The 2005 Tail of the Dragon Experience

Sections: Events May 10th, 2005 33 Comments

The uber MINI event that is the Tail of the Dragon has officially ended for 2005. For those curious about the event and what it’s actually like to attend, here’s an account from a Dragon newbie that was just sent in by long time reader Deb (aka Nekowoman):

Remember summer camp? Remember college? Making new friends that last a lifetime, partying and having fun without supervision? Now imagine a business convention with lots of events and dinners. Throw in a few roads that rival (and beat) the world’s best roller coasters. Add that all up together with the most wonderful group of people you can meet and do it in a MINI. That about sums up the Dragon. It’s so hard to describe, I’d almost say you have to go to understand it. This was my first time and it was just about the most fun I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to go back. It is a pilgrimage that all MINI owners should make at least once.

The inspiration behind this massive gathering of MINI lovers is a very special road. ‘The Tail of the Dragon’ is the nickname for a stretch of US 129 that winds up and down a mountain between North Carolina and Tennessee. It’s famous for having 318 turns in 11 miles. It is the kind of road that MINIs were built for.

The 3rd Annual MINIs on the Dragon was held May 5th-8th 2005 in Deal’s Gap, North Carolina. People came from all over the US, Canada and even Australia to drive the twisties. Four hundred and eleven people registered, but it’s hard to give an accurate headcount or car count. Most folks stayed at the Fontana Village, which is a collection of cabins, motel rooms, hotel rooms and campgrounds, but others filled up area hotels and B&Bs. MINI folks packed the place solid. Everywhere you looked or drove, there were MINIs. Not one MINI was identical to another. Everybody waved, every time.

The Dragon is quite the event, four days of shared meals, driving and having fun. Most people rolled in on Thursday. Just to show how nuts we all are about our cars, the car wash station was packed, in the rain! The Welcome Dinner was good ol’ southern BBQ followed up by lots of raffle prizes and a cigar saloon. Friday started out with a social gathering at the Fontana Dam and a leisurely first run at the road known as ‘The Dragon.’ Then folks broke out into their chosen activities, cruises and rallies, before meeting up for a panoramic picture of nearly everybody. Come evening, the Recreation Center was packed for the Chili Cook-Off and Pot Luck Dinner. The evening’s entertainment was Creeper Races, a live band and lots more raffle prizes. Saturday offered more driving adventures, cruises in the mountains and impromptu runs on the Dragon with friends. The Farewell Dinner offered more good food and lots more prizes to be won. A bonfire, complete with s’mores, gave everyone a chance to enjoy the final evening together.

The final event, Midnight on the Dragon, was not for the faint of heart. The Dragon is an amazing, challenging road. Come dark, an inky blackness that you haven’t seen since you last went backcountry camping, the road is a whole new level of challenge. Even at the speed limit, I was overdriving my headlights. There are no street lights. There was no moonlight. There are no reflective markers. The road twists and turns, climbs and descends with no warning in the blackness. There is little room for error, as a Miata discovered the hard way that night. I found the Dragon challenging and scary in the daylight. At midnight, it was thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. The smell of hot tires and brakes will forever make me remember my Dragon runs.

The Dragon is about the people. The people here on MotoringFile. The folks on NorthAmericanMotoring.com and MINI2.com. The people in your local club. Folks you’ve never heard of, but who also love to motor in this little car. The MINI brought me to the Dragon, but the Dragon left me with a profound sense of joy. There are amazing people out there just waiting to become a friend. There are still wild places to go. There are twisties to be found and rode.

