quote Originally posted by stimpy: Want to meet at my house? I'm right off of 101 at Boranda Rd in Salinas. Super easy to find. Let me know!

Don't matter to me none. As long as its south of where I start, we're going the right way. Right off 101 would probably be good for Marcus too, since he's coming down from Hayward. What time we thinkin of?

10:30?

I don't think I want to be anywhere in the vicinity when Maddie makes a fast break for all those pools

quote Originally posted by Fast Red: Maddog and I signed up for the evening tour at Hurst Castle on the 13 th sat at 6:10. If I don’t do this I will be in big trouble with Maddog . We did not go to Hurst Castle when we were at the car show. So if any one would like to go at this time it would be fun to have a group. The tour is two hrs long so it should not interfere with Saturday’s night activities.

Dinner is scheduled for 7:00PM but we can push it back if no one cares, or you guys can just eat when you get back.. I don't really care when we eat. I just need to know for the caterers. I think there was some talk last year that people weren't really all that hungry by dinner time or something. Anyone else care to chime in on the time to have dinner? Lunch will start around 11:30. Probably noon by the time we get our food. Discussion?

quote Originally posted by stimpy: Want to meet at my house? I'm right off of 101 at Boranda Rd in Salinas. Super easy to find. Let me know!

quote Originally posted by Fastback 86: Don't matter to me none. As long as its south of where I start, we're going the right way. Right off 101 would probably be good for Marcus too, since he's coming down from Hayward. What time we thinkin of?

quote Originally posted by stimpy: 10:30?

Sounds good to me!

-Steven

Here is the updated list of people who have signed up to attend through the website...

Songman & Rie
Rickady88GT & the Mrs.
Stimpy & the Mrs.
Silvermist & the Mrs.
atleastirruns
rgeeinc & the Ms.
Fastback86
spddy & the Mrs.
tednelson83
KoolJess & the Ms.
PokeyFiero
88White3.4GT
FastRed & Maddog
Steven Snyder & the Ms.
Fierobear & Mrs Bear
Ed Peralez & the Mrs.
2fn4rds & Guest
Larry Hughes & the Mrs.

Here are the people who have reserved their rooms.

Songman & Rie
Rickady88GT & the Mrs.
Stimpy & the Mrs.
Silvermist & the Mrs.
rgeeinc & the Ms.
spddy & the Mrs.
KoolJess & the Ms.
FastRed & Maddog
David Dean
Ed Peralez & the Mrs.
2fn4rds & Guest

If you registered on the site and have since reserved your room, please let me know so I can keep my list updated.

Thanks.

Thats 18 cars min.Not a bad start.Hope we get more.

I'm going to register at the hotel just as soon as i get these credit cards under their max limit.

I'm still trying to talk my buddy Roy (GT4Play) to run with us that weekend. He just got his car back from doing a Stage 2 side scoop install. My install should also be done in 2 weeks. Ready for the Coast Run. So by that, I hope I can talk him into joining us. He was with us at the West Fest couple of months ago.

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Speaking of Westfest, mark your calendars. We just set the date of June 24-26, in Truckee. More info will be coming soon.

quote Originally posted by fierobear: Speaking of Westfest, mark your calendars. We just set the date of June 24-26, in Truckee.

Booooooo

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What's wrong with Truckee? North Tahoe is only 12 miles away.

How about VEGAS!!! VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!

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quote Originally posted by fierobear: What's wrong with Truckee? North Tahoe is only 12 miles away.

It's too far. Im not one that likes to drive 6+ hrs anywhere....

When it comes down to it, I dont want to drive that far.

I vote to have West Fest here at my place....shoot, there is all kinds of room for all the fieros that show up out on the street, and Ricks place is only 0.8 miles away....Besides, I need a reason to order that new flat plasma screen at Best Buy.

