NNSL (Mar 20/98) - Finding a rental vehicle in Yellowknife this past week was no easy task.

Most car rental companies contacted in the city on Tuesday were sold out but the calls kept coming in.

"Yeah, we're booked solid," said Tony Vane, owner of Yellowknife Motors.

The Chevrolet/GM dealer has about 20 vehicles rented out and no other vehicles left on the lot. Most are booked until the weekend.

"I have one truck that was just returned just today. Other than that we're out," said Roger Romard, manager of Budget Rent-a-Car.

"I bought 10 more vehicles last week and they are all gone. I've never seen it this busy before. Last week I was probably turning away 10 to 15 calls a day. Now I'm probably turning away five to 10 calls a day. I think the word's kind of out there's not as many vehicles around or something," said Romard.

It will be Monday before the company is back with any vehicles in his fleet.

People are taking anything they can get their hands on.

"It turns out that mine are all pretty new vehicles, but nonetheless people are saying they'll take anything that moves. People are taking all my trucks. Things that I normally rent out to government, transportation or send out to the mines."

Romard is thrilled with the increased business. The only disappointment he has is everything is gone to the arctic Winter Games committee, the Yukon Team and the Sport North Committee. He really has nothing for the general public coming into town or parents of athletes.

"I'm looking at probably about $2,500 a day in business, probably even closer to $3,000 a day. Over 10-day that's $30,000. That's twice more than my normal month would be. My normal month would only fall between $15,000 to $20,000."

Thrifty car rentals is also reporting record rentals this week because of the games. This week they have approximately 15 vehicles out.

"It's really good business. It means a lot," said Jim MacNeil, Thrifty's location manager.

The only time he has seen it this busy is during the very busiest month of summer.

"This is 150 per cent more than I usually do. We're talking a real big increase."