 Just rode the tail of the dragon., Awesome Road. |
 Apr 3, 2004 - 7:12 PM
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 Enthusiast  Joined Jan 3, '04 From knoxville, tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%)  |
Me, aaron, and bryan just got back from riding the Tail of the Dragon. Bryan should have some pics later, and there's a video in the works from aaron. That road is a BLAST! It really pushes the limits of the celi. We did see some dumbasses out there in like a firebird, a mustang, and this brokeass nissan sentra with a big ass tach, some fart can muffler. He couldn't hold a freakin match to the celi!
For those unfamiliar- I attached a link to aDragon Map pic. -------------------- "Somebody give me a fire...so I can burn this city down." - Widespread Panic
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Apr 3, 2004 - 7:42 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Jun 30, '03 From O-town, FL Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
I've read a lot about this, can't wait to see pics.
-------------------- Sometimes we live to beat the odds.
- Ryan  aim: rkgreen04 |
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Apr 3, 2004 - 7:48 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Apr 28, '03 From SoCal Currently Offline Reputation: 1 (100%) |
sounds and looks like fun. theres a guy at the supra forums who crahsed his SupDawg there, sucks for him, it happened sometime in march 26-28.
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Apr 3, 2004 - 9:28 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Dec 16, '02 From Cincinnati, Ohio Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
what is it?
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Apr 3, 2004 - 9:29 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Aug 30, '02 From Franklin,Tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Well, let me tell you this is one FUN ass road. It pushes the limits of a stock celica, but if you have a good suspension setup it is even better. But just some info on the tail, 318 curves in 11 miles. Yes you read it correct 318 curves in 11 miles. It is really a road that the sport bikes own but any good car can run it and have a blast. My pics are coming but the Vid is what you all are really going to love. I think that this is going to be a monthly gathering to run the tail so If you live within 3 hours of it you should think about making the drive to join us in may.
Bryan |
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Apr 3, 2004 - 9:30 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 3, '04 From knoxville, tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
its an 11 mile stretch of road, that contains 300+ curves -------------------- "Somebody give me a fire...so I can burn this city down." - Widespread Panic
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Apr 3, 2004 - 9:47 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Aug 30, '02 From Franklin,Tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Well here are the pics. Also since Imagestation is gehy sometimes here is the link to the Album
    Bryan |
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Apr 3, 2004 - 10:09 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Dec 21, '03 From Portland, OR Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
where is it at?
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Apr 3, 2004 - 10:17 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Aug 30, '02 From Franklin,Tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Its in TN and NC. Its about 30 miles south of Knoxville.
Bryan |
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Apr 3, 2004 - 11:37 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Dec 2, '02 From Gainesville, GA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
looks like you guys had a time!
where is that lake at? the one that the cars were parked beside? |
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Apr 3, 2004 - 11:42 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Nov 6, '03 From Campbellsville, Ky. Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
It's Tennessee's main Interstate. 
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Apr 3, 2004 - 11:48 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Aug 30, '02 From Franklin,Tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Yeah we had a blast, you better make it next time BUDDY. That lake is on 129 going up to the tail. Its in Tn. Bryan |
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Apr 4, 2004 - 12:26 AM
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 Enthusiast Joined Sep 22, '02 From Detroit Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Major fun. Definitely need a monthly meet, and we really need to see you there next time Eric.
I just got home(stopped at a friends house for a while), and will have the video on my computer tonight(SUNDAY) and should have it available by Tuesday(after I shrink it down to a decent size for transfer). After that I'll probably just try my luck with Premier. We got so much more useable footage than we did at PF last year(although a lot of it is of the bikes). |
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Apr 4, 2004 - 11:32 AM
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 Moderator Joined Oct 1, '02 From fall river, ma Currently Offline Reputation: 13 (100%) |
you guys gonna be hittin this @ the meet this year??
