UPDATE: FirehawkFest2002

Talk about up coming Rallies, Fests & other events.

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HawkLT1
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UPDATE: FirehawkFest2002

Post by HawkLT1 » Sat Mar 30, 2002 9:56 am

Greetings All,

I am very excited about the upcoming events for this year's FirehawkFest and wanted to get the news out to everyone as soon as I possibly could. This year we have moved the location for the Fest to LAS VEGAS!!!!! We are joining SLP and taking part in their customer appreciation days as they take over the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 12th! That's right, SLP has paid for the use of Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the day as a way of thanking all of their faithful customers and we have been allowed to hold our FirehawkFest on the grounds on the same day. SLP is footing the entire bill for the day of track usage which will include racing, burn out contests and lots more. Dave Hamburger has assured me that we can have our own area where we can hold our FirehawkFest. Due to the time constraints however, I am unable at this time to tell how we will do the car show judging. I would like to have judges come in and do the judging of our cars, but that may not be possible this year. We will have a participant vote again this year though and have awards based on the outcome of the popular vote.

I have been working feverishly trying to find a host hotel that will give us a break on a rate for a group our size. However, they want a total commitment for the number of rooms booked and if there are no shows, somebody would have to pay. I can not find a generous benefactor willing to stick their neck out to get us a reduced room rate by making that commitment, so the best I can do is find a location that has rooms with amenities that most people want and passing the word on to you. Wayne Thomas, myself and others are going to stay at Residence Inn Las Vegas/Convention Center, 3225 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV. Their direct phone number is 702-796-9300 or you can book toll free at 1-800-331-3131 or you can book online as well. Take advantage of any special rates that may apply to your situation. I am using my AARP rate and got a studio for $101.00 per night which includes a hot breakfast among other things like free in room coffee and full kitchens, etc... I booked for Friday and Saturday night, October 11th and 12th. They also have a gated (and secured) parking area for our cars. The hotel is located close to the convention center and near the famous Las Vegas Strip, Stardust Hotel and Casino and Circus Circus, about 20 minutes from the speedway and just off I-15. If you would like to stay with a bunch of other Firehawk owners while you are in town, give the motel a call or book online. This will be a fun weekend and one that I am very much looking forward to already. I am sure that there will be some great "convoys" of Firehawks on the way to Vegas. I know I am planning on a nice road trip from Sacramento with some good friends........

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at: bob@firehawk.org

Stay tuned for more details coming up in future newsletters as well as email updates from me when they happen. If you are not on my email list, let me know and I will add you to my list. Also, this is very important "You must pre-register with SLP to get in to the track on October 12th" It will be free, but you must pre-register with them first. Currently it is too early to register, but keep watching the web sites (www.firehawk.org and www.slpeng.com )and your email for more news.

Hope to see as many Firehawks there as possible.

Regards, Bob
Bob Deffenbaugh -
Originator of the west coast "FirehawkFest"
Board Moderator
Ex-Double Firehawk Owner
1993 #110 and 2002 #104

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Maplehawk
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Post by Maplehawk » Sat Apr 06, 2002 8:59 pm

Good Job Bob!

hawkman
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Post by hawkman » Sun Apr 07, 2002 4:17 pm

May have to skip the rally for this.. but I'm fixing to go to this one!!!! Hopefully I can make it too both :D :naughty:

HawkLT1
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Post by HawkLT1 » Tue Apr 09, 2002 12:38 am

Dale,
Hopefully I can see you ar both events as well. I am going to try and make Norwalk again this year.
See ya soon, Bob
Bob Deffenbaugh -
Originator of the west coast "FirehawkFest"
Board Moderator
Ex-Double Firehawk Owner
1993 #110 and 2002 #104

hawkman
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Post by hawkman » Tue Apr 09, 2002 11:09 pm

I'm going to shoot for both... but right now looks like just one. I'm not going to cancel my room in Sandusky until I know forsure I wont be going ;)

I'm going to atleast forsure go to Vegas!!!

