RENO, NV (Nov. 1) — Big time change this weekend as well as car meets and motocross events over the hill. In addition NASCAR has its championship weekend. CAR MEETS: Reporters Note: These meets will depend on the weather although the hardcore car people will be there. • The big event this weekend is at Fernley Ninetyfivea Speedway.  It’s the annual FERN 45 event that includes a verity of events including an off-road poker run Saturday. The event supports veterans and starts Thursday. • Thursday morning gets going early, at 7 a.m., when the Iron Mafia meets at Kim’s Donuts.

Over the past few years sprint car racing in Northern Nevada has been an up and down affair. Well this year things are very different with a new series due to promoter Nick Purdy. “My inspiration was primarily growing up in the Bay Area and being at San Jose Speedway, “ said. “I grew up watching Brent Kaeding, Ronny Dan and I had a big influence in that track. Ran a lot of quarter midgets but that went away after I got into high school.” Purdy never got over the racing bug and wanted to get back into completion but

RENO, NV (April 23) — Due to being grounded with car problems this will be a bit different Monday article. So I decided to take a look ahead as it appears, knock on wood, that spring has finally arrived. CAR SHOWS: • Well Cinco de Mayo is less than two weeks away and on Saturday, May 6 there is a Ride & Shine, from 8 until 4 p.m., at the Bonanza Casino. • Also on May 6 there is the 10th annual Holy Smoker BBQ and Car show. Location is at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Gardnerville. • Down in

RENO, NV (April 2) — After weeks of unsettled weather Mother Nature gave Northern Nevada a break. Just in time for the annual Al Lockett’s RV, Home and Garden Show, which included the Off-Road Motorsports Expo in the same hall. In the Expo area there were several booths and one of them was for the Off-Road Motosports Hall of Fame. Running the booth was Barbara Rainey. “The Hall of Fame is alive and well,” she said, “It’s very exciting as we have one hundred and nineteen inductees. We celebrate achievement in achievement in all areas of off-road from advocacy to

RENO, NV (3-26-23) — Northwestern Nevada is an area car collectors like. One reasons is the air tends to be dry, which is better than humid air, which can cause rust in other areas. While others have collections, some only have a few or a couple of classic cars. An owner up at Stead field has a gem; a MG TF 1500 actually. The model was built from 1953 to 1955 and only 6,200 were built. The “1500” came from having a motor that was bored out to 1,466 cc’s that gave it an increase of power. It all started

RENO, NV (March 12_ — Big news in our region’s racing plus the first annual Swap Meet at Rattlesnake Raceway. And this month’s first meet for Sparks Cars & Coffee. BIG NEWS: • After 60 years the Reno National Championship Air Races will end this year. The Airport Authority canceled the event’s lease citing safety concerns. Needless to say this has created a huge amount of controversy and many different opinions are flying around on social media. As a result there will be a hole in the area’s economic picture after this year. The event is known around the world

RENO, NV (Feb. 27) — No car meet report this weekend, will explain later, but things get rolling this week and weekend. Racing is returning to our region. • While this isn’t Cars & Coffee report something major is happening this week. On March 1st, online registrations for the upcoming Virginia City Grand Prix open. The drawings apparently go by the day of the entry. This means a rider’s chance at a low number, and starting at the front or close to the front of their group is best on that first day. For further information one needs to go

RENO, NV (Dec. 25) — It’s a nice Christmas Day here in the Reno area. While there were no car meets or racing this day means green flags soon will be waving and motocross gates droping as racing is about to start. This time we’ll focus on 4-wheel racing. In Thursday’s preview I’ll look into what is coming with motocross. RACING (INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL): • With no car meets on tap for Christmas Sunday let’s look at the very first race of the New Year. It’s actually a huge international off-road rally and starts on New Year’s Eve. This is

RENO, NV (Dec.11) — Old Man Winter’s arrival caused problems for one major event and probably affected a car meet on Sunday. Due to that this edition is on the short side. However we’re going to start looking at this coming weekend. Weather looks like it might not be a factor and there are a bunch of things happening. • Due to the incoming storm and the hazards it could present, Virginia City for the first time canceled Saturday’s second Parade of Lights. The parade is full of cars, trucks and floats all lit up and decorated for the holidays

RENO, NV (Nov. 6) — This weekend Rattlesnake honored its champions and handed out special awards. Here in Reno, on Sunday Reno Cars & Coffee started the month with is usual meet by the Keitzke Starbucks. REPORTER’S NOTE: Due to physical problems was unable to attend the banquet. Want to give a special thanks and appreciation to Krystle McCart Gilmore for listing the special awards and sending pictures that I can use. If anyone wants prints please check with her as she has the originals. • Rattlesnake Raceway held its annual awards banquet on Saturday, November 5. The point’s championships

RENO, NV (Oct. 31) — Great weekend for kids with five days of Trunk or Treat events and the final oval track race in our region. And there’s more to come over the next few weeks.  Reporter’s Note: Due to physical problems was unable to attend the Halloween race but am including the results at the end of this article.  As a result it’s going to be shorter than my usual Monday post. And want to give a special thanks to those photographers that helped me with their submissions.  • This past weekend, due to a schedule conflict, Diamond Mountain Speedway,

RENO, NV (Oct. 5) — As we head into October there are a bunch of car swap meets. The oval track season in Northern Nevada is shutting down but there is one more weekend to go at the Susanville track.  Over on TV Land major series are heading into their final weeks. The last weekend is where the champions will be crowned.  Still much to see and do as we get closer to the holidays.  CAR MEETS: • Saturday gets going at Baldini’s Casino when Hot August Nights has its Fall Frenzy and Coat Driver. Hours are 9 until 2

RENO, NV (Sept. 18) — Despite the cooler weather and a few sprinkles Sunday, two car meets happened this weekend. And they brought very different cars and trucks to each meet.  Saturday got rolling at 4 p.m. when the Rail City Casino in Sparks hosted the Rockabilly Rat Rod and Classic Car show ‘n shine. There were a variety of cars, trucks and motorcycles on display.  One of the Rat Rods on display is owned by R.D. Vanetti from Chilcoot, California.  “A Rat Rod is a truck that is made of many different things,” he said. “This is a ’39

RENO, NV (August 21)— On this late summer day Reno Cars & Coffee had its second meet of the month. While the turnout had a good variety of cars the numbers the count was down a bit from the last meet.  Wasn’t really a Corvette row but a couple of them were the front engine variety. Not far away were two versions of the rear engine models.  One of the more unusual cars was a small black 1947 Morris 8 Series E. It’s a labor of love for owner Dan Gates to bring this car to what it looks like

RENO, NV (July 31) — This weekend begins a huge celebration of cars in the Reno/Sparks area. There will be cruises and shows in various areas plus crowds of people enjoying this festival.  Hot August Nights started things with a Friday-Saturday show up in Virginia City. They blocked off C Street and it was full of cars on display.  While some cars were restored while others were built from almost nothing. One such car was a 1940 Ford Coupe owned by Jerry Lacer from Auburn, California.  “ I bought it as a parts car from a swap meet at Hot