I’m sure the people will start filtering in, but I just got back from the 2005 Dragon Event and have to say it was lots of work and lots of fun.

Being up there for the entire week I had a chance to drive without the mobs of MINIs that showed up Thursday for the weekend.

Other than driving I don’t have anything to report other than it was a lot of work to put the event on and it paid off because everyone seemed to have loads of fun.

 

Sad to report that we made it home and are missing the Dragon already

 

I know what you mean, but it's always Dragon time and we'll get up there a number of times this year.

 

I'm back at Yucca's and E's place in Bluff Park, AL! I am SO burnt-out and happy, all at the same time! Once I collect my thoughts, I will post some more.

Many, many thanks to all the folks that worked so hard to plan a fun event for 400+ MINI enthusiasts!

Thanks, also, everyone for making the MKO Welcome Dinner a fun and successful event! Sweetwater BBQ ROCKS!!! What a great meal was served up for a HUGE MINI crowd!

I do want to brag about my awesome new 15% Alta pulley and UNIchip! Thanks to Detroit Tuned for the install and great personalized service......I love you guys, The Chad and Ryephile!

To be continued....

Clover

 

I just made it back to Michigan and wow am I tired! Thanks to everyone for their hard work in organizing this event. Just like last year, it was a blast!

More to come...

-Loren

 

My neck is still sore from all the turns on the dragon....that road is the craziest thing I've ever driven...and driven VERY hard...need new tires and brake pads now....

 

Just got back from the dragon and wish i could have brought that crazy road with me! That was the most fun i've had in a very long time Can't wait until next year if i can make it that long without visiting again Thanks for everyone who put it together and made it so much fun!

 

Even though I had to leave the Dragon a day early, I still had a blast. I'm ready to go again. Luckily three of us made a good run down and back up without interruption. It was great.

The food at the welcome dinner was very tasty. I know where I'm going for lunch the next time I am up there. The whole event was wonderful and I amazed how well it ran. Great work and a big thanks to all those in organizing it.

Also, honestly, I didn't see one spider the whole time I was there.

Now to go through more than 600 pictures and a few hours of video.

 

Finally got back tonight with much hesitance to leave that which is motoring perfection. I had a fantastic time meeting everyone (especially Snoopy (Greg) from down under - who is a fantastic navigator I must say) and hanging out swapping motoring stories (only told my wreck story 12 times I think this weekend ). Hope to see y'all next year if not sooner.

 

I'm glad you all had a great time,are getting home safe,and if I don't go next year,I'll,I'll,well I don't know what I'll do,but it won't be pretty

 

I just got in too. I miss the Dragon already as well.

Seeyas again SOON!

 

Sjolly, and I missed you on the last day there. That one run we had without interruptions was Fun. I also agree that the welcome dinner was great.

To let every one know that don't know I just started a website about two weeks ago and I now have pictures from dragon up on it. So check it out. And maybe Sb and Sjolly can help get some video up too. We have a great bumper cam run that everyone needs to see.
www.magicmini.com.

 

That was my first (of what I expect to be MANY, MANY) time to the Dragon. I just got home & I'm still euphoric!

That was just about as much fun as I've ever had - and it was legal (mostly - don't tell that state trooper about my Dragon runs!) and sober (except for after driving hours). I was so impressed with how well everything went and with the caliber of people I met. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. MINI folks are just an amazing bunch of people I feel very proud to know and associate with!

The Dragon was amazing and the Smokies were beautiful. The weather couldn't have been better. Despite losing my cookies (& the Rally - sorry, Haemish!), those road are 10X better than any amusement park.

I must say that Midnight on the Dragon was quite the test! Man, is that road scary after dark! You have no idea how dark it is! I stopped to put out flares for that poor Miata (at least the driver seemed mostly ok) & when I was walking around the curve I realized without MINI headlamps I could barely see the road 4 feet under my chin! Dang, but it is black up there!

