Recon trip to the Dragon

[slngsht]

Some pics from today

 

 

 

It was 28 degrees at 6:30 AM

 

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Some views from the Cherohala:

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/temp/20061104_124302_IMG_1330_Small.JPG

 

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Breakfast with Bill and Marcy:

 

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Marcy, Bill, Mazda and Al at a Cherohala overlook:

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061104_124549_IMG_1338_Small.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

Typical car port setup (this is Steve's room)

 

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View from our room

 

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A shot of the Mini club group pic (the cars were actually parked in a circle http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gif ):

 

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The theater at Tapoco:

 

 

 

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[Al N.]

Today was our real "work" day down here, where we had a lot of ground to cover, literally and figuratively. Gosh, where to start...

 

 

 

For starters, I woke up this morning at 5:30 with a pounding headache. Since I only drink non-alcoholic "near beer" (2 last night with dinner) these days, I guess I had a "near-hangover". It must be the lack of sleep.

 

 

 

We started the day with a drive over the Cherohala Skyway to rendezvous with Marcy and Bill P, two Seveners from nearby Knoxville.   We had breakfast at a little gas station/food place in Tellico Plains, which is at the other end of the Skyway from Robbinsville. Marcy and Bill are such great people, very warm — and of course, with their share of funny Seven stories (have we all run out of gas at sometime or another?).

 

 

 

Marcy had early on volunteered to be our local presence and that will prove invaluable as planning and organizing continues. Thanks again Marcy and Bill!

 

 

 

After breakfast, we drove back on the Skyway, which is much more of my kind of road compared to the Dragon. Longer faster sweepers and INCREDIBLE VIEWS. Mazda couldn't help himself from verbally identifying just how much faster we might (might) be able to take various corners and straights in Sevens. As the driver at the time, it was very amusing for me.

 

 

 

We continued to Deal's Gap, where we stopped at the motorcycle hotel there, formerly known as "The Crossroads of Time" for bathrooms and a quick snack. We ran into the Porsches from Pelican Parts and another PCA chapter and chatted up our own meet. We planned to make one run at the Dragon, then hustle back to Tapoco for our meeting.

 

 

 

This time, I let Mazda drive. My car. And I'll go ahead and say that it was both a fun and scary experience. Mazda is a great driver, by the way (those numerous auto-xs are serving him well)...he can heel toe with the best. Unfortunately, I think there were a few "technical errors" with the video on that run that render it unable to upload to YouTube, Mazda.   http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif LMAO, another story we can save that for 7-7-7 roundtable! Let's just say you can call me the "human accelerometer".

 

 

 

I think Mazda is posting the pix, and I'm doing the vids, so look for posts from Mazda for pix.

 

 

 

My initial and lasting impression is that the Tapoco Lodge is PERFECT for our needs. We can park lots of cars there, in the main lot and also up the access road to the cabins and quonset hut/theater. We were able to ask the owners lots of questions and get a lot of guidance on how we want to structure meals and meets and menus.

 

 

 

Right now, we're thinking about having 3 official group meals...Friday Dinner (burgers and portable foods so you can walk around and check cars out), Saturday buffet breakfast (including eggs and such), then Saturday dinner again (perhaps a pig roast, so it's more festive). For Sat lunch and Sunday meals, you're on your own (some folks are leaving early Sunday anyhow).

 

 

 

We're still discussing how to bill registrants for the meals — I personally prefer to not have to shell out for every little thing, instead paying a flat rate that includes all the stuff, including gratuties, etc. I don't know about the rest of you, but I want to just enjoy the time with everyone and not have to keep reaching for my wallet. Please post your thoughts on this matter over on the official meet thread:

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137

 

 

 

Another idea that came up on the visit was the notion of having movie screenings at night in their large quonset hut, a large building with vaulted ceiling that seats up to 150. Stuff like "The Prisoner", "Rendezvous", "Le Mans", "Grand Prix", etc.

 

 

 

(I'm working on getting better quality YouTube vids, btw. Have patience.)

 

 

 

Tonight we have dinner with Darryl "Killboy" Cannon, the dean of Dragon photographers.

 

 

 

Al Navarro2006-11-04 13:53:06

[stevet]

What is that parked in 'my' car port - The beginnings of a mobile bar perhaps? Not that I'm worried about this dry county thing you understand... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cheers2.gif

[Al N.]

Steve-I am looking at the available libations list now. They have a Stag's Leap Cab at the top of the list (pricey though!). FYI, despite it being a dry county, through some loophole that has to do with having a tennis court (I kid you not), they can sell beer and wine. If you need anything harder, you'll have to bring it in. I can see a real use for a little armagnac in the wee hours, served out of your "mobile" bar, of course.

[BillMarcy P]

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif We had a great time with you today, Al and Mazda, although I hold Mazda directly responsible for upsetting my delicate constitution...

 

 

 

Not really! Bill didn't have to follow you up the dragon so fast, now, did he? Seriously, it is far more fun riding in the Caterham than the RX-8. Even as a passenger one doesn't get thrown around nearly as much, nor feel the effects of motion sickness.

 

 

 

Oh, Al, you forgot to post the photo of your breakfast, true Southern style, at the Cherohala Market. I'd post mine if I could figure out how to insert it.

 

 

 

The meet on 7/07/07 is going to be great. Bill and I look forward to hosting you in our home anytime either of you return to the Bible belt right here in God's country. Have a safe drive home tomorrow. And thank your families for sharing you with other Seveners.

 

 

 

Marcy

[slngsht]

Bill didn't have to follow you up the dragon so fast, now, did he?

 

 

 

I'm hoping Bill had BIG smile deep down inside http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif

 

 

 

REALLY enjoyed spending time with both of you today... This is the best part of Seven ownership.

