Hot August Nights

[MtotheIKEo]

Anyone going to be in town this week/weekend? Where will you be setup? Any Lat-G vendors setting up?

[clill]

I'll be at the Atlantis with Hellfire.

[kwhizz]

Here's a link to some pic's from Tuesday and Wednesday

http://s13.photobucket.com/user/kwhizz/slideshow/HAN%2009/HAN12/HAN%2015?sort=3


Ken

[BMR Sales]

We are in Summit Racing's Big Boy Toy Store Booth #338

[kwhizz]

More pictures added from today.............

Ken

[pro71bird]

Anyone know who won the autocross event?

[Al Moreno]

More pictures added from today.............

Ken


Thanks for posting Ken, Very nice pictures!

[GregWeld]

I went to HAN for years. My Grandparents lived in the Carson City area so it was a good place to visit and do this show. YEARS ago it was like "THE SHOW" - and there were 5000 cars in the "show" and another 5000 just running around filling every hotel parking lot. To get in the show you had to provide photos of your car and had to be "accepted". Then... for whatever reason - the car quality declined and the amount of cars declined and the big hotels/casinos began ripping people off with super jacked up prices for the rooms etc. It then became pretty expensive to go to... Then The Atlantis started holding the first couple of rows of parking for their "high rollers"... but the spots sat empty. Frankly - RENO is kind of a dump. Vegas really sapped Reno of the glitz and glamor. Downtown was/is pretty "seedy". I think this is where I met Charlie back in The Mule days.

I think/hope things are turning UP -- and hopefully the car quality and count is getting better. Maybe I just got bored doing the same thing over and over.... and paying a high price for it.

[MtotheIKEo]

I fully agree Greg, and I just chose to move here! (from another place you'd likely call a dump) I've been going to HAN for as long as I can remember with a few off years mixed in. There was a pretty good turnout this year, tons of cars everywhere, but a huge majority of them were very cookie cutter hot rods. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I'm sure the owners love them, but if you're coming to town to see a ton of high-end builds you might be disappointed. The lots were full though, and between all the different venues there is plenty to see and do.

Regarding Reno itself, yes the Virginia street area still feels pretty seedy, mostly because everything is so dated and run down. But midtown and the river front are coming around. I live on the South end of town on Mt.Rose highway putting me 30 minutes from Tahoe, 2 minutes from BLM land, and 15 minutes from a ski slope. The town may need some work but the area has it's advantages.

[GregWeld]

I fully agree Greg, and I just chose to move here! (from another place you'd likely call a dump) I've been going to HAN for as long as I can remember with a few off years mixed in. There was a pretty good turnout this year, tons of cars everywhere, but a huge majority of them were very cookie cutter hot rods. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I'm sure the owners love them, but if you're coming to town to see a ton of high-end builds you might be disappointed. The lots were full though, and between all the different venues there is plenty to see and do.

Regarding Reno itself, yes the Virginia street area still feels pretty seedy, mostly because everything is so dated and run down. But midtown and the river front are coming around. I live on the South end of town on Mt.Rose highway putting me 30 minutes from Tahoe, 2 minutes from BLM land, and 15 minutes from a ski slope. The town may need some work but the area has it's advantages.


Good post!! What I saw in Ken's photos was - as you mention - pretty "normal" hot rod stuff. I always enjoyed the show, and the auction, and agree with your statement that there's tons to do and see. I'd really love to see RENO turn it around and be what it used to be - when my parents would go there because it was "THE PLACE" to go.... Seems Vegas just stole the punch...

I don't gamble or drink or smoke..... so both are not very exciting to me!! LOL Maybe that has something to do with how I feel about going there. I'm not against any of that -- I just don't do it. Maybe I'm boring! LOL

[clill]

Now you are just making crap up. We have been going since the 80's and have never had to send in a pic to be accepted.:bigun2:

[GregWeld]

Now you are just making crap up. We have been going since the 80's and have never had to send in a pic to be accepted.:bigun2:


I did -- you're just famous and probably were grandfather in.

