Kristen RemingtonChannel 2 News
The nostalgia of the 50's and 60's revs up this time of year every year in northern Nevada. It's the tradition and the familiarity that drives people back for this week long, multi-million dollar event.
But this year, something is different.
A new classic car lover is in the driver's seat.
Tony Marini took us for a spin in an exquisite silver, 1940 convertible Ford as the new Managing Director of Hot August Nights. He has been at the wheel for a few months now, but Tony is certainly not new to this event or Reno for that matter. "As a kid it was always, 'Wow, the cars are in town and it's Hot August Nights time.' So, yes, it's been part of my life for 25-years."
He is proud to say Reno is home and it always has been. "Born and raised, fourth generation, grew up in Donner Springs, went to Wooster High School and attended college at UNR."
Tony spent 17 years in the casino business. He started out parking cars, then finished as director of slots. He also married a local girl, Jennifer, and they are the proud parents of three girls; the youngest is only four months old.
No question, he's a family man, but part of his heart has always belonged to old cars. "I have a '72 Chevy pick-up with a 4-inch lift. It's a big truck!" A classic truck he likely will not be able to pull out of the garage this week, while he's at the controls of this event.
Tony says he is stepping things up this year. His team brought the drag races back to John Ascuaga's Nugget. They even added a prom. Plus, Tony is already looking ahead to the future and how to attract the next generation of classic car fans. "It's appealing the 30-somethings, the 40-somethings. How do we get them involved and how do we bring them into our event?"
He already has a lot of ideas for Hot August Nights as he cruises ahead in his new role. But now, he says, it's all about getting northern Nevada to join him for the ride. "Now that you have somebody local running this operation, let's get behind it, let's have some fun and let's put on a hell of a 25th anniversary."
To learn more about the festivities this week, log onto www.hotaugustnights.net