-------------------- Former Team 5SFTE pro member ;)
 13.6@108MPH, 5SFTE Powered |
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Apr 4, 2004 - 12:26 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 22, '02 From Detroit Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Yup. We decided that we'll need to split into groups of 5 or less though(safety issues as well as being nice to others on the road). And I'll probably bring a camping chair to grab a corner and video tape for a while. |
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Apr 4, 2004 - 11:42 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Dec 26, '02 From Alabama Currently Offline Reputation: 2 (100%) |
I'd kill myself on a road like that.
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Apr 5, 2004 - 9:20 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 16, '03 From Wichita KS Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
man the bikes really like that road. how many bikes do you think you saw that day.
and where are the cops, it seems like someone would kill themselves and then the cops would crack down |
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Apr 5, 2004 - 11:55 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 22, '02 From Detroit Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
There were too many bikes to count. I'd say well over 100 sport bikes and at least 30 cruisers. As for the cops, they sit on either end of the 11 mile stretch. The speed limit through the road is high enough that they couldn't really give you a ticket anyways(we barely hit 60 a couple times, but it stayed below 50 for the most part). Video update: going to my dad's tonight(it was his camcorder), I'll be putting the MPG that the camera makes onto a DVD so I can bring it home and shrink it down overnight and hopefully start releasing it tomorrow. |
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Apr 5, 2004 - 1:32 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Nov 26, '03 From McKenzie, TN Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
We should all run this after the Pigeon Forge meet this year if its close enough.
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Apr 5, 2004 - 1:35 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Aug 29, '02 From Dallas, Tx Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
When I had a sportbike I always talked about trailering there just to ride the Dragon some weekened. I wish I had. Now shes gone (stolen). But I still have the Celica (and a Miata) that I really need to take there.
Sounds like you guys had a great time. Someday I'll make the haul up there and run with you guys. By then I'll have a turbo celica to bring to the dragon. BTW, everyone that lives within 3 hours of the Dragon SUCKS!!!!!! I'd give my left nut to have it in my back yard. I'd be there every weekend. |
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Apr 5, 2004 - 4:08 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Aug 30, '02 From Franklin,Tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Oh we are deffenatly going to be running it at the meet. John you should come out some time even though its a long drive for you. I will be running this about once a month now that I have been bitten by the dragon.
Bryan |
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Apr 5, 2004 - 11:53 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined May 13, '03 From New Jersey Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
i've actually been talking about this on another board i'm on (speed-society, shameless plug)..
i'm thinking about hooking up w/ some friends down there on the way (sort of) to NOPI this year... should be fun. |
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Apr 6, 2004 - 12:12 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 22, '02 From Detroit Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
If you ever decide you want to come, you can stay with me Fri night and ride up Saturday morning(or Sat/Sun depending on when we go). I live at the intersection of I-24 and I-75. Chattanooga is roughly 800 miles from you, so it would be a whole day trip up, but at least you'd have a couch to crash on. And you could always plan it around an Autocross weekend(www.rivergate5speed.com/scca is the local here) and get even more enjoyment from the trip. |
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Apr 6, 2004 - 1:18 PM
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Moderator Joined Oct 1, '02 From fall river, ma Currently Offline Reputation: 13 (100%) |
man between this road & the meet you guys are having, im getting REAL tempted to take the LONG ride down..
-------------------- Former Team 5SFTE pro member ;)
13.6@108MPH, 5SFTE Powered |
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Apr 6, 2004 - 2:31 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 22, '04 From bellingham, WA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
we have a similar road here in northern WA (chuckanut drive)..... there aren't as many corners (probably about 50-60) but there are also long straights to get goin quickly on (upwards of 100-130mph)....
i wish we had that here though.... i'd probably be pissing tons of civics off
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Apr 6, 2004 - 7:54 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 22, '02 From Detroit Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Video news: I'm hoping to have the vid available tomorrow, just figured out how to convert it from DV-AVI into a usable format. I'm debating on FTP or BitTorrent. I'd rather use BitTorrent, but not many people know of it.