There is Hidden Valley Park 4 miles away, which happens to be closer than Tahoe to Truckee

--Allen

quote Originally posted by mcaanda: It's too far. Im not one that likes to drive 6+ hrs anywhere.... When it comes down to it, I dont want to drive that far. I vote to have West Fest here at my place....shoot, there is all kinds of room for all the fieros that show up out on the street, and Ricks place is only 0.8 miles away....Besides, I need a reason to order that new flat plasma screen at Best Buy. There is Hidden Valley Park 4 miles away, which happens to be closer than Tahoe to Truckee --Allen

6 hrs to truckee??
Drive faster.Thats free advice.

quote Originally posted by fierobear: Speaking of Westfest, mark your calendars. We just set the date of June 24-26, in Truckee. More info will be coming soon.

And while you have your pens and calenders out, don't forget The Rally Through The Valley v2.0, coming the first weekend in May 2005 in San Juan Bautista.

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quote Originally posted by shop_rat45: It's much better than head cheese.

[This message has been edited by stimpy (edited 10-14-2004).]

quote Originally posted by pokeyfiero: 6 hrs to truckee?? Drive faster.Thats free advice.

Yea, great advise, Im sure that CA's finest are the best out there, and I actually prefer to thank them at a distance, not in a one on situation to which I say a lot of "yes sir."

IMO, it's not worth the drive to go all the way out there though. I guess that I’m just stubborn like that. Although, I will say that there was a lot of this same sentiment expressed when the announcement that this is the new destination when announced at the last West Fest.

I suppose that attendance numbers will be the final decision factors in locations in years to come, and I hope that there is as good of a turn out in o5 as o4, but I regret to say that I will not be attending personally for reasons listed above...

--Allen

[This message has been edited by mcaanda (edited 10-14-2004).]

Got a few more cool raffle donations today! These are some nice prizes!

I am with Allen on this one. I had a blast at Westfest, but this one is just way too far. Kudos for the ones that drive from out of state. Maybe I am just lazy?
What is out there anyway?

quote Originally posted by kooljess: How about VEGAS!!! VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!

Because Vegas can be 120 degrees in the summer.

quote Originally posted by Rickady88GT: I am with Allen on this one. I had a blast at Westfest, but this one is just way too far. Kudos for the ones that drive from out of state. Maybe I am just lazy? What is out there anyway?

I had originally planned to do all shows in central and southern California. The only suitable site within 100 miles of San Simeon was the one we used. This is also the site of the annual Coast Run, so then you have people who will say "well, i was just there for the coast run, so maybe I'll skip this"

We were in a fairly central location, and we got the same number of cars on site in San Simeon as we did in Truckee the last time, and over 20 fewer people. If San Simeon was close, and Truckee was so far, where the hell was everyone in San Simeon? The San Simeon show *barely* broke even, and the last Truckee show made a bunch of money for the Westfest account.

We did a show in Vegas last year, and we only had 26 cars and about 40 people. We lost $100. Where was everyone then?

I just want you guys to understand what goes into deciding where to do the shows. We pay attention to all this stuff.

To be fair to the WestFest show at San Simeon, the 'official' announcement came very late. There was still plenty of time for people to make arrangements however. I am always shocked by the relatively low numbers of pre-regs and even by the numbers that actually show up. I don't think the location, or even the event, has anything to do with low turnout. I think we just have to keep on putting on good events and publicize them well both before and after and eventually people will feel like they are need to find out what they are missing.

I think that is the reason for higher attendance to events on the East Coast. They have been having those yearly events longer and their turnout gets larger every year. I think we will see that out here and a couple of events will take the forefront as has happened in other areas. This is the 2nd year for the Coast Run, and the pre-reg is almost up to the total attendance from last year. One thing that I have learned from being involved with planing events is that for some reason most people just don't pre-reg. I don't know the reason for that but it seems to be the case. (If you are reading this and haven't pre-regged, remember that it helps us plan so go for it! We will have goodie bags for participants this year and I am only going to make a few extras so if people don't pre-reg, they probably won't get a good bag.)

