This is the first in a series of MOTD videos driving the new 2007 MCS. In this first video I take off from a Western point on the Dragon and drive into Deals Gap. We’ll have a few videos that feature strictly in-car footage of the road itself coming later this week.
For those that need a little background on the road itself, this quick description comes from tailofthederagon.com:
>The Dragon, as many have found, is truly a unique road. In 14 miles there are only two intersections; NC28 to Fontana Dam and the lightly traveled gravel road at Parsons Branch. There are no buildings other than the Crossroads of Time. There are 318 curves in the 11 miles located on the Tennessee side. Most of the time there is very little traffic and the vehicles that do use this road are primarily motorcycle riders and sports car drivers looking for the thrill of their lives. It is remote – there is very little evidence of human population within 20 miles in any direction.
The one thing they don’t mention is that the road is glass smooth and is designed (with cambered corners etc) as if it were a race track. Add sheer cliffs, specatular drop-offs and trees everywhere and you have something truly special.
Good video. It almost feels like those hollywood fake driving scenes because of the unreal amount you are turning the wheel back and forth. I’m still a little disappointed in the engine noise.
Nice travelog, Gabe. You seem very relaxed – have to get you out on Palomar someday. I agree with Josh, I usually forget how much hand work is involved – BTW, was that one of those moving backgrounds rolling along behind you? 😉 Out of curiosity, are you noticing any wildly differing gear choices from particular corners as compared to last year?
Is the Dragon something a “Mini Rookie” could enjoy, or would it be too nerve wracking and/or potentially hazardous?
It being a public road, it seems unlikely that it would be a deathtrap or anything, but I will be driving through in August alone and considered travelling the Dragon but I’d hate to let my amateur driving skills be my undoing on such a road.
The Dragon can absolutely be enjoyed by a novice, but you must remember to drive within your limits. The experts at the Nürburgring say that it takes 100 laps to begin to learn the track. The same goes with the Dragon. The first few times out you should concentrate on being slow and smooth. Put the car in second gear and leave it there. Look through the turns and as far ahead as possible. KEEP IT IN YOUR LANE. Wandering across the yellow line is a sure way to kill a motorcyclist coming the other way. Safety on the Dragon is its own topic. Of course, everything I’ve said up to this point has been about driving the Dragon from a sporting perspective. Keep in mind that this is gorgeous country and just cruising through with the windows down is an experience in itself. There is one overlook on the Dragon-proper with a fantastic view of the Calderwood Dam and numerous other views from the road. There are also numerous safe places to pull over and allow faster traffic to go through and everyone’s encouraged to do that.
A quick clarification on my stinky brakes: That was, I think, only the 2nd run I’d made on essentially brand-new street pads (not race pads as Gabe stated); there was a fair bit of break-in going on with them. I don’t believe subsequent runs were quite as “fragrant”. I could actually see this being a new foray into automotive safety, especially for those bikers who subscribe to the “Loud Pipes Save Lives” bull and have subsequently deafened themselves and everyone else within a five mile radius. “Hey, Bubba, I smell oncoming traffic!”
Wow Gabe. Looks amazing. Felt like I was watching a proper television program. You should start auditioning for shows. How much in the video of the full dragon did you cover because it puts any 2 Minute roller coaster ride to shame.
Great video, Gabe! Keep ’em coming!
Great vid Gabe. I appreciate all the effort you’ve put into this.
Two favorite quotes…@4:10 – Now we got some slower.. slower MINI in front of us, but he’s pulled off. I believe he’s got.. spinners. The guy’s got spinners.
@7:57 – Oh god I can smell Brian Lalor’s Brakepads…. and they are fragrant.
Cheers-Randy
Thanks for the vid, but next time, show us the ROAD!
Dave
Gabe, on this video and also on White Roof Radio, you guys tend to slip into calling the Nurburgring “Nuremberg” (of WWII fame). Please be mindful of the distinction!
>Great vid Gabe.  I appreciate all the effort you’ve put into this.
Really there wasn’t much effort at all. Brian lent me his camera mount and we attached my new Sanyo HD2 to it. Otherwise all I did was hit record. One take, one time through.
Oh and five minutes of work in iMovie.
>Gabe, on this video and also on White Roof Radio, you guys tend to slip into calling the Nurburgring “Nuremberg” (of WWII fame). Please be mindful of the distinction!
I’m very aware of the difference, I know Germany history and geography well.
>Thanks for the vid, but next time, show us the ROAD!
What… you don’t like my face? 🙂 Yes, as mentioned in the article above, I have some footage of the actual road coming.
Gabe, that’s funny, we went down shortly before you headed up on that vid.
Hope the pic works.
![Alttext](<a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/488871089_95956d16b3.jpg?v=0" rel="nofollow ugc">http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/488871089_95956d16b3.jpg?v=0</a>)
Hey Gabe – good writeup and excellent videolog – how would you compare that press car to my R56 you drove with the LSD, sports supension and upgradedon 22mm rear swaybar?
nice wipers drill!
Hurmph. Looks like MF knows of incoming links now…I can’t comment on things behind your back anymore! 😉
Awesome video!! Thanks!!
Is that you, Gabe? Wow you’re hot 😉
<blockquote>Chrissy May 8th, 2007 Link
Awesome video!! Thanks!!
Is that you, Gabe? Wow you’re hot ;)</blockquote>
He’s going to pay for that comment during our next garage day.
Nice Review Gabe! You should have had MotoringFile.com on the side of the car or something. I now remember seeing you multiple times just didn’t know you were in the Yellow R56.
I got two Video’s of the entire Dragon completely clean, one during the day and one at night. No craziness, just nice clean ok speed runs. I’ll be working on them today so if you want see them let me know.
>Is that you, Gabe? Wow you’re hot 😉
hey yeah….. that’s me 🙂