Alcoa is just outside of Knoxville. not a bad drive.

 

As Basil Fawlty would say "Don't mention the war"

 

 

As I grew up in Alcoa I can answer this one Alcoa is a twin city with Maryville (Blount County, TN). You're only about 30-45 minutes from the entry into the Dragon from here. Good location to stay with lots of lodging and meal options nearby. Also, since the autocross is at William Blount High School you'll only be about 15 minutes away from that if you want to attend/participate.

Mark

 

I stayed at the Jameson Inn last month when I had a flight cancled back to Cleveland due to weather up here... It is a nice place and the drive to the dragon wasn't bad at all. If I didn't have reservations at Fontana, I think I'd stay there as opposed to Robbinsville- the drive to the dragon is comparable, the area seems a bit nicer, and the proximity to the autocross puts it way up on the list for me

Jason

 

"Should we warn these people"
What are we, aliens?


Actually, WE chose this w/e precisely because so many Minis would be there!


We ran a similar event last spring with East division of Rotary Club on the Dragon at the same time. While they are a bit rowdier than the Mini crowd, we all survived. Rotaries actually had a few 'incidents' with one another, but not with us. Peaceful coexistence, or Mutually Assured Destruction?

I think we'll be OK, even with "all" the Minis. They're about the same size as a TT, and there's more than just these few 11 miles of road on our planned routes. Like the Mini crowd, we're doing Cherohala and Foothills. And we'll 'chalk' into smaller groups I'm sure: no freight trains if Audi running through town at a walking pace.

We're certainly not going to be 500+ strong. But we do look forward to a serious oportunity to meet "gear-heads like us", share stories and the road, and make some new friends. Maybe we'll be able to score some Mini swag, cause we're not as 'organized' as you guys are and don't have our own 'cool event stuff' (YET). I think we'll also learn how-to, and maybe we'll have more of these friendly encounters in the future!

Meanwhile, don't worry about us too much. Besides, I covet a Mini to replace my 855 Vovlo Turbo cruise missile!

(some pics from last year's 'virgin' soiree, shared w/ Rotary Club buzz-bombs)

 

Well you must be from another planet if you think that Minis are German

I look forward to seeing you guys just be sure to stay on your side of the yellow line We were just worried you didn't know how many of us would be there since you were worrying about avoiding the motorcycles. Be sure to come by Fontana Village as that is where we congregate in large herds

 

Er, designed and fabricated by Chermans. Must be from Chermany, but certainly not the same 1275 Mini Cooper S I drove in the 70's.

 

Minis are manufactured in Oxford England & as much as I have tried I can never get my local BMW dealership to perform my repairs

 

Yeah, one of us will lead the neos through the Dragon. At the drivers' meeting, we'll emphasize safety, separation, and seeing the other guy. It's bad enough if a bike or truck crosses the lello, but worse if we instigate an incident. IMO, an incident means 'class dismissed' for the offender.

 

Battle of Britain, part 2...

 

Ach, those guys are chest employees, working stiffs. And yes, my local BMW dealer sells and services the Mini, and the local indie services them on BMW diagnostic machinery.

 

Actually your local BMW dealership may have opened up a Mini dealership where Minis are sold & serviced from Indie shops they do their own thing.
Just remind everyone that many of the Dragon curves are blind to oncoming traffic & the need to stay on your side of the yellow is crucial

 

I think the irony in all this is, before I had my MINI, I was inches from getting a A4, but last minute chose the MINI

in the end, both great cars... just the MINI was more me haha

 

Adler Tag!

 

Wilco Matt-

 

If it weren't for the TTQC (an FW-190 on 4 wheels if I ever saw one), I'd own a Mini already (more akin to a Hawker Hunter). Love them both, and I believe any Audi driver worth their salt will respectfully admire any Mini!

I had an A4 w/ mods, and would rather get a Mini S. Now, about that new RS-4.....

 

Our brief will be "NO PASSING". Flip side of that: if you restrain traffic, pull off at the appropriate space and let folks pass. Crossing, IMO, is one step away from homicide.

IF (a VERY strong IF) you should wave me by, it is MY responsibility to do so safely. This is NOT a damn race course. We will share.

 

and sharing is indeed caring... or so they say

 

We have a stronger opinion of crossing. It is not limited to just passing. On the dragon it is dangerous to even let one tire cross the yellow or even ride down the center of it

p.s... be careful pulling off the road. Some of those dang pull-off areas drop off quite a bit

 

Yeah, this is my third trip in 12 months. I'll make sure and have a full brief for the drivers.

 

Try the "multi-quote" button to the right of "quote"...it's fun...

 

Yeah, this is my third trip in 12 months. And more in the dim past. We're old friends: she lets me ride, and I take back memories.

Respect: the key to success on The Dragon. I'll make sure and have a full brief for the drivers.

 

Thanks so much InTTruder! Looking forward to hangin' wit' the Audi peeps!

 

Well InTTruder, if you see me and the Frau in DB:



Stop by and say Hello, I can talk about 1.8T's and Quattro all day

This was my last car: