The times they are a changing

[johnf]

I’m far too rapidly approaching an age milestone, also a year on from my surgery experience and not having the pleasure of a ‘toy’ car for a while I find I’m starting to reminisce.

Great times â€" great people

Since joining MRC in 2002 I’ve probably looked at the forum most days and it’s obvious that due to the arrival of all the social media sites car forums in general are on the demise, shame but I suppose it’s called progress?

I must admit, probably due to the age thing, that social media sites hold no attraction for me whatsoever but I honestly believe the early to late 2000’s were the best time to be involved with MRC and I’m guessing the same will be said of most car clubs.

I remember the buzz I got attending my first event, Brooklands Spring Show 2003, and how overwhelmed I was by the variety and sheer number of rotaries that were there.

And what a place Brooklands is, it’s a shame that it came to end but a least MRC had many successful years enjoying the aura of this iconic location.

There were so many events throughout the summer months, every two or three weeks we’d be attending something, somewhere. All of which greatly enhanced my experience of rotary ownership and being a car club member.

A lot of days stand out, I’m not a track animal much preferring static shows.

Bank holiday at Broadlands Estate with the historic flypast, A weird little event somewhere by Sherwood Forest, the days at the Haynes Museum, Beaulieu, Billing, and of course all the Rotorstock days - Sunny days, dull days, wet days and very wet days.

None of this would have happened without Clive and Lisa who have my thanks for persevering over the years even when, with what was being thrown at them, normal people would have thrown the towel in many times over. I did spend a few of the ‘war years’ on the dark side [moderators] and know what they both went through
.
It was a pleasure owning all three of my cars and when the time is right and I do buy another car I’m pretty sure it won’t be a rotary, although I could be tempted back to my old 3rd gen, no no  no.

I know that whatever I end up buying there is no way there will be same club atmosphere MRC offered in those early days, something I really enjoyed but know I was just lucky enough to be around at the right time with the right car and the right people.

Blimey reads like an obituary, I’ve no intention of going just yet but perhaps the same can’t be said for the car clubs of the last ten years.

No real point to the thread - just a big thanks to all and look forward to Gaydon later ing the year.

John

[shaunwil]

You are right they are changing. MRC is a lot quieter than it has been and even over the fence it is getting quieter too.

Trouble as well now roads are full of people that have terrible driving manners and the love of driving on the open road has diminished significantly.

Not have fresh blood with fresh rotary powered cars definitely doesn't help and the rx8 didn't really create a large following even though sales are so high.

I'm not as sure people have moved over to other forms other than the forums. Can't be doing with facebook and twitter, my heart is in the forums.

I'm just hopeful to get mine back out on track and enjoy what has been done to it !

Shaun

[TiddlesRX7]

I guess I am old fashioned too then. I don't do social media. In fact I think the term is anything but social but maybe that is just me. Although my Rotary is off the road and is a very very long and slow project/restoration I still lurk here. I don't talk as much as I used too and don't really attend shows. I like the moving shows which is why Rotorstock was so good. It got both parts of the scene together. I've not lost the love for my rx7 but I have bought an MX5 to keep me busy on track/road until its back on the road. I've owned it a month and tracked it already I guess you can't keep a petrolhead away from what they love.

Ade

[L18M]

I agree the forum does seem bit quieter these days. When I first joined, it was very busy.

Maybe there's enough Info on the site to solve most common problems with rotaries? Developing internet where solutions can be found on other websites?

Makes me wonder, if all the old boys retire from rotary rebuild/ tuning eg super 7, RX motors, ReWorx etc then who will replace them as specialists? I've not come across any new tuners.

[Brett]

It'll liven up - I reckon give it a year and more people will have some disposable income back etc

[re japi]

I have been here over ten years now. And it is really quiet nowadays...

But yes, many our (Finn) forums are quite too. Infact, one of our forums founder/administrator asked me my opinion about that. I said that maybe new generation of user is using social media and not forums. They want knowledge now and dont want to do research. Lately I have been talking to other administrators too. They all have same problem. Only few clubs have active forums. And that means that only few clubs will survive. For that reason, they really have to work together and forget their differenses, that is only way to survive.

And maybe all cars scenes are at "depression" at the moment. And maybe we need brand new rotary model to boost things up. Maybe current models are allready too old. Maybe kids nowadays wants to drive some boring cars. And old gurus and specialists are keeping quite and "hiding" kind of...

I dont have answers for that. And it really makes me sad too... Maybe there is gonna be a end of a era coming up...

That makes me think about last Rotorstock. When I got this picture, I didnt realize that it would be last Rotorstock...