I'm sure there's folks out there who have driven the Dragon. I have been seriously considering doing it because it sounds interesting. However I'm really interested in hearing your experiences and getting some advice. Is the event worth it? Did you enjoy it? Do you have some lessons learned you're willing to pass along? It looks like a pretty crowded affair and as far as I can gather the road is not closed for the event, but is just a bunch of MINIs generally sharing the road with everyone else. Can you seriously "play" and enjoy the challenge of carving the curves hard or do you just have to putter along? It definitely sounds fun to hang out with a bunch of enthusiasts, but...

Please let me know.
Thanks in advance!

 

Participate in the events like the fun run, beer swap, casino, etc. Book your room early.

I drove it several times after midnight and a one time in the early morning. I prefer midnight runs cause you can see oncoming headlights around blind turns and no cops, no motorcyclists, no traffic. All during the day the MINIs and other traffic is on the road.

 

Go to the Mini Slay the Sleeping Dragon. Its a small group of people and you can learn from other MINI owners on what to do and you won't have 600 cars screaming by telling you to hurry up.

 

My advice, take a weekend trip down before the MINI's run. Stay at Fontana and enjoy the various roads that abound. Get to know the area so to speak.

This way you're not overwhelmed by what's taking place during the Dragon and not feeling you're missing out.

 

Thank you! Great advice so far! The advertisements all say stay in your lane and don't pass, so I was concerned with so many MINIs on the road with a wide range of skills I wouldn't be able to open it up a bit and carve the turns at the Dragon. The Mini slay the sleeping Dragon sounds cool too as described here. How many folks typically show up for that event? I've never driven the road at all but everyone I've spoken with say it's a "must". Which event is the most enjoyable (in terms of the comraderie vs. motoring excitement)?

 

If you use Google, and add "Site:northamericanmotoring.com" to your other search words, you might be pleased to see what you can find.

Here's a sample of that approach...

Cheers,

Charlie

 

I suggest going Mon-Thurs., to avoid weekend traffic. It is a public road, so don't be surprised by suvs towing boats and campers. Watch out for motorcycles - the Harleys and other cruisers are too slow, but the *** bikes (the riders, anyway) are nuts. Strictly observe lane discipline. The cops patrol a lot more than they used to. Make a conservative run one way, then, if it's clear, go for it on the way back. To do a fast run (about 20 min.), takes a lot of concentration. Don't take a passenger if they get motion sickness. Pull over , when you can, to let a more enthusiastic driver by. ENJOY.
Just my rambling $.02 worth.

 

I am the club treasurer of the Tar Heel Mini Motoring Club. Our Minis Slay the Sleeping Dragon event is on the weekend of the 22nd-23rd October. We are having a cookout north of Bryson City, NC at 5:00 on Friday the 21st and are driving the Dragon and other sweet mountain roads on Saturday and Sunday. See registration detail here:

http://www.motorsportreg.com/index.c...A57090268BFF2B

The list of drives and events is here:

http://www.tarheelminis.org/forumdis...leeping-Dragon

Hope to see you there.

 

As I slice the pie you really have two questions here.

First is "what about MINIs On The Dragon"? Yes it gets pretty crowded on the roads that {any} weekend and my opinion was the road just wasn't as enjoyable as it could be. On the other hand there ARE all the other MINI events and people so if that's the primary aspect 4u, you might be willing to accept a very crowded environment. Of course getting out to one of the other nearby roads is a way to mitigate as well.


This leads to part two:

Driving the Dragon .... the Dragon is inarguably a very interesting hunk of road but in my opinion has one serious draw back: 11 miles. Recognizing I may be called a blaspherer I'll dare to opine that having had the opportunity to live near and drive some very interesting roads over the years I find myself comparing an 11 mile jaunt on the Dragon, with a slew of motards and others where over half the time I find myself caught behind a very slow driver or ducking a wanna be fast driver, to the hour and hours I spend tooling around the mountains near South Lake Tahoe last weekend {in Ferraris and a Lambo' at that}, or the many days I spent exploring the coastal roads north of the Golden Gate Bridge thru Marin and Napa in CA ... I prefer the latter


