Spring Tail of the Dragon Run May 7th-9th (East TN), Hosted by Celicatech.com Options

[Murgatroy]

After discussion we have settled on the dates of May 7th through 9th for the Annual Celicatech Dragon Run.

For the uninitiated, The Dragon is a stretch of road that lies between Tennessee and North Carolina, it is known by many names, but it is officially known as US Highway 129. It is a marvelous stretch of road known to automotive enthusiasts the entire world over.

This is the 4th year for this version of our meet, but it is the evolution of the Pigeon Forge meet, which was held for many years prior.

We have anticipated a very high turn-out this year, as we have people come in from all over the country. This is an open invitation to all Toyota Owners, and will be posted across several boards. Last year we had over 50 cars all through the course of the event.

This will be my fourth year hosting it, and to be honest, it is the highlight of my year. I enjoy seeing me friends and making new ones.

Now, some of you might be asking, 'Why is it called the Dragon Run?' Well, let me explain.

We are car fanatics. And the reason we love cars, is that we love to drive them. So in a departure from typical meets, we plan this around driving. Driving through the Great Smokey Mountains and enjoying some beautiful sights and comradeship.

This year we intend to make several runs of the Dragon, and come down the Cherohala Skyway as well.

This is our intended route.

http://www.celicatech.com/gallery/files/1/4/6/Dragonmap.bmp

Lodging is being planned just off of Cedar Bluff in Knoxville. There are many hotels to fit different budgets.

Holiday Inn Select Knoxville-West Hotel (I-40 & I-75)
- www.holidayinn.com - (877) 863-4780

La Quinta Inn-Knoxville West
- www.lq.com - (865) 690-9777

Sleep Inn
- www.sleepinn.com - (865) 531-5900

Holiday Inn Select Cedar Bluff
- www.cedarbluff.hiselect.com - (865) 693-1011
- This is the suggested hotel. This is where most of us stay.

Econo Lodge West
- www.econolodge.com - (865) 693-6061

Hampton Inn Knoxville-west At Cedar Bluff, Tn
- www.hamptoninn.com - (865) 693-1101

Budget Inn
- www.hotelclub.com - (865) 934-1182

Please join in the discussion and we will see who all is coming, where you are staying, and what you would like to see happen this year. Every year is different, and every year is a blast.


2-Way Radios are recommended, this is how we all like to keep in touch with one another and make sure we all know where we are going.


I hope to see you attend.

Friday May 7th:

8pm: Meet, Greet, Eat.

Location: Cracker Barrel 9214 Park West Blvd. Knoxville, TN. Located just off of I-40/75 on Exit 378 (Cedar Bluff.)

Saturday May 8th:

8am: Meet and prepare for departure.

Location: Old Food City Parkinglot. This is located on Executive Park Drive, just across from the Holiday Inn Select. Just off of I-40/75 on Exit 378. Yes, just down the street from Cracker Barrel.

9am: Departure.

This puts us reaching the base of the Dragon at or around 10am. Once there, we will stop for pictures and determine running order. In the event that more cars arrive than is safe for a caravan (20+) cars will be broken into groups. This is for our convenience as well as the safety and convenience of others on the road.

10am: Run!

We will begin running the Dragon at 10am, either was a whole or in smaller groups. Hopefully we will be able to get several run in over the next few hours.

1pm: Pictures.

We will make our way to the top of the mountain to the church for more pictures.

In these pictures I would like all cars represented and uniformly parked. This is to ensure equal exposure of all cars and attendees being visible and represented.

3pm: Cherohala Skyway.

At 2pm we will depart the church and head for the Skyway. This will be a long run, so I suggest that anyone that needs gas for the next 100 mile stretch have it. There won’t be any gas stations.


8pm(approximately): Dinner.

Location as of yet to be determined. As all the cars should be in a tight group, general consensus will determine.

Sunday May 9th:

10am: Discussion, Show and Bench Racing.

Location: Old Food City Parkinglot. This is located on Executive Park Drive, just across from the Holiday Inn Select. Just off of I-40/75 on Exit 373.

All points from here on out will be played by ear. I know some folks desire a junk yard run, some would like to head to Pigeon Forge for Go-Karts and or shopping.

2pm: Lunch/Dinner.

Location: To be determined


At some point and time after this, we will all go our merry ways.

Some folks will be in earlier, some folks will be staying later. This is only a general guideline, however, we will be trying very hard to stick to these times. If you get lost, or lose the group, please be aware of our planned route and stick with that, and try to meet us at our planned locations.

Remember your Two-Ways. We will be on channel 14.

My name is Murg and my number is (xxx) xxx-xxxx

This post has been edited by Murgatroy: Dec 4, 2009 - 5:41 PM

[lilgreenyoda]

THERE.

[pittfirefighter]

hmm why not? i'll make the 9 hour trip

This post has been edited by pittfirefighter: Dec 6, 2009 - 12:25 PM

[MR2Guru]

You know me, I'll try my damnedest!

[richee3]

I may be in. It's not written in stone yet, but we'll see how things go.

[supershannon77]

So Jim and I are going we are getting a cabin with some friends so we may have some extra space pm me if interested so we set up a plan. Can't wait

[Murgatroy]

So Jim and I are going we are getting a cabin with some friends so we may have some extra space pm me if interested so we set up a plan. Can't wait

I have to warn you about the cabins. Harry and Mindy (MR2Guru) will say the same.

The odds of there being a Rod Run (Grand/Shades of the Past, etc...) during this time of the year is very good. It is nearly a non-stop car show in Pigeon Forge during this time of the year. With that said, if you get a cabin up there, it is a total traffic jam. You will get in, but you won't get out.

The cabins are great if you plan on staying at the cabin, but trying to make the meet on time will be hard. Harry and Mindy were caught in it for nearly 4 hours last year before they decided they weren't gonna be able to meet up with everyone.

[supershannon77]

I will have to talk to Mindy again the other night she recommended the cabin and gave me the link to a nice one. Ill check with her and update u guys

[Murgatroy]

Bump.


You guys won't want to miss this.

[Culpable04]

I'm planning to be there as well, fingers crossed things work the way they should

[Murgatroy]

3 months and counting!

[Murgatroy]

2 months and counting!

[stephen_lee]

DAMN! if my v6 swap is done, ill be there without a doubt!

i think a 3,000 mile trip will be a good break in for her

This post has been edited by stephen_lee: Mar 11, 2010 - 6:32 PM

[MR2Guru]

BUMP!

[dabazied]

I'm still going to be on the east coast by this time, and still have to head to Chattanooga around that time anyways, so count me in.

[richee3]

I won't be able to come to this anymore, unfortunately. I've got too many bills coming up due at the start of May and I don't have a Celica anymore. Not one that runs, anyway. But to the members that do go, I demand that this thread be filled with pictures!

[Bitter]

I'll be down there end of May with a group from another forum. hopefully the road is ALL cleared by then.

[Murgatroy]

A week away, I hope to see some folks from here there!

[bloodMoney]

I'll be there in the 6gen Murgy! Unfortunately, I won't be in either alltrac..... I don't trust either to make it all the way down and back....

[lilgreenyoda]

I'm STILL there. :-)