedans that are part of a local car club. Back where most were on display was a 1965 red Ford F-100 that has a family history. Owner Phil Anderson explained,
“This is my grandfather’s truck. It was a Kansas farm truck, typical rust and holes. There were a lot of holes in the bed floor, the original is back in Kansas and this one I got down at Indio, California.”
Anderson has put a lot of work into the truck.
“It has a Coyote swap or Coyote 50 with a 6-speed auto transmission, a 2018 Mustang rear suspension as well as 4-wheel disc brakes,” he said. “Did a lot for the interior, added air conditioning, all Dakota digital gauges and now my iPAD runs the stereo and air.”
Of course the next question is how does drive and handle.
“It drives like a new car with double coil overs all the way around so it handles like a slot car. It’s a lot of fun going up to Virginia City and went to car show up at Sierraville, three or four weeks ago, had a lot fun driving up in the mountain roads. It’s great being able to have grandpa’s old truck and let it live on.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
• Sign ups for the next round of the Battle Born MX series is open now. The race is at the Fernley 95A MX track. For further information please try the website at www.battlebornmx.com.
• This week is a big one for western go-kart racers. Northern Nevada Kart Club is hosting the IKF Grand Nationals at Desert Park Raceway. It’s a four day event with heats run on Saturday then the last heat races and mains run on Sunday.
Everyone there will want to see if they can win a “Duffy” or the class championship trophy. For further information please check the club’s website at www.nnkcreno.com.
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:
• 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.
