Hi Bigcol!
I was in Reno in 1998 and 1999 (the second time as guest of Dago Red chaps, watching Super SKIP HOLM storming at 498 mph in quals...) and I covered the event for an Italian magazine. I was on a budget travel, nothing planed so I stayed at the Mirzpa (?) hotel. They do not take reservations and usualy have rooms till the last minute. Budget, as I said unless you want *****hotels...Bus pick up on the other side of the road. Noting great to do in Reno, indeed....Sorry!
Ciao
PZ