This '70 1/2 R/A-IV Trans Am, owned by Ray DeCrescenzo from Clifton Park, New York, won First Place in the 2nd Generation class.
Huge 5x6-inch full-color dash plaques, donated by Ralph Mangino Jr. and Mangino Pontiac Buick of Ballston Spa, were a big hit with show participants. Another show favorite was the photo booth of Photowheels.com, which offered high-quality car portraits on the spot.
Garnering Pontiac excitement from the crowd was the Best of Show concours-restored '69 R/A-III four-speed Trans Am and the Best of Class concours-restored '70 1/2 R/A-IV four-speed Trans Am, owned by Kathy and Ray DeCrescenzo. In fact, all winners accepted their awards before an enthusiastic group of applauding participants, spectators, and athletes.
The 6th Annual All-Firebird Lawn Show will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., on the grounds of the SPA State Park adjacent to the Saratoga Auto Museum. The rain date is Sunday, July 6, 2008. Judged trophy classes will see the 2nd Generation class divided into '70-'76 and '77-'81 for 2008. Other classes include 1st Generation, 3rd Generation, 4th Generation, and a Super Street class. Additional trophy awards include a Special Olympics Athlete's Choice, Special Olympics Coach's Choice, the Mangino Pontiac Dealer's Choice, the Saratoga Auto Museum Director's Choice, and a Best of Show. Sponsored oval awards will also return for 2008. For more information, contact Tom or Sandy Smith at (518) 587-8215, tsmith24@earthlink.net, or visit www.clubs.hemmings.com/firebirdnation.
Our Volunteers
Athletes and volunteer coaches from Special Olympics Saratoga were a big part of the Saturday show. Primary organizational and management duties fell upon show founders Tom and Sandy Smith. Operational tasks went to Special Olympics volunteer coaches and the host club, Firebird Nation of North America, Inc., a chapter of the National Firebird and Trans Am Club.
Ray Eggert from East Greenbush, New York, drove his '84 Auto Forms conversion black and gold Trans Am to the show.
Judging of the field was handled by Joe Carey, Neil Silberkleit, Eddie Barra, and Keith Fuerst. Trailer queens Sandra Smith, Susan Banker, Arlene Delaney, and Sandy Byron were in charge of registration of all 127 Firebirds. FNONA members David, Lisa, and Trish Lord ran the hot dog and beverage station, while Special Olympics volunteers Judy Keehan, Mary Schwartz and Chris Radz sold general raffle tickets. A photographic team consisting of Pete Manos, Richard Millier, Ralph Mangino Jr., Rick Holloway, Phil Ginsberg, Stephen Manning, Steve Reed and Tom Smith captured the Saturday show and Friday night cruise.
Not to be outdone, Special Olympics Saratoga athletes Brian Smith, Todd Byron, Jennifer Delaney, John Schwartz, and DJ Nolan were a large part of the show. They selected a Firebird for the Athlete's Choice trophy, selected 25 Firebirds for Athlete's Choice ribbons, picked all the winners of various raffle prizes, and presented most of the trophies. Athlete DJ Nolan provided toe-tapping tunes, the PA system, and many of the show announcements. Firebird Nation of North America member Keith Tanny sold club-sponsored 50-50 raffle tickets. Half of the $817 collected was won by Timothy A. Gerasimchik, while the other half was donated to Special Olympics Saratoga.
Raffle Prize And Non-Award Sponsors
Advance Auto Parts of Saratoga Ames Performance Engineering Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Albany, New York Hagerty Underwriters Inc. Hannaford Brothers Supermarkets Jim Valentino from Photowheels.com Mangino Pontiac Buick of Ballston Spa, New York Northwind Graphics of Malta Price Chopper Supermarkets RockAuto.com Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Want Ad Digest of Troy, New York YearOne