[AprilWhine]

Dragon Run 2004!

First of all, the safety stuff:


Please remember, this is NOT a race. Please adhere to the laws of the road at all times, drive sensibly, and within your own limits. Please abide by the legal speed limits at all times. While we all know the Dragon has quite a few particularly tricky bends and hazards, this does NOT mean the rest of the area doesn’t hold any surprises, so please stay alert. If you feel you need a break, take one! Remember most of us are driving unfamiliar roads. There are of course higher risks driving in inclement weather conditions, PLEASE be careful, do not mess around, consider fellow road users and residents. Look out for each other, and fellow road users!

Disclaimer:
Please note that all attendees to Dragon Run 2004 are taking part on their own volition. The event is not a race or road rally and should not be viewed as such. All attendees are responsible for their own safety and actions (and insurance) and are expected to drive with due regard for other road users. This guide is to be taken as such, and you are free to make your own way at any time.

Keep alert and please keep an eye out for fellow Dragon Runners! Stay in control, or the Dragon will claim another victim!

Thanks to Paul Mullett of MINI2 for providing the disclaimer.

Co-host is VAMini! Hurrah!!!
She lives nearby and can provide local information.


Current events:

MINICooperSGirl is keeping a list of people sorted by hotel and state. If you don't mind sharing that info, please let her add you to the list. Here's a link to her list: Aimee's List

Everyone will be running the Dragon at their own pace, but let's have our parade of MINIs on Friday morning. Meet at the parking lot at the foot of the Dam at 0800 for a 0900 departure.

Atlanta MINIS is hosting a catered dinner Meet & Greet at Tapoco Lodge on Thursday, April 29, from 6-8 pm. There will be an entree choice of catfish or BBQ. All sides, dessert, and nonalcoholic beverages are included. Tickets are $18.50 apiece and available only in advance by ordering online at www.atlantaminis.net/welcomedinner. Payment is to be made via Paypal. Tickets will be handed out at the event. Please be sure to include the number of MINIs in your party!

There is a Friday Chili Cook Off at Fontana organized by BabsWife and MINIClo.

Quote:

Friday Night at the Dragon

6pm til Whenever
At the Cabins at Fontana (basically a block party between Patricia's cabin and
Clover's)

Planning a Chili Cook-off (for anyone who wishes to bring Chili) - I
promise a GOOD prize to the winner.
Otherwise it is Potluck (bring something to feed a crowd with a MINI
theme; i.e. Wings; MINI doughnuts..get the idea?)
BYOB - It is a dry county and we will NOT be providing booze. You bring
it, you drink it. :-)

The experienced motorcycle rider, triumphrider, is going to lead a tour through the backroads on Saturday. Place and time TBD.

Koolmini is planning a midnight run through the Dragon on Saturday night, since it's going to be a full moon that weekend. Starts at midnight, at the Fontana. Please remember, driving at night is much more challenging. Remain alert and obey all traffic rules.

I'm coming up empty on finding MINIs for hire for the UK guests. Would any of you be willing to take someone shotgun? I think these very handsome gentlemen would greatly appreciate riding with single females.

More events are being planned! Check back frequently for the latest news.



Tshirt and name badges are available at North American Motoring. Orders to be delivered in person by Mark. From his mom's house.


Dragon Run 2004 takes place the same weekend, April 29 through May 3, with the official parade on Friday, April 30. Here's a link to the web site, with local information:
Tail of the Dragon

Room discount info:

The Microtel has 30 rooms reserved for 4/29 through 5/1 2004. The rates are:

Single room - $44.95 -> one queen size bed
Double room - $49.95 -> two queen size beds
Suite - $62.95 -> Refig/Microwave/coffe machine table chairs 1 queen and a sleeper sofa

These 30 rooms have been set aside in a block. When those are gone they will honor the above price until they are completely booked. The Microtel will also honor the above prices on the front and back side of the stated date.

