Tail of the Dragon Thread - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Mishimoto · 10-16-2012, 11:32 AM

One of our employees recently took his WRX to Deals gap and had a blast on the Tail of the Dragon.
Anyone have interesting stories, images or video from the Dragon? Post them up.

318 curves in 11 miles sounds like a blast to me!

Mitch · 10-16-2012, 01:18 PM

I flew to Manchester, NH to get my BRZ back in mid June. After a couple of days of driving / visiting friends / sight-seeing I made it to the Dragon just a few hundred miles after finishing the break-in cycle. I'd never driven the Dragon and I was still new to the car, so I just took a gentle pace, but still had a blast! When I got the the small parking area at the top, people were flocking to the car. I went through all a few weeks worth of photos from the various photographers who dot the road, and I didn't see any other BRZs or FRSs, so I think I was the first to drive the road in an 86. I think I was there June 17th. If anyone drove it before me, I'd love to know.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SihNJT8Jtrg"]Tail of the Dragon - BRZ - YouTube[/ame]

A few pictures from the trip, including the dragon.

Mishimoto · 10-16-2012, 01:43 PM

^ Very Cool!

shadoquad · 10-16-2012, 02:16 PM

I have an interesting Dragon Tale. I was there this year. One of the days we were there, my mother (a nurse) and I stopped at that gift shop across from Deal's Gap. We weren't even going to drive it, but I decided at the last minute "why not, I mean we're here".

Some VW drivers had warned me of police shooting radar right across the TN line, so I should go slow for the first few miles.

We hopped in the Z and took her easy for a bit. Up ahead of us, there was an object in the road. My mom yelled, "STOP STOP STOP!" A biker with passenger had laid it down on the road in front of us. I stopped the car, my mom ran up ahead to tend to them. I ran back to the blind corner to wave down oncoming traffic.

The motorcycle driver and passenger were mostly ok with minor injuries, but that guy had to be the luckiest person to ever crash on the dragon. Within a few minutes, the police were on the scene. Two of the drivers that I flagged down were also medical personnel (an EMT and a Doctor). It would still be a while for an Ambulance to appear on the scene, but they were going to be ok and had immediate attention.

I am really proud of this story. I go down there at least once per year to rip up the roads, do touristy stuff, and enjoy the scenery. I take, take, and then take some more. This year, I got a chance to give back in some way. The policeman even thanked me for helping with traffic. Feels good, man.

Mishimoto · 10-16-2012, 02:43 PM

^ Very nice story! A good deed by you and your mother.

Grishbok · 10-19-2012, 05:11 AM

i got pulled over by an officer on my way down the dragon, got a warning, went across the border into TN and turned around at the harley davidson shop. On the way back, I blew the doors off the same officer and outran him in one hell of an all out hillclimb.

The weekend prior to that, a driver was flying down the road leading to the tail of the dragon, lost it right before the gift shop, flew into the air and landed on the dumpsters. Neither occupant lived.

Its a popular destination for motorcyclists, however its rare to come across one that can actually ride.

Its a magical destination, and everyone at some point should get out there. Its the USA version of Mnt Akina.

Mishimoto · 10-19-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grishbok

i got pulled over by an officer on my way down the dragon, got a warning, went across the border into TN and turned around at the harley davidson shop. On the way back, I blew the doors off the same officer and outran him in one hell of an all out hillclimb.

The weekend prior to that, a driver was flying down the road leading to the tail of the dragon, lost it right before the gift shop, flew into the air and landed on the dumpsters. Neither occupant lived.

Its a popular destination for motorcyclists, however its rare to come across one that can actually ride.

Its a magical destination, and everyone at some point should get out there. Its the USA version of Mnt Akina.

Wow that is an extreme story. What were you driving?

RL_BRZ · 10-19-2012, 12:19 PM

For those people who drive in this road. When and what time it's the best to drive in this road? Let say less traffic and no police in the area...

Mitch · 10-19-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RL_BRZ

For those people who drive in this road. When and what time it's the best to drive in this road? Let say less traffic and no police in the area...

