Tail of the Dragon

[red_dog007]

Anyone ever raced on the Tail of the Dragon? Whether you live around here (could meet up sometime) or if you were driving through.

You guys should check it out. Windiest road in North America. 11 miles long with over 300 corners plus with a lot of side roads that are just as good. These adventures are found were the North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee boarders meet.

Racers from all over the world, even nascar/F1 type racing drivers come to travel this road and love it.

Its nice because along this road, as you long as you arnt going crazy the cops dont care if you are speeding. They are just there incase an accident happens, there will be someone there and let other drivers know.

[XelderX]

I'll be there the second weekend in October with my Protege5.

[zbane]

Red_dog, where are you located? I'm about an hour away from the dragon, myself.

As to the assertation that the police don't care...not from what I understand.

Police presence has risen over the last few years due to increased fatalities on the road. The increase has come about because this stretch of road has recieved national coverage as an "enthusiast's road" on certain SPEED related channels. Before this coverage, the cops didn't really care about speeding, because the road wasn't used very much, and if you paid attention to traffic patterns, you could figure out the best time to drive and avoid the semi trailers.

Here's a link to a ZdayZ youtube thing. It only shows mostly 350's, and that is not the coolest, but what you need to watch for happens about 13 seconds into it.

I see this happen most every day as I drive 30 miles from Cashiers to Sylva on Hwy 107. Rock face on one side, drop off on the other.

Here's a bit I pasted from the dragon website regarding cops-

Watch for periodic show of force by Tennessee Highway Patrol on the Dragon. Always take it easy along the river on US 129 as you approach the Dragon. Blount County SO will usually have a car shooting radar along here. There will be increased enforcement on western North Carolina roads this summer by NCHP. Watch for radar on the Cherohala and major 4-lanes such as US74/19 and NC28. Also expect to see NC Motorcycle Troopers on weekends in the area on a limited basis. We have seen Blount Co Sheriff cars on the Dragon at various times. Be aware that they will issue tickets for unreasonable speeds and unsafe riding.

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

The roads here are GREAT to drive quickly, and that is where the Z car truly excells. These are not roads for flat out speed, they require finesse, agililty and forethought.

As more people race on them, more police will patrol. This ruins it for EVERYONE else, so if you want to race...go to a track.

www.roadatlanta.com/

www.virclub.com/

I'm not trying to come down on you, just trying to keep the police presence low, keep you alive, and keep your Z in one peice and keep it so we can enjoy the drive (when there aren't motorhomes in the way).

Best,

[rxsleeper]

Hi guys,

I spent last weekend at "The Dragon" with a group of RX8's. For several of us, it was not our first or second time. Some of the pictures of the group can be found on www.killboy.com

Good advice on the police. There was a presence there and only 5 bikes went down that I know of. No one arilifted though.

Fun drive, but going in a group is not really my "cup of tea." I ran it on my own a couple of times. FWIW, BE CAREFUL. I worried less about me and more about someone being in my lane or a bikers helmet (with body attached) being in my lane has they are leaning around the corners.

We also saw an original group of AC Cobra's up there including a Dayton Coupe.

BTW, Great advice about racing. The Dragon is certainly NOT the place to attempt to drive at high speeds. It requires MAJOR skill to drive fast on 129. It is a nice cruise with the occasional quick corner but save the racing for a much safer environment.

Nice drive, beautiful scenery and fast cars....i just dosen't get much better than that.

Enjoy,

Paul

[red_dog007]

I live over in Chattanooga. About an 1hrs distance away from the Dragon. Whenever my friend goes over there which is fairly often he says there are police, but even when he is going 10 or 15 over, they still just site there and dont go after him.

Plus when I have been in the area and on the Dragon myself, I have never seen police.

Semi drivers are stupid if they travel that road. If they are using it for a shortcut or even to show of their own skill with a semi, they need to go elsewhere.

[SJGREEN71]

I took a look at some of the videos on youtube. It looks like an interesting road, but there also seems to be a lot of traffic, SUVs, big trucks, and loud obnoxious Harleys to share the road. Is it really that great a road that it is worth traveling a long distance just to drive the 11 miles?

[zbane]

There are other lesser used roads around that have not recieved any coverage. Asking if it's worth it is like asking if it's worth driving to Carmel from SF solely for 17 Mile Drive when Highway One will take you to Big Sur.

Point being-different strokes for different folks. I imagine some drive it simply to say "I drove the Dragon," and that's fine, but there are better byroads available, like the Great Smokey Mountain Parkway.

[zack_280]

I'm in Chattanooga too (Redbank). I haven't had a chance to drive the Dragon. I will probably try to make it to Zdayz next year (if it's still happening and going to be held at the Tail of the Dragon.) I was hoping to get to go this year, but my engine work ended up taking about three months longer than expected.

[rxsleeper]

There are other lesser used roads around that have not recieved any coverage. Asking if it's worth it is like asking if it's worth driving to Carmel from SF solely for 17 Mile Drive when Highway One will take you to Big Sur.

Point being-different strokes for different folks. I imagine some drive it simply to say "I drove the Dragon," and that's fine, but there are better byroads available, like the Great Smokey Mountain Parkway.

Right you are, I like the Cherohola (sp) Skyway and it is FAR less traveled than the Dragon. I also like 64-74 along the Ocoee and the Nanatahala. Yes there is traffic/congestion, but running the valley along the rivers is really nice. There is also another road that I liked near Ellijay, but I can't remember the name/number.

Like you Zbane, I enjoy the ride and save the really fun stuff for the autox events or track. Just too much chance of hurting someone else or myself to get crazy on the road. Not to mention I don't heal the way I used too!

[hls30.com]

Right you are, I like the Cherohola (sp) Skyway and it is FAR less traveled than the Dragon. I also like 64-74 along the Ocoee and the Nanatahala.

The road from Maggie Valley to Cherokee is hard to beat too, Or is that the the Apl pkwy?

Will

[zbane]

Waynesville to Brevard on hwy 276-straight through the national forest as well. It's only about 45 miles, but takes about two hours (if I remember right)

There's a section between Brevard and the Greenville/Spartanburg area that's a blast-the whole drive is twisty, and relegates you to driving in first or second gear. Your arms and legs get so tired, but the time is well spent. I stumbled on it by accident, therefore I don't remember the route number.

Will-did you already come up here?

[hls30.com]

Our plans got dumped at the last minute, so the trip was postponed, re schedule tba...

I know how to get around up there, not how to give directions-a follow me sort of thing...I've been going to Waynesville/Maggie Valley since the milisecond I was a two celled organism!

Will