2008 Tail of Dragon trip - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

hjkim550 · 02-07-2008, 01:23 AM

Hey, I am new to the site as you can see. Long before I bought my Boxster last year, I have been wanting to take a trip to drive the TOD. TOD looks like a blast. I am new to the Chicago area also and have not found any interesting drives around here (no real twisties).

How was your trip last year? Any concerns? I know I am not a F1 driver material but I am competent and can drive my Boxster to at least 9/10th without killing myself or endangering others. However, on Youtube, there are idiots crossing over the double yellow on blind corners and 18 wheelers taking up most of the road. Any hasseling from the local cops?

Sorry, too many questions. I am not trying to start a new thread. If I can arrange my schedule, you might see me there.... carvaning with the Chicago crew sounds fun.

Chills · 02-07-2008, 04:10 AM

Welcome to the board, hjkim.

Sammy, I don't want to commit totally to staying until Monday, but I'll go ahead and reserve my room for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I guess if I'm going to drive all the way out there I'll want to spend as much time on roads with corners as I can before I come back up to the land of the straight/narrow.

FTD · 02-07-2008, 03:36 PM

Any females want to share a room please PM

Sammy · 02-07-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjkim550

Hey, I am new to the site as you can see. Long before I bought my Boxster last year, I have been wanting to take a trip to drive the TOD. TOD looks like a blast. I am new to the Chicago area also and have not found any interesting drives around here (no real twisties).

How was your trip last year? Any concerns? I know I am not a F1 driver material but I am competent and can drive my Boxster to at least 9/10th without killing myself or endangering others. However, on Youtube, there are idiots crossing over the double yellow on blind corners and 18 wheelers taking up most of the road. Any hasseling from the local cops?

Sorry, too many questions. I am not trying to start a new thread. If I can arrange my schedule, you might see me there.... carvaning with the Chicago crew sounds fun.

Last years trip was awesome! It's like autocrossing for 11 miles and then you drive the Cherahola Skyway which is like a high speed autocross with an awesome view. The only concern is you have to drive safe and smart. This is not where you want to slide your tires and end up somewhere you're not suppose to be. It is definitely riskier than driving your daily commute but we didn't have any trouble last year. I don't remember seeing any cops but that isn't a gurantee. If I have as much fun as I did last year I'm not going to lose sleep in the event I get a speeding ticket (granted you don't spend much time at high speeds (I think the fastest I might have registered was 75 at one point and then it was quick on the brakes). As Tom from last year said before we started into the Dragon stay in your lane and be respectful and smart. We did this and didn't have any trouble. Even with a kajillion Minis last year we were hardly ever held up and even when we were I still enjoyed myself!

hjkim550 · 02-09-2008, 02:39 AM

Well, that is a relief. I am very glad that I found this site. It has so much helpful information for the new Boxster owner.

I just need to convince my partners that this trip to TOD is vital to my health and well being. I really do not care about any law enforcement presence as long as we can eek out some private time and have a good run. Looking forward to TOD!!

Rick V · 02-09-2008, 12:29 PM

Well if anybody is up for another TOD trip, we (a few friends) put together a big shindig on the first weekend of Nov. We are planning year 3 right now. Last year we had about 30 cars show up and we had a blast. The event is open to all, as long as you can drive like a human. Our little group gets "congrads" every year for our behavor.
If anybody here looks at Pelicans OT forum we make our announcements there. If Ya'll would like when it gets around to time for deatail I would love to share with this group. We only had 2 Boxsters last year, we could use some more.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6625194319279002437
This is an in car cam of one of our runs, the wife was driving. (It's her car)
The roads all around the area are awsome and the best part is the lack of cell phone coverage.

Sammy · 02-10-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick V

Well if anybody is up for another TOD trip, we (a few friends) put together a big shindig on the first weekend of Nov. We are planning year 3 right now. Last year we had about 30 cars show up and we had a blast. The event is open to all, as long as you can drive like a human. Our little group gets "congrads" every year for our behavor.
If anybody here looks at Pelicans OT forum we make our announcements there. If Ya'll would like when it gets around to time for deatail I would love to share with this group. We only had 2 Boxsters last year, we could use some more.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6625194319279002437
This is an in car cam of one of our runs, the wife was driving. (It's her car)
The roads all around the area are awsome and the best part is the lack of cell phone coverage.

