MINIs on the Dragon 2008
In two weeks the largest non-official MINI event in North America will take place in a far western corner of North Carolina. For those that don’t know much about the Tail of the Dragon as a road or a MINI event, think of it this way; arguably the best roads in North American combined with some of the most beautiful rural scenery and hundreds of other MINI owners. Or to put it another way, if there’s one event that every MINI owner in North America should experience, this is probably it.
This year the big change is the addition of one day to the event. Official activities now start on Wednesday rather than Thursday and run through Saturday night/Sunday morning. As always this years registrations are breaking all previous records with hundreds officially signed on.
For those who haven’t been to the Dragon, don’t let those big numbers scare you off. Even with all the MINIs, bikes and the random BMW test mules from the Spartanburg SC Plant, there’s still ample opportunity to get a clear stretch of the Dragon (or any of the other equally amazing mountain roads in the area) day or night.
For complete information on how to register, where to stay (yes there are still some beds available) and what to do, check out this list of links:
+ MINIs on the Dragon 2008 / NAM
+ MOTD 2008 Registration / NAM (ends 04.18)
+ 2008 MOTD Forum / NAM
MotoringFile at the Dragon
Despite how much we all love the MINIs on the Dragon here at MF, we’re sad to say that work and personal schedules have conspired against us this year. Todd and DB will be gearing up for MINI Takes the States (among other things) and I’ll be across the ocean doing real work. So we’ll be relying on our readers to give us a glimpse of the event. So that means if you have pictures you’d like to share, please make sure to send them to the MotoringFile Flickr group and we’ll get them on the site. And if you have a Dragon ‘08 experience you’d like to share that would make a great MF feature, send it in!
Hopefully we’ll see you all there in ’09 or at MINI Takes the States later this year.
Will the police be joining the fun this year as well?
That sucks Gabe. You don’t get to try out your new ride. I hope there will be 700 cars there. I saw 305 cars registered as of yesterday. Is there another source other than NA?
Timing is everything! My R56 will not arrive at the dealer until the day AFTER MOTD ends. There’s always next year.
. . . say it ain’t so Gabe – was really hoping to see the CREW one last time at the Dragon while you were still a MINK. (MINI Infatuated, No Kids)
All the best to you and yours in the land of Bimmers and Baby Seats. 😉
Sorry to see you guys won’t make it this year. Hope to catch up with you all next year! 🙂
Awwww. No Gabe for us. You mean that I had to listen to months of “T minus 89 days and counting until AMVIV” and no WRR representative at MOTD?
I nominate myself as the official WRR MOTD Rep! 😀 Too bad the VM line is down!
A real shame I won’t be making it this year, I’ve always wanted to go!!
We will miss seeing you at The Dragon, I will save a 2008 MOTD placard and give it to you at MTTS. The Saint Louis Crew want to know where should we stay on Friday night, we have rooms in Shaboygan on Saturday night for MTTS.
Have a safe trip.
>We will miss seeing you at The Dragon, I will save a 2008 MOTD placard and give it to you at MTTS.
Thanks!
>The Saint Louis Crew want to know where should we stay on Friday night, we have rooms in Shaboygan on Saturday night for MTTS.
Have a safe trip.
Good question. Unfortunately I won’t be there either due to the location and my wife’s due date. However I would recommend Sheboygan or Kohler. However MINI USA will announce official hotels very soon.
>I nominate myself as the official WRR MOTD Rep! 😀 Too bad the VM line is down!
Sounds like we found our first MOTD correspondent!
Bummer you can’t make it this year Gabe! Maybe one of these years we’ll finally meet in person! LOL
Hey Gabe, a great new stage in your life is about to unfold. You may not be able to make it to many events in the first year or two, but once that little kid grows you’ll have the #1 fan of everything you do.
We have ourselves missed out of many events and travel opportunities during the first year and a half. But they grow so fast you have to enjoy every waking moment with them.
I am sure you both are going to have a blast. Nothing beats the enthusiastic grins coming from that little passenger in the back seat. That’s what life is all about.
See you in Miami!
Unfortunately this year is not breaking any records wrt registration, we are down about 200 registrations with 3 days left……
Steve, do you think the economy + gas prices are discouraging people from going to the dragon…or….the event has lost its luster?
To be honest, I don’t think MOTD can handle many more than there were last year (Although y’all should go if for no other reason than to prove me wrong, lol). The whole Fontana area was pretty consistently crowded last May and the demand for local lodging has increased A LOT! Regardless, I’m on the wrong continent to attend this year and wish everyone well!
I’m driving out from CALI!! I’m so ready!
I think that it is not a lack of attendance, but rather a lack of registration. I would expect the event to be just as busy as last year. I think that there are just fewer people registering for the organized events.