Here are some pics from last fall.....
From the gallery of "Silverfox"

Tail of the Dragon Meet #1 - Nov 2007

More here

 

OK Reno (Bendnstrings) I have added you to the list #43
See ya at Fontana Lodge Friday night or Saturday morning.
Any questions just send me a PM
Again Welcome to the forum !!

Gary

 

If msxfire (Lisa) can get out of work she will be returning to join us again.
Lisa, I have added you to the list #44.
Hope you can make it !!

Also if the weather is looking favorable in NC that weekend Crossfirefrank will be coming back to.
He is back on the list as attending.

Gary

 

Hey, Valk, as time gets closer, I am mtg up w/ some of the attendees from the west, maybe in Lexington, how are those up north going down?....just a thought, we all might catch up w/ each other along the way...no biggy, but as we get closer, I'll post my route and schedule for those who might want to tag along...

 

I will be passing through Lexington, Ky. on Friday morning.
Exact time is still uncertain though.
I might also be joined by my Michigan friends crossfirefrank, msxfire and msgump in Florence, Ky
(70 miles north of Lexington)
It would be fun to pick up a few more of ya in Lexington so lets see how it all plays out.
Send me a PM for my cell #

Valk (Gary)

 

I would but i;m going to be there already Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!! See at Dragon

 

We made our reservations this morning. I hope the weather will be great. We arrive Friday afternoon and will leave Monday morning. Look forward on seeing everyone again and meeting new members.
John & Dorothy

 

Great...I got it noted on the list .
Glad you will be staying through Sunday to.
I believe we have about 8 staying through Sunday and I am one of them.

See ya there, Gary

 

Can't make it for the rally but heading up to the Dragon this weekend. I will post conditions and pictures of me smiling when I get back.

 

I saw an article online from a local newspaper (can't remember where and can't find it again) about major cracks forming in the asphalt leading in to the Dragon and possibly parts of the Dragon being damaged as well.

State is supposed to be making this fix a top priority and said once they start should take no more than 10 days to complete.

Hope they've got it fixed before the meet.

Anyone going up before be careful.

 

Let us know the availabilty of premium gas while your're up there and what area you were in when you purchased. Thanks

 

Hey, I checked into the crack in the asphalt and here is a link so everyone can read it.

http://www.thedailytimes.com/article...KING/810075164

 

Disclaimers up front: I'm posting this in the hope that we all have a great weekend and return home with nothing more to show for our efforts than dusty wheels. The Dragon is a highly dangerous road on which wrecks and near-wrecks happen every day. In my dozen-or-so trips I've seen broken bikes and cars nearly every time. Its also a blast to drive! Also, its not my intent to insult anyone's driving ability. If I use any racing terms, its only because its the best way to explain, not to encourage "racing" on the Dragon.

My thoughts on driving the Dragon:

1:Motorcycles are everywhere! And many of the riders are over their heads trying to keep up with or outrun their buddies. I have seen a rider off on nearly every run I've made. I have shared my own lane with an oncoming cruiser (who apparently early-apexed his right turn and "needed the room") and been passed by Johnny (crotch) Rocket anywhere they feel like it. If you see one in your mirror, just expect him to do the most ill-advised thing imaginable and know how you'll avoid it. This goes for cars, too. And other roads.

2:Treat the stripes (yellow AND white) as edges of a cliff. There are simply too many blind curves (and traffic) to take a chance on exiting or entering wide, or cutting across the center stripe.

3:The L.E.O.s (law enforcement officers) will likely be around. In addition to speeding tickets, they like to give citations for crossing the center stripe. You really can have fun on this road while obeying the speed limit, just don't be in too big a hurry to get to the next corner. It should be mentioned that if you're driving in the TN direction from the NC line and don't see any LEOs, you can turn around and be sure none will sneak up on you. Just putting that out there...

4: Don't turn off the traction control. There are many corner exits where the road changes camber drastically and this can catch you just as you feed on the power.

5:Use your lights. Being seen is good.

6:Look ahead to the next corner. Most of the corners can be treated as late-apex (come closest to the inside near the end of the corner). This will help set you up smoothly for the next one.

7:No distractions! Drinks, radio, phone, camera, GPS, etc.

8:Leave a safe following distance.

9:If the other guy wants by, just pull off and let him go.

10: If you're hopelessly stuck behind traffic, it might be a good time to just pull off and car-watch for a few minutes. Just don't park at the outside exit of a corner. You might get hit (seen it).

11: Check over your car before you leave. Don't just rely on the warning lights! Tires and tire pressures, fluids, suspension, secure any loose items before you start a run.

Anyone else with something I've missed, feel free to add!

 

I think you summed it up quite nicely. The dragon will definitely bite you if you don't pay attention, but it is a blast to drive.

Push yourself. Push your car. But never, EVER, get out of your "comfort zone" while on the dragon.

I think of the centerline as a concrete wall and the sideline as a cliff. If, and only if, everyone else on the dragon does the same will you be safe. It's not a place to show off.

All that said.........I am so ready to get back up there that I can hardly stand it.

 

Danimal, you're a man after mine own heart! Last fall, I had some fellow member in an SRT-6 that really didn't like to be behind a measly N/A, but couldn't seem to understand that more power doesn't always make a better driver. He nearly hit us a number of times after falling behind while launching out of a corner. Between trying to rear end us and crossing the DOUBLE YELLOW LINE on nearly every one of 318 curves, I just hope he's behind someone else this time around.
When the run was finished, he high-tailed it to the other end of the parking lot and avoided my wife and I. Good thing too- Tina would have kicked his butt!

As fast as SAFE will allow. Folks have to remember that they are not alone on this road, and if you do it just wrong, it's a helluva' long trip down!

 

should be plenty of high test iamfink......

oh, maxcichon how was your driving on the 318 curves watching someone behind you ...

tuff road it is.. you do have to be careful.. remember silverfox's delima

 

It sucked! I was crossed-eyed for 3 days!

 

talked to Teresa Brown today 38 lodge rooms left

Fontana Village Lodge & Resort - 1 (800) 849-2258
(Special Lodge rates, Available $66.75+ tax
(with Our 25% Crossfire Group discount)

 

I hope we will all respect each other this time.
I didn't even know of this but I assume you know who you are if you read this post.

We do plan to divide the group/drivers into 3 categories if possible.
1) Very aggressive
2) Pushing it a bit to the limit
3) Just out for a drive

Start to consider which group would best suit you.
We will try to organize these groups on Friday night and form them at Fontana Dam Saturday morning before we head out for the loop/Dragon run.
We will also appoint designated drivers (we have 10) to lead and follow to keep everyone on course with the route plan.
I don't want this to sound structured but I think this will be helpful for everyone to.
Each group will hopefully be about 14 Crossfires if it all works out.

Lets have fun and drive within our comfort level all weekend.

Valk - Gary

 

watered down version

So if that was me you are talking about (( I do Apologize.. ))


I don't Rekon I have ever Rear Ended Anyone ...
OR TRIED TO WRECK ANYONE...
also as for going over the yellow lines sometimes maybe ,
but only if i can see no one is Oncoming .....'