This post has been edited by aaronc222: Apr 6, 2004 - 7:58 PM |
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Apr 6, 2004 - 8:14 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Oct 13, '02 From Blairstown, New Jersey Currently Offline Reputation: 6 (100%) |
Yeah, me too. Its not quite as far for me, but still alot of driving regardless.
-------------------- 3rd gen ST205 3SGTE - Alive and boosting. |
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Apr 6, 2004 - 8:34 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Aug 30, '02 From Franklin,Tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Well you guys should come down, trust me it will be well worth the drive. Aaron John said that he would host it for us, so you could send it to him or you can just set it up yourself.
Bryan This post has been edited by Cragspider: Apr 6, 2004 - 8:35 PM |
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Apr 7, 2004 - 12:18 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 22, '02 From Detroit Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
OK, I have the first file ready for everyone. It's Brian following me and an Integra. It's 2 and a half minutes, and about 12 MB.
Hit me up on AIM to get it.(same name as here) I'm going to make a few quick clips of the bikes, and then call it a night. I have the big file(just over 800 meg) ready too, but Brian has first dibs on it. |
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Apr 7, 2004 - 12:33 AM
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 Enthusiast Joined Aug 29, '02 From Franklin/Nashville, TN Currently Offline Reputation: 16 (100%) |
hot off the presses. here's the 2.5min video he was talkin about, 12mb. right click it and save as...
nice vid guys, and it's my pleasure puttin it up on my server for you. .Dragon Tail Run. enojoy guys. -John- -------------------- AIM==Mynzeyes
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Apr 7, 2004 - 12:36 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 22, '02 From Detroit Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
I hope you have plenty of server space and bandwidth because I'm going to be sending you more vids(it's only 2:30 minutes of the 55 we got), not to mention the Celica.net guys will want them too. |
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Apr 7, 2004 - 12:45 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Aug 29, '02 From Franklin/Nashville, TN Currently Offline Reputation: 16 (100%) |
well...hopefully it won't get TOO terribly flooded...you may wanna get someone else to help host it, seeing as how my server is run off my computer.
. but it'll handle enough to get by for now.
-------------------- AIM==Mynzeyes
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Apr 7, 2004 - 1:12 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 22, '02 From Detroit Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
I have a feeling that it's going to get hit hard. I'll see what I can do about finding something. edit: I've got a total of 3 vids now, I'll allow file sharing(using AIM) while I'm 'away' so everyone can grab the two that John hasn't hosted. This post has been edited by aaronc222: Apr 7, 2004 - 1:59 AM |
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Apr 7, 2004 - 3:10 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Aug 30, '02 From Franklin,Tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Aaron, well if I can get some server space at comcast I will help out to host the vids.
Bryan |
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Apr 7, 2004 - 6:59 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 22, '04 From bellingham, WA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
i really hope you're not pushing it in that vid...... for one, you shouldn't be braking while cornering in a FWD car (it's a no-no.... screws up weight transfer to the front... which is what you don't want.... unless you guys are using LFB, which i doubt seeing how there isn't ANY tire squeeling...lol)... secondly... damn, go faster  when i took coomer for a ride i had him grabbing for the oh **** handle & i wasn't even pushing it that hard through the corner
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Apr 7, 2004 - 7:15 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined May 22, '03 From NOVA Currently Offline Reputation: 16 (100%) |
#1) corning in any car- brake before turn, hit the gas at the apex and accel. out of the turn
#2) DAMN i wanna ride that road OMG i really really wanna go kick some ass on that road |
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Apr 7, 2004 - 9:40 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 22, '04 From bellingham, WA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
hit the gas at the apex? um... you should be on the gas when you enter a corner (in a FWD car).... otherwise again.... if you go from braking or neither braking/gas to just gassing it while already turning, then you're going to affect the weight transfer... in this case it would end up being losing traction to the drive wheels in the corner (and possibly understeering worse)... you want to brake before the corner, and slowly accelerate (and have a steady/smooth foot for smooth driving) through to the apex and then accelerate more as you exit..... also.. RWD cars are different.... if they have enough power you can brake in the corner, induce some understeer and use the RWD and power to neutral it out if need be.... |
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Apr 7, 2004 - 11:04 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 3, '04 From knoxville, tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
where we were on the part of the road, it looked REALLY bad, and there was some gravel/**** on the road. That was our first time through there, too - so we had NO idea what was coming around each turn. That was the NC side, the TN side has nice new asphalt. I can't speak for the other guys, but at first I was on the brakes a little hard, because I wasn't sure how much the turn I was in was going to keep turning. There were a couple times when I had to slow down a lot right in a turn, because I just wasn't going to make it at the speed I was going.
