2012 Firebird Lawn Show Improvement Program

Steve and Tom thought that the Birds Nest would be a Good Place to open a discussion on ways to Improve the 2012 Lawn Show. All suggestions are Welcome and will be reviewed.

So if you have an idea, suggestion, or just a comment Please post it here.

I think Mike Tyler(Hammer) had the best idea on that rainy friday night under the tents, have the show right there in the hotel parking lot,there was plenty of space there for the showcars,vendors,etc and for the non-firebird hotel guests.

I think there should be an unrestored original survivor class. Seeing that the number of cars in the class would be small it should encompass first through third gen in the class.

Also I would like to see the modified classes be divided into semi modified and full modified. A car that stuck in mind was an 80 pace car that was moved from stock due to non stock rims. How is that car to compete with a car with a full blown motor or radical body modifications?
To distinguish the classes you could limit a car to two or three small modifications for semi modified. Anything above that or just radical would be in full modified.

Just throwing ideas out there

Larry, you posted more questions than ideas. I think the show would be improved if you would actually go to it. You have been missed.



They did have two vendors (at least I recall two) so it seems that that do allow it. Maybe we need to talk it up when we see Firebird vendors. I know I always try to guilt Ames Performance into going but they usually have a big Carlisle event that weekend that they make quite a bit on. Ames does show up at a great many shows and supports us in our hobby that way so I am making an effort to give them my business.



John, I remember that conversation that night along with some really good homemade hooch! Personally I like the lawn show but that hotel was nice. Keith Fuerst told me they looked at it but the hotel didn't own the entire parking lot.



I created a page on [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] for suggestions as well. As the ideas flow in perhaps we can put them out on a web form and take a vote as it were to let Tom know what the popular thinking is.

Update as of 6-25-2012:

ALBANY-SARATOGA SPEEDWAY WILL HOST THE 2012 ALL FIREBIRD LAWN SHOW
7/7/2012 Saturday 9a - 4p Firebird Nation of North America presents 10th Annual All Firebird Lawn Show at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, 2671 US Route 9, Malta, NY, 12020, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Rain Date 7/8/12. Min $15 donation to register, please be generous, most give $20-50. Spectators $5 each or $10/car load. Benefits Special Olympics. Dash Plaques & Goodie Bags to 1st 100 Firebird arrivals, Ribbons to Athlete’s Favorite 20, Judged 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place 10 Classes, plus Athlete, Coach, and Dealer Choice trophy, 2 Judged Best of Show & 1 Best of the Best Trophy, 50/50 Raffle - DJ Andy Narzynski. Restrooms & concessions on the show field. Car Corral and Vendor Spaces Available.

2012 ALL FIREBIRD CRUISE TO GO TO SARATOGA PBA AND SHOW SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT
7/6/2012 Friday 5p Firebird Nation of North America presents

** The All Firebird Cruise WILL NOT start at the SPA State Park!!! Due to the 3-Day-Long Phish concert from Friday July 6 to Sunday July 8, the Park reports there will be 35,000+ people in the park. If will nearly impossible to get into the Park and impossible to get back out. Therefore, we have moved the Cruise start point well north of the Park area.



Friday July 6, 2012 at 5pm. Plan to arrive between 4:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. at the latest. Cruise departs at 5:30 p.m.



The All Firebird Cruise assembles at and departs from the Maple Avenue Firehouse, 613 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866. Please park on the side or in the back and Do Not block Firehouse Doors in case of a call!

$10 donation includes Cruise with Police Escort and private projector showing of Smokey and the Bandit.

Crazy Herb's BBQ will attend with his al-a-carte menu plus FNONA 50-50 raffle.

When everyone orders whatever food, beverage, snacks they want from Crazy Herb, we will show Smokey and the Bandit inside the Banquet Room and project the movie onto an entire large white wall!

Cruise costs $10 Donation per carload and includes Police Escort, Cruise, and Movie.



Directions to the Maple Avenue Firehouse / Cruise Assembly Point:



From the South: Take I87 North to exit 15. Stay left and Turn Left onto Route 50 South.