We also have to remember that some people like shows and other people like driving events. That is why I think it is good to have choices in each. Personally, I like driving events better. I'm never going to be that guy who spends 3 hours polishing the bottom of his car for a car show. My favorite events when I was in TN were the Run For The Hills and Ed Parks' Swap Meet. Both were just about hanging out with Fiero folks and driving the cars. That is why I ended up starting the Coast Run.

I think we learned a lot when putting WestFest together this year. Mistakes were made. Car classes were a hassle right up until the day of the show. I think the things we learned will make all future events better. And I think that will happen every year.

As far as the Truckee location... I've said ever since I came to CA that it just doesn't seem like people on this coast are willing to take off and drive their cars as much as people on the other coast. I think a lot of it has to do with all the empty space between towns out here. On the East Coast, you never go more than about 10 miles without seeing another fully equipped exit on the interstate. Out here you can go for an hour! As I said above, we just have to make sure the shows are great enough to make people willing to drive it... We're still learning but I think we are doing fine.

Nah- People from where Songman came from like driving their cars because it gives them a break from whittlin and makin moonshine.

* just kidding my love*

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Victorian Valhalla

quote Originally posted by Songman: To be fair to the WestFest show at San Simeon, the 'official' announcement came very late. There was still plenty of time for people to make arrangements however. I am always shocked by the relatively low numbers of pre-regs and even by the numbers that actually show up. I don't think the location, or even the event, has anything to do with low turnout. I think we just have to keep on putting on good events and publicize them well both before and after and eventually people will feel like they are need to find out what they are missing.

Westfest shows are an extension of the old FOCOA Western Regionals. Phil and Gloria used to be involved with whatever local (single) club that was the host. The first Westfest was in San Diego in 2000, and was the model (along with the way the Northwest show is organized) for the current Westfest. Instead of one club taking on the burdon, we have several clubs working on it. We simply scout a new location for the show each year, although we are now thinking of rotating the show between 3 or 4 locations that have been proven to work.

In other words, the Western Regional or Westfest has basically been the same deal for almost 20 years. The problem is, if more people don't decide to enter their cars, we will have to continue to cut back Classifications and trophies until it reaches the point that competitive interest could drop - "gee, not many classes or trophies, maybe I won't enter", which makes it worse.

quote I think that is the reason for higher attendance to events on the East Coast. They have been having those yearly events longer and their turnout gets larger every year. I think we will see that out here and a couple of events will take the forefront as has happened in other areas. This is the 2nd year for the Coast Run, and the pre-reg is almost up to the total attendance from last year. One thing that I have learned from being involved with planing events is that for some reason most people just don't pre-reg. I don't know the reason for that but it seems to be the case. (If you are reading this and haven't pre-regged, remember that it helps us plan so go for it! We will have goodie bags for participants this year and I am only going to make a few extras so if people don't pre-reg, they probably won't get a good bag.)

Like I said, there has been an annual, regional car show out here for a long time. Unless we can stem the tide of waning interest, the car show will continue to shrink. Trophies, t-shirts, dash plaques will all start to disappear.

As for pre-reg, we never get more than about 30 or 40%, period, no matter how much we beg.

quote We also have to remember that some people like shows and other people like driving events. That is why I think it is good to have choices in each. Personally, I like driving events better. I'm never going to be that guy who spends 3 hours polishing the bottom of his car for a car show. My favorite events when I was in TN were the Run For The Hills and Ed Parks' Swap Meet. Both were just about hanging out with Fiero folks and driving the cars. That is why I ended up starting the Coast Run. I think we learned a lot when putting WestFest together this year. Mistakes were made. Car classes were a hassle right up until the day of the show. I think the things we learned will make all future events better. And I think that will happen every year.

Yes, every year we learn something and we try to fine tune the show. We would have lost money if we hadn't applied past lessons to this show. Next show will be tweaked again. For example, the show can't pay for free margaritas. That cost us a bundle. We will probably not get a decorated cake. And if a bunch of people say "we aren't coming to Truckee, it's too far", we'll have to cut more amenities. You see, I refuse to let the Westfest lose money. If it does, the show will die, period, something I don't want to see happen.

