Hot August Nights heats up economy

This year's Hot August Nights broke attendance records for Reno's annual event and pumped $132.5 million into the local economy, according to an independent survey released last week by RRC Research of Boulder, Colo.

Attendance reached 797,552 visitors.

The average visitor spent four days.

The vintage car event attracted more than 103,000 first-time visitors to the area.

More than half the visitors came from California and 80 percent said they planned to return for next year's event.

This year's event received national and international media coverage, including a live broadcast from the event on ABC's Good Morning America.

All 5,000 car registrations for the 2004 event are already sold out.