Go approximately 1.1 miles to 2nd Right turn onto US Route 9 North / Maple Avenue.

Follow Maple Ave approximately 1.7 miles. Firehouse is on the left. Cruise leaves 5:30pm.

Movie will probably start around 7:00 p.m.



If you are coming from North of exit 15: Take I87 South to exit 15. Stay right and turn right onto Route 50 South.

Go approximately 1 mile to 2nd Right turn onto US Route 9 North / Maple Avenue.

Follow Maple Ave approximately 1.7 miles. Firehouse is on the left. Cruise leaves 5:30pm.

Movie will probably start around 7:00 p.m.



** If you plan to participate in the 2012 All Firebird Cruise and have not yet pre-registered, I ask you to pre-register at the link below. This will save us a lot of time on Cruise night. If you pre-register at least 1 week before the Cruise, I will make up a Cruise Dash Card for you and will e-mail it to you about 1 week before the Cruise. When you pre-register, just be sure to put your car info in the small space provided under ‘message’ when you pre-register with PayPal.

$10 per carload includes Cruise with Police escort and Smokey and the Bandit movie private showing. Crazy Herbs BBQ with his al-a-carte menu will be there and FNONA will stage a 50-50 raffle. After everyone orders whatever food and beverage they want from Crazy Herb, we will show Smokey and the Bandit from a projector inside the PBA and project the movie to an entire large white wall! Cost of the Cruise is $10 per carload and includes SSPD Police Escort and Movie.

TAILGATE AT THE OFFICIAL SHOW HOTEL ON THURSDAY NIGHT WITH YOUR FIREBIRD FRIENDS
7/5/2012 Thursday night Meet and Greet at the Fairfield Inn and Suites of Malta. Hang out, tailgate, hang with your Firebird friends and family. This will be the location of the 2013 All Firebird Lawn Show so get used to hanging out there now. See info about rooms and special rates and discounts below.
FAIRFIELD INN AND SUITES ROOMS NOW AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING FOR 2012 SHOW
101 Saratoga Village Boulevard, Malta, New York 12020 USA
Phone: 1-518-899-6900, Fax: 1-518-899-6969, Toll-free: 1-866-368-6900, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Fairfield Inn and Suites of Malta is the Official Hotel of the 2012 All Firebird Lawn Show. Book early (by March 31, 2012) to get an additional $5.00 discount per night per room off the Firebird Show Rate. Each individual reservation has a 3 Day Cancellation Policy, so if your plans change any time up to three days before your reservation, you can cancel with no penalty. The Cut off Date for the additional $5.00 discount per night per room is March 31 and the Cut off Date for the Firebird Show Rate is June 1, 2012. Any bookings after June 1, 2012 may be accepted if rooms are still available but the Firebird Show Rate will not be honored. You can see all the fine print here [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

QUICK LINKS:
Firebird Nation of North America Home Page: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Firebird Show Page: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Firebird Cruise Page: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Show Flyer, Hotel Info, directions, etc: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Pre-Register Page: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Contact [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] or Firebird Nation of North America for more info or visit [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Regarding more vendors: I would love to have them - if you got pull with any of the big guys like Ames, Classic Industries, Year One, NPD, etc, please invite them to contact me at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and I will offer them the moon to come to the show.

Regarding adding more classes: Here are the current classes and special awards:

Dash Plaques & Goodie Bags to 1st 100 Firebird arrivals, Ribbons to Athlete’s Favorite 20 Firebirds,Trophies to Judged 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place in the following Classes: 1967-1969 Stock, 1967-1969 Modified, 1970-1976 Stock, 1970-1976 Modified, 1977-1981 Stock, 1977-1981 Modified, 1982-1992 Stock, 1982-1992 Modified, 1993-2002 Stock, 1993-2002 Modified, Judged Best in Show - Stock, Judged Best in Show – Modified, Participant Judged Best of the Best, plus Trophies to Athlete Choice, Coaches Choice, and Dealer Choice

I could add more classes but I would have to reduce the size of our trophies to keep costs acceptable. We are a non-profit car club (Firebird Nation of North America) and our show benefits a non-profit organization (Special Olympics). We keep nothing for ourselves and donate all proceeds to Special Olympics. If we have a class for every possible situation, everyone gets a trophy and Special Olympics gets no money. Keep in mind that our 2011 show had 137 participants and gave out a total of 56 award trophies and ribbons which is a ratio of 1 award every 2 1/2 participants - I think that is better than most and our trophies are better than most.