Thanks for the information but I need a few weeks after the TOD to let the adrenalin down slowly. A trip in November means I would come home to winterizing the car.

Have a great time!

djomlas · 02-10-2008, 08:14 PM

i think i may join u guys as well...looks good as of now

Sammy · 02-11-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djomlas

i think i may join u guys as well...looks good as of now

Sweet! Make sure you get a room booked. Might consider seeing if Chills is still looking to split a room (unless you have someone joining you for the trip)?

BTW-The first autocross is April 20th so put it on your calendar. I can't wait to see how your car handles with the work you've done.

larryshomework · 05-19-2008, 07:50 AM

I just got back from the Dragon - I was in Knoxville visiting friends and did 2 separate days up there.

It's been over 20 years since I drove that road. I grew up in Knoxville and we used to go to Fontana or camp at Calderwood (just below the cool old damn near the Tapoco Lodge). Amazingly, the speed limit used to be 55 on the Dragon - virtually impossible to speed. The road used to have very little traffic. We even towed a boat up the Dragon.

Thursday was packed - hundreds of bikes and a Nissan Z club must have been there.

Several cops - patrols are up. I was stuck behind a line of bikes on the way up (South). On the way back out (North) I had several open areas where slower cars pulled over (thanks!). Also, I had to pull over to let a crotch rocket go by. He was flying!

On my drive back home (Alabama) I went back up on Sunday morning about 10am. Much lighter traffic. Only saw one cop and he was driving North (I was heading South). What a blast! Rarely got out of 2nd gear.

I also had my first trip on the Cherohala Skyway. This is a must drive if you go. I saw no cops on the trip. Great views. The temperature and weather changes as you get to the top (about 5400 ft.) so be prepared.

There are 2 groups (129photos and Zeefoto) that take pictures of you as you go through some turns on the Dragon. You can then buy the pics off their website. I took a few as well and I'll post them here in a few days.

Gary in BR · 05-19-2008, 12:04 PM

I am positively making this trip.

Turbo Boxster rides will be sold to reduce the out of pocket for gas, hotel, and beer.

NickCats · 05-20-2008, 06:58 AM

Gary,

I'll definitely take you up on that offer !

Nick

PS - For anyone that is going, let's be careful out there. The Dragon will bite you if you let it :

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138309

skip_168 · 05-21-2008, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryshomework

I just got back from the Dragon - I was in Knoxville visiting friends and did 2 separate days up there.

It's been over 20 years since I drove that road. I grew up in Knoxville and we used to go to Fontana or camp at Calderwood (just below the cool old damn near the Tapoco Lodge). Amazingly, the speed limit used to be 55 on the Dragon - virtually impossible to speed. The road used to have very little traffic. We even towed a boat up the Dragon.

Thursday was packed - hundreds of bikes and a Nissan Z club must have been there.

Several cops - patrols are up. I was stuck behind a line of bikes on the way up (South). On the way back out (North) I had several open areas where slower cars pulled over (thanks!). Also, I had to pull over to let a crotch rocket go by. He was flying!

On my drive back home (Alabama) I went back up on Sunday morning about 10am. Much lighter traffic. Only saw one cop and he was driving North (I was heading South). What a blast! Rarely got out of 2nd gear.

I also had my first trip on the Cherohala Skyway. This is a must drive if you go. I saw no cops on the trip. Great views. The temperature and weather changes as you get to the top (about 5400 ft.) so be prepared.

There are 2 groups (129photos and Zeefoto) that take pictures of you as you go through some turns on the Dragon. You can then buy the pics off their website. I took a few as well and I'll post them here in a few days.

Yeah, the dragon is super crowded nowadays... the Cherohala Skyway is nice.. love that area... There is one dood who is always up there on a full dress yellow goldwing.. He FLIES through the dragon.. dragging foot pegs & stuff.. funny as hell to watch.. not so funny when he passes you on your R1

FTD · 05-21-2008, 06:47 AM

People stationed with cameras to sell photos to you?! Like Six Flags. My how times have changed.