7/7/07 Cruise to Tail of the Dragon

[stevet]

Extra large please, Al

[Al N.]

They are 17 x 35 and 17 x 37...exchangable for any size, natch.

 

But you're going to have to get to the Dragon via California to snatch either from some of the other attendees....:cheers:

 

 

[Al N.]

FYI, From TailoftheDragon.com website:

 

BULLETIN: Two motorcycle fatalities in area on Saturday. Neither was on the Dragon.

A VRod rider was killed in a head-on collision with a car on US129 near TN336. He was passing other bikes in a no passing zone and met his fate at the crest of a hill. The Daily Times of Maryville got the location right, but the much larger Knoxville News report the death as occurring on the Tail of the Dragon even though it was some 14 miles distant. Do you believe everything you hear and read in the news? Also let it be known that there are more motorcycle deaths on other roads in Blount County than on the Dragon.

The second death occurred on the Cherohala just on the North Carolina side. This sportbike rider was new in the seat and fixated on a low side by the rider in front of him. He went off the road and struck a tree. We reiterate that the Cherohala is more dangerous that the Dragon. Please slow down wherever you ride.

 

The Tennessee Highway Patrol had three cars on the Dragon late Saturday afternoon and they stayed until 9 pm. Sunday there were four there most of the day. It seems they focused on the extreme riders only. This is probably a reaction to the death on Saturday even though it was 14 miles away. We believe that enforcement will be stepped-up along US 129 so be warned to watch your speeds from US411 through the residential sections and along the Little Tennessee River all the way to the Dragon.

[Al N.]

One of my last posts before the big old event....

 

Folks - Wow, I can't believe I'm just one week away from pulling into Tapoco to start set up for USA7s at the Dragon. A week away from having breakfast at Mrs. Rowe's with old friends and new en route. If I don't stop waxing lyrical, I might even get misty about it all.

 

I wanted to let you know that I'll pretty much be offline starting tomorrow. I took all of next week off, and am starting my trip down on July 3rd (someone's thirty-somethingth birthday, btw). Like many registrants, I'm getting in Thursday early evening. Was thinking of going into town (mexican or bbq) for dinner, but perhaps will just settle into Tapoco and start the set up process. If you're around, please come by and find me or one of the other co-organizers to introduce yourself and perhaps lend a hand if needed.

 

FWIW, I just visited the weather.com site and here's the forecast:

 

Fri

Jul 6

Partly Cloudy

87°/61°

20% chance of precip

 

Sat

Jul 7

Mostly Sunny

86°/59°

10% chance of precip

 

:hurray:

 

What else...oh, I'm happy to announce that Manik, LLC - the Westfield distributor for the US - has stepped up to sponsor the opening Welcome reception on Friday afternoon. Much thanks to Tom M.! Westfield dealer Doug B. will be bringing the just registered Westfield/Miata (the one that was at Carlisle) to the festivities. You might not know this, but it's actually the 25th Anniversary of Westfield (those cheeky monkeys)...really, thanks again guys.

 

In other news, Dick Brink of Texas Motor Works is going to donate some items to the Club for raffle/auction - he mentioned a "7" belt buckle that I'm sure will be most coveted. Dick will also join the swap meet with some parts and other odds and ends. Thanks Dick & Lynn!

 

Some of the materials and memorabilia have started to arrive too.

 

Like this Pencil (a pen might explode if left in car during summer heat):

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1407178510_Pencil.jpg

 

And these name badges (decided against a fancy lanyard for cost reasons...does anyone really keep/reuse those lanyards?):

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/674833831_Badge.jpg

 

 

(Billy Joe is the creative director on the art side here at Mint.)

[slngsht]

Al = Superman

[Al N.]

Aw shucks.

[powderbrake]

I like the badge, it will help a lot if everone wears theirs so I can put some names and faces together. I need repetition and reinforcement to remember the names. ( My wife says I leave the house with a clean slate each morning)

The pencil is a good idea as well. Good job Al.

 

[Al N.]

More swag arrived via brown truck today...I guess I could have had it shipped down, but wanted to make sure it was a-ok before showing up in NC.

 

All this and a t-shirt and a few other items for $20? What a bargain! (hope you all agree)

 

I have to say that getting my art direction (I'm a copywriter by trade) act together in time for patches was not possible. And stickers require crazy quantities...though there is one surprise waiting.

 

BTW, the decision to go with Club branding and not event branding is due to the minimum quantities...let's just say the PNW2007 folks will benefit from our order.

 

And yes, the bottle is polycarb (like Nalgene bottles). Little spiral pad (for jotting down FTDs and names of new friends) has zip pocket for receipts and registration/insurance card.

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2059153323_Swag.jpg

[Al N.]

This is not the surprise.

 

There will be a limited number of these hats available at 7-7-7, first come first served basis. Although we could order another batch if there is enough interest. I happen to like the retro look of the white stitching contrasted with the modernish logo (in silver).

