Strap in, sit down and shut up! It’s been a few weeks since we’ve all been able to get together and do a show, and we do that right here. We have some Dragon interviews, MINI United recaps, GP talk and just 4 guys sitting around talking about MINI Cooper stuff. Normal service has resumed. Next stop, AMVIV!
Woofcast 424:
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The MINI community is the one fantastic accessory you won’t find on the Configurator. It’s free-of-charge, but it requires participation. That community has its online elements like MotoringFile or MotoringAlliance, but if you really want to experience the community, you’ve got to attend an event like MINIs on the Dragon. I experienced this first hand this year, as MOTD 2011 was not only my first time at The Dragon, it was my first real MINI event.
Attending MOTD meant two solid days of driving — motoring from the Twin Cities, overnighting in Chicago, and finally arriving at Fontana Resort in North Carolina. I headed out Wednesday morning from south St. Paul and met up with Gabe just outside Chicago some seven hours later. With some pizza and brew consumed, Gabe and I talked cars and the road to come. It was easy conversation, since we have such similar tastes in cars. He’s excited to be taking delivery of his M1, and with good reason. He also sent his greetings to everyone at The Dragon. With our powers of MotoringFile united, I set off the next morning for Fontana. continued →
We’re a week away from the start of one of the year’s major perennial MINI events: MINIs on the Dragon. MF and WhiteRoofRadio will be there in force. I’ll be attending for the first time, meeting up with Todd and Chad for several days of MINI fun. There will likely be as many cars as there are corners and when the tire squeal dies down, the campfires will flare up. I can’t wait. I’ll be getting in Thursday night and staying through Sunday morning. Flag me down and say hello.
Now more on what the Dragon (MOTD) actually is. (video after the break) continued →
Over the years we’ve made it clear how much we adore MINIs on the Dragon as an independent US based MINI event. Arguably the largest MINI event in the US not hosted by MINI USA, MOTD is unique in that it is centered around one road in a vastly rural area. But what a road it is. The Dragon (as it is known) is an 11 mile stretch of US 129 that starts in extreme eastern Tennessee and turns 318 times before it ends in western North Carolina. To put it mildly it is arguably the best stretch of road in North America. With it’s inspiring layout and excellent banking, the Dragon is a rare road in that it has almost a magical rhythm do it. And in early May MINI’s take over the entire thing
Miss MINIs on the Dragon this weekend? Here’s the ultimate armchair experience – a full run down of the famed road from east to west with me in a 2007 MCS press car. Unfortunately several sections had to be cut out due to some traffic, but I think you generally get the idea. And keep in mind that this particular run was done casually with some regard for the law.
continued →
In honor of MINIs on the Tail of the Dragon taking place this week we thought we’d pull out a video we created a few years ago of our trip from Chicago. It gives you a small window into our 10 hour drive that day – including a shortened version of the ‘Dragon Night Run’ posted last year.
MINIs, Mountains and Dragons OH MY. That’s right, it’s time to gear up for the largest Annual Gathering of MINIs in the United States. The 7th Annual MINIs on the Dragon, taking place once again in the beautiful Smokey Mountains of Robbinsville, North Carolina from Wednesday April 29th to Sunday May 3rd 2009.
This event is based around a section of road called the Dragon, aka US 129, that runs from North Carolina into Tennessee. Can you say Twisties? How bout 318 of them in just 11 miles. We’re talking some white knuckle driving. But the event is so much more than just the road. Imagine getting up each morning and driving around breathtaking mountain scenery and every turn you take another MINI passes you by. No…..you haven’t died and gone to MINI heaven…….you’re at the Dragon!! continued →
1st Gen MINI R50: One & MC Hatch R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt. R53: MCS Hatch 2nd Gen MINI R55: Clubman R56: Hatch R57: Convertible R58: Coupe R59: Roadster R60: MINI Crossover R61: MINI Crossover Coupe 3rd Gen MINI F55: Clubman F56: Hatch F57: Convertible F60: MINI Crossover F62: Traveller
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Sections: JCW GP, MINI United, MOTD, Podcast May 22nd, 2012 17 Comments 
