Why do people keep talking about the dragon....is it a racetrack?

 

Go to the Tail of the Dragon and look at some maps.

 

thanks for the help

 

The "dragon" is almost heaven for anyone who loves to drive. This is a section of Rt 129 in TN and NC that is 11 miles long. No cross roads. No driveways. This road does have 318 turns!!! It is a blast to drive!! Then in early May "Minis on the Dragon" add 600 Mini drivers all together enjoying their Mini's. You can search MOTD for more details. Please try to attend, you will not be disappointed.

 

318 curves in 11 miles -- Deals Gap, near the NC/TN border in the mtns. Can't wait until Bronte is broken in to take her up there. Only 950 miles to go. Give me a few more days!

If you're coming down, I've got friends w/ a Miata and an SRT4ACR who want to drive it too!

"Bronte," a 2006 HB/S MCS, Silver Bonnet Stripes, Grey Leatherette, Cold Weather Package (sometimes it gets cold in NC), Sports Package, Premium Package, Anthracite Interior & Headliner, Chrome Line Interior, H/K Sound System, Rear Fog Light, Limited Slip (for the track, of course)

 

It's the Mecca of MINI's.

 

While you're there, please stay on your side of the double yellow lines.

 

Hyper...I suggest you do some reading on NAM. You have many questions. Why don't you try using the Search function? Click on it, type in key words, and see what you can find. I use it all the time.

And the Dragon IS MINI Mecca!

 

Motoring Bliss!

 

and too well known...

 

Ah, but if you get up early enough, you can do a clean run just about any day of the week. And yes, after dawn!

 

Well, it's a lot different from when I first discovered it in 2000. I can't complain, I found out about it on the web just like the others And, if you know where to look, in NC, and Virginia and WV, there are a lot of other roads just as twisty and a lot less crowded. And no, I'm not tellin

 

Can't blame you for not tellin'!

We have some amazing roads in the Santa Monica mountains near Malibu in SoCal and there is always Big Sur!

Somehow, I manage to go to the Dragon 3 times a year, though...

 

I wouldn't go that far!

 

You wouldn't go as far as Mecca, or to the Dragon? Don't knock it if you haven't slayed the Dragon in your MINI, Jim.

 

I tried that the last two years but I end up sitting atop the dam enjoying nature at its finest. Thus the reason for becoming the dam guide last year to most of the new commers that stayed in Robbinsonville. I'm making a sign for next year.

 

How nice of you, Steve! Dam guide, eh? I like the sign idea...

 

I'm with you on the VA and WV twisties (got a few myself) - understand completely about the not tellin - Hmmmm

 

Ah Grasshopper....

During the first full weekend in May, when you see 2 or more MINIs going somewhere together, just start following..

All will be revealed!!!

 

I would have to say it's probably more like the Medina for MINIs.

 

I discovered it in the late 80s (I think) as a salesman traveling from Asheville to Knoxville and this was my shortcut..... it was about 11:00 at night after a day of calling on customers and then that.... I was not happy or amused.... I kept thinking how cool on a motorcycle... but mostly I was very tired and it wore me out.... I will be up there this weekend

 

so, i would absolutely loooooooove to slay the dragon, but i can't help but wondering... how safe is the MoTD rally? on your average run, how many drivers find themselves unhappy on the side of the road? is there good 2-way radio communication? is the general atmosphere of the event "family" friendly?

 

Did the Dragon in my MGB when I was stationed in Mississippi in 1975. Very nice, but I prefer the PCH through Big Sur, or CA Hwy-36.

 

^^^Some people on this site like to over exaggerate the road. Sorry, but the Dragon's Tail is legally classified as US HWY 129; so it's just a normal road with lots of sharp curves.

When I'm not attending college at Ohio State, I am usually home in TN, and my home is about a 15 minute drive from the start of the Dragon Tail. I probably make 150 roundtrips on the road every year for the past 4 years.

Most people on this site only see the Dragon on the MOTD weekend in May, so it is extremely crowded with MINIs, bikes, and a few other sports cars. In fact, the MINI meet is the largest annual event on that road.

Some of the people on this site think they drive the road fast because their tires might squeal a couple times, but they really don't drive that fast. The people that talk like the Dragon is a crazy mountain racetrack are usually inexperienced drivers that have never been on a real track or autocross.

I would estimate 80% of the time the road is almost empty and majoritly driven on by local "rednecks" in thier older, slow cars when the travel home. It's just on the weekends when the road gets all crowded with Killboy and the bikes and the car enthusiasts....

 

on average, how long does it take to drive through the dragon, start to finish?