Tail of the Dragon / Deals Gap

MR2 KIX · Post by **MR2 KIX** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:26 pm

I will be making my first trip to the Tail of the Dragon in 2 weeks. We will be staying in Fontana Village. I am looking for the best route from the Roanoke Area. How long should we plan on being on the road, and what is the best route?

Thanks for any help.

SedonaRedRex · Post by **SedonaRedRex** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:55 am

I can't help you with any of your questions but I would like to know answers. I wanted to go this summer soooo bad but none of my friends got their cars together in time... I'd be willing to go with you but I'm supposed to take the lady friend to the beach in two weeks. Yaaaaaaaaawn 5 hours in a straight line.

JaneCombs · Post by **JaneCombs** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:51 pm

Steve, I am so envious. I would love to go drive that piece of road.

I have a past history there, having spent many childhood summers camping at Santeetlah Lake. My parents actually drove that road, driving two vehicles, pulling our boat and pop-up camper. I learned to water ski on that lake, and to drive my Dad's Jeep on the back roads around the lake. The Dragon was not known as a driving adventure then, except maybe to a few locals. We came up from Maryville, Tennessee, it took our little "caravan" about half a day to get there, and the dog usually threw up on the way.

I don't think that you will need to go all the way to Maryville to get to Fontana, but I'm not sure how best to tell you to go from Roanoke. Corvette people love that road, and I'll bet Kent Cartner can tell you how, or connect you to someone in Star City CC who has been there. Email me at combsl@ntelos.net and I'll find his email address and new phone # for you.

I can't wait to hear the tales of this trip!
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ is the website, which has directions and other information.

9FIVE1 · Post by **9FIVE1** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:45 am

Steve,
Many fond memories here of Miatas at the Gap, an annual "non-event" at the end of July that brings hundreds of Miatas and owners to the Dragon for lots of spirited driving! Although the Tail of the Dragon is the prime draw (314 turns in 11 miles, IIRC), there are many other fantastic driver's roads around the area to explore. Just keep it below 10/10th's, or portions of your bodywork may wind up handing on the "tree of shame".

Check out this site for info, maps, etc. - http://www.gapmiatas.com/

MR2 KIX · Post by **MR2 KIX** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:30 pm

Thanks for the comments and tips. I guess I will pull a route together this week. I hope to have a video of my trip, I will try to get it online when I get back.

LynnCombs · Post by **LynnCombs** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:26 pm

I think we are going down in late September... Jane is really wanting to take the trip since she grew up in that area.

ingrahammizzle · Post by **ingrahammizzle** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:48 pm

I keep thinking of going down there, but it's hard to want to when we have 501 and 60 in our backyard....

*Waves hello to everybody*

matt

LynnCombs · Post by **LynnCombs** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 3:43 pm

ingrahammizzle wrote:I keep thinking of going down there, but it's hard to want to when we have 501 and 60 in our backyard....

*Waves hello to everybody*

matt

Matt,

Good to hear from you... dust off the old STI and come out sometime.

Imprezivblue · Post by **Imprezivblue** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:56 pm

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_SHUTDOWN.html

MR2 KIX · Post by **MR2 KIX** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 10:58 pm

THP was in force again this weekend. We were only able to run 30 or less during the day. However, when we went out for dinner tonight, no THP going out or coming back. Lots of fun. I was the first one back, so I got to Run the Dragon with no one in front of me...Weeeee!!!!

Great to see your still kicking Matt.

MR2 KIX · Post by **MR2 KIX** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:10 am

I have some videos up

http://www.skyroadster.com/forums/showt ... hp?t=17885

BRR-SCCA

Tail of the Dragon / Deals Gap

Tail of the Dragon / Deals Gap

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