Regarding Location: For our 2013 All Firebird Lawn Show, I have an agreement with Fairfield Inn and Suites property ownership / management and we will locate the 2013 show to the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Malta, NY, the current official show hotel. This will be very convenient for all participants (roll out of bed and onto the show field) and no potential wet grass for concern. Plus, if it gets too hot baking out on the black paved show grounds, those staying in the official show hotel can run into their hotel room to cool their heels

Regarding: you could limit a car to two or three small modifications - So maybe we could allow 2-3 minor mods in the stock class? Let's define all of the potential 'minor mods' and maybe I can wrap my arms arround that. Give me a list of what constitutes all possible 'minor mods', I will present it to our show judges for their opinions, and let's see what happens. Thanks, Tom.

Regarding: more interesting like parade laps: Each year we have an All Firebird Cruise with a Police escort. We will have a Firebird Cruise again for 2012. Here is a link: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] For 2011 we cruised to Albany-Saratoga Speedway with police escort by NYS Police, Park Police, Saratoga Springs Police, and Saratoga County Sherriffs department. We arrived at the speedway and drove parade laps on the NASCAR paved oval and the Speedway was open only to the Firebirds - closed to the public. The speedway also offered 100% certified Angus Beef burgers with homemade salads, deserts, ice cream, etc.

2012 ALL FIREBIRD CRUISE TO GO TO SARATOGA PBA AND SHOW SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT

7/6/2012 Friday 5p Firebird Nation of North America presents

** The All Firebird Cruise WILL NOT start at the SPA State Park!!! Due to the 3-Day-Long Phish concert from Friday July 6 to Sunday July 8, the Park reports there will be 35,000+ people in the park. If will nearly impossible to get into the Park and impossible to get back out. Therefore, we have moved the Cruise start point well north of the Park area.



Friday July 6, 2012 at 5pm. Plan to arrive between 4:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. at the latest. Cruise departs at 5:30 p.m.



The All Firebird Cruise assembles at and departs from the Maple Avenue Firehouse, 613 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866. Please park on the side or in the back and Do Not block Firehouse Doors in case of a call!

$10 donation includes Cruise with Police Escort and private projector showing of Smokey and the Bandit.

Crazy Herb's BBQ will attend with his al-a-carte menu plus FNONA 50-50 raffle.

When everyone orders whatever food, beverage, snacks they want from Crazy Herb, we will show Smokey and the Bandit inside the Banquet Room and project the movie onto an entire large white wall!

Cruise costs $10 Donation per carload and includes Police Escort, Cruise, and Movie.



Directions to the Maple Avenue Firehouse / Cruise Assembly Point:



From the South: Take I87 North to exit 15. Stay left and Turn Left onto Route 50 South.

Go approximately 1.1 miles to 2nd Right turn onto US Route 9 North / Maple Avenue.

Follow Maple Ave approximately 1.7 miles. Firehouse is on the left. Cruise leaves 5:30pm.

Movie will probably start around 7:00 p.m.



If you are coming from North of exit 15: Take I87 South to exit 15. Stay right and turn right onto Route 50 South.

Go approximately 1 mile to 2nd Right turn onto US Route 9 North / Maple Avenue.

Follow Maple Ave approximately 1.7 miles. Firehouse is on the left. Cruise leaves 5:30pm.

Movie will probably start around 7:00 p.m.



** If you plan to participate in the 2012 All Firebird Cruise and have not yet pre-registered, I ask you to pre-register at the link below. This will save us a lot of time on Cruise night. If you pre-register at least 1 week before the Cruise, I will make up a Cruise Dash Card for you and will e-mail it to you about 1 week before the Cruise. When you pre-register, just be sure to put your car info in the small space provided under ‘message’ when you pre-register with PayPal.

