The Road.
The Tail of the Dragon is probably the closest thing in spirit to a place like the Nurburgring that we have in North America. While there are countless great roads all over the US and Canada, nothing I have ever seen quite compares to that 11 miles stretch of Highway 129: the on camber-corners; the elevation changes; the smooth glass-like surface; and the deadly surroundings. It all comes together to give you an experience that is as thrilling as it can be scary.
Driving the Dragon requires the kind of concentration generally needed for track days. Hands in their proper place, a decent pair of driving shoes, and complete focus on the road, the car, and your surrounding. I’m not afraid to say that I found myself mentally worn out after three quick and rather intense runs – to the point I felt the need to take a break and gather my thoughts.
My first run was with full gear and a copilot. While had intended to take my time and learn the road without pushing myself, I almost felt taunted by each corner. I just had to push.
There was a deceptive quality to many of the corners the first time through. For starters there is no run-off and thus no room for error. With lanes that are very narrow and aggressive – and with oncoming traffic a common occurrence – you must be on your toes. The blind corners are also quite a challenge. In fact it didn’t take long for Ken (my copilot for most weekend) to start reading corner information via the GPS like you might hear on the WRC. With that technique we were both able to get ahead of each corner and drive in a much more controlled yet aggressive fashion. After an entire weekend using the GPS I actually can’t imagine going back without it.
All told the road was better and more demanding than I could have imagined. While you can’t (or shouldn’t) drive 10/10ths of it like you can a track, I believe the Dragon requires even more attention and skill to truly drive quickly. Much of the road is so technical and tight that you don’t really have room for any of the missteps that are easily correctable on the track. Further, like a place such as Nurburgring, it’s simply too long and complex to fully memorize easily.
But all this is what makes the Dragon such a challenge. It also makes it the most demanding road I’ve ever driven. So while I’ve graduated from my first Dragon experience, it’s the kind of place that I’ll never stop learning from.
The Event.
There’s so much to say that it’s really hard to know where to start. First off the folks who helped put on MOTD 2006 all deserve hearty pat on the back. They managed to treat over 600 of us to a fantastic weekend of events while keeping it grassroots and laid-back.
It was great to meet so many folks that I’ve only talked to on email over the years. And despite trepidation, I did indeed wear my name badge and try to meet as many peeps as possible.
Upon arriving at Fontana on Thursday afternoon we checked in and headed to our cabin. After meeting up with Jonathan Souza (who kindly offered us two of the bedrooms in his cabin a few months back) we settled in and headed over for the welcome dinner. The rest of the night consisted of checking out cars, talking with owners, and watching pulley installs under the lights.
I spent Friday morning trying to clear out the cobwebs from Thursday night before heading out for the panoramic photo. Once that was over it was time to attack the dragon.
However, once on the road we started to run into what can only be described as a torrential downpour. To make matters worse, fog rolled into some sections of the road and gave you the feeling of driving in and out of the clouds. Through it all however, my car felt planted and completely sure of itself. Having experienced an autocross in severe weather last year, I was very aware of the car’s limits and when and where to push them. To put it another way, I wasn’t about the let a little rain stop me from having one of the best drives of my life.
After several Dragon runs, some chili judging, and a fantastic brew swap later that evening, we settled in for the night hoping for some sun and dry roads for our last full day.
Saturday was brilliant. The sun was out, the roads were fairly dry, and just about 500 cars were in dire need of a wash. Following an abbreviated wash our group headed out to Fontana Dam to meet for the 11am “Scenic Drive”. This was our first real group event of the weekend and the first time I had driven with more than two or three other cars. I now can understand why a lot of folks stay away from the larger events. It’s not that it wasn’t a great experience, it’s just a change of pace was a bit of a shock to the system.
The farewell dinner was notable for me in that I was introduced to the southern delicacy, “hush puppies” (AKA, fried corn “material”). After the dinner we headed down the hill and to the Ice Cream social where all the big prizes were to be given away. Oddly half of the people at our table actually won prizes. In fact two out of the four of us that regularly do garage nights together won garage creepers. We were so successful at winning just about everything for awhile that I thought the crowd might start to turn on us. I believe I may have heard a few jeers.
The rest of the night was filled with the kind of revelry that you might expect from people saying goodbye to new friends, talking cars and smoking cigars. We headed down to see off the folks who were doing the Midnight Dragon run and then back to the cabin to make an honest effort at finishing off the remaining beer we had brought from Chicago.
Sunday brought one more drive through the Dragon and an incredibly long drive north back to Chicago.
MINIs on the Dragon is a fantastic event that I can’t recommend enough to MINI owners. It’s got the scenery, the people and the events that make it truly special. But at it’s core, it’s got the Dragon. The kind of thing that gets in your blood for the rest of your life. And that’s what truly makes MOTD so special. In fact I can’t imagine it not becoming a personal rite of spring.
