CARS AND COFFEE GROUPS MEET

RENO, NV (JAN. 19) – Two car groups met Sunday with Reno Cars & Coffee getting things going in the late morning. Once again they met by the Classic Rock Coffee Company located by the intersection of West McCarran and MaeAnne.

As usual there were a variety of cars on display from new to ordinary to exotic. Fortunately Mother Nature smiled on the event and gave everyone some mild, dry weather.

One of the newer cars was a Ford Mustang owned by Chris Hill.

“This is a 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, I just got it last night at 4:30 and it’s got about 49 miles on it,” he said.  “I had GT500 posters on my wall when I was little, its been dream vehicle of mine since I can remember. I have an amazing wife Kelly that said yes so I jumped on it and I found an MSRP deal out of New Mexico.

“It was delivered last night and it’s blown away every one of my expectations. I’ve read every article on the vehicle and they still didn’t give it justice. The DTC is an amazing transmission, it shifts insanely fast and has seven speeds.”

On the other end of the scale there was an older pickup and four cars that have been set up for drifting.

There were other Mustangs, Corvettes as well as a pretty good selection of various types of cars including an immaculately restored Citron.

Probably the most exotic car was a Lotus parked by Classic Coffee and owned by former motocross racer Greg Thiessen.

“It’s a 2017 Lotus Evora 400, it’s got a bunch of exterior visual and aero mods done to it. Some suspension work and it’s lowered a little bit,” he said. “Pretty much all the parts on the car I make myself as I own a Lotus parts business. So it’s a total niche market thing that I do. That’s how I make my living is making the parts for these things like the splitter across the front, the side skirts, the rear diffuser.”

The car is mid engine, rear wheel drive that has a super charged V-6.

“Everybody likes to joke because the engine originally comes from Toyota and it’s in Toyota Camrys, RAV4’s but Lotus Pumps it up,” he said. “It has an Edelbrock super charger on it that makes a little over 400 horsepower.”

Next question was how does it drive.

“It’s awesome, the driving experience with these is like nothing else and I’ve driven Hercon, Lambos, a couple of Ferraris but nothing drives like it,” he said.  “I’ve also owned the earlier models Exise and Elise cars and those are a little step up as far as driving experience and handling. But this is the next best thing as it’s more of a touring car so it’s much more comfortable to drive.”

Thiessen is a tall guy but the Evora has plenty of legroom and he fits very well in the driver’s seat.

For those wanting more information on his business please check out his website at www.GregsRaceParts.com.

All it all it was a good meet and everyone seemed to enjoy being outside and seeing all the cars that were on display as well as the motors their owners had worked on.

• That afternoon Reno-Sparks Cars and Pizza met at the Blind Onion Pizza place off the Pyramid Highway. While the turnout was as large there were some cars on display. The group also has a Face Book page for those interested in attending their next afternoon meet.

OTHER RACING NEWS:

• The big event comes at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when the new owner of the oval track at Fernley meets with everyone there. Pizza will be available and one of the food trucks might also be on hand.

Track is now the 95A Motor Sports Complex and the schedule has been adjusted to avoid conflicts with other tracks. In fact this year’s I-10 Challenge series will end during the two-day show in early October.

• Big news internationally as for the first time two Americans won the Dakar Rally. Rick Brabec rode his Honda to victory in the motorcycle class while the side-by-side winners were Casey Currie and his co-driver Sean Berryman from Las Vegas.

The recaps and victory awards can be seen on www.youtube.com.

• Teresa’s Garage Radio Show will be on the air from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday. The show covers all things automotive including trends.

I have a preview part at 2:15 so hope you’ll give it a listen. The show can be heard over the air in the Reno/Sparks area on 1180 AM, or at a Podcast amm.streamon.fm and we can be seen live on Face Book.

• 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 six very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they not only support your sport but they help nvracingnews continue.

Our newest sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.

Former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian is the owner and they not only service older and newer transmission but now have a section dealing with high performance units including those used for towing.

The phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.

This year fantastic race photographer Melissa Coker joined the family of sponsors. If you have raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.

She’s also been at the IMCA Duel in the Desert was well as the Wild West Tour and IMCA Super Nationals in Boone, Iowa. Melissa not only has photos of the cars, and many times drivers, but she can produce hero cards and even a book of from your season.

 To see her collections or to place an order please check her website at 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, and our newest sponsor is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again there is a full service shop plus about any thing a rider might need or want.

The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.

The next sponsor is an excellent place if you need collision repair on your car or truck. It’s Concours Body shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno and has a long history of first class repairs.

Brian Saul is the owner, a car enthusiast himself and he’s 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&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.

Have a business targeted toward motorsports or an off road demographic? We are always looking for more sponsors and will expose your business to the racing and off road community in this area.

You can contact us either through the comment section of this site or on our Face Book page.