MotoringFile at the 2006 Dragon

Sections: Events | Site News Apr 10th, 2006 36 Comments

Yes the rumors are true, an official MotoringFile contingent (along with myself) will be attending MINIs on the Dragon for the first time this year. I’m personally very excited about meeting a few folks, seeing some sweet cars, and simply relaxing a bit at Fontana. Providing the promised wifi comes to fruition, I’ll also be doing a short daily piece on day to day of the events for the site.

Now for all the folks who have no idea what the Dragon is, and why everyone keeps talking about something called MOTD, check out the following links:

[ Tail of the Dragon: History ] TailoftheDragon.com

[ MINIs on the Dragon: Overview ] North American Motoring

But all that aside, I’m curious to hear how many MotoringFile readers will also be making the trek. And if you’re attending, where are you coming from, and where are you staying while there?

Written By: Gabe

Jim

I’ll be there, driving up from Atlanta on wednesday. Staying at Tapoco. Hope to run into your guys!
Rodney

I am making the trek from Northern California, staying at Fontana Village.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com Greatbear

I’ll be there, stay at Fontana. I should be easy to find. Look for a guy with a MINI. ;-)
matt

Northern California, eh?

do you have access to Full Sail or Deschutes beer?
paulsminis

My lovely wife and I will be there — 2nd time for us. We will stay this year at Fontana and are really looking forward to it — but first in my mind right now is getting ready for Drivers’ School at Putnam Park on Easter weekend. Once that is over, then I will get serious about getting ready for the Dragon!

See you there!

Paul
LTZMTOR

Grey Smoke from new motor, installed 2 weeks ago! Won’t be there!
http://www.gomotoring.com Mark

Fontana Lodge with the wife and kids. No room for luggage in MINI…
Robert S. LeBlanc

We will be there, driving up from Atlanta. Staying at Tapoco. Hope to run into your guys! How do I get your grille badge? very cool!
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Robert – you can buy your own MotoringFile Grille badges (including the limited edition Dragon 2006 seen above) here:

[ MotoringFile Grille Badges ]
Steve

Pittsburgh, PA staying at Fontana
Helmut

coming from Athens (Greece) and Austria (Vienna) with my family…. and our 06 MINI (just arrived in the US)… look for a Royal Grey Cooper S with Union Jack’s on it… looking forward to meet some other MINI owners and have some fun!
Jen

Arlington VA. Third year at the Dragon. Staying at a B&B
http://web.mac.com/andrewz/iWeb/My20Site/My20MINI/My20MINI.html andrew

My wife and I will be coming up from Orlando and staying at Fontana Lodge.
Zyamfier

Gabe you know the Dragon Wagon will be there. Rumor has it you are meeting the Denver portion of the caravan in KC, is this true? Making the trek from the middle of Nebraska.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Gabe you know the Dragon Wagon will be there. Rumor has it you are meeting the Denver portion of the caravan in KC, is this true? Making the trek from the middle of Nebraska.

I can officially prove that rumor wrong. Since I’ll be driving from my home in Chicago, a side trip to Kansas City is out of the question :)
http://www.squirty.com/kurt kcollins

I’ll be there – having internet withdrawl as I’m staying at the Fontana.
Jon

Pittsburgh, PA staying at Fontana with Rodney who posted above.
http://bravo5.org/blog blalor

I wouldn’t be doing my part for the MotoringFile team if I didn’t point out the “official” 2006 MotD Frappr map! :-)

I’ll be heading down from Indianapolis early Thursday afternoon, targeting a pre-sunset arrival at Fontana. A caravan of MINICCI members are heading down earlier Thursday morning, but there are a couple of us trying to preserve what little vacation time we get.

This is going to be a great event; I can’t wait to meet everyone!
Teresa

How will we know who in the heck you are Gabe? I will be staying at Fontana (coming from Alabama), will keep an eye out for you : )
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

How will we know who in the heck you are Gabe? I will be staying at Fontana (coming from Alabama), will keep an eye out for you : )

Well I guess I’d recommend just taking a look at the pictures in the “about section” of MotoringFile and keeping an eye out. Or just ask around… I’m sure I won’t be far ;-)
tsukiji

DRAGON BABY!
tsukiji

How will we know who in the heck you are Gabe?

Keep an eye out for a Brett Favre lookin’ dude.
James

I’m coming up from Orlando. Sunshine MINIs is nearing 40 MINIs coming to MOTD from all over Florida.
Mini2Go

Another one coming from Pittsburgh! Staying at Fontana. This will also be the first time I’ve been able to go – even though I’ve had a MINI and been reading about it every year since the beginning!
Bart

My 3rd MOTD, coming from Virginia Beach, staying at Fontana. Several other MINIs from my area coming too..!
MadisonMini

I’ll be driving down from Madison,WI. Making a week vacation out of it. Arriving in Bryson City, NC four days before (30 miles east). Staying in a cabin up in the mountains, doing some white water rafting and mt biking for the days leading up to the drive on Friday. Can’t wait!
Kennedy

I can’t wait… Staying at the Tapoco Lodge with my fiance – who was disappointed to hear that Mrs. Bridger won’t be in attendance (at least I think I heard that on WRR)
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

That is correct. This will be purely a guys weekend for us :)
agranger

Dragon in 3 weeks (plus a few days)!

I’ll be driving in a 2 MINI caravan with a co-worker from Dallas, TX… meeting up with some folks from Houston on Thursday for a final drive across the Cherohala Skyway on our way to Fontana.

For those of you heading to the Dragon, don’t forget to check out and sign up for the Scenic Drive Around Smoky Mountain park. There are still a few spaces available in the 10:30 and 11am group on Saturday. See the NAM MOTD 2006 discussion board or event planner for details.

Aaron
CPUWiz

I’ll be there from Lexington, NC. I’ve been reading your site since around spring of 2003.
krenzkes

My wife and I are coming from Festus, MO and will be staying in our RV in the FOntana campgrounds, pulling Gunner down and back on a trailer.
Edge

Looking forward to meeting you in person, Gabe… if I get a chance while you’re surrounded by all your fans. LOL.

Things are really gearing up in preparation for this! We’re working our tails off trying to put together the finishing touches. I’ll be arriving a day early (Wednesday evening, May 3), so I’ll see you all down there (or up there for you Southerners).
http://www.hrmini.com AprilWhine

Fuzzy and I will be there, but we can’t do without Internet. We’re staying at the Microtel.

Coming from Hampton VA, bringing both his Flame MCS and my topless Daisy.
thatatvguy

Looking forward to meeting you on the scenic drive Saturday. (if you are the one that signed up) I’m in the same group.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Looking forward to meeting you in person, GabeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦ if I get a chance while youÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢re surrounded by all your fans. LOL.

Heh – we’ll see about that :)

Looking forward to meeting you on the scenic drive Saturday. (if you are the one that signed up) IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m in the same group.

10am? That’s me!
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