Trip notes.
I managed to hit an epic pothole in Gary Indiana (you know, birthplace of Michael Jackson) that was so harsh the guys in the MINI behind us actually heard me swear. Okay, maybe not, but I do believe it was actually a crater left from a small meteorite. After the hit, the steering wheel had the characteristic twitch that one gets after a bent rim.
Later in the trip, Ken (who piloted the car about half the time) managed to nail a pile of metal chain in Knoxville TN. I don’t blame him. I’m sure anyone would have hit it… cough… Anyway, by the time I got down the Dragon, we were pretty certain there was some wheel damage on my left front.
Interestingly after getting back to the dealer this week, they found absolutely no damage to the wheel or tire. Instead they found that the wheel weights had been thrown off by (surprise) some sort of epic pothole collision. After a quick rebalance the car was perfect.
My 11 month old MCS hit 10,000 miles while on the Dragon. Without the trip I probably would have been right around 9,000 miles for the year.
We averaged just less 30 mpg on the way down with four cases of beer, four bottles of San Pellegrino, six bottles of Vitamin Water, luggage and two rather tall guys. All things considered, not bad.
I borrowed both a Valentine One and Magellan GPS for the trip. Both are highly recommended for anyone considering taking a long trip in the US let alone a trek down to the Dragon. The V1 probably saved me from at least one ticket.
Otherwise, there was really nothing else (thankfully) to report in over 1200 miles.
Photos.
Don’t forget to check out the MotoringFile Flickr Pool for a ton of Dragon related pics. You’ll probably want to check out the MOTD2006 Flickr Pool as well.
Dragon Shout-outs.
A big thanks to the following people for being a part of a great event (in no particular order): Eric and Carol; Peter from M7; Chad from Detroit Tuned; Jason for Coopersport.ca; Jonathan; Jim #1; Jim #2; Aaron (and the whole crew) from Outmotoring; Matt from the Brew Swap; Traci from BSSP; Edge; Matt for showing me his various hangover cures; Ken for insisting on making Espresso every morning; Steve for fresh Roundel; Taylor, Francis, Paul, Deb, Amanda, and finally Brian who just happened to have his camera around his neck the whole freakin’ weekend.
Photos: 1, 3, 4, 6 courtesy of Kill Boy. Photo 2 courtesy of Driving_Hamster. Everything else courtesy of yours truly.
Wow what a write up and what a great collection of pics.
Nice write up Gabe.
Was a dope weekend for sure.
I had my “co-pilot” aka girlfriend use the NAV to guide us rally style on the Dragon as well.
Some call it cheating, I wouldnt do it without it.
Was great meeting you (albeit briefly) before the Midnight run.
great write up gabe! glad your wheels are ok. those pics made me long for my dealry departed 18’s in a big way. tell me that first shot of your car cornering in the rain isn’t going up over your bed..lol..
cheers.
Wow! Fantastic write-up, Gabe! You still sound a little wound-up from all the fun. 😉 Out of curiosity, are the turns mostly decreasing radius, or are they constant radius? I like that GPS idea!
BCNU,
Rob in dago
Thanks for sharing, Gabe. Reminds me of spring break, with much more driving.
Nice write-up, Gabe. It was really a great experience, and I truly hope to overcome the massive sleep-deprivation I endured this year so I’m not so much of a zombie next year. (Braaaaaaaaainnnnnnnssssssssss!)
As for the pictures…. Well, I try to make up for my rather mediocre photography talents by capturing truly embarrassing candid moments. What can I say; it’s a gift! 😉
<blockquote>Out of curiosity, are the turns mostly decreasing radius, or are they constant radius?</blockquote>
Rob, some of the turns don’t even have a radius; I swear I saw my own taillights in a couple of ’em!
Great writeup Gabe, glad the lack of wheel balance didn’t negatively impact your run. I’m trying to convince my b-in-law from Atlanta to meet me at next year’s — the 5th — should be some great T-shirts and other tchotchkes 🙂
>Out of curiosity, are the turns mostly decreasing radius, or are they constant radius?
They are all different in every way imaginable.
Great write up.. hope to see you there next year!
Nice write up! I know I’m likely to get flamed for saying this but it was also somewhat refreshing to see use of the verb “drive” rather than MINI/BMW’s marketing’s push of the British use of “motor” as a verb (kind of like the ubiquitous “go-kart like handling”. How many people have actually driven a go-kart and know what that means?). But I digress…great write up, hopefully I’ll get to go to MOTD some year.
i’m still insanely jealous of those gorgeous wheels
Don’t forget the minor unsteadiness when you first get out of the car … that getting off a rollercoaster feeling.
Nice write up, Gabe.
It was nice to meet you at the Brew Swap. I tried my best to not “geek-out” on you and treat you like a rockstar.
