Mark, I'm going out on a limb and saying newB2012 is Barb...Terry's wife.

 

Yea, her screen name is what threw me off. I'm not with it today/tonight at all.

 

Ok put Ray and Susan down , see next year at the Dragon

 

Man I wish Marty and I could meet you all at the Spring 2015. You are a great group of people.....fun and addicting. Half tempted to buy another crossie and store it @ my sister's house in TN. Fly into Nashville and then up to the Dragon. 4 hour drive is more appealing than the 16 hr - 2581 mile round trip it took for the Fall Dragon.

See some of you at the CAA in June 2015 - Eureka Springs, AR.

Have a great Spring run.

 

The cars are cheap enough to do that but do you trust your sister with one? The temptation to drive it would be an awesome challenge LOL

 

Are you kidding!!! My sister has a teenage daughter. That crossie will be equipped with a "club" on the steering wheel, chains through the rims of the back tires, and an alarm system loud enough to hear all the way to Wichita, KS.

Hey Franc, thanks again for all your advise and help in getting us to the Dragon. Enjoyed every minute. Also, appreciated the hospitality of your friends, Jim and Trish. They are great people.

See you at a future meet.

 

Put us down,

Jack and Inge Harry (red racer and grey Blitz)

 

 

***Disclaimer*** Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, but none of OUR groups will be driving THAT fast !

 

Ok, ok ... I have never been to the Dragon (will make it one day, I'm sure) but watching this video brings some questions to mind:

With it being a 2 lane twisty, isn't it dangerous zipping through it at those speeds? I know there are "cruises" offered, but I also see that there are more "aggressive" tours to be had.

Has anyone that attended the Crossfire meet ever lost their car into the trees?

With as much as this forum promotes the GTG, and with two trips per year, the local police have to know that you all are there and will be running the twisties - do they not monitor the roads?

Just curious...

 

Watching that video is really different than actually driving it. The wide angle on the video camera does not reflect the true sharpness of the turns.


Still a great video.


James

 

The Tail of the Dragon is known as a "Death Road" It is dangerous for novice or un-skilled drivers. It is even more dangerous for drivers who have over estimated their skill levels or the capability of their vehicle.


It is no place for fools.




that said,,,,,,,


The Dragon has vehicles on it all the time it is open from Spring to late fall. it is well regulated by police and a30 MPH speed limit. Driving aggressive one seldom exceeds that speed. And, fortunately, the Yellow line is strictly enforced. Even the most reckless bikers know the dangers of crossing it.


Yes, some press the limits but, a good aggressive run thru the Dragon does not require breaking the rules too badly. A 20 minute run would be mildly aggressive, but only average 30 MPH.


Not sure about trees but a few have run into the mountain and the side ditches. Compared to other local roads, the Dragon is very well maintained with guardrails and berms strategically positioned to keep most drivers out of the woods.


Frankly, the Fontanna GTG is more about driving elsewhere in the region. There are lots of roads where the limit is 55 MPH and more fun to drive. Moonshiners and 28 coming in from Robbinsville comes to mind. Most of us do the Dragon twice. Once coming in and once again going home.

 

Randy, that was a great detail from Franc.....he's one of the experienced drivers of the Dragon and organizers/attendees of the Crossfire Tail of the Dragon (TOD) biannual meets.

As a newbie at this past Fall 2014 TOD, I found all the Crossie people to be welcoming and eager to share their knowledge and experience of what our crossfires can do and what to expect of the runs.

There are runs where the drivers are aggressive, but you have to chose to go on them or not. The Leaders of the runs gear the speed to a comfortable speed for the group. Marty and I followed Franc on one run and Andy on another. We were comfortable with both, and were pushed a little to keep up, but never beyond our novice experience. Besides, these Crossie's love to just "hug" the road around those curves........they are built to run!

I guarantee if you sign up for a meet, you will come away with a new appreciation for your car and a lot of new friends.

As you have read, the next TOD is in the Spring of 2015. It would be a blast. However, if TN/NC are too far for you to drive....

Marty & I are headed to the Crossfires Across America #6 meet in Eureka Springs, AR in June. If you are interested in caravan, let us know. It's not the TOD, but there are still some nice curves in Arkansas, AND you will meet many of the Crossfire people who attend the TOD meets.

 

Thanks for the KUDOS Go Girl.


At the CAA I will be leading a pack down a road which, in my opinion, makes the TOD look tame. It will be aggressive and likely requires a change of underwear from some. Very different from the casual ride we took down Wayah road. Just a warning because I don't want the newbies to presume I am as old, sedate, and sane as I might appear.


See you there.

 

Franc,

I have no doubt you can knock dogs off the porch.....and some day I might just be up there with you.....but for now I'm okay 3rd in line on one of your casual days!

May run that aggressive road with you after you've settled down a bit.

See you in June.

 

Actually, a really good video of the Dragon traveling from NC side to TN. Surprised that the Genesis Coupe had an unobstructed side of the road. Anyone know the time of day this run occurred? Only saw one section, probably at 1430 mark, where the Coupe crossed over the centerline on a straighter section of the Dragon.

Like James stated, still a great video.

 

Thanks for the great explanation Franc and GoGirl - really appreciate it!! The east coast is a bit far for a car ride, but Eureka Springs is doable. Thanks for the invite - I'll see if the wife is up for it

RL

 

Hope she is cause it's lots of fun. Besides, Marty & I would like to know some local Crossfire people.


By the way, who works on your Crossie for you. My guy, who worked faithfully on my 2008 Toyota Camry, saw me pull into his drive in my Crossfire and he started shaking his head "NO"......that's a Mercedes engine and "I don't like" to work on them. For 2 years I have been buying the oil and filters and then show up begging him to put them in.....don't know how much longer this will work, especially if something major goes wrong.

 

Well, I normally do my own wrenching and, luckily for me, my better half doesn't get interested in what I'm doing (or what I'm spending). Thankfully, the gurus here on the forum have saved me hundreds of dollars by helping me through my issues.

Hopefully, her school schedule will work out (if she's not teaching summer school) and if I can accrue enough vacation (started a new job recently) to make it work.

 

I know that Franc already responded, as did GoGirl, but I'd like to emphasize afew things:

Wanna see what we REALLY drive like all weekend? Go to Youtube, search "Nihongoguy" and watch a few videos.

We have people from Missouri, Oklahoman and Colorado who come to the Dragon - if you make the trip, you will want to return - the social aspect, the PEOPLE, are more of a draw than any road or drive. You go home with stories, inside jokes, newfound friends - all swimiing about in your mind - it is almost depressing to go home, in fact.