Mark I tried to wait for you but I was bullied by the group to move on across the state line. It was really better that way. I remember watching Howard Carter and his giant grin 100 yds down the road taking pictures when John Book and I were getting our tickets on the Dragon several years ago.

 

Did you actually get a ticket on the DRAGON?

 

boy ! That name that I have not heard of in while what ever happen to John Book ?

 

I heard he was just at this Fall Dragon but only a few hours and he had to leave
I'm not sure what happened or if this is accurate

 

Gary is almost correct. John was planning on attending the fall Dragon. They have a travel trailer in Bryson City and John had come up a week before the Dragon to spend some time there. He had driven all night and got there in the morning. About 3 hours later he got a call that he was needed back in Fla.

As for the Dragon ticket incedent. It was the year that the rock slide had closed the Tenn. entrance to the Dragon. John and his wife Boni, Howard Carter and I hit the Dragon with me in the lead. We had just passed the spot where the chain link fence is, superchargers screaming and tires screeching, when we saw two Tenn. LEO's cars in the woods. The troopers came running out of the woods to get to their cars and we thought the day had ended quickly...... BUT they did not come after us?

So we hit the Dragon hard. We did not see another car on the entire run. It was our all time epic Dragon run with no traffic interference and the SRT just kept asking for more. It was our personal track for this one run and we took full advantage. That was the quickest that 318 turns have ever come at me in a continuious run and we were able to sustain that wierd Dragon rhythm for the entire run. When we stopped at the top over look we were alone. We sat on the rock wall literally giddy from the rush of that run. John who is a very good driver said it had gone past fun for him in the n/a 6mt and had become hard work keeping up with the SRT's. The best Dragon run ever!!!

Now we had to go back down the Dragon to the waiting Tenn. Leo's. John, being a LEO came up with the plan. We would go back solo in 5 munite intervals, obeying the speed limits. After all we had just had the run of a lifetime. John first, then me, then Howard. About a third of the way down I rounded a turn to see John's car and the LEO"s car in a large turn out. As I slowly rolled past the LEO pointed me in beside Johns car. He had not been in his car but said he clocked me on radar at 50 in a 30 mph zone.
I still thought that with John being a LEO there would be some professional courtesy extended here and it just might spill over to me. As the LEO was explaining my offence to me Howard came creeping by unnoticed. He stopped about 100 yds down the road which i thought was strange. He then got out of his car and started taking pictures with a big _ _ _ _ eating grin on his face. John and I both got tickets for 30 in a 50.

We were both able to attend a safe driving school in our home states that reduced the amount of the ticket and wiped out the points. Mark, you should look in to this as it also reduces the points on previous
tickets ( at least it did in SC) and you sir with 5 in one year have shattered my one year record.

So as Doc always says if you play sometimes you gotta pay.

 

That was my first Dragon. I still remember seeing a US129 photo of Bonny holding the ticket out the window while they passed the photographer

 

I just dont' get it, go look at my "Chasing VW" video on my youtube channel - we pass two deputies in 8 miles, once you can see my speedometer at 58 in a 30, the other time just over 50 in a 30.

One of the guys with me said he saw a LEO on a Harley as well during that run. NONE came after us.

What the hell?

 

And a few pics from that Spring GTG...

 

Mark because of the rock slide the Tenn. troupers had to drive an extra 2 hours to get tto the Dragon that day.....AND Boni said she saw a couple of girls running out of the woods after the troopers. Could it have been a Tn. mountain dalliance interupted ? We absolutly were not speeding on the return run down the Dragon. That was one pissed LEO. Connect the dots.

and now you know the rest of the story.

Thanks for finding the old Dragon pic Gary.

 

Made up citations always **** me off.....that wouldn't have ended well for me...lol Rudy and I left together one evening headed home. We no more cleared the Dragon and Rudy was pulled over by a deputy. I was leading, he passed me to get Rudy. Remember I was leading. He should have gotten me. I think I woke him up...lol. Anyway, I rolled up near the stop as not to peeve off the deputy while doing his traffic stop. I set where he could see me....and hung my deputy badge out the window to see if he would at least talk to me. He just nodded and continued writing Rudy a citation. When it was all done, he just waved to me and went on down the road. Rudy rolled over to me to show me his citation for speed. It was a WARNING citation only. I like the Blount County Deputies. They have always been polite to me.... Can't say that about the troopers down there especially NC.

 

What are the dates for the 8th Annual FALL 2014 TOD? . . . October 3, 4, 5th??

 

I'm pretty sure you are right, Red Dog -but I don't think the contract is signed, so a lower rate is not yet in effect for rooms.

 

OK Thanks . . . Just trying to coordinate the 2014 TOD trip extending my time a few extra days to visit my daughter and her family at their cabin in TN. They go up for two weeks every October but they always plan it later in October. I'm going to try and get them to reschedule it earlier for next year.

 

Although they were all special,of the various Dragon events I attended, it seemed to me that this last one was the most enjoyable for many of the participants.

That this thread continues to receive so many daily post weeks afterward suggest I am possibly right.

A good spirit and lots of newbies made it special. My thanks to all who attended for creating such and enjoyable, and memorable, week end.

 

Franc... Although I was a "newbie" at this last Dragon for one day, I really had a great time..just wished I could have experienced the entire period... I sure will attend the spring and fall in 2014... All the folks were very friendly and accommodating... grand kudos to all who organized ...Carl

 

You are very welcome

 

When he says, "A good spirit", I don't think he meant YOUR spirit(s) on Saturday evening.

 

Don't forget Thursday and Friday night

 

Now Now1

I did enjoy two or three samples of whatever Nick was brewing over the week end.

That and two fingers of Glen Fiddich Maxichon provided (in a glass no less) rounded out my drinking binge for the four days I was there.


Nick was remarkably civilized during the whole event. Which should be of some concern.
I'm not sure he is well.

 

Yes the dates for Fall 2014 are October 3, 4, 5
The contract is not yet completed but the dates are locked in and the contract has been typed.
I will create a thread announcing the dates and when reservations can start being made but that thread will remain closed until after the Spring Dragon.