Maybe future Westfests will have to adjust to less competition and more driving?

Car classes have to be shuffled periodically because of a declining number of entries. We don't want to overspend on trophies, so we cut and/or combine classes, which ends up being debated (sometimes hotly) for months over email. One of the downsides to having our regional organizational structure, you have to wait for people to have the time to respond to the email.

quote As far as the Truckee location... I've said ever since I came to CA that it just doesn't seem like people on this coast are willing to take off and drive their cars as much as people on the other coast. I think a lot of it has to do with all the empty space between towns out here. On the East Coast, you never go more than about 10 miles without seeing another fully equipped exit on the interstate. Out here you can go for an hour! As I said above, we just have to make sure the shows are great enough to make people willing to drive it... We're still learning but I think we are doing fine.

Yeah, we keep discovering that. Funny thing, though, I don't think we had that many fewer cars from L.A. in Truckee than we did in San Simeon. One reason for doing it in Truckee is to try to draw folks from the northwest to come down.

If this show doesn't do well, attendance-wise, Truckee will be dropped from the "rotation" of sites. We decided to go back there because it was a successful show, and it seemed popular. Who knows, it might flop this time. It's up to the people that do/don't attend.

Me I just enjoy getting together with all the Fiero owners either just enjoy driving (caravaning) together. Yes, it's nice to be able to have the car shows. But, we've all seen each others cars and it would be nice to get a trophy for it. Can't we just get together and admire each others car? No classifications, no trophys to invest in, just pure get together and kick some tires and share what modifications we may done to our pride and joy. Have some Margaritas, few BS's here and there and we're good to go. Just my $0.02 in. Peace.

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quote Originally posted by kooljess: Me I just enjoy getting together with all the Fiero owners either just enjoy driving (caravaning) together. Yes, it's nice to be able to have the car shows. But, we've all seen each others cars and it would be nice to get a trophy for it. Can't we just get together and admire each others car? No classifications, no trophys to invest in, just pure get together and kick some tires and share what modifications we may done to our pride and joy. Have some Margaritas, few BS's here and there and we're good to go. Just my $0.02 in. Peace.

I suspect that would be just fine for most people. I don't care whether I show my car or just show up. However, there *are* some folks that really like that competition. Would *they* show up without a competition?

Don't get me wrong, bear, you know I am all for helping build this thing... I think you know that WestFest is an extension of the old FOCOA thing (which may be a good thing or a bad thing), but I don't know that everyone else knows that. For that reason, I think you have to classify WestFest as a fairly new show and can't consider it to be a 20 year running show. (Sorta like the US is an extension of England but no longer the same. I know. Bad example but you get what I mean.)

I have no idea how Truckee will turn out. I've never been there. I'm all for it, as we talked about in the meeting at WestFest. And as much as I love the setup at San Simeon, you are correct, we can't have every Fiero event on the West Coast there. As far as I am concerned it will always be the home of the Coast Run, but I like the rotation of WestFest.

I don't know if there is any reason to think of changing WestFest to a more driving event. We have the Coast Run, the Rally Through The Valley, and several more that take place during the year. Plus, I don't know if you can get more into a weekend and still have a show. Lots of people are already taking days off of work just to get to come just for the show.

I had a lot more stuff typed but then realized that it was all stuff that is involved with show planning and really isn't anything pertinent to this thread.. We can all get into this things later...

Bottom line.. I don't ever want to consider the Coast Run and WestFest to be competing events. If they are, I'll just stop doing the Coast Run. As I've said before, the Coast Run is just something that I do because I love it. I am thrilled that I was asked to help with WestFest. They are both great events and each fills a niche.

quote Originally posted by Songman: Don't get me wrong, bear, you know I am all for helping build this thing... I think you know that WestFest is an extension of the old FOCOA thing (which may be a good thing or a bad thing), but I don't know that everyone else knows that. For that reason, I think you have to classify WestFest as a fairly new show and can't consider it to be a 20 year running show. (Sorta like the US is an extension of England but no longer the same. I know. Bad example but you get what I mean.)

