Rotor Fest 2004 went off as planned, June 27, 2004, at the Sussex County Fair Grounds in beautiful Augusta, (Sussex County) NJ.
We tried to be there for the 10:30AM gate opening but it was tough getting out of the house on time so early Sunday. That's the problem with living too close. Close ones always get there late.
OK, so the sky was clear, the thermometer hovering around 70°F and the prospects for precipitation were nil. If you haven't figured it out yet, it was a perfect day!
We entered at the gate, picked up our pre-registered registration package and parked in the appropriate paddock reserved for the RX-8's. I had been concerned that the attendance would be light since there were only 30 pre-registered by the time I got my notice. I shouldn't have worried. There were already 40 cars there, only one RX-8 besides mine. The registration package included a neat refrigerator magnet for RotorFest2004, wristbands, a car number tent card for vehicles being displayed and a voting ballot.
A DJ contractor (?) provided nonstop high volume verbally abusive noise throughout the festivities. I didn't hear them play anything I have ever heard before. Might be that "generational thing".
As the morning wore on, the fields began to fill. They had separate grassy areas set aside for each generation of RX-7's; with 1st Gen-ers sharing with space with several RX-3's, a Mazda pickup, and even a 13B-powered MG Midget. By the end of the day, there were 11 RX-8's of which 6 were red - seems a lot of people share my great taste in color. Two of the 8's had three rotor engines and turbochargers! There was a neat 2nd Gen with a polished metal mirrored hood that drew some attention. The RX-8 TriState Club was represented by Polak and I. The rest of you sure missed a great day. There was a T-shirt vendor selling Rotor Fest shirts, a Mazda representative displaying a Victory Blue RX-8 and a silver Miata and handing out Mazda pins and pens and "Zoom-Zoom" decals. Two other vendors hawked their lines of vehicle add-ons while a third sold food.
Winners were announced after we left at 3:30 for a nap at home. I came back about 6:20 PM and there were only 2-3 cars left. I was told the 3-Rotor RX-8 #183 won first place for the RX-8's; the candy apple red #58 won first place for the 3rd Gens; rumor has it that the Midget picked up the prize for non-Mazda rotary vehicle. I don't know who pulled best in show or best first or second gen.
All in all, it had been a great day with the enthusiastic camaraderie of several hundred like-minded rotary enthusiasts.
Ron Kornmiller (MidLife8)
RX-8 Tri State Club Member
PHOTOS FROM THE DAY :
01 :: Line of 7's
02 :: Red RX-7
03 :: MS Miata
04 :: Old Skool yellow
05 :: Old Skool yellow : engine bay
06 :: Old Skool yellow : Interior
07 :: Blue RX-7
08 :: Acosta Racing 3 Rotor : Back
09 :: Kellys Silver RX-8
10 :: Acosta Racing 3 Rotor : Engine Bay
11 :: Acosta Racing 3 Rotor : Rim
12 :: Acosta Racing : Red RX-8
13 :: Acosta Racing 3 Rotor : Front
14 :: Line of Rotaries
15 :: Line of Rotaries 2
16 :: Acosta Racing 3 Rotor : Engine
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