The Dragon was fun .... and once was enough for me. There are many many more miles of fun road to find. If opportunity finds me close, I'll do it again but I don't think I'll go out of my way to get there again. Interestingly I asked the 'guys' who ran the event that allowed me to drive 'exotics' in Tahoe (Fer 599 & 458, Lambo SuperLegerra, Bentley SuperSports, Jag XKR) if they had considered the Dragon as a location for their driving events. They've been asked many times but "11 miles" and "too crowded" means people don't get to experience what their cars can do, even in a road environment. I'm not SAYING we hit triple digits routinely on regular roads, but there weren't many other cars around on the mountain roads we drove.

p.s. if you have never visited check out killboy.com for Dragon pics

 

Yes its crowded during MOTD but to me it ads to the enjoyment, that is what I go for to meet people of like minds, look at all the MINIs and to drive the roads. A early morning Dragon run or late evening it is almost to yourself, DO NOT CUT THE CORNERS.... many are blind corners and you may end up with a sportbike stuck in your grille.

2012 is the 10th anniversary of MOTD and a lot of special things are planed for it, I believe MINI USA will be there this next year as well.

Also next summer is MINIs Takes the States not many details yet but it also is worth the trip.

 

Just go!!

 

I went for MOTD 8 and one end of the road was closed off to all traffic both ways due to a rock slide. Only a single minor road joins the road along the route, but logging trucks and locals were rerouted entirely it seemed. There was a state trooper at the closed end and one in the middle somewhere who moved between a couple of predictable hiding places.

The group drives proved frustrating for me because of the range of driving skill or fear of driving exhibited by some. 20-25mph on roads with a posted limit of 35-40 is no good.

 

I don't even have my car yet and I booked a room for MOTD. I wanted to go years ago when I had my 2002 Mini. I am looking forward to the drive down and the event.

 

I've never been to the dragon, but this is excellent advice for any back road. I always do a slow "recon" run. Not only will you spot cops, but also potholes, road debris, etc.

 

Don't eat, right before you slay the Dragon...

If you need proof read my post "I lost it on the Dragon"

My first time ever down there I did it solo.. While it definitely was an expireance... I drove it three times then lost my lunch...

Yes I was pushing my car to the limits... I don't think I'll be back soon..too far... I guess it wouldn't be so bad with other MINIs there, it would prob slow me down a bit...watch the sport bikes...

Dave

 

Stop at Deals Gap and get you dragon sticker..

 

Go for it!! The roads, events and people make the Dragon worth the time! Everyone has their own favorite things to do and places to stay at and see. Go there for the experience you only live once (some people say) so, enjoy what you can. Just stay in your lane!!!

 

Wow. Some really excellent advice here and great points to consider! This is really helping - please keep the comments coming!

 

Set up your GPS (stand alone device) to show you the next few curves in the roads. Use it like a rally co-driver. I mount mine on the driver's window, the screen is by my left hand and does not interfere with anything or vision out the windshield or mirror.

Keep your car's jack in the trunk so you can rotate your tires before going home.

Almost goes without saying, but dump off all of the loose junk from the car at your hotel before hitting the roads hard.

Bring extra oil and make sure it is topped off before pulling some Gs in the corners.

If your brakes are stock, consider waiting for several minutes before your next run.

 

and just remember - what you cannot see around the next bend can definitely hurt you!

take it from an old sinner...

:-)

 

I saw on You Tube a guy on the Dragon and an 18-wheeler was coming around one of the sharp (blind) corners ahead. Looked like because the turn was so sharp the oncoming truck was taking up both sides of the road and traffic was stopped until he navigated around the curve. I also found a couple of other sites warning of truck traffic. Is it really that common to have commercial trucks on the Dragon? It surprised me, especially given all the curves and traffic why they'd risk it.... Nerve-wracking consideration...

 

Over the last couple years they have really stepped up law enforcement. It's not hard to get a ticket on a 30 mph road when you aren't stuck behind a slow driver. So be vigilant. I received a going away present from the TN HP on my last run at MOTD this year on my way home, kinda ruined the weekend for me.....

 

As to why trucks are on the Dragon, when a dispatcher sends a rig somewhere that road shows up as shortest route, the amount of curves and the sharpness of them do not show up on maps, most truckers that have gone that way say they will never do it again.

There have been renewed efforts to get big rigs banned from that stretch of 129 since a local rider was killed this summer by a rig that was on the wrong side

 

MotD.... Just go.

 

Sounds like either event will be a blast... Think I might just have to do the Mini Slay The Sleeping Dragon this month... Perhaps the MOTD next! I'm really loving this advice!