Gabe, great write up! Those shots of your MINI in the rain are terrific. I’m glad things worked out well with the wheel… lol
Thanks Gabe for the great write up, see, I can be positive.
When I first started reading and saw the comment about the comparison to The ‘Ring I thought , INSANE. As I read along I saw what you meant.
Back in 1970 I took my NEW VW Squareback, with all the EMPI stuff I could cram on it, from San Simeon to Carmel on the California’s Route 1. Sounds similar to the Dragon but Route 1 is much longer, around 80-90 miles. between those cities, I presume more twisty, 200 foot drops to Pacific Ocean and I’m sure much more crowded, now. I gotta get up there during the week with the MCS it’s been awhile.
I had a question about your GPS unit. Can it really compute that fast? How far ahead do you get the corner info and what type of info? How accurate did you find think it was in the middle of a turn?
Someone said that there was a comment made that using a GPS is cheating, huh? I guess those WRC guys are real cheaters with all their pre race prep notes.
Since you wore your “Driving Shoes” (Piloti’s ? <a href="http://www.piloti.com/default.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.piloti.com/default.aspx</a>) did you also have a Schroth set up and Hans device?
……………………..;¬/
Nice writeup! We had so much fun both driving and meeting people this year that we’re itching already to go back next year (nuptuals permitting).
Glad to meet you, the rest of your Chicago posse, and everyone else at MOTD. We’ll bring the pretzels and see ya next year!
-Eric (and Carol)
We’re stealing your GPS idea next year by the way…
LTZMTOR, the Schroth harnesses are mandatory on that road! 🙂
You mean because it has a lot of twisties, right? Do all use?
Gabe, sunroof vent open in the rain, a mistake or were you trying to keep better air flow?
My gnome was strangely mute during our runs – we started the runs with him facing forward when I finished the run he was facing the seat. 😛
In all seriousness – Gabe has hit the Dragon on the Head – this is a run that all MINI enthusiasts should do at least once a year for not only the road but the commardere of your fellow MINI motoring mates.
>Gabe, sunroof vent open in the rain, a mistake or were you trying to keep better air flow?
It was mandetory to keep windshield from fogging up due to the weather (without having to turn on A/C). As you can probably tell by the way I’m taking the corner, we were travelling plenty fast enough to keep the rain out.
Thanks for the excellent writeup. Great shot taking the corner, but how come your windshield wipers look like they are at different angles on the windshield? Is it just the angle the picture was taken?
Yup, a veritable Fernando Alonso! It makes me wonder why Toro Rosso choose Scott Speed. ;¬)
Gabe,
Great write-up!! It’s so true, after 2 or 3 runs it’s time for a nap.
LTZMTOR
Not everyone uses harnesses. I use CG-Locks and they are awesome and much cheaper.
Also Route 1 between San Simeon and Carmel doesn’t even compare to the Dragon. IMHO.
Steve
Thanks for all the kind words guys. Okay… answers:
>Was great meeting you (albeit briefly) before the Midnight run.
Yeah – great meeting you as well. Next year you need to find your way the MF cabin.
>glad your wheels are ok. those pics made me long for my dealry departed 18’s in a big way
Yeah I think it’s a testament to how well the wheels are made. They may be 22lbs a piece but they will go to hell and back just fine. Well Gary IN at least.
>Great writeup Gabe, glad the lack of wheel balance didn’t negatively impact your run.
Yeah I can’t believe the wheel was so little off-balance without weights. The shake in the wheel was very faint and only at um… higher speeds.
>Don’t forget the minor unsteadiness when you first get out of the car … that getting off a rollercoaster feeling.
Amen.
>I had a question about your GPS unit. Can it really compute that fast? How far ahead do you get the corner info and what type of info? How accurate did you find think it was in the middle of a turn?
Interestingly on the slightly less technical road near Fontana the GPS wasn’t as detailed as I would like. However on the Dragon it was incredibly accurate. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Well Steve,
I don’t know these CG locks but I will CK them out as it has been a while since I raced.
I have never done “The Dragon” but I really wonder if you ever really done Route 1??????????
I gotta say the Dragon must be one helluva road to compare with 80-90 miles of 200′ drops to the Pacific and multi stage corners to an 11 mile road. I doubt it but ya never know! Sounds more like a East/West thing. Wow man I’m impressed, I’ll have to cinch up my surf trunks and try it some day.
………….:¬(
Great read Gabe!!! Considering I had a front row seat for the chain in Knoxville (and enough time to swerve around it), I’m glad to hear you had no damage.
I hope we get to do this again next year. It was really great traveling with you guys !
Actually Steve I had a Italian friend compare the Amalfi Coast route in Italy to the Route 1 here is SoCal which is saying something.
Gabe, the rain photos work good with the JCW, must be the “english weather thing”.
I know you were trying to get this on here ASAP about the dragon.