Naw, Dale, I didn't get you wrong, I'm just trying to let everyone else know what is going on. Hopefully, if I explain the how and why of our organization's decisions, it will be easier for them to support the show.

For the record, the current Westfest doesn't have anything to do with FOCOA. Westfest is organized and run by a few club presidents and additional volunteers. It is, however, an extension of the regional car show that has been going on for all those years. It is the same basic format, we just changed the way the show was organized.

I'm not saying anything positive or negative about FOCOA, just that things are organized differently now. The burdon is no longer on one club.

quote I don't know if there is any reason to think of changing WestFest to a more driving event. We have the Coast Run, the Rally Through The Valley, and several more that take place during the year. Plus, I don't know if you can get more into a weekend and still have a show. Lots of people are already taking days off of work just to get to come just for the show.

You are probably right. At the very worst, we will have to keep paring down the catagories and trophies to fit how many people show. The next step might be to combine our show with POCI shows, if necessary.

quote I had a lot more stuff typed but then realized that it was all stuff that is involved with show planning and really isn't anything pertinent to this thread.. We can all get into this things later...

I'm typing this stuff here because it is too early to start a thread for Westfest, potential Westfest attendees read this thread, and it bumps it up and keeps it active.

quote Bottom line.. I don't ever want to consider the Coast Run and WestFest to be competing events. If they are, I'll just stop doing the Coast Run. As I've said before, the Coast Run is just something that I do because I love it. I am thrilled that I was asked to help with WestFest. They are both great events and each fills a niche.

The two are not (and should not) be considered competition, and more than the Rally, the Sears Point event, or anything else is. Just another event on the calendar, and this one is about 5 months removed from the Westfest. No problem.

quote Originally posted by kooljess: How about VEGAS!!! VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!

What a GREAT idea.

quote Originally posted by fierobear: We did a show in Vegas last year, and we only had 26 cars and about 40 people. We lost $100. Where was everyone then?

Where was everyone? Ask Phil, he was the one who "cancelled it" and left it posted that way.

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'84 Fiero Sport Quad 4 coming soon
'87Blue GT 3.4L Swap Completed!!!!!!!!
http://www.lasvegasfieroclub.com/

quote Originally posted by sardonyx247: Where was everyone? Ask Phil, he was the one who "cancelled it" and left it posted that way.

Phil was there! haha.. He sat at my table for the awards that night...

It was put together pretty quickly but we did talk about it extensively on the forum...

quote Originally posted by Songman: Phil was there! haha.. He sat at my table for the awards that night... It was put together pretty quickly but we did talk about it extensively on the forum...

And it still said "cancelled" on his site WHILE he was here

You know.. It's not any farther for you Vegas guys to come to the Coast Run... I think ya'll need to see something besides desert! Get signed up and come on over here! You know we have an ocean? haha

I have been handing out flyers to all the Fiero people as they wonder in and out of the shop.
I should be able to make it "should" being the key word here

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'84 Fiero Sport Quad 4 coming soon
'87Blue GT 3.4L Swap Completed!!!!!!!!
http://www.lasvegasfieroclub.com/

Great! I appreciate that! I hope you guys can come...

Either way, next time Rie and I come to Vegas we should at least get together for dinner or something. I have a friend who handles groups at Jillian's down on Fremont. He always gives me free game cards! I talked to him about having a Fiero show on the Mall there at Fremont St. He said it could be done..

Just read back over the last couple pages- Chris are you sure it's a good idea to take Maddog to Hearsts after a whole day of driving? You know shes gonna be tired and cranky ( good lord-the Mom in me is coming out) not to mention the fact that if it's a 2 hour tour shes going to miss the dinner and probably part of the raffle ( and you and whoever else goes also) Wouldn't it be better to let her sleep and be fresh and take her the next day? Just a thought