MR2 Drivers’ Club’s National Day is back!

A midship of runabouts at MR2 day

After a year’s hiatus from the Warwickshire countryside. The MR2 Drivers’ Club’s National Day returns to Hatton Country World with a kaleidoscope of colourful cars. 

The club’s annual get-together for Toyota’s diminutive two-seater sports-cars and their owners. Thought to be the largest of its kind, which also attracts a number of other iconic models to what is now Europe’s, possibly the world’s – premier annual Toyota heritage event.

“They just keep on coming”, smiles MR2 Drivers’ Club director Nik Milford, as she attempts to count the number of cars arriving.

As the field continues to fill, we ask Nik what she thinks the collective noun for a group of MR2s could be. “A rust?” she laughs, followed by a more considered: “A midship of runabouts?”, referring to the ‘Midship Runabout 2-seater’ name that originally coined the MR2 moniker.

Harking back to Toyota’s 1990’s ‘The car in front is a Toyota’ slogan, Nik laughs: “For those of a certain age who remember the adverts – this is a queue of 400 and every car in front is a Toyota!” as she continues to greet club members.

Cruising continents

This year, for the first time, a group of five Toyota FJ Cruisers rumble into the field and pitch-up close to the gate. Although, they are in prime position to leave quickly if any of their owners get the sudden urge to head-off on an emergency continent-crossing overland adventure.

Matthew Abbott, 54, has driven his canary-yellow FJ up from Brighton this morning. Fitted with a giant roof-tent and awnings on both sides, it towers over all the other vehicles at the show. “I can live in it – off-grid – for a week-or-two at a time – as long as the sun is shining enough to power the solar panels!” he explains.

“It’s a 2011, four litre petrol V6 Japanese import. I’ve owned it for two years – it’s my first Toyota and I’ll never sell it. I think there’s only about 30 on the road in the UK – they were originally just a 2007 design concept but were loved by so many that Toyota eventually built them.” explains Matthew.

“They are ready for any off-road situation. Even the switchgear is chunky and can be used easily wearing gloves in the winter”.

“I paid £28K and have spent another £15K on accessories. I’ve fitted Fuel Covert wheels and a Budutop electric roof tent from Tuff Trek – it opens-up in only 20 seconds.”

“I’ve just come back from a two-week road-trip to the Alps and Pyrenees. This car is all about smiles per mile,” Matthew grins.

Bond, Julian Bond

Expat Julian introduces himself to us as “Bond, Julian Bond”.

Aside from invisible reversing sensors, his left-hand-drive Mk3 MR2 is disappointingly gadget-free. We are slightly miffed not to find an ejector seat, revolving number plates or even a secret fridge stashed with a chilled bottle or two of Bollinger.

“It’s such a great fun car to drive. I drove here from Picardie in north east France yesterday, and will drive home via Dover tomorrow – that’s about 650 km (403 miles) each way,” he says.  

Last summer, Julian did a 6500 km (4030 miles) tour around Europe. “It didn’t use a drop of oil and averaged 45 mpg. Quite incredible really” he exclaims.

“It’s my first time here. I wanted to find out what MR2 clubs were around and discovered this – I’m astounded by the sheer number and quality of cars – I’ll be back next year,” explains Bond before taking his phone from his pocket and answering it. We really hope his call is with Moneypenny.

Belgian waffle

On the other side of the green, two matching, dark grey, MK3s and a couple of red flags emblazoned ‘MR2 Belgique’ flank the five Belgians posing for our photos. Our grasp of the Belgian language is poor and the group struggles to understand our waffle.

Please excuse our dreadful pun! We really want to discover how five people travelled to this Warwickshire field in only a pair of two-seat Toyotas. But all we gleen is that the group have driven 600 km to represent MR2 Belgium, and that they enjoyed last year’s event so much they have returned this year.

Irish modifications at MR2 day

Friends Ian Mcloughlin (48) and Mark Casey (34) travelled over from Galway in Ireland yesterday to come and show their cars and experience the day. “I’ve always wanted to come – there’s no MR2 scene like this in Ireland,” says Ian.

His turquoise Mk2 is now powered by a 3.0 litre V6 from a Lexus RX300. “It’s not been on the dyno yet but I reckon it’s putting out between 230 and 240 bhp. I use it as my daily driver and like to take it to shows,” he explains.

Mark, who bought his black Mk2 two years ago says: “I heard how many cars come here – the scene is so small in Ireland.

“It was a complete wreck when I bought it. I’ve added the body kit and tidied it up lots – it’s now my weekend car. Next year I plan to drop in a turbo-charged V6 – it’ll be much faster than Ian’s,” he chuckles. We leave the pair bickering about whose car will be the fastest and suspect they will continue the debate all the way back home on the ferry.

Joker 

Jus Seidel (55) is a huge MR2 fan. Dressed as the Joker, he is proudly standing next to his white Mk2. “It’s just me being a bit jokey – I like to spread a smile”, he grins sinisterly.

“At one time I was a member of about 52 MR2 Facebook groups. So you could say I’m a big fan – over the years I have collected thousands of photos.

“This is my 1995 SW20 – the exact model I first wanted 20 years ago. I’ve owned it for five years. I love it and won’t sell it until my legs drop off.” 

Jus drove his white Toyota here from Worthing this morning. It is also decorated with a few nods to the Joker.

 “It’s the first time I’ve shown it – it’s like my sculpture – it’s taken a lot of time to complete my vision” he says.

Last year’s National Day was held in nearby Coventry following a last-minute venue change after the Hatton World site became waterlogged. Next year’s event should take place in early June. Keep an eye out for the exact date and location via the club’s website: www.mr2dc.com. 

By Rod Kirkpatrick