 

 

 

I'll see if we can arrange a trip around April (kids' spring break) to come visit you guys (and SteveT).

 

 

 

We'll have the minivan next time. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

[slngsht]

One more pic by Marcy

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061104_174228_Breakfast2.jpg

 

 

 

There are a couple of pics of Al's breakfast... I'm not sure if I can explain them, so I'll leave it to him to post if he wants to.

 

 

[Al N.]

My Saturday breakfast.

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061104_182312_Breakfast.jpg

[Al N.]

Tonight, we had dinner with Darryl and Lori Cannon, Mr. and Mrs. "Killboy". They run the premier Deal's Gap photography outfit: killboy.com.

 

 

 

There must be something in the water down here, because like everyone else we've met from the area, the Cannons were great. Hopefully, we can get them to take our group shot and also just hang out at some of our events when they're not shooting on the Dragon. Lets try to rustle up a guest drive for them if we can. THANKS DARRYL and LORI!

 

 

 

Here's a certain EVO that you really shouldn't mess with.

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061104_183456_Killboy.jpg

[Al N.]

Okay, here's a link to "what I could recover, with much effort" from Mazda's sprint up the D.

 

 

 

[slngsht]

It's as slow as I thought I was driving

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/leaving.gif

 

 

 

Camera setup works pretty well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BTW, a few notes on driving the dragon:

 

 

 

First, Al is the man for handing me the keys http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

 

The Audi TT is a great introductory car to the dragon.

 

 

 

It's very stable, and powering out of corners, the AWD really plants the car, so there is no conern about any funny business with the tail stepping out, etc... With a RWD car, there is really not much room for mistake if you overpower out of a corner and get crossed up.

 

 

 

Most corners are 2nd gear (at least with this car). If you have a high revving low torque engine, be prepared to play with the shifter alot - it was alot of fun.

 

 

 

You gotta save a little of the car's capability for the unexpected, as there are other cars and bikes on the road. We ran up and down the dragon 3 times, and only once saw a group that I felt were driving dangerously. My definition of dangerous is if you're taking your normal line, and the car is squeeling, getting wide, or you're crossing the yellow line. That leaves no room for the unexpected.

 

 

 

There is at least one spot (Thanks Bill for mentioning it to me) that some of the Sevens may have a clearance issue. The road goes from a heavily banked sharp 90 degree right to a heavily banked sharp 90 degree left. In between those two, you have to creast the curve, and the proper line through the corner may make something in the middle of the car drag.

 

 

 

Occasionally there might be a little bit of gravel kicked up on the road from someone dropping a wheel off, but we didn't really find that to be a problem. probably more of a concern for bikes.

 

 

 

There are a few guys on this board who have driven this road on their Sevens, hopefully they'll chime in.slngsht2006-11-04 19:19:21

[Al N.]

Last post before I get some rest...

 

 

 

A few assorted pix.

 

 

 

The TT doesn't have the biggest trunk. So I told Mazda to pack light. The Orange bag, the grey bag, and the box full of stuff are mine.

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061104_201953_Pack_Light.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

I may not be as fast or brave a driver as Mazda, but I must smooth enough...

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061104_202217_Sleepy.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Believe it or not, Nancy Johnson (tailofthedragon.com) has a Seven. Like my Superlight, it's got lots of carbon bits.

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061104_202327_Marque_Inclusiv.jpgAl Navarro2006-11-04 20:24:23

[slngsht]

 

I may not be as fast or brave a driver as Mazda, but I must smooth enough...

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061104_202217_Sleepy.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/toetap05.gif

 

 

 

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[Arya Ebrahimi]

Looks like a ton of fun.

 

 

 

Any particular reason you didn't take the 'vette?

 

 

 

BTW, Mazda, do you have an open seat for the event?? I wouldn't mind going if work permits http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/yesnod.gif

[slngsht]

Looks like a ton of fun.

 

 

 

Any particular reason you didn't take the 'vette?

 

 

 

BTW, Mazda, do you have an open seat for the event?? I wouldn't mind going if work permits http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/yesnod.gif

 

 

 

You can come as part of my family http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

 

 

 

Just let me know if you can make it, so I can pay for the food and registration fees.

[slngsht]

 

 

 

You can come as part of my family http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, if you plan to come with Erica, getting a separate room is probably a good idea http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif

 

 

 

Actually, we are going to be looking for an official tool truck to help any stranded cars, so if you're interested in that role, that'd be good.

[slngsht]

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/sleep.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/yawn.gif Somebody has a freaking hound dog in their room http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cuss.gif

 

 

 

 

[slngsht]

Any particular reason you didn't take the 'vette?

 

 

 

Al organized this trip and wanted to bring his car. Good thing too... I don't think he would've liked being a passenger in that car on the dragon. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

[Arya Ebrahimi]

 

 

 

You can come as part of my family http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, if you plan to come with Erica, getting a separate room is probably a good idea http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif

 

 

 

Actually, we are going to be looking for an official tool truck to help any stranded cars, so if you're interested in that role, that'd be good.

 

 

 

Assuming I can get off work, I would love to fill that roll. As we all know it seems I like working on my cars more than driving them lately http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

[slngsht]

Autocross update:

 

 

 

We visited the highschool lot that TN valley SCCA recommended. As they said, the pavement is a little rough.

 

 

 

KillBoy recommended we go to 411 Motor Speedway. They had a nice setup with a 1/8 mile drag strip, circle track with infield roads. The Porsche club was seting up their autocross there.

 

 

 

Tn talking with the Porsche club guys, it seems like the best place is a new concrete driver training facility for the Knoxville PD. Bill and Marcy are looking into this...

 

 

 

We're on the trek back home now.