Had to know it was coming. Note thread

Heavy enforcement on the Dragon. As most of us knew the minority who way over do it can ruin it for all. Too bad but probably necessary if the bikes were that much worse then the MINI's. And I've seen some bad MINIs.

 

Yes, I've been reading about that. There's a lot of time between now and May, so we'll have to watch and see how it all ends up once the dust settles.

 

Yes, this particular heavy crackdown is forecast to run for the summer according to some 'sources'. But I'd bet even when this major one is done we'll see a bit more enforcement on weekends overall in the future. Just a hunch.

 

Geez...I'll bet the THP has no idea about the MOTD event.

Theo

 

I was there Fri - Sun and saw a much greater Police presence on 129, 28, and the Skyway. Actually witnessed a police chase involving 2 motorcycles on the Skyway. They ended up getting away.

Be careful out there.

 

I slayed the Dragon on Monday AM the 27th. And I rode the Skyway on the 26th. I did not see any police, both days.
However, I'm told there was a heavy presence of police early last weekend since the Harley Owners Group (HOG) had there National Rally in Knoxville with about 15,000 bikes in town.
As long as there are accidents and deaths in the Dragon, enforcement will increase, and rightly so.

PS: I was on the Harley vs. the Mini….

 

wow...bummer...hope things quiet down by next May.

Given that MOTD, and other car club gatherings, generates tens if not hundres of thousands of dollars (hotel/motel rooms, meals, gas, etc.), one would hope that NC officials would be banging on Tenn. for being over zealous and driving away business..

What's a "LEO" anyhow? Loser Effectiveless(not a word, I know) Officer?

 

Law Enforcement Officer I think. I'm not surprised given the number of accidents they were getting up to. Of course the sites detailing this are also a bit slanted and claiming serious harassment. I've been thinking of running down before it gets cold. Looks like the key is still to visit on weekdays.

 

Oh well, we should have a place like The Nuerburging, especially its North Loop or make Tail of The Dragon to be something like that.

I think some investors and people who's involved from NC and TN should go and do some case study of what they are doing over there.

Rent a race car, woo...hoo.....

 

Just need to get Clo elected as President - and other NAM members as Senators / Representatives - then we can turn the Dragon/Skyway loop into the MINI Motoring National Park...

 

There are lots of private tracks around the country now. You just pay your fee and go do your thing. There's one in PA I think and a bunch of them around the country, built specifically for auto enthusiasts to run all out.

Here are just a few examples:

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/s...05/story7.html
http://www.springmountainmotorsports.com/
http://www.wellstone.com/index.php?s...ews_item&id=11
http://www.racersranch.com/
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...ileges-cga.htm
http://www.autobahncountryclub.net/index.html

Even VIR has its own private club

 

What I said is, I wish there was a place like Nuerburing, not a track.

I agree with you. There are quite a few tracks for rent here in US.

But do they have the full facilities, top notch accomodations at full scale, plus other activities, like the at Nuerburging?, not quite and we have to admit it.

The Nuerburgring is not just a track or a driving school, it's also a tourist destination. They have everything that cars or bikes enthusiasts can dream off.

North Loop is also a legend, like the Tail of the Dragon, but without cops.
And I wish, the Tail of the Dragon would be like that.

Oh, well. Just a thought.

 

Oh, by the way, we don't have this here though: the Ring-Taxi. One of the fastest and most expensive taxis in the world.

The M5 taxi, 20+ twisty miles within 10 minutes @ ~$250.

 

Part of the Dragon's problem is far too many people have treated it as their personal US Nurburgring track. It is a public road after all. What we are seeing now are the consequences of that. It is hardly surprising. Well maybe the surprise is that it took this long for the powers that be to say enough.

If you want to drive fast go to the race track. Much safer & loads of fun.

 

Come on up to Nelson Ledges. I'll give you a 1.30 lap for ten bucks.

 

Or 4 six packs (after the run ), which one do you prefer?

 

How about 2 beers & a sandwich?

Oh, & no you can't drive my taxi.

 

Actually yes. I'm not talking about track days at Summit Point. Rather, the trends is now to build "country club" race tracks. They come with complete facilities, places to work on the car, schools, and the trend is to buy houses, condos, or townhouses the same way as around a golf course except its a race track.

As the baby boomers get older and retiring, this is an option for people to open up their Z06s or whatever. These are not track day places by private clubs.

Are they the ring? Of course not. There is no such place in the US. After all, the Ring was deemed unsafe for F1 cars but is now used as the ultimate test track grounds for car builders. Tourist attraction is secondary. I would think its BMW, Porsche, MB, Lexus and others paying big money for track time vice the piddling $10 or whatever to run the Ring where they make their money.

The point is, if you got the money, instead of joining a golf country club, you join a auto race track country club ... then go all the fun you can handle.

 

Oh well, I just wish that the Dragon would be like the Ring. That's all.

So everyone in the family would enjoy.

 

Track vs. Dragon = apples vs. oranges...there aren't usually cops, boat trailers, motorcycles, SUVs etc. on a track.

I just hope the kerfuffle, however viewed, calms down by next spring.

 

I agree, Katie. Plus, it's not the cars that are the cause of the crackdown...it's the antics of the crotch-rockets.

Maybe a couple of letter/email campaigns to the TDOT would remind them of how many tourist dollars the car enthusiast community brings their way? Just a thought...

 

I'm not interested in a country club but a private race track for cars would be possible.

see
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...3/ai_n16877795
Annual fees for private motorsports parks around the country -- such as proposed for PPIR -- typically range from $1,000 to $3,500.

The Aspen Sports Car Club, in existence since 1952, has a $60,000 initial ownership investment and $10,000 in annual fees for use of the 45-acre site.

 

Or a nice long & twisty toll closure road for car enthusiasts, no speed limit but w/ some safety restriction apply.

I cannot afford to be a member at any country club, but I'd love to play at Pebble Beach any day.

 

Oh I think 4 wheeled people also had a hand in what is happening now. There's a lot of guilt to go around. The sad truth is the few have really screwed it up for the many.

 

Problem is, most of the monies stay in NC. I think Tenn. is jealous and this is their way of having a hisseyfit