[Dayton]

Every year I think is my last year.
This year, I finally moved from the Silver Legacy/Virginia St to The Nugget in Sparks. I just couldn't take the homeless people on Virginia St anymore.
The casino's hose the hell out of you for rooms.
Next, is having to go to the Grand Sierra Resort to pick up your packet/window sticker. What a pain in the ass! No place to park. Once you get inside, stand in line to get your packet. Then, stand in another line to get your swag bag. Then, stand in another line to get your free buffet tickets.
Really? All I really want is my window sticker. Mail the f@%king thing to me!
Regarding having to send a pic of your car to get in? I just send a pic of Charlie's current ride.

[Tuske427]

Sheesh, I was thinking about making a road trip this year to go to this. Never been, seems like a big multi day event that could be fun, but after reading this now I'm not so sure.

For those that have been or know the area- is there a recommended hotel, one with safe parking for cars? Or town/ decent area? Or should I not even bother?

Thanks!

[clill]

I would stay at the Atlantis, peppermill or Grand Sierra. Plenty of parking. I have been coming since the 80's and never had a problem. You will have fun. Book your room now.

[GregWeld]

Sheesh, I was thinking about making a road trip this year to go to this. Never been, seems like a big multi day event that could be fun, but after reading this now I'm not so sure.

For those that have been or know the area- is there a recommended hotel, one with safe parking for cars? Or town/ decent area? Or should I not even bother?

Thanks!



Here's one area where Charley and I disagree. I went to this show for years and years... Paid full price for rooms ($350 a night at The Atlantis) that went for $89 a night the rest of the year... for what is, in my opinion, a very ordinary "parking lot" car show - in a town that is a dump. There used to be a group of us - 10 /12 people with 6 to 8 cars that went religiously. These were top notch cars. One by one we quit going because of the rip off prices at the hotels - and the decline of the cars. I personally used to go mostly for the auction... but even that was a distant second cousin as the show declined.

I have not been for at least 5 or so years now... and perhaps it's turning around - but nobody I know goes there anymore - except Charley - and none of friends even MENTION the show or the desire to go. Whereas it was all we used to talk about - it was "the SEMA" of car shows on the west coast. Was being the operative word.

Personally I have enjoyed just going "somewhere" like Scottsdale for a GoodGuys show - where the town is fun and there's other stuff to do - and I can walk around at night and feel safe.

[MtotheIKEo]

Sheesh, I was thinking about making a road trip this year to go to this. Never been, seems like a big multi day event that could be fun, but after reading this now I'm not so sure.

For those that have been or know the area- is there a recommended hotel, one with safe parking for cars? Or town/ decent area? Or should I not even bother?

Thanks!

If you come expecting an action packed weekend you will be disappointed. Like Greg said, it's a parking lot show with a ton of cookie cutter cars. But there are some really nice cars mixed in, everyone is friendly, the cruise at night is kinda fun. Any of the hotels Charley mentioned are good safe options. My friends park their cars at the Atlantis and leave them there all week without a worry.
If you are planning on making a road trip out of it spend a day driving around Tahoe. Go South to Carson City and take 50 to South Lake, drive around the lake and come back on Mt.Rose highway (431). Some great photo opportunities for the car around the lake, great places to eat/drink, and both highways have some fun curvy sections.
As much as I wish it was, its not a Goodguys show. But if you want to make a fun car weekend out of it there is plenty to experience.

[Tuske427]

Thanks, guys, I appreciate all the input. The plan is to take a car-centric road trip caravanning Firebirds with a buddy of mine (has a sweet #'s matching 68 400) + our wives. Where we go isn't as critical, however, he's worried about racking up too many miles as his car hasn't rolled the odometer yet, so we were thinking perhaps HAN as we had never seen it. Coincidentally, I found out just today that a coworker of mine will be there too.

Never been to Tahoe, either, so that could be a fun trip, too.

[clill]

And there is a large swap meet that goes on for days. Take a drive to Virgina City. Go to Squaw Valley where they had the Winter Olympics in the 60s and ride the tram. Greg has gotten really snooty in his old age. There are over 5000 cars that attend each year that disagree with Greg.

[GregWeld]

And there is a large swap meet that goes on for days. Take a drive to Virgina City. Go to Squaw Valley where they had the Winter Olympics in the 60s and ride the tram. Greg has gotten really snooty in his old age. There are over 5000 cars that attend each year that disagree with Greg.



LOL --- Yes I have! Because seeing a '60 faded Corvair with local Nevada license plates (true story!), in some hot blacktop parking lot is not what I like to spend my time doing after a 700 mile drive and a $1,000 hotel bill. It's not about the QUANTITY of cars to me -- it's the quality. I'll see the very same quality cars at Scottsdale - or Grand National - or any number of the better shows.

