Three-day Mesquite car show draws classics, rods

More than 500 drivers and their classic cars from several states will gather for the third annual Mesquite Motor Mania car show Jan. 14-16.

Sponsored by the Mesquite Resort Association, the event offers more than 260 trophies along with $15,000 for participants. Last year's event drew entries from as far away as New York and Hawaii.

Among last year's winners who are considering coming back to Mesquite Motor Mania is Brian Bates, who owns a '69 Ford Mach I, which won the burnout contest last year. However, excessive snow at their residence in Duck Creek, Utah, might keep the Bates family from attending.

"If we can get out off the mountain, we will be there to burn our tires up," said Lisa Bates. "I survived the blizzard of 1978 in Rhode Island, so we're used to our latest weather. Being up here in the mountains is old hat. Last year was our second year, and we will do everything in our power to have the Mach I in Mesquite.

"We brought our grandchildren last year, and they had a blast."

The Bates family barely made it home last year surviving a storm on state Route 14 east from Cedar City, Utah.

"We hit a storm and barely got the car in the garage," Lisa Bates said. "The next morning we had 4 feet of snow on the ground."

Las Vegan Gary Reid, 51, is planning to bring two vehicles to the event.

"I'm bringing an electric trike called the Wind Jammer, along with my hot rod wagon that I call the Rat Fink Flyer," said Reid, who attended Mesquite Motor Mania for the first time in 2010. "Last year was a good cheap getaway and there were $10 rooms last year. It was really cool to walk out of our room and see our car right outside our doorway."

Reid said the cruise up and down the main street in Mesquite along with the burnout contest makes for a great weekend getaway.

"There are cars from Vegas, California and Utah," Reid said. "It's a great chance to get out of Vegas for a low amount of money. We had a blast last year."

Frank Roberts, known in the classic car business as a "Magoo," said he's going to attend Mesquite Motor Mania to stir up business for his pinstriping business.

"I have been to some of the other Mesquite Motor Mania events," said Roberts, who has lived in Las Vegas 47 years. "This is a different car show and the fact that it's in Mesquite makes it neat. It's still in Nevada and it attracts from other areas. There are people who won't go to Las Vegas who will go to Mesquite. This event draws the Arizona crowd, and it's more of a laid-back event."

Christian Adderson, sporting event manager at Black Gaming, said car enthusiasts can register for Mesquite Motor Mania as late as the start of the show.

Also scheduled on the same weekend is the $5,000 Smokin' Big Chili Challenge at the CasaBlanca Resort, along with a pair of golf tournaments benefiting the Mesquite Cancer Help Society.

"This is a fun weekend to come to Mesquite and check out some great classic cars along with world championship chili and play golf," said Adderson.

Further information can be found by visiting www.mesquitecarshows.com, www.casablancaresort.com or by calling Adderson at 888-711-4653, ext. 51.