The booking code word, for lack of a better phrase, is can you guess....."Mini Cooper"

Call the local Microtel at (828) 479-6772, do not call the 800 number.

Once you get an operator, make sure you tell them that you want to make a reservation for the MINI Cooper block of rooms.


Tapoco Lodge:

1-800-822-5083
6 lodge rooms reserved with private baths
14 1-bedroom cabins

$69 single occupancy no meal
$79 double occupancy no meal
$99 bed and breakfast for 2 people
$15 each additional person per room

Tapoco rooms will be held until the end of March and then will be released to the general public. Also be aware that they close down for the winter, although they do check and answer emails regarding room reservations.


Fontana Village:

1-800-849-2258
Many of the Inn rooms have been blocked by a bird watching group so we have the following distribution:

18 Inn rooms $56
4 fireplace rooms $67
2 honeymoon suites $97
7 1-bedroom cottages $76
5 2-bedroom/1 bath cottages $67
4 2-bedroom/2 bath cottages $119
2 3-bedroom/2 bath cottages $129

Fontana will release the block of rooms to the general public on January 28, 2004, so please make your plans accordingly!! Also, it's possible the bird-watchers won't use all their inn rooms, and those will be released at the same time, so more may be available then...

Code word: "MINI Cooper group" for both places to get our rooms!

Here's the list of participants:

Special Guests all the way from the UK!


Maxim
smiffy
midlife mini


Let’s all make them feel welcome!



I'm taking a tip from the way the Brits do their runs, and will continue to update this post with new information.Total count so far: 175 people in 110 MINIs!

[Minimom]

Hi there! MINIMOM +1 will definitely be there! Can't wait!

[Rustle]

Count me in !
-Rus

[sdmidget]

.... for one (1) person

[AprilWhine]

Quote:

Originally posted by sdmidget
.... for one (1) person

Already had you on the list!

[VAmini]

I'll definitely be there! I wouldn't miss it for anything!

[ncdave]

Count me in! Missed it this year - have it blocked out in my diary. Thanks AprilWhine!

[Willy]

I'll make my Carolina homecoming from Ohio for it!!!

[Nobull60]

I see I am on the list and just wanted to add one more to it. So its Nobull60+1. Cannot wait!!

[koolmini]

i made the list i'm in for next year
i'm also going to the Dragon at the end of July to crash the Miata ralley on my way to Montana (the long way)

[2minis]

I'll be there....again.

[mininc]

Add me to the list.

Had a great time this year.

Next year will be more fun, more MINIs.

[minimotorin]

I'm in again. But this time the wife and the new addition will be along so...

Minimotorin +1 and 1/2

[MoonPie]

Now this is the kind of thread I LOVE to see...Paaaadyyyy, count down?

[MINIPOWER]

I'll be there again, too!

[paddy]

326

[queen B]

I'll be there. Hotelcalif too! I might have to change my license plate though. Thinking about an S. Heard I might can get pepper white in 2004. BZZZZZZ just won't look quite right.

[w3iwi]

Quote:

Originally posted by AprilWhine
Let's kick off the organizing of Dragon Run 2004! Same weekend, April 30 through May 3, with the official run on Friday, April 30.

Paddy has negotiated a block of rooms at the Microtel. I'll post hotel details here as they come in.



Let's have a reception the evening of April 29, so we can all meet each other.

Here's the list of participants:

I'm taking a tip from the way the Brits do their runs, and will continue to update this post with new information.

Count us in again -- it was a blast

Tom Clark

[jtucker]

I can only find time to head down to NC once a year, and next year I plan to do it on the motorcycle, so... looks like I'll have to miss out on this one.

However, I now have a contact that may be able to help get some support from MINI USA for the next Deals Gap rally. Whoever is taking charge of this shin-dig, let me know and I will forward the contact info to you.

Thanks!

[jhanthony]

I want to be there, just need more info. like where is it?
Thanks! Me + 1