Feeler: Tail of the Dragon/Deals Gap Meet and Roadtrip., Lets kick off the summer in style! Options

[Driver]

Since the weather is getting nice (finally) I think now would be a good time to bring this up. For the last FOUR years I've tried to get some people together to take a road trip down to Tail of the Dragon/Deal's Gap in Tennessee and North Carolina. Everyone is always really stoked and excited to go at first, but end up backing out at the last minute. I would really love to go, I need a vacation from work and taking a long drive is just what I need. Last year I said screw it and drove across the country to check out TORC's 15th annual Toyota Fest in Cali and I won furthest driven.

All the info you'd need are on these 2 sites pretty much.

http://www.dealsgap.com/

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

I want to start planning now so we can make this happen around the middle of May to the end of June. I know it gets crazy down there the first couple of weeks following Memorial Day weekend. I was thinking about making this a 3 tor 5 day long weekend trip. We could leave on a Thursday/Friday and come back on a Sunday night or Monday. There's lots to do down there, especially in Gatlinburg. As long as there's enough people over 21, we shouldn't have a problem getting a room or what not. I looked over some ideas from last year and there's a few good hotel's we could stay at.

I'm just throwing the idea out there. I'm going no matter what, I've waited too long to not go. Tell me what you guys all think.

We could possibly have a install/maintenance meet the weekend before to get everyone's car running tip top with a fresh oil change and new brakes if you need them. I'm more than happy to volunteer my time/house/tools for anyone who would need them. I really want to make this work.

I'm posting this to gauge interest on a few forums (all Toyota related )

Here's what I dug up from my past posts...

For those that don't know, the tail of the dragon is an 11 mile stretch of road that is on the TN and NC border. It is a mountain road with many twists and turns. 318 to be exact on the tail. There are also other roads around there that are just as great.



Maps of the Dragon


Maps of the Cherohala Skyway



Since there is higher police force in TN on the roads, I searched the maps and there are roads in NC that are good as well. Here is a map of a big loop that includes the Dragon, the Cherohala skyway, as well as other roads. This way we can keep it easy in TN where there are cops and push the limits a bit more in NC because there isn't much enforcement there.


You can't tell me that this doesn't look like the most fun thing EVAR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwmjfUm1uIU



This post has been edited by Driver: Mar 21, 2011 - 5:48 PM

[Bitter]

Just an FYI, http://www.club3g.com/forum/national-forum...ional-meet.html C3G is doing it the 20-24th to AVOID the Memorial Day crowds. I would suggest a similar plan of action since holiday weekends are ****ING BAT**** INSANE PACKED WITH PEOPLE THERE.

Scenic 73 is a god damned ****ing blast to drive, I probably spent more time near 8000 RPM than I could have possibly imagined and it was the most fun I've ever had driving.

[bloodMoney]

After voting, and prodding, and name calling the date has been set.

The Annual Celicatech Dragon Run will occur on May 21st and May 22nd of 2011


Yup, it is the special time of year again folks. When we all get restless and thinking toward what is our favorite event. This is an event that has been going on for several years now and it is always the highlight of my year.

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.

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.

There will be plenty of time for looking at cars, enjoying the companionship and eating, however, the meat and potatoes of this event is driving.

We always expect a large turnout, and this year will be no exception. Barring any landslides, floods and other unforeseen acts of nature, we will have a good run.

One thing I would like to stress is making sure that your car is up to snuff. This is not a Sunday drive through the country. Please, make sure your tires are good, cooling systems are in shape and you have all the gears in your transmission. I will not be performing a tech inspection, so please use some common sense.

Lodging information is listed below.


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.


Now, in a departure of previous years, I am not making an itinerary, and I will leave it up to discussion of how and what we will do. No one stick to the itinerary anyways.

If you need anymore information, feel free to contact myself or post in this thread.

And please, spread the word to other enthusiasts.

This is a yearly event from celicatech.com. It's already planned out and we're expecting a big turnout this year......

[block]

ah shucks...wish i could go. damn new job wont let me get any vacation time until september...YES! september! reason i wanted to go was so i could visit my uncle/auntie in statesville

[Driver]

I'm glad to see it's already being set in motion haha. I'll see how people I've already talked to feel about the 21st and 22nd. That is if it's ok I tag along

[bloodMoney]

All Celica's are welcome! In fact, we have members there that have moved on and still go because they enjoyed themselves so much. Honestly, once you go, you'll want to join up ctech as well....

[Driver]

Nice! I'm waiting for interest to gather on like 4 other boards before I see what dates will work best for me. I'm glad to see some solid interest already on here

[Stambo]

ill be attending a wedding instead