The Gallup Independent reports that the Grants, N.M., city council has renewed its support for the Fire ‘n’ Ice motorcycle rally on Route 66 for one year.

Organizers wanted a three-year commitment, but the city was concerned about beer sales and possible shootouts between rival motorcycle gangs, like the deadly one in Laughlin, Nev., a few years ago. However, Grants is unwilling to axe the festival because it is its most-profitable event.

It’s my opinion that Grants’ concerns are overstated. Most of the people who attend these rallies are aging baby boomers, who are looking more for a comfortable bed and a good meal than a fight.

The folks at the Upcoming Pixar blog have found a site that has the Japanese trailer for Pixar’s Route 66-themed movie “Cars,” set to be released June 9. It contains a few scenes that I haven’t seen in other trailers.

The site is here, with trailers dubbed in English and Japanese. It’s pretty funny to hear Mater spouting “I’m happier than a tornado in a trailer park” in Japanese. Note: The playback hiccuped a couple times when I played it, so you may have to watch it a couple times or try other formats.

Also, Upcoming Pixar reports that the Pixar short film, “One Man Band,” was nominated for an Oscar and will be attached to “Cars” for its release.

The Gallup Independent reports that the abandoned Shalimar Inn on Route 66 in Gallup, N.M., is on the city’s condemnation report and may be torn down. The newspaper report indicates that the property has been extensively vandalized and rendered filthy by squatters.

Dennis Kinch, the man who’s walking Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, has passed the halfway mark of his journey and is in San Jon in far eastern New Mexico.

Within a day or so, he’ll be propping up his weary feet and relaxing here.

At least I would, anyway.

Jerry Ueckert, a Route 66 enthusiast from Edgewood, N.M., reports that he has purchased a Valentine diner in Magdalena, N.M. He plans to move the diner onto his property on Route 66 and restore it.

Ueckert says the diner appears to be the Aristocrat model. The Kansas State Historical Society gives the following description of the Aristocrat on its Valentine identification page:

Designed in late 1940s by Richard Ten Eyck, a Wichita industrial designer, this 8-stool model is recognizable from the outside by the rounded parapet above the door (flush with the front facade), and buttresses at the corners.

Ueckert’s diner is one of at least five Valentines on the Mother Road. Other examples can be found behind Bill Fernau’s Phillips 66 station in Chandler, Okla.; next to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Okla.; across from La Posada in Winslow, Ariz.; and at Twin Arrows, Ariz.

According to Jerry,

It’s in sad shape, which is to be expected, and any number of people are beginning to doubt my sanity, (as if they needed further reason prior to this), but I think this thing is just too damn cool!!!

I have to agree.