RotaryStock 30 Lelystad Netherlands 30th August

[DaveCollins]

Last weekend 4 UK based cars made the trip to Lelystad in the Netherlands to attend RotaryStock 30.  The intrepid travellers were Clive/Lisa RX-4, Lynne RX-7 FD, Jim/Kate RX-7 FC T2, Dave/Sally RX-7 FB.  After a long journey from the channel tunnel on Friday, mainly due to solid grid locked traffic in Antwerp and the vagaries of Garmin Sat Nav routing we eventually arrived in Lelystad, Jim/Kate travelled seperately by ferry.  After a relaxing time in Amsterdam on Saturday (blue skies and sun) we awoke on Sunday morning to very grey skies and torrential rain. After parking at the Midland Circuit, venue for the event, we all just sat in cars for about an hour or so before the rain eased off to a level where you could venture out with the aid of an umberella to look at some of the other cars that turned up for the event.

The schedule for the day was disrupted by the weather so the planned slalom event was delayed until the afternoon and the day started mid morning with the concours event.  This consisted of a selection of around 30 cars (and 1 brave sole on a rotary motor bike) circulating the track with the cars gradually being directed off so that the best 10-15 cars where left to line up on the track.  It was not obvious to us how this selection was being done or how the final concours winner was chosen.  At the prize giving later we were pleased to see that it was Clive who had won with his RX-4.  I think he was very surprised considering the line up of cars taking part.  Clive also won the prize for "Best Wheels".

After a lunch break the track action started with a slalom event.  This was enthusiastically competed in by many cars, including a quad rotor FD, as well as Jim in his FCT2. Awards were given for the 3 quickest times and because the planned "Time Attack" event had to be cancelled due to the weather the awards from this were presented to the "Most entertaining drivers".  Jim collected the top award in this category meaning our small contingent had claimed 3 awards.  It was difficult to understand which cars had won awards in the various categories of judging as all of the presentations where held in Dutch however we are hoping that the organisers will be issuing pictures of the winning cars that we can share later.

After the prizegiving we all stayed for an American themed BBQ which was very tasty.

Everyone returned home safely on Monday without any issues on all 4 cars. For us it was a 950 mile round trip.

The images below are some general impressions of the event and I will add some more posts with specific car images.

Thanks all for a great weekend.

[DaveCollins]

More general images and prizegiving.  Also some images so you get the feel of what it was like!

[therealbrad_wil]

Well done Clive. Looks like a great trip despite the weather!

Sent from my PNM-N49 using Tapatalk

[DaveCollins]

There was a great selection of SA22C/FB cars in attendance.  I was asked by several people if my Opal Green car was an original colour, so I must check if that option was available in Europe.

[DaveCollins]

Most interesting among the FB were 2 Karosseriebau Lorenz convertible cars.  At the event we were told they did either 12 or 21 conversions and the internet says 47.  So who do you believe.  All I know is that I have never seen one before.  The boot lid and associated upper rear wings are off of a 626/929.  The quarterlight bracing for the window frame is in fact a metal strip either side of the standard window.

On the dutch example the driver showed me the driver seat which was very wet as hood and a pillar does not seal very well in monsoon conditions!

You can find some german brochures/review at http://www.whs-online.de/mazda/RX-7_SA2/RX-7_SA2_Cabrio_Prospekt/rx-7_sa2_cabrio_prospekt.html

[DaveCollins]

There were a few FC and FD in attendance.  For some reason I did not take many pictures of them.  I suppose I was focusing on the FB's.  Jim's car is complete with trophy.

[DaveCollins]

Last but not least there was an impressive selection of old skool rotary, these were from Mazda Netherlands  heritage collection and from many passionate owners.  There were 2 Cosmo 110S, the most I have seen at one time, 3 RX-5, Clive's RX-4 and perhaps the start car the R130 Luce.  In addition to the Mazda vehicles there was also an NSU Spyder and RO-80, Hercules motor bike, Suzuki RE5, Norton F1 and Commander II in attendance.

The engine bay shots below are from the R130 and show the standard of restoration achieved in this ex UK based car.

[Lisa]

Thanks Dave, great write up,  sumed up the weekend up perfectly