Did MINIUSA have the Southern Rep. down there, someone told me?
Still waiting on your email.
-alpinamike
Gabe,
It was great to meet you at MOTD, I’m glad I got the chance… you’re one of the few people who understands my JCW habit, since you share it too. 😛
Next on the “interesting OEM mods” list is the OEM BlueTooth… no, not that one – yes, THAT one!
Soon to follow will definitely be the leather JCW dash with lapis blue stitching, and I’ll have to do the cupholder rings and the shifter ring while I’m at it. 😀
I finally decided on a name for my MINI, it just makes sense… Mr. OEM. 😀
Allright! Nice descriptions of the Dragon… which is still a fairy tale to me because I haven’t had the pleasure. One of these days…
Have to say though, I agree with LTZMTOR, the PCH is the way to go on the left coast. Made for a MINI. Even north in Oregon it’s pretty carvy, with drop-dead views of the ocean. It was a perfect way to break-in the first 500 miles on the rampant gekko. It’s a longer ride, though- more of a travelling roller coaster. Sounds like the Dragon is a “let’s do that again!!” whirlwind.
For the record, what’s the most runs the same driver has done in a day?
ez
No mention of Midnight on the Dragon?
Great write-up, Gabe!
I’ll second (or third) the CG Locks! For around $40 a seat, they allow you to tighten the lap belt portion of your OEM seatbelt as tight as you want to go. The change is that it locks the lap belt down, so you are held more snugly in the seat. They go on/off in aboout 5 minutes (including the time spent searching for the allen wrench).
I’m sure they aren’t as secure as a normal harness, but it’s better than stock and definately a help on a twisty road.
I bought CG Locks after last year’s MOTD (my first)… they worked as advertised, were quick and simple… but ultimately I found their downsides too. If you leave the main bracket on all the time (so you don’t have to keep hunting for the allen key), the bracket will scratch up the plastic on the inside of your pillar when the seatbelts are not in use. Also, the retaining clip that actually “locks” the belt comes completely off far too easily when all you want to do is “unlock” but leave the clip there.
I ultimately decided to move up to the Schroth harnesses, and I haven’t looked back. The CG locks are very cost effective and definitely a huge improvement over the belt by itself… but NOTHING compares to the harness! Expensive but worth it, since it is only a few minutes to attach and detach them when you know you’ll need them!
<blockquote>
Edge May 16th, 2006
but ultimately I found their downsides too. If you leave the main bracket on all the time (so you don’t have to keep hunting for the allen key), the bracket will scratch up the plastic on the inside of your pillar when the seatbelts are not in use.
</blockquote>
I have the CG locks; and like Edge said, they will scratch the plastic if you leave ’em on. And if you’re not careful, they can ding/cut the door panel when you casually release the seatbelt. Happened to me. 🙁
that said, the CG locks work great. I only set them up before a rally/run now and take ’em off afterwards.
With regards to a harness, they are most effective in conjunction with a racing cage and racing seats. 🙂
<blockquote> Later in the trip, Ken (who piloted the car about half the time) managed to nail a pile of metal chain in Knoxville TN. I don’t blame him. I’m sure anyone would have hit it… cough… Anyway, by the time I got down the Dragon, we were pretty certain there was some wheel damage on my left front.</blockquote>
For the record that pile of chain was softer that the crater in Indiana.
It clearly jumped into the path of the car. 🙂
Oh…just Teardrop Jim will do, I think I could have used some instruction from Matt on the hangover cures Sunday morning before the trip home.
Great write up…at this moment I feel like I have returned to Fontana. Welcome to MINI Town.
<blockquote>at this moment I feel like I have returned to Fontana. </blockquote>
Well, Jim, it’s 6:35am. Time to hit the Dragon! (ok, now it feels like Fontana!) 😉
OK, let me clarify, PCH is a wonderful road, no doubt, and yes I have done it more than a few times. However, there are places, where the road straightens out a bit, and gives the driver, a bit of relief, it is not as taxing as the Dragon. 90 miles of PCH does not make you near as mentally and phisically exhausted as 2 back to back runs of the Dragon. Plus even @ 5am, I have never had a really clean run on PCH, damn tourists!!!! 🙂
Btw, the most I have done is 8 full Hellbender/Dragon runs in one 24 hour period. From Fontana back to Fontana 4 times.
Steve
OK, now I know I have to do this run someday.
Great write up, Gabe. Thanks.
Here is a video of a Mini getting some Exercise on the Dragon. Traffic was keeping the speeds down in a very safe range.
[MINI on the Dragon](<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2147764901512966952&q=mini+cooper+s" rel="nofollow ugc">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2147764901512966952&q=mini+cooper+s</a>)
Gentlemen……..
Start your MINIs
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoRqI27-8SU&mode=related&search=" rel="nofollow">The Dragon</a>
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