Barrett-Jackson recently announced that it will reduce the number of consignments to its Scottsdale auction by 20%. The company blames muddy conditions caused by last year's rain but I wonder if there's more to it than meets the eye. A few months ago Barrett-Jackson was struggling with the city (and rival auctioneer Russo & Steele) to expand its operations. Now, having lost that battle, it decides to cut back. At the same time, according to an article in Autoblog, the pending deal to create a major auction in Las Vegas has been signed, with the first event to occur in 2008. It will be interesting to see if collectors, along with the thousands of fans who go along just to see the cars, change loyalties. Scottsdale is prettier but Las Vegas has more hotel rooms at lower rates, though the weather is just as unreliable in January and February. I think, if held when sunny conditions are guaranteed, Las Vegas could eventually become the really big show while Scottsdale's Barrett-Jackson will continue to downsize. And that may not be a bad thing as the present circus-like atmosphere is a touch overwhelming.