$10 per carload includes Cruise with Police escort and Smokey and the Bandit movie private showing. Crazy Herbs BBQ with his al-a-carte menu will be there and FNONA will stage a 50-50 raffle. After everyone orders whatever food and beverage they want from Crazy Herb, we will show Smokey and the Bandit from a projector inside the PBA and project the movie to an entire large white wall! Cost of the Cruise is $10 per carload and includes SSPD Police Escort and Movie.

Regarding more suggestions: I am wide open. Post them up here or send me a personal e-mail to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and I will entertain all ideas. Please just keep in mind that we do not have the budget of the for-profit shows like Pontiac Nationals, GM Nationals, etc.

Thank you for your input,
Tom Smith in Saratoga Springs NY

Hi, new here to the Forums. I went to the 2011 show.( 200 miles one way, and we did a day trip!) In the past I have helped run some big car shows and was in marketing as well.
I would like to humbly offer my perspective on a couple things.
1. the classes.
A. Adding a survivor class. Have seen this work, and actually bring in a few more cars, however you need a judge with thick skin. There are survivors that have been clear-coated, and shine well, and there is no time for arguments with owners.
B A "small mod" class. We actually pulled this one off and it worked well, I believe it was called "Personal stock" ( some like "period" instead).
This is for regular folks who cant afford a rechoming factory and do not have access to Jay Lenos garage, or his money.
was limited to wheels, radio, intake and carb I believe.
Im sure things are all set for this year though.
I will add.. for the music.....
The DJ was great, although he thought it was "risky" to play "Stranglehold" by Ted Nuggent. Thats nuts. Anything from the Bee Gees stayin alive, to "Twighlight Zone, by Golden Earing, or even the beachboys is fine! Was at a cruise night locally and someone put the song "me and you and a dog named Boo" ( by Lobo)on the speakers and the crowd loved it! Any song that brings back some fun memories of people in their cars works fine!
The days of car shows and only " 50's" or only certain " music is played is well overwith, and it turns off people. There are more women going to shows as well, so its going to be ok to play "non hard" rock as well. ( songs from the movie Grease come to mind)
The DJ was great, just hope to hear more.. or I will have to request it! LOL
Lastly, was there a "Non Judged" class? no trophy? could save time judging, easy to set up at no cost.

Welcome to the forum Bruce. Please post some pics of your car as I would love to see them. I also was at the 2011 show and it is a show that should not be missed. I agree with the small mod class as well. I have only a few mods and cannot compete with the all stock or the "modified" cars. This still will not defer me from attending in the future. This year I will not enter my car for judging due to this fact.

I am the one who requested Stranglehold . The DJ was not afraid to play it as he said it was never requested before. Our clubs cruise nights our great DJ always plays it for me at the end of the cruise.

hdebo wrote:Welcome to the forum Bruce. Please post some pics of your car as I would love to see them. I also was at the 2011 show and it is a show that should not be missed. I agree with the small mod class as well. I have only a few mods and cannot compete with the all stock or the "modified" cars. This still will not defer me from attending in the future. This year I will not enter my car for judging due to this fact.

I am the one who requested Stranglehold . The DJ was not afraid to play it as he said it was never requested before. Our clubs cruise nights our great DJ always plays it for me at the end of the cruise.

LOL this is so ironic you requested that! I was walking by the DJ when he said he would try it but he thought it was "risky" lol. TED ROCKS! I was just using that as a great example of what people actually may listen to. A show I helped at way up in Maine, we asked every person who enetered with a car , they had to put it on their sheet, a song that they like to cruise and listen to. WE passed that to the DJ well before the show ( the pre registers anyways).
I wonder if there is a new class this year for 1 ton Chevy's??
( Ambulance class )

Signed up for both the Cruise and Show.

Thanks Rick. Tom.

I just signed up for both also. Tom I forgot to enter my car information on the cruise registration. Could you please update it for me.

I am currently on the road and away from home.

It would help if you could either post your car info or send me an e-mail to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and I will forward it to Sandy at home. She is handling the pre-reg and it will save her from digging into the reg-slips from 2011.

Thanks Harry,

Tom.