How was it? It was a great time!

The BANEON Reno Rally '97 offered many oppritunities to explore. The course: North from Reno to Pyramid Lake, follow the paved roads around to Gerlach, NV, enter the Black Rock Desert, have a great time. The people: Rex, Ed, Shakai, Warren, and Travis (my codriver), all willing to explore the twisty roads of northern Nevada.

The caravan started in Pleasington around 8:00am by Rex and Shaikh which they headed to Sacramento to join with Ed and me at 9:30. Labor Day weekend traffic leaving Sacramento leaves alot for the sport driver to desire, however we were on the road. We were in moderate traffic until we passed Colfax, which inhibited our times to Reno. Without any problems, we made it to Reno by 12:30. A quick check-in in the motel, gas up, and a CB antenna at Wall-Mart, ment we were ready for the rally to start.

It started off a noth on 395 for about 8 miles then we realized there was a more detailed map insert. Hence, we backtraced all the way to Wall Mart to get back on the course. Nothern Nevada is in general desert with mountain ranges that divide long and narrow valleys. These mountain ranges run in a north/south directeion, which was the same direction as our travels. Hence, the roads, once we left the populated areas, were long, straight 2 lane roads that run at the base of the mountan range, and along side Pyramid Lake. Not exactly what were expecting, but we countinued with the course. We pushed northeast to Empire, at speeds high enough to earn us a night in jail. A note must be made here, that no one was pressured into driving at speeds they did not feel confortable. Each car, for the most part had means to communicate with the other cars and feelings/opinions were expressed freely. However, once we made a final highway change heading towards Gerlach, we encountered many Nevada Highway Patrol. BIG TROUBLE. While still pushing past the speed limit, we were faced manytimes with slowing back down to the limit in a hurry. After we passed a overloaded trailer that said: "BURNING MAN OR COMBUST" we learned exactly WHY all the highway patrols were out. It seems to be that Burning Man is a big hippie convention. Where last year some people were being careless, which inturn invited the smokies to patrol the supposed desolate highways. This was a big negative for our dirving needs, and hence a quick roadside convention was called. What do we do?

After a diet coke, Rex our pseudo hippie, taught us all about Buning Man. I was ready to see women dance in mud, however some of the driving entusiasts voted against me, and rex informed us of the Black Rock Desert. It was a dry lake bed, flat, white, and alot of fun. So, we headed towards the desert drive and not commune with the hippies. Never a dissapintment, we had a blast. We entered through a check point where the person manning it said; "Go balls out and have a blast!"

So without another thought...I was bumping off the speed limiter. Oh, I cant believe what a rush it was to see three other neons all racing across the lake bed. Dust plumes followed each car at least 150 yards behind. It must have been a sight to see such a cloud of dust comming from the lake bed (I still have a ear-to-ear grin). After some goofing around it was time to take pictures and refill our tanks. It was known for sure that we would be back, and soon.

Hence this weekend's BANEON trip to the Black Rock Desert. We will be gathering around the north-eastern side to autocross, dragrace, and just really have fun. More people are to be expected at this rally, even Bob from New Jersey is considering comming out. Just think, unregulated speeds, only to be limited by the speed-limiter or and physics of your car. Of course, the utmost care must be used when driving in these conditions. However, its not conditions you must fret over.

For the accomodations, we are planning camping in the desert, however if you dont like this solution, Reno is only 90 miles away. Try to make it to the desert with as much fuel as possible- as it will only maximize your fun, and be sure to visit our web site at:

http://www.tco.net/~steve/baneon/

Once again, I would really like to see you out there if possible. I will be arriving mid-day Saturday and it seems people will be leaving CA late Friday night. So dont worry about not finding people.

My email address is sac72478@saclink.csus.edu if you have any questions.

Warren