charchri4

Thanks Sunshine YES it would be epic to have him there!

I never could come to terms with the whole Ford vs Chevy thing either. Both companies have made some really epic cars. How would you choose between a 66 BB Vette and a 70 Boss Mustang? The bottom line for me is all the effort they have spent trying to out do each other has truly made the world a better place so I tip my hat with sincere appreciation and admiration to them both!

charchri4

Hey guys check out the first post. Teaser video!

Gator Bait

523-LSX-NB

Remembered reading an article in R&T recently where the writer followed "The King" (fastest Dragon time) through the Tail of the Dragon in a Ferrari 458. A good read because it talks about when & when not to drive the Dragon & is a great story about this guy "The King" & his RX7.

Since we are gonna be in the area (Road Atlanta), thought the article might be of interest.

I took on the fastest man on the Dragon with a 458 Speciale

cruizin54

Great story! Thanks for posting it.

charchri4

There is a pretty good video on tail of the dragon here too.

nuckingfuts74

My wife and I will will be there Friday through Sunday. I'm sure we'll end up camping unless something crazy happens with the weather. I'll probably trailer the car from Huntsville, AL since its pretty track focused these days.

There was a lot to read there so I may have missed it but if the test and tune ends up being open to anyone I'd be interested in that. Let me know if you guys find anything out.

Gator Bait

TN finally banned the big rigs on the Dragon. NC did it a few years ago. I've been nose to nose with a rig on my bike there, not fun. But worse imo are the cruiser bikes. Many of those guys have never done much more than ride bar to bar or run the super slab. They get in over their head quickly. Then as a biker the car clubs cause issues too as they'll hang a wheel off the edge and kick rocks and dirt onto the road. That plays hell on a bike's quarter sized contact patch. Or they'll cross the center line trying to keep up with the guy in front of them. As I said...I'll never go on a weekend. Too many other great roads in the area to deal with the idiots the Dragon attracts on the weekend.

charchri4

Oh so Sunday is a bad choice then? I figured maybe we could head out kind of early before the masses hit the roads.

Side note if you have not seen page 1 lately with the maybes, V8R and FM cars we will easily top 20 cars now...

Gator Bait

Honestly don't know as I've completely avoided the weekends for years. I have friends that live in the area though that ride/drive there often. I'll ask for current conditions.

I do end up passing through early or late in the day on my way in and out. I tend to stay in or around Townsend. I hit the roads via the Foothills Parkway and then through the dragon. For those that want to experience the full effect of 'the scene' with all the various cars and bikes, the weekend it great. Just be cautious.

We plan to drive there on Sunday also, but will be trailering the car. Will you still be there Monday to drive?

Hbwiggins

I am definitely in! I can't wait to see some other people that have done the same thing I am working on now.

charchri4

^^ LOL yeah but with less boost! I invited a turbo build out of Mpls but have not heard back. That is probably farther than he would want to drive it but I am hoping!

charchri4

Damn Gator too bad you are coming from Gods country and a million miles out of the way to leave the truck and trailer up north. My plan is to hit the vette plant Monday but it's a very fluid plan!

SupaDupaSteve

yeah, the dragon is a big no-no on the weekends. too much traffic, and the chances of getting a ticket are much higher. Early in the morning on week days is the best time to go. But like gator said, there are a ton of other amazing roads in the area that are loads of fun. I've been up there probably 10 times or so and have a blast every year no matter if I'm driving or on the bike.

Gator Bait

The report back from the Gap,

I'd take that with a grain of salt. If your goal is to just drive it and see the scene, you'll be perfectly happy. If you want to tame the dragon, and test your mettle (and metal), the weekdays are better.

Gator Bait

The plan is still in the air. I may try to talk the wife into just driving the car. It's about the same distance as the drive back from FM was. ...but we where extremely road weary when we got home and she would rather save our strength to enjoy the while there vs the getting there. ...Plus having room for her shoe suitcase.

523-LSX-NB

A great way to run "The Tail of the Dragon" is to send out a scout that drives from point A to point B & stays @ point B. The first car in the run has a passenger that stays on the phone w/ the scout during the run. Have heard that there are no intersecting roads on the dragon. So, unless the scout reports law enforcement, we should all be able to make the run. If at any point during the run, the passenger & scout lose contact, we all slow 'till the finish.

We could modify this plan to include any practical input, but the basic plan is sound.

Gator Bait

There are always people parked at each end. They'll pass on if there are cops on the road. It's never a secret. Plus there are only a few places they can actually park along the road. Getting a ticket isn't the issue. It's the parade of slow movers they cause when present.

tvp

Has any thing been arranged for the V8 Miata,s
**************************************+

We booked the Hotel ( Hampton Inn & Suites Flowery )
Now I guess we need weekend passes and parking ?

Any update ?

TVP CF-55 Flyin Miata Built LS3.

charchri4

Great! Once we get past the holidays here I would expect more details to come together.

Meanwhile anyone want to take the lead on seeing what it takes to get the most V8 Miatas gathered in one place into the Guinness book of records and make it happen? Nope I'm not kidding!

tvp

Well if this event does not due it not much else will....lol

TVP CF-55 LS3 Miata

523-LSX-NB

Be my guest.

x2 regarding confirmation that we need tickets to access the corral.

tbone heller

The car corrals are usually located on top of the hill as you enter the infield. You will likely need an event ticket & a parking pass to enter. I just hope that it does not turn into a muddy mess or a red clay dust bowl.

charchri4

I was wondering that too. What's the end of April usually like in Atlanta and does the thing happen rain or shine?

tbone heller

The temp is usually pretty nice. The weather? It can be hit or miss. They will only race in the dry....I think. The track is pretty spread out with a LARGE hill separating the paddock & front stretch from the car corrals (top of the hill), to the "valley" at the bottom of the esses, to the spectator hill before the turns leading to the long backstretch. There are many good spots to view the action, but they are beyond walking distance (with a large cooler full of beer) for me. I usually park at the corral area & walk to the paddock to check out the cool stuff, then drive to the hill to view the action entering the esses. When it rains, the place is a muddy mess. When it is dry, it is a dust bowl. Other than that, I is pretty fun to watch rich folks thrash their million dollar toys.