[69hugger]

Now BOYS! Different strokes....

Anybody going to Scottsdale this week?





Bill

[clill]

In Scottsdale now. Hot August nights is a celebration of cars. They don't all have to be perfect. It is a chance for car people to drive their car to a huge gathering of other car people.ignore Greg.

[rustomatic]

I know we all love cars here, but to travel to a car show, you really ought to invest in some added value. As for Reno, I used kind of dump on it and the surrounding area (after 30 years in CA, including living in Tahoe briefly), but after living in Arkansas for three years out of my thirties, I really came to appreciate the area around Reno--it's high desert, and that's definitively a Western thing. Tahoe is also right down the road; if you can't appreciate Lake Tahoe (even South Lake Tahoe), and make the time to be there on your trip to Reno, you don't deserve to have the sense of sight.

The only point I'm making here is that there should be a lot more in a long-distance trip than a car show at the end. Why would anyone (not in the custom car business) go to Pleasanton without taking the time to see some other sights, like San Francisco, especially if you brought family or friends along? Cars are for transportation, people. There's always a better destination than a parking lot (autocrosses notwithstanding) . . .:BlahBlah:

[LateralJeaz]

If you're going for the cars, expect to only see a handful or two of killer ones, if you're going for the week long atmosphere and the scenic drive around the area, you will probably feel more like your time there was worth it.

[Tuske427]

Cool, reservations are set so I'll be checking this one out in the sweltering heat. No AC in my 'bird.

Back in '07 my wife and I drive to Tulsa for the Tulsarama in my '57 Plymouth and we didn't have AC in that, either. We kept a cooler in the back seat and stopped for ice frequently along the way. I imagine this trip will be pretty similar, ha ha

[clill]

Where did you book your rooms ?

[Tuske427]

Where did you book your rooms ?

We went with the Peppermill per your recommendation. Atlantis was already filled. How's the parking at Peppermill?

[kwhizz]

We went with the Peppermill per your recommendation. Atlantis was already filled. How's the parking at Peppermill?


Peppermill has a great parking lot set-up..........Great place...

Ken

[hotwhls]

Peppermill is terrible for car show parking. Super tight and way to many VIP spots. Head down the road a mile and park at the Atlantis way more room to move around and alot more cars. I leave my car at the Atlantis all week even during the night. There is other great spots even GSR is not to bad. But if I had to pick one I would choose the Atlantis.

[Tuske427]

Peppermill is terrible for car show parking. Super tight and way to many VIP spots. Head down the road a mile and park at the Atlantis way more room to move around and alot more cars. I leave my car at the Atlantis all week even during the night. There is other great spots even GSR is not to bad. But if I had to pick one I would choose the Atlantis.

Atlantis was fully booked. Could not get a room there. Are you saying that Peppermill doesn't have safe car parking at night?

[kwhizz]

Parking is fine at the Peppermill...............


Ken

[hotwhls]

I live in the area so I go home every night. The event parking at the Peppermill is safe to park at for sure. I was just making a point that its hard to find a spot because the way they arrange the lot. Its small and very tight with tons of VIP parking. The atlantis is more spread out with lots of spots plus the Atlantis is the only lot that allows personal pop-up tents. When it's 100 out you are going to want shade.

[Tuske427]

I'm referring to overnight parking at night while I'm sleeping. How is the parking then?

[MtotheIKEo]

I'm referring to overnight parking at night while I'm sleeping. How is the parking then?

My friend lives 5 minutes away and chooses to just leave his car there overnight. Seems like it's pretty secure. If you are here and don't like it I have a garage spot that you're welcome to use.

[Tuske427]

My friend lives 5 minutes away and chooses to just leave his car there overnight. Seems like it's pretty secure. If you are here and don't like it I have a garage spot that you're welcome to use.

Thank you! Sorry that I missed this post back in February, ha ha. I'm caravanning up with another couple and their Firebird this Thursday. We'll be in town through the weekend.

[abadsvt]

I love hot august nights but I can't make it this year. If any of you guys are there and you see any protouring style c2 corvettes can you snap a few pics for me. I would really appreciate it. Really wanted to make it this year. Thanks ahead of time and have fun!!

Josh