by Keith Fuerst
The All Firebird Lawn Show at the Saratoga Auto Museum is rapidly approaching our “wildest dreams” that we have for this show. This year 157 Firebirds came from NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, RI, NJ, MD, DE, VA, PA, OH, Florida, and even Arizona! Let’s not forget our friends from Canada. After expenses, the host club Firebird Nation of North America presented a check for $6,140 to Special Olympics.
On Friday evening the weather was absolutely gorgeous for the All Firebird Cruise. At the museum, forty three Firebirds gathered in the parking lot before cruising through the streets of Saratoga to Mr.Ed’s. Instantly an all Firebird show formed… much to the delight of the Firebird owners and Mr.Ed’s regular customers.
On Saturday, cars arrived early and often and by 11:00 am the field was filled with all four generations of Firebirds. A feast for the eyes, it’s obvious that the owner’s passion for these cars will keep the Pontiac name alive long after the Pontiac division dies an undeserved death. It was nice meet newcomers to the show and to see old friends who return to Saratoga year after year.
The date for next year’s show is: July 10, 2010. Rain date is July 11, 2010
A big thank you goes out to:
Event founder and organizer: Tom Smith
Trailer Queens: Sandy Smith, Margo Bagneschi, Arlene Delaney, Sandy Byron.
General Raffle Sales: Mary Schwartz and Judy Keehan.
50-50 Raffle Sales: Keith Tanny with his sons Jack and Sam.
Athlete Representatives: Brian Smith, Jennifer Delaney, Todd Byron, and DJ Nolan.
Parking Staff: Joel Auger, David Lord, Ron Delaney, Terry Bush, Ron Pratt, Ray Eggert, Jay Hill, Steve Reed, Gerry Garing.
Food Staff: Mike Bagneschi, Lisa Lord, Chris Radz, Terry Bush, Judy Keehan.
Judging Staff: Joe Carey, Ray DiCresenzo, Michael Tyler, Keith Fuerst, Eddie Barra, Dean Meneilley, Neil Silberkleit.
A special thanks to:
Alan Edstrom of the Saratoga Auto Museum and Ralph Mangino Jr. of Mangino Pontiac for their continued support. To NFTAC for suppling items and Eagle magazines for the show.
See 2010 show flyer and 2010 registation form and 2009 show pictures here:
http://clubs.hemmings.com/firebirdnationofnorthamerica
Here is the 2009 All Firebird Lawn Show winners list:
Name Home town Class Place Year / Model
Kathy DeCrescenzo Clifton Park, NY 1967-1969 Stock 1st 1969 R/A III T/A
Paul Menin Ashley Falls, MA 1967-1969 Stock 2nd 1969 Firebird 400
Beth Ann Agostini Athens, VT 1967-1969 Stock 3rd 1968 Convertible
John Bianco Poughkeepsie, NY 1967-1969 Modified 1st 1969 Firebird
Tom Martens West Nyack, NY 1967-1969 Modified 2nd 1969 Firebird
Keith Tourville Cambridge, VT 1967-1969 Modified 3rd 1968 Firebird
Ray DeCrescenzo Clifton Park, NY 1970-1976 Stock 1st 1974 SD455 T/A
George Berg White Plains, MD 1970-1976 Stock 2nd 1973 Formula 400
Neil Silberkleit Oxford, CT 1970-1976 Stock 3rd 1970 T/A
Fred & Linda Martin Morrisonville, NY 1970-1976 Modified 1st 1974 T/A
Jay Hill Cohoes, NY 1970-1976 Modified 2nd 1976 T/A
Stuart Bach Bennington, VT 1970-1976 Modified 3rd 1976 Esprit
Jim Napoletano Norwalk, CT 1977-1981 Stock 1st 1979 10th Anniv T/A
George Berg White Plains, MD 1977-1981 Stock 2nd 1978 T/A
Tom Benvengi Sykesville, MD 1977-1981 Stock 3rd 1979 Black SETA
Phil Ginsberg NYC, NY 1977-1981 Modified 1st 1979 T/A
Nick Rossi South Salem, NY 1977-1981 Modified 2nd 1979 Esprit Redbird
John Kunasek Agawam, MA 1977-1981 Modified 3rd 1978 T/A
Jeff Clune Sparrowbush, NY 1982-1992 Stock 1st 1989 Turbo Pace Car
Joyce & Dean Meneilley Lansdowne, Ont 1982-1992 Stock 2nd 1986 T/A
Adam Sweeney Burlington, VT 1982-1992 Stock 3rd 1988 Firebird
Brad Zeigler Harleysville, PA 1982-1992 Modified 1st 1982 T/A
Steve Reed Brick, NJ 1982-1992 Modified 2nd 1989 Formula 350
Dianna Seymour Plattsburgh, NY 1982-1992 Modified 3rd 1988 T/A
Ryan & Grace Corcoran Milford, PA 1993-2002 Stock 1st 1994 25th Anniv Firehawk
Michael Adamski Fleetwood, PA 1993-2002 Stock 2nd 2002 Firehawk
Stephen Dike Milton, VT 1993-2002 Stock 3rd 2002 Firehawk
Matthew Bohn Blairstown, NJ 1993-2002 Modified 1st 2001 Firehawk T/A
Chris Gennaro Carmel, NY 1993-2002 Modified 2nd 1999 T/A
Andrew DiSalvo Ravena, NY 1993-2002 Modified 3rd 2002 T/A
Andrew Colling Monson, MA Best of Show 1967 Firebird 400
Andrew DiSalvo Ravena, NY Athletes’ Choice 2002 T/A
A.J. Viruet Edison, NJ Coach’s Choice 2001 Formula
Dianna Seymour Plattsburgh, NY Dealer’s Choice 1988 T/A
Mark Rocheleau Swanton, VT Museum Choice 1977 SETA
Brent & Wendy Rowland Loretto, Ont Joe Nolan Award 2002 Firehawk