HawkLT1
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Post by HawkLT1 » Mon Jul 22, 2002 12:19 am

The following is the latest update on this year's FirehawkFest:


Things are moving along nicely as the planning for this year's Fest continues. The date and location are both set. This year we will be joining up with SLP at their Customer Appreciation Day at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada. SLP has rented the track for the day and is opening it up to all of their customers FREE for the day. You must pre-register with SLP to get into the track for the day and to take part in the festivities. Some of the activities that are planned for the event are a car show, burnout contest and 1/4 mile drag racing action. The event is open to all SLP's customers including their Performance Parts division so there will be lots of different cars there, not just Firehawks. Dave Hamburger from SLP has assured me that the FAOA will have their own area to have the car show so that we can be grouped together for judging purposes. So, whether you want to attend just the car show or partake in all of the activites there, the choice will be yours.

All participants must pe-register with SLP to gain admittance to the track. To do this, you have to go to their web site (www.slpeng.com) and submit the information requested. If you can not gain access to the internet and would like to attend the FirehawkFest, you can get your information to me via US mail or by phone (see below) and I will submit your information to SLP. I will need the following information: Name, Address, Home phone number, T-Shirt size, Year, make and model of your Firehawk. Then you have to select one of the following choices: 1) Spectator Only. 2) Race and partake in the Eliminations. 3) Show and race in time trials....you will NOT be able to participate in the Eliminations. 4) Show Only. Registration should begin around mid August, so keep checking back at SLP's web site or visit www.firehawk.org for more updates. Brian France has been very helpful in keeping the Firehawk web site current.

SLP will be furnishing FREE goodie bags to all entrants. In the past these goodie bags have contained t-shirts, windshield banners, license plate frames and hats as well as other items. They will also be handing out awards for racing and showing. The FAOA will also be handing out their own set of awards for the car show as we have in the past. The FAOA will also be selling event t-shirts to help pay for the cost of the awards this year so that all the racing and show festivities will be totally free to members of the FAOA. You must have your dues paid up and be a member in good standing to be eligible for any awards presented by the FAOA. Please check the front of your envelope that your FAOA newsletter came in for the expiration date of your membership. You will be allowed to pay your membership dues the day of the show. Wayne Thomas is scheduled to be there at this year's Fest again along with his wife Bonnie. I must say it is quite a pleasure to get the President of the FAOA to make a trip two years in a row clear across the country for this event. SLP will also be well represented with Ed Hamburger planning on attending as well as his son Dave. Also Reg Harris and Scott Settlemeyer (SP) are scheduled to be there plus more of the SLP group are planning a weekend of fun in the sun in Las Vegas. It should be a great turnout as the weather that time of the year is sunny, warm and dry. There is talk of some national magazine coverage as well. Most likely a good excuse for them to get out of the office and take a trip to Vegas for "business purposes".

We do not have a "Host Hotel" this year as they were all requiring a guaranteed number of rooms to hold aside for us and I could not personally guarantee any number of rooms at $100+ a piece. So what I did was get the word out early as to where Wayne Thomas, myself and others are staying while in Las Vegas. We are staying at the Residence Inn Las Vegas, 3225 Paradise RD. Take advantage of any special discounts that you may be eligble for, such as AARP or AAA. I got a rate of $101.00 per night for a studio which is for up to 4 persons and includes all the amenties of an all suites motel. They also feature secured on site parking with walls all around the perimeter of the parking lot. This was a big plus for me as I am sure it will be for anybody who is bringing their car to the event.

I will need to know who will be attending and participating in the car show so I know how many awards to have on hand as well as how many classes we will need. At this point in time I am still trying to arrange to have judges come in to judge our cars. There is also the possibility that we may use participant voting if we cannot line up a car club to do the judging. I am hoping that the number of Firehawks far exceeds those of previous Fests since we are moving the show to Las Vegas. I know we will lose a few of the past attendees because of the distance needed to travel, but I do think we will gain far more cars by joining forces with SLP at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Please let me know if you will be participating in the car show, either by email, phone or the US mail, also get your information to me to give to SLP for your pre-registration at these same numbers. I can be contacted at:

bob@firehawk.org

(916) 718-1024

6612 Sweet Gum Court

Citrus Heights, CA 95610-4633

I hope to see many of you in Las Vegas on the 12th of October. It will most definitely be a fun filled event with something for everyone.

