Cars, wings take center stage at annual event

Friday, May 24, 2002 | 9:56 a.m.

What: Cars, Stars & Guitars 7th Annual Motorhead Festival and Wing Thing

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Where: Thomas & Mack Center.

Admission: Free.

Information: 259-1975.

Hot rods and hot wings are on the menu at the 7th annual Cars, Stars & Guitars Motorhead Festival this weekend at Thomas & Mack Center.

"This has been growing every year. Last year we had 250 cars, this year we expect anywhere from 500 to 1,000," said Mike Privette, who dreamed up the idea for the festival after moving to Las Vegas in 1993 from Reno, where he had participated in that city's Hot August Nights parade of cars since its inception in 1986.

There will be much more than hot rods on display: The show will include classic cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats -- and chicken wings.

Privette said when he moved to Las Vegas he looked for an event similar to Hot August Nights but couldn't find one.

"So we started one," he said.

At the event, "You'll see everything from a '52 Packard to an '81 DeLorean to a '30 Ford five-window coupe," Privette said. "The cars are mostly 99.9 percent shown by their owners, people who just love their toys. We will have some auto dealers there as vendors, but mostly these hot rods are just toys loved by their owners."

Privette, a former barber, began working on cars and entering shows as a hobby more than 30 years ago.

"I got sucked into it by my older brother, who had a '56 Chevy," he said.

Privette, who works on the car show year-round, says he anticipates a turnout of as many as 20,000 spectators at Thomas & Mack Center during the two-day event. They will be greeted by 70 vendors selling everything from spare parts to spare ribs.

Pre-registration for car owners was until 10 a.m. today and from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday. Gates open to the public at 10 a.m.

The "Wing Thing" is a separate-but-almost equal event at the car show -- a contest to determine who sells the best chicken wings in Las Vegas.

The judges for the contest will include two area chefs and the Scintas, who perform at The Rio. The Scintas, who include Joe, Frank and Christine Scinta, are from Buffalo, N.Y., where chicken wings first became popular snacks called "buffalo wings."

Last year was the first for the wing contest, which was judged by a panel of six chefs. The winner was Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 190 W. Craig Road.

"The winner gets official bragging rights and a trophy to display for a year," Privette said.

This year 15 vendors have entered the chicken wing cook-off. Also on the list are area eateries The Emergency Room, House of Brews, Martino's Mexican Grill, Round Table Pizza and The Beach.

"We take the contest very seriously," Privette said. "It's a blind taste test. Judges sample the wings for taste, tenderness and size."

Privette and his family came up with the idea for the contest after eating chicken wings at several sports bars around town.

"Everyone says they have world famous chicken wings," he said. "So we decided to have a contest to make the title official."

The first place winner receives $500, in addition to the trophy and bragging rights. Second place is $300 and third is $100.

The weekend gets a jump start from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today in the parking lot of Tuscany Hotel, 255 E. Flamingo Road.

Called pre-registration Cruize Nite, those who gather at will be entertained by the band Road Rockets. Food and beverage vendors will also be on hand.

Privette said he started the festival event in 1996 "to promote pride and camaraderie in the custom-car community."

He said the festival allows owners to show off their expertise in customizing their vehicles and gives them a chance to network and develop new friendships.