The earlier the better. Traffic picks up as the day goes on until it starts getting dark.

shadoquad · 10-19-2012, 09:37 PM

Just as a reminder, all. Don't mess around if you drive this road. Pay attention.

Both of the drivers involved here escaped relatively unscathed.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...meet-bike.html

Roach · 10-20-2012, 12:52 AM

I'm a manufacturing engineer at a plant about 45 minutes from Deals Gap. About a week after my BRZ was finished breaking in, I volunteered to run to Knoxville airport, to pick up some replacement robot hardware. Needless to say, The Dragon is the quickest route there from where I work. Unfortunately, I was stuck behind some less than spirited drivers on the way to. However, on the way back, I chased down two sport bikes. They were courteous, and pulled over to let me by. This was around 7:30pm, and they were the only traffic I encountered. Since I was using a personal vehicle, I got payed $90 to run the Dragon with $10,000+ worth of robot parts and a mountain bike in the back.

einzlr · 10-20-2012, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roach

I'm a manufacturing engineer at a plant about 45 minutes from Deals Gap. About a week after my BRZ was finished breaking in, I volunteered to run to Knoxville airport, to pick up some replacement robot hardware. Needless to say, The Dragon is the quickest route there from where I work. Unfortunately, I was stuck behind some less than spirited drivers on the way to. However, on the way back, I chased down two sport bikes. They were courteous, and pulled over to let me by. This was around 7:30pm, and they were the only traffic I encountered. Since I was using a personal vehicle, I got payed $90 to run the Dragon with $10,000+ worth of robot parts and a mountain bike in the back.

And the parts survived?? Those guys on the sport bikes must have been beginners or something. Normally a sport bike can take any sports car hands down, no matter how nimble. Good to hear you got the road to yourself on at least one leg. Great story!

einzlr · 10-20-2012, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Just as a reminder, all. Don't mess around if you drive this road. Pay attention.

Both of the drivers involved here escaped relatively unscathed.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...meet-bike.html

Amen to that! I've never been (yet!!) but I understand that the shop at Deal's Gap has a shrine made car and bike parts from crashes :shudder:

RL_BRZ · 10-20-2012, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roach

I'm a manufacturing engineer at a plant about 45 minutes from Deals Gap. About a week after my BRZ was finished breaking in, I volunteered to run to Knoxville airport, to pick up some replacement robot hardware. Needless to say, The Dragon is the quickest route there from where I work. Unfortunately, I was stuck behind some less than spirited drivers on the way to. However, on the way back, I chased down two sport bikes. They were courteous, and pulled over to let me by. This was around 7:30pm, and they were the only traffic I encountered. Since I was using a personal vehicle, I got payed $90 to run the Dragon with $10,000+ worth of robot parts and a mountain bike in the back.

You need to pay before you can drive the Tail of the Dragon road?

10-16-2012, 11:32 AM	#1
Mishimoto Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 736 Thanks: 11 Thanked 404 Times in 209 Posts Mentioned: 52 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Tail of the Dragon Thread One of our employees recently took his WRX to Deals gap and had a blast on the Tail of the Dragon. Anyone have interesting stories, images or video from the Dragon? Post them up. 318 curves in 11 miles sounds like a blast to me!

10-19-2012, 05:11 AM	#6
Grishbok Volunteer Fire and Rescue Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Ambulance... sideways. Location: No. VA Posts: 546 Thanks: 97 Thanked 350 Times in 166 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	i got pulled over by an officer on my way down the dragon, got a warning, went across the border into TN and turned around at the harley davidson shop. On the way back, I blew the doors off the same officer and outran him in one hell of an all out hillclimb. The weekend prior to that, a driver was flying down the road leading to the tail of the dragon, lost it right before the gift shop, flew into the air and landed on the dumpsters. Neither occupant lived. Its a popular destination for motorcyclists, however its rare to come across one that can actually ride. Its a magical destination, and everyone at some point should get out there. Its the USA version of Mnt Akina. __________________ It's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

10-19-2012, 12:19 PM	#8
RL_BRZ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: BRZ WRB Pearl Limited Manual Location: Mays Landing, New Jersey Posts: 247 Thanks: 104 Thanked 40 Times in 35 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	For those people who drive in this road. When and what time it's the best to drive in this road? Let say less traffic and no police in the area... Last edited by RL_BRZ; 10-19-2012 at 02:03 PM.