Sincerely, Bob Deffenbaugh

P.S. Anybody interested in travelling as a group to the FirehawkFest from the Sacramento area on Friday, October 11, please contact me using the information provided above.
Bob Deffenbaugh -
Originator of the west coast "FirehawkFest"
Board Moderator
Ex-Double Firehawk Owner
1993 #110 and 2002 #104

HawkLT1
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Post by HawkLT1 » Mon Aug 26, 2002 1:44 am

I need a good number on who is going to be there at the Fest this year. If you can email me if you plan on being there, I would greatly appreciate it. I have to order t-shirts and the trophies and would like to get an idea of the numbers I should expect.
Email me at: bob@firehawk.org if you would please. :wink:
Thanks, Bob D
Bob Deffenbaugh -
Originator of the west coast "FirehawkFest"
Board Moderator
Ex-Double Firehawk Owner
1993 #110 and 2002 #104

2000formulahawk
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Make Sure!!!

Post by 2000formulahawk » Tue Aug 27, 2002 12:37 pm

Bob, I wish I could leave my store for the weekend and make it to Vegas. I was in Dallas this last weekend and had a great time. My only thing I will caution you on is MAKE SURE YOU or someone will go and string up the show area you are suppose to have. In Dallas SLP had there hands full and did not police the show area, cars were everywhere. No set rows or anything. People would leave to go run and someone would park there tow vehicle next to your car. Here you are trying to show your car with a 1999 dodge ram sitting right next to you,and a suburban right in front of you. Makes for a great display. Other than not being very organized it was great. I counted 17 hawks most were 2002 models but there were a few older models. 2 10th anniversary cars #4 was one of them and can't remember the second. Well if I hit the lotto I will see you in Vegas. :wink:
1 of 1, 2000 Artic White, Ebony, T-Tops, Chrome Wheels, Floormats, 6 speed Hurst,

HawkLT1
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Post by HawkLT1 » Tue Aug 27, 2002 4:18 pm

Good luck with the lotto - hope to see you there

Dave Hamburger has assured me that there will parking set aside just for the Firehawks, so we can all be together. I am holding him to his words! That is definitely a big concern, so hopefully all will work out for the best.
Bob D :wink:
Bob Deffenbaugh -
Originator of the west coast "FirehawkFest"
Board Moderator
Ex-Double Firehawk Owner
1993 #110 and 2002 #104

mylener
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Post by mylener » Sun Oct 06, 2002 9:13 pm

Hey Everyone,
I really wish I could attend the fest!! I have a slight problem with distance though...
You guys all have a blast for me kay! and take lots of pics! lol (just joking)
anyways, To everyone that is going : HOPE YOU ENJOY YOURSELVES AND HAVE A GREAT TIME IN VEGAS!!! ;O)

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Maplehawk
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Post by Maplehawk » Sun Oct 06, 2002 10:24 pm

Distance? I'm going from Canada and so is John D from Edmonchuk.

It's worth the trip :D :D

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HawkLT1
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Post by HawkLT1 » Mon Oct 07, 2002 12:22 am

Hey,
I've driven to 3 of the Firehawk Rallys in Ohio and twice it was from California, a 5000 mile round trip! It was worth it too. You just gotta do it. It will be one of those things you never forget. :wink:
Bob D
Bob Deffenbaugh -
Originator of the west coast "FirehawkFest"
Board Moderator
Ex-Double Firehawk Owner
1993 #110 and 2002 #104

mylener
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Post by mylener » Mon Oct 07, 2002 12:11 pm

Where about in canada are you from?? I live in the northern parts of ontario... kirkland lake area to be a bit more specific.
I might have a buddy of mine who will want to accompany me though... you never know.. I just might see you guys there then!! :o)

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Post by Sideshow » Mon Oct 07, 2002 1:00 pm

I would have loved to go as well, but just recently got back from the Bowling Green event. Hopefully will make Norwalk or FF5 next year.
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HawkLT1
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Post by HawkLT1 » Mon Oct 07, 2002 2:25 pm

Every year keeps getting bigger and better, so next year is always a good possibility.
Hope you can make one event or the other.
Bob D :wink:
Bob Deffenbaugh -
Originator of the west coast "FirehawkFest"
Board Moderator
Ex-Double Firehawk Owner
1993 #110 and 2002 #104

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