The weather was not a factor after all, as much as I was sure it was going to be.|

My Facebook perspective and "closing report":

I'm home. The 2022 CHrysler Crossfire Tail of the DRagon meet was a great time. The weather was forecast to be marginal, but it was actually pretty good. We had drizzle a bit on Saturday but nothing that slowed us down.

As you who attended know, I was billed $321 for the meeting room and I collected $345 from attendees to offset that charge. I split the excess $24 between a generous room tip for housekeeping and the Grill staff. This way, all money collected stayed at the lodge.

This year, I drove James Lee Smith's highly modded SRT Roadster specifically to test the TCU tune that he and Josh Chase of the Mercedes Swap Shop sell. James' car is modded for a lot of extra power and the TCU tune gives you precise control of the transmission. THe car was a BLAST to drive down hellbender on Sunday morning. I can' honestly say no automatic transmission-equipped car has been that much fun.

A big thank you to Jeff Kielmeyer for the loan of an SRT Roadster for the event, as I, once again, flew in for this event. (This is an SRT that is totally stock, the SRT sure handles well, but the chance to change from Jeff's stock SRT to James' car and back to the stock SRT really shows what the SRT can be, given enough work and money.)

I only drove the Dragon on Sunday and I can tell you, I have no desire to drive it ever again if the law enforcement situation remains as it is. I did not get cited, but I witnessed just how tough they have become. IF you drive thru and LOOK like you might be one to go fast, you are guilty. I understand that the death/accident rate on the Dragon has risen this year and I understand this cant be allowed to go on. Apparently, the Tennessee State Police are now involved and they are tough. I never saw one County deputy this year, only state police. I enjoyed Hellbender, Moonshiner, Wayah road and the drive up the back way to Maggie Valley - but the Dragon is too much of a risk the way things are now.