Ran the Dragon on Day 3

[scottgib]

I am trying desperately to get enough miles on my new S so I can autoX it next weekend. Yesterday I took a trip up to the mountains in TN and NC. There is a section of road in east TN known as the Dragon and is famous in motorcyle circles. It is well banked, perfectly paved, and has the tightest curves I have ever seen on a public road. Many of the curves have good visibilty and it is relatively safe to push a car to its limits in some areas. It would be more fun with a fully run-in engine; but, it was still terrific. I used mostly second gear (would have used first in some places if the engine were run-in). It has been said before, but this is the most fun driving car I have ever been in (I just sold a 914 and have owned two original S's). After 20 minutes I had to pull off and take a rest because I had made myself motion sick, which was a first. Continued on and came back to TN via the Cherohala Skyway. The views are spectacular and there was practically no traffic. Elevation went up to 5300 ft and the temp dropped 30 degrees F from where I started. I recommend this trip to any Mini owner.

200 more miles and still smiling!

BTW, I have 16" wheels and Dunlop Sports. I have now run on bumpy pavement, perfect pavement, and have come to the conclusion that the "Faulty Handling and Brakes" thread is an anomoly. Either that one specific car has abnormal faults or its driver ....... I have a hard time beleiving that the 17"s degrade performance to that degree.

I wonder, am I the first S to run the Dragon?

[Markie]

Quote:

Originally posted by scottgib
I am trying desperately to get enough miles on my new S so I can autoX it next weekend. Yesterday I took a trip up to the mountains in TN and NC. There is a section of road in east TN known as the Dragon and is famous in motorcyle circles. It is well banked, perfectly paved, and has the tightest curves I have ever seen on a public road. Many of the curves have good visibilty and it is relatively safe to push a car to its limits in some areas. It would be more fun with a fully run-in engine; but, it was still terrific. I used mostly second gear (would have used first in some places if the engine were run-in). It has been said before, but this is the most fun driving car I have ever been in (I just sold a 914 and have owned two original S's). After 20 minutes I had to pull off and take a rest because I had made myself motion sick, which was a first. Continued on and came back to TN via the Cherohala Skyway. The views are spectacular and there was practically no traffic. Elevation went up to 5300 ft and the temp dropped 30 degrees F from where I started. I recommend this trip to any Mini owner.

200 more miles and still smiling!

BTW, I have 16" wheels and Dunlop Sports. I have now run on bumpy pavement, perfect pavement, and have come to the conclusion that the "Faulty Handling and Brakes" thread is an anomoly. Either that one specific car has abnormal faults or its driver ....... I have a hard time beleiving that the 17"s degrade performance to that degree.

I wonder, am I the first S to run the Dragon?

Sounds cool Scott. I can't wait to try the Dragon myself.

[MiniMoke]

Here is some more info about the Dragon!

http://www.tailofthedragon.com

[McprS]

Wow

Makes my trip along the A4 past Heathrow seem very tame

So UK guys whats the equivalent journey we should be undertaking?

[MiniMoke]

more info on the Dragon...

http://www.miatadrives.com/gap2001/

[ELISEBOY]

lucky gits!!!

think the closest we have to that is the roads in Wales

[Dom]

Me and smiffy found a nice road in the cotswolds on the way to silverstone... taking 30mph S bend at 60! past a group of cyclists

Dom

[kb_solo2]

Picking up my Cooper at Keeler and driving cross country; Albany, NY to Seattle WA. I currently plan on stopping at Cedar Point and King's Island in Ohio for a little Roller Coaster action. Is the Dragon worth the 12 hour detour?

Help me figure it out. Thanks

[scottgib]

If you like great scenry, or are looking for one of possibly the 4 or five best sports car roads in the country, yes. Personally I can't imagine a 12 hour detour to do it. If you do decide to come down, let me know and I can suggest a couple of other great roads to add to the tour. You can spend a couple of days winding around western NC/east TN and not get board. Do not plan to drive any of these roads on a weekend. BTW, the Dragon is best done up, not down.

[Raven]

Scott-

I'm from NC and I'm definitely coming out for the Dragon. What other roads would you add to the tour?

Thanks

[scottgib]

One of the best, and in the league with the Dragon is Hwy 80 going up to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Hwy 70 near Marion (Pleasant Gardens). It goes through a national forest. This road was surveyed and built by my grandfather in the very early 1900's. There was a minimum of dirt moved and there must have been a shortage of explosives. All the dirt was moved by horses and by hand.

The rest of Hwy 80 is also very curvy but not like the first part and this latter part is inhabited -- driveways, etc. The piece between Micaville and to the end at Loafers Glory is fun (this is where I grew up and that road is responsible for my mis-spent adulthood).

261 over Roan Mountain (starting in Bakersville) is a good drive also but much more open.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful drive, but do not speed there. You will end up with a FEDERAL ticket and in jail if the speed is really excessive. These Park Rangers are serious and they can drive.

[Smokey 4]

Out of Black Mountain (exit 64 on I-40) towards Lake Lure. You get the benifits of uphill driving and down hill driving. The first 5 miles are great, haven't made it all the way in a car, my turn off ya know

[TonyC]

hmm.. miata folks know this as "deal's gap"

the 2k2 miata deal's gap just finished not too long ago:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291560421
above is the most comprehensive album as of today

[Daktaklakpak]

"It has been said before, but this is the most fun driving car I have ever been in (I just sold a 914 and have owned two original S's)."

E gads man you sold your 914! Can the Coopers call be that strong?

[ELISEBOY]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dom
Me and smiffy found a nice road in the cotswolds on the way to silverstone... taking 30mph S bend at 60! past a group of cyclists

Dom

Where was that then Dom?