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10-16-2012, 01:18 PM	#2
Mitch form follows function Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: RIP '13 BRZ Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 688 Thanks: 42 Thanked 234 Times in 122 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I flew to Manchester, NH to get my BRZ back in mid June. After a couple of days of driving / visiting friends / sight-seeing I made it to the Dragon just a few hundred miles after finishing the break-in cycle. I'd never driven the Dragon and I was still new to the car, so I just took a gentle pace, but still had a blast! When I got the the small parking area at the top, people were flocking to the car. I went through all a few weeks worth of photos from the various photographers who dot the road, and I didn't see any other BRZs or FRSs, so I think I was the first to drive the road in an 86. I think I was there June 17th. If anyone drove it before me, I'd love to know. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SihNJT8Jtrg"]Tail of the Dragon - BRZ - YouTube[/ame] A few pictures from the trip, including the dragon.

10-16-2012, 01:43 PM	#3
Mishimoto Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 736 Thanks: 11 Thanked 404 Times in 209 Posts Mentioned: 52 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	^ Very Cool!

10-16-2012, 02:16 PM	#4
shadoquad a quote out of context Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: '20 BRZ, '17 Silverado, '17 S1000R Location: (c)harm city Posts: 452 Thanks: 310 Thanked 210 Times in 141 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have an interesting Dragon Tale. I was there this year. One of the days we were there, my mother (a nurse) and I stopped at that gift shop across from Deal's Gap. We weren't even going to drive it, but I decided at the last minute "why not, I mean we're here". Some VW drivers had warned me of police shooting radar right across the TN line, so I should go slow for the first few miles. We hopped in the Z and took her easy for a bit. Up ahead of us, there was an object in the road. My mom yelled, "STOP STOP STOP!" A biker with passenger had laid it down on the road in front of us. I stopped the car, my mom ran up ahead to tend to them. I ran back to the blind corner to wave down oncoming traffic. The motorcycle driver and passenger were mostly ok with minor injuries, but that guy had to be the luckiest person to ever crash on the dragon. Within a few minutes, the police were on the scene. Two of the drivers that I flagged down were also medical personnel (an EMT and a Doctor). It would still be a while for an Ambulance to appear on the scene, but they were going to be ok and had immediate attention. I am really proud of this story. I go down there at least once per year to rip up the roads, do touristy stuff, and enjoy the scenery. I take, take, and then take some more. This year, I got a chance to give back in some way. The policeman even thanked me for helping with traffic. Feels good, man.

10-16-2012, 02:43 PM	#5
Mishimoto Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 736 Thanks: 11 Thanked 404 Times in 209 Posts Mentioned: 52 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	^ Very nice story! A good deed by you and your mother.

10-19-2012, 09:37 PM	#10
shadoquad a quote out of context Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: '20 BRZ, '17 Silverado, '17 S1000R Location: (c)harm city Posts: 452 Thanks: 310 Thanked 210 Times in 141 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Just as a reminder, all. Don't mess around if you drive this road. Pay attention. Both of the drivers involved here escaped relatively unscathed. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...meet-bike.html

10-20-2012, 12:52 AM	#11
Roach Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: '98 Impreza RS -> BRZ Location: Just East of Deliverance Posts: 21 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm a manufacturing engineer at a plant about 45 minutes from Deals Gap. About a week after my BRZ was finished breaking in, I volunteered to run to Knoxville airport, to pick up some replacement robot hardware. Needless to say, The Dragon is the quickest route there from where I work. Unfortunately, I was stuck behind some less than spirited drivers on the way to. However, on the way back, I chased down two sport bikes. They were courteous, and pulled over to let me by. This was around 7:30pm, and they were the only traffic I encountered. Since I was using a personal vehicle, I got payed $90 to run the Dragon with $10,000+ worth of robot parts and a mountain bike in the back.

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