I'm really looking forward to seeing the Big Damn Photo! The BDP is going to have a place of honor on my walls - a picture of my second family!

Here's to Camp MINI! You guys all rock. I am totally looking forward to next year.

Deb
To everyone who helped organize, my many thanks. :smile:

PS If anybody knows where my LED flares went to after the Dragon, I'd appreciate a PM.

 

Yep yep! It was a hoot!
The best thing is, not one mini to my knowledge was in an accident.
(At least not since 6am Sunday morning) I hope the guy in the miata is ok, because that tree didn't make it.

Neko! I think you just coined a phrase. (Camp Mini!!) I like that.
Oh, about your flares, I'll bet you those officers know exactly where they are.
Oh yea, Dozo yoroshiku gozaimashita.

 

Just got back too It was a great time but too short for all the things to do. Had a great time driving the Dragon & putting faces with names Thanks to EVERYONE who contributed to the success of this year's Dragon. See y'all next year

Lois

 

Yep, that 1 foot tree he wrapped the Miata around was snapped like a twig & thrown about 50 feet up the road.

From my understanding...

Unfortunately 2 MINIs were hurt - though, thankfully, no MINI folks. One MINI wrecked on the Rally - missed a turn - and another from the Detroit (I believe) caravan who wrecked not far from home - they never made it to the Dragon .

I heard that everyone was alright, but it'd be nice to hear posts from those folks hearing 100% that they are fine.

MINIs, though loved, can be replaced. That's what insurance is for. Friends can't be. :smile:

 

Oh! Sorry to hear about the Mini's.
Never made it to the dragon? D@#*! at least on the dragon
it would have been while doing something fun.

 

We also had a great time - thanks to all the organizers for putting together a fun and full schedule! We got our post-Dragon fix by taking the long road home through Dahlonega (north of Atlanta) and attacking the mountain roads there.

 

We were on the rally where the first MINI was totalled. Cooperphile from TX was right in front of us. His wife was driving. There was a fork in the road where you had to turn to the left. As soon as you went up a hill, there was a divot on the right side of the road. The MINI hit the divot pretty hard. When she tried to correct it, she flew to the left side of the road hitting trees and boulders. The MINI was twisted, frame bent, air bags deployed. Everyone was okay although terribly shaken. Haven't heard from Cooperphile yet but from what it looked like, it had to have been totalled. Poor MINI.

 

Wasn't 50 feet, it snapped and came down behind the Miata. A guy with a pickup truck pulled it as far as he could off the road. And then I was one of 3 who picked it up and moved it the rest of the way.

We were the first on scene from Fontana side.

It took the police and medics over an hour to respond.

Steve

p.s. by all accounts Beer was involved!

 

Yeah, me Steve and Jeremy moved the tree 4 feet, so it would be off the road entirely. That miata was seriously mangled. He had to have been drinking, and he never even tried to take the turn, just slammed the brakes and went straight into the tree.

 

I have a couple pictures of the Miata hugging the tree. I will try to get them posted in a new thread either tomorrow or Tuesday as long as they are deamed approiate . Either way I talked with Killboy at Crossroads of Time that night and will be sending them to him to show what happens when alcohol, fast cars, night and the Dragon are mixed. Back to the real thread subject I forgot to thank everyone of the organizers and all the locals for putting up with 300+ MINI's tearing it up all weekend.

 

Has everyone see the Walgreens commercial about the town called Perfect?? That's how I felt the whole time I was there. Awesome people, beautiful scenery, no stress and MINIs absolutely everywhere I looked. Perfect.

 

Well this is what we found first thing Sunday morning on our way home:



After inspecting the remains, we were able to determine it was NOT a MINI to our relief. I hope the person(s) involved were ok.

 

This is the remains of the red Miata that struck the tree on Saturday night, just prior to the Midnight Run on The Dragon. The driver and his girlfriend were injured and ambulanced out for medical attention.

Many thanks to the MINI folks who warned of the wreck and helped attend to the accident victims.

Clover