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1895184182_Hat.jpg

[stevet]

[Al N.]

For HRK and anyone who would like to come to 7-7-7 but has not registered or paid...an updated schedule of events follows below.

 

To register & pay, please arrive at Tapoco on Friday July 6, 2007 between Noon and 4 PM. The Club will be accepting only cash and checks for fees and memorabilia during the event. The Club reserves the right to limit registrations — which will be handled on a first-come first served basis. (If you've already paid, you're in...don't worry.)

 

---------

 

USA7s at the Dragon Event Schedule (July 6-8, 2007)

 

All asterisked items will be held at Tapoco Lodge.

 

Friday — July 6th

 

12 Noon – 5:00 PM

Open Registration (Main Lodge Building)*

Open Driving Time/Registrant Rendezvous

Open Slot Car Track (Main Lodge Building)*

 

4:00 – 5:30 PM

Opening Reception sponsored by Westfield*

Meet & Greet/Car Show Prep*

 

5:30 – 7:00 PM

Informal Car Show/Casual Dinner*

 

7:30 – 9:00 PM

“Introduction to the Tail of the Dragon”

Presentation (Location TBD)*

 

9:00 – 10:00 PM

Regional Roundtables (Location TBD)*

 

10:00 – Midnight

Movie Screening, “Grand Prix” (Quonset Hut)*

Networking*

Slot Car Track/Main Lodge Closes at 11 PM

 

Saturday — July 7th

6:00 AM

Early Bird Drive Rendezvous (Crossroads)

 

7:00 AM

Slot Car Track Opens (Main Lodge Building)*

 

7:00 – 8:00 AM

Marque-Specific Roundtables (Location TBD)*

 

8:00 – 9:00 AM

Breakfast Buffet (Main Lodge Building)*

 

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Open Driving Time/Registrant Rendezvous

 

4:00 PM

Group Photo Shoot Rendezvous (Fontana Dam)

 

4:15 – 5:30 PM

Group Photo

 

6:00 PM

Slot Car Track “Qualifying” Ends

(Main Lodge Building)*

 

6:00 – 7:30 PM

BBQ Dinner (Quonset Hut)*

 

7:30 – 8:00 PM

Club Elections & Awards (Quonset Hut)*

 

8:00 PM

Slot Car Track Reopens for fun runs

 

8:00 – 9:30 PM

Builders Roundtable (Quonset Hut)*

 

9:30 – 10:30 PM

Screening of “The Prisoner” Pilot

(Location TBD)*

 

10:30 – 12 Midnight

Networking*

Slot Car Track/Main Lodge Closes at 11 PM

 

Sunday – July 8th

7:30 AM

Auto-Xers Depart for Maryville, TN*

 

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Auto-X (William Blount High School)

 

7:30 AM – 7:30 PM

Non Auto-Xers are welcome to watch the Auto-X or

further explore local roads

 

7:30 PM

Ad Hoc Dinner/Farewell Party

(MEAL NOT INCLUDED IN REG. FEE, SITE TBD)

[Mutt]

Unfortunately, the Asheville Cat is not going to be on the road for the Sevens at the Dragon. Oh, well. I can quit obsessing about clutch parts. Mary and I will be there, however, along with James and the 88th Series One built.

 

Mutt

 

[Al N.]

Good news/bad news there Mutt.

 

See you all very soon. Thanks for everything everyone!

[Al N.]

Well, the event programs are done. :hurray:

 

Now I just need to fit it all in the tow vehicle.:cry:

[stevet]

You need one of these Al...

 

 

[stevet]

Doh, remember to upload image :banghead:

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1072373949_road train060.jpg

[andrew7]

Hi Al, everything looks great. My head would have been spinning getting everything organized.:crazy:

 

I have 1 stupid question to ask, I'm planning my routing down to the Dragon and started to think, Is there local road maps in the event planner? I was getting ready to print maps out from http://www.tailofthedragon.com/maps.html but wasn't sure if its one of those little overlooked things.

 

see you in a few days:)

[Al N.]

Yes, there are 2 area maps in the program...one of the Dragon and another of the general vicinity, extending from Knoxville area to Asheville and down past Franklin NC a little bit.

 

There are also all sorts of other Maps available for free when you are down there.

 

[ce1984]

My dad and I are getting ready to purchase a LSiSC and I'm hoping we might be able to drop by on 777 and check out all the cars and maybe get the kind of input that's hard to garner on internet forums. We'll be crossing through the area on the 7th on the way to my college orientation, and hopefully will be able to stick around for a few hours, say 12-4. Are people going to be around to converse with, or is everyone going to be using every waking hour slaying the dragon? One of the main reasons we're doing this is to clarify whether we really need to order an SV size chassis (obviously we'd rather not if we can manage otherwise). Please let me know if your going to be 'around' during this time so we might be able to have a chat.

 

Thanks

 

ce1984

[Boxologist]

from the saturday timetable ur best bet to see everything is the event just after 4pm at the Fontana Dam photo.