Written By: Gabe

Vanwall
Wonderful write-up, Nekowoman! I envy your experience, but I’m glad to share vicariously – thanks for the posting!
```
        BCNU,
       Rob in Dago
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Steve

Sounds like a great time Deb.. I still have fond memories of my foggy evening run through the dragon on the way home from Birmingham a couple years back. My daughter still has un-fond memories of getting carsick multiple times in the 11 mile stretch. I will have to go back solo sometime.
Driving Hamster

I could not make it this year but I did go in 2004 (and will certainly return in 2006). You are right when you said that there is no way to describe the Dragon. One must see and experience it for one’s self to even get a clue about the event.
Doug Travis

I am just back from MINIS on The Dragon and it is hard to get used to not seeing MINIs at every intersection and around every corner. What a great weekend, that road is hard to discribe, but the new friends that I met are easy to discribe: WONDERFUL!!! I can’t wait till next year. I hope Gabe can post the panoramic photo when it comes out. Thanks Deb, you really captured the event.
Edge

Nice job, Deb – way to go, rally partner! I too had a blast… so sorry that it had to end so soon.

Hope to see everyone back there next year!

Note to everyone else: Be sure to carry plenty of barf bags if carrying Deb as a passenger. :P
Deborah (aka NekoWoman)

Okay, yes… I fully admit to losing my cookies on the rally. Navigating for 2 hours on twisties is a bit rough on the tummy! At least I didn’t mess up Edge’s new JCWs!

Everybody needs to come next year… it is so much fun!
michael Boice

That was an incredible write-up Deb! I’ve never really paid much attention to the Dragon, but it feels like a great time. I’ll need to make the trip next year…I’m suddenly sorry I missed it.

Michael
michael Boice

I read it again…Gabe, Deb should write for you now and again…”the smell of tires and brakes” – wow!

Man am I sorry I missed it.

Michael
Jon

Great account, I’m really jealous that I wasn’t able to go. It sounds like the Mecca of motoring.

Gabe, just curious, sprinkled throughout Deb’s text is about fifty question marks. I think any time she wanted to use a dash or hyphen, it somehow translates to a question mark. I don’t know if it’s just me, since nobody has commented on it yet. BTW, I’m on a Mac using Safari web browser.

Thanks.
http://www.gbmini.net/ Ian

The “?”s are on MSIE too – in the html source they are mostly single quotes
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Fixed… thanks for the heads up.
Tom

Yes I too had a great time and she is right – it is a roller coaster but you are in charge of the controls! The friendships were also a great thing to take away from the Dragon and plan to make more friend next year. Great write-up
ALEKS

Every year I regret not being able to attend this event. There are always great stories and it is a fantastic way to meet like minded MINI people. Next year I am definitely going!!! I think the next big event to come is MINI’s on Top. Not sure if anybody has any pics of this years dragon, especially the midninght run, it would be great to see. Not sure if anybody has seen the great t-shirts they had for it either, pretty sweet.
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

I’ve been watching NAM excitedly as new pics and videos are posted. Maybe next year I can make the trek way down there.

Has anyone come up with a total MINI count?

Sorry to hear about the guy dumping oil and glass on the road.
Jim

I had a blast at my first dragon event this year. For the number of people we had I would say the event went off without too much fuss. Glad there was only one MINI related accident during the weekend (it wasn’t even on the Dragon). Driving past the miata that wrecked Saturday night was interesting. Look forward to next year, I am already suffering from Dragin withdrawl.
Todd

Excellent, enjoyed your summary. I can’t wait to attend in 2006. Cheers.
greg

Was it hard to get lodging? I’d like to go next year and need to know how soon to start planning?
Tom

One of the NAM people said there was 311 MINIs but they will probably have a better count on their website. Start reservations for next year NOW. Finding out the host resort – which I think is Fontana again is the key – we stayed in Robbinsville and it was a trek to get there for events and runs, so the closer the better.
wrecker

Good write-up necowoman.

I have often driven down twisties (in other vehicles) and said to myself, “Man, I sure would like to be turned loose on this road with the right car and no cops” My dream came true on the dragon!!! I don’t think I have ever had the chance to run any of my vehicles that hard for that lenth of perfect twisty highway. I have already reserved lodging for next year, and have plans to go back in the fall. I will post some pic’s of my smoking brakes as soon as I get the film developed.

Thanks to everyone who helped organize and plan all the events/dinners.
http://www.rivercityminis.org Deborah (aka NekoWoman)

Yep, mark your calendars, put in your request for time off & call Fontana (http://www.fontanavillage.com/). They require a one night deposit. This year the whole village was sold out with weeks to go…

May 4th – 7th, 2006
WriteStuff

You captured it all, Deb. Great report! I just made my reservation for next year. The Dragon is thrilling and the area is beautiful. We stopped by Smoky Mountain National Park on the way back. I hang out at carnutgarage.com and enjoyed meeting all my online friends!
Bart

Excellent article Deb, you really captured it!!

I already miss the 3D twisties– I went around an interstate onramp just for the fun of it at lunch time today lol…
http://www.meanmrbean.com Nekowoman

Well done Deb!I enjoyed your enjoyed your summary of MOTD 2005.
http://www.meanmrbean.com Mamarazzi
http://www.meanmrbean.com Mamarazzi

Boy did I mess that up! LOL “Well done Deb!I enjoyed your enjoyed your summary of MOTD 2005.”
Minimotorin

Deb, I met you at the damn photo (I had the red cabrio two cars over). From somebody that has been to all the MINI Dragon events I have to say you captured it well in your wirte up. Here’s to everybody coming next year!
Sam J. aka majormini

Great Job, Deb. This was my third year at the Dragon and it keeps getting bigger and better each year. Meeting new MINI friends this year and also seeing old MINI friends from years past is what it is all about (Well, attacking the Dragon ranks right up there). Can’t wait until next and see all you guys there!! :)

Sam
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Thanks Deb for the thoughts. Sounds like a fantastic time. I can’t believe I haven’t done the Dragon yet. Next year… I swear I’ll be there next year!

BTW you can see pics of the event here.
Loren

Thanks for the recap! I was there just two days ago and I am already excited about going back!

Everything you described is so true! I was behind you at midnight and drove much less agressively due to the consuming darkness around us.

See you next year! -Loren (NOCLWNS)
http://www.cabmeister.com Keith Fenton aka. cabmeister

Well young lady you hit the nail squarely on the head . Unbeleavable .. Also a pleasure chatting with you . Guys/ Gals if you got the pleasure of doing so ,you know what I mean . What a bubbly,Pleasant personality . A terrific write up Thank you .
http://www.rivercityminis.org Deborah (aka NekoWoman)

Here are some of my photos… Thanks to a very generous friend (Seth!), I got to borrow a 8 megapixel pro digital camera so I have high res versions of these photos too.

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=2322&cat=500
tsukiji

Many thanks to all who organized the event, it was a blast-but the road is the REAL STAR!

Gabe: you absolutely MUST take your new MCS there ANYTIME YOU CAN!
acetonic

I went to the first 2 “Mini’s at the Dragon” events. The first one was very informal and fun. About 60 some odd MINI’s showed up that spring. I remember some great, spirited, drives up and down the Tail.

The second one, last year, was not so great. Too many MINI’s made the Dragon into a traffic jam. The “low speed parade” was a stop and go affair with some idiot in a EB S trying to see if his antilock brakes would stop him from rear ending me repeatedly. I wound up only making one trip up the dragon and left in disgust.

Since then I’ve decided to avoid any MINI events expected to attract much over 30 cars. It just gets too hectic and you lose that feeling that you know everyone there.

I will probably be running the dragon next week on my way to Florida, it’s a great road, but I don’t plan on doing any car club events there again. I think there really can be “too many MINI’s!”

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