Issue 119

“Could you imagine taking over the editorship of the *Wankel-Journal*?” When Andreas asked this, I was momentarily speechless. Gunter, Andreas, and Heiko explained the background, and their reasoning made perfect sense. They wouldn't accept my advanced age as an excuse, pointing instead to my experience in the publishing industry. “Then please take it on an interim basis until a suitable solution is found.” I simply couldn't say no, so I am pleased to introduce myself to you as the new editor of the *Wankel-Journal*. After completing a commercial apprenticeship and a degree in business administration, I was drawn to the publishing industry in the 1970s. In 1999, I founded my own publishing company, which I sold upon retiring. During one of my final client meetings, the term “Ro 80” came up casually; it stuck in my mind like an earworm and roused a long-dormant childhood dream from its slumber. Coincidence or destiny? Two weeks later, I encountered the real thing at a highway rest stop (*Wankel-Journal* 96, page 41). It was fellow club member Klaus W. from Baden-Württemberg, whom I had briefly met at the rest area. “You can buy an Ro 80!” he remarked before getting in and driving off with that signature Wankel purr—and the accompanying scent. That did the trick! A few weeks later, my childhood dream was parked in front of my garage.

Owners discover what makes the Ro 80 so special at classic car shows, supermarket parking lots, gas stations, or—as I did—at highway rest stops. Interested glances and conversations often follow. We can be just as proud of the Ro 80 Club and the *Wankel-Journal* as we are of our cars. With its diverse and professionally designed content, the magazine ranks among the elite of classic car club publications. It serves as an internal communication medium, a flagship, and a mouthpiece for the Ro 80 Club. A huge compliment and thank you go to Heiko, the board, Erik Spiekermann, and everyone who has contributed—and will continue to contribute—to it. Thanks are also due to those who diligently typed away at their keyboards to provide articles. I feel honored to be able to temporarily put my publishing and magazine expertise to use for this fantastic publication. After all, a Ro 80 Club without the *Wankel-Journal* is simply unthinkable. Whether the topic is technology, history, current events, or even curiosities, our club magazine stands out for its interesting information centered on the rotary engine. It would be wonderful if you, too, could contribute something.

But now, on to this issue! In February, freezing temperatures and snowfall accompanied the participants of the winter meet in the Lübeck area. A few weeks later, local chapter leaders and active club members kicked off the Ro 80 trade fair season: Retro Classics in Essen, Technorama in Kassel, the auto show in Chemnitz, and Retromobile in Rennes (France). Participants of the South Baden chapter learned what the Trossingen Railway has to do with 40,000 harmonicas during a romantic moonlight ride. The Franconia chapter reports on its club drive, and Detlef Frank writes about a "Prussian-style" organized Sunday shopping event in Erding. Also highly interesting is the multimedia show compiled by Pieter Jakobs about NSU—and specifically the rise and fall of the Ro 80. But that is far from all this issue has to offer; discover the rest for yourself as you browse through at your leisure. One more thing: the Annual General Meeting in Bad Bentheim, organized by Sascha Scheben with the support of Steffen Hofmann—a fantastic event that is also covered in this issue. Warm, rotating regards

Yours, Walter Till