Hopefully once we get used to the road we can hit it a bit harder. Oh, another thing: I was on stock suspension, with only kumho 711's adding anything bryan has a nice suspension setup -but was on stock tires aaron had a bad back right tire hopefully we won't be "limping" around next time
-------------------- "Somebody give me a fire...so I can burn this city down." - Widespread Panic
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Apr 7, 2004 - 11:30 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 22, '04 From bellingham, WA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
that's cool... if i ever get a chance i'm gonna get some footage of us driving down chuckanut here... especially with my new engine!
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Apr 8, 2004 - 12:35 AM
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 Enthusiast Joined Oct 1, '02 From Minnesota, USA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
I'll show you my secret road hwy 5...it's fun. The Rex is great in it...and if I go to the meet I will have to take the Rex on that road.
-------------------- 95 Toyota Celica GT
Dead for now --> Soon to have a 3S-GTE 02 WRX --> This is for speed - Borla Exhaust - TurboXS BOV - Custom CAI 02 Civic EX - MB Quart Reference 5.25" Components - Rockford MTX 8" Subs in the doors - Alpine Type S Rear Fills - 2x Alpine SWR-1042D Subs in a custom fiberglass box - Alpine F345 Amp for the front doors - Alpine M605 on each Type R - Phoenix Gold wiring - Alpine CDA-9855 Head Unit - Alpine Amp link - 2x Rockford Fosgate 1 Farad Caps - The best Viper 791 alarm install ever |
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Apr 8, 2004 - 2:56 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 9, '02 From houston Currently Offline Reputation: 1 (100%) |
1. First and foremost, becareful out on that road. Its sure fun to get caught up in the twisties and all, but u gotta realize the bike/car ratio is literally 30-1. dont be like this dumbfuk.
 if u cant notice what is wrong in this pic, than u shouldnt be driving in the first place. 2. The celica is NOT the best handling car out there. Dont let it get to ur head that the celica might be able to handle better than ur average civic. Its still heavy, and its still FWD. 3. Its fun to cut corners every now and then (as i saw in the video, shame on you), but be smart about it. dont do it EVER on a blind turn. just keep it safe guys. im watching out for the bikers and you guys. |
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Apr 8, 2004 - 3:35 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Nov 6, '03 From Campbellsville, Ky. Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
He drives a Subaru?
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Apr 8, 2004 - 9:08 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 3, '04 From knoxville, tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
I think that was one of the few places that we actually cut the corner a bit. Back on the tn side we stuck to our side of the road for the most part. There were only a couple of places where you could see what was around the turn ahead of time.
That subaru is on a VERY blind curve. I was scared for a couple of bikers that decided they wanted t opass. One passed us on a blind curve, and seriously 3 sec after he got over, a big ass truck comes around the corner. I was sure one of them was going to bite it. -------------------- "Somebody give me a fire...so I can burn this city down." - Widespread Panic
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Apr 8, 2004 - 11:43 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 22, '02 From Detroit Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
We were very respectful to the bikers, pulling to the side to let faster traffic by and all. We even sat at a corner for a while and talked to Killboy(a local photographer who seems to be a celebrity at the Dragon).
I've got a couple more vids ready. One is of the bikes we taped in the corner. The other is a Nissan Sentra that shouldn't have been out there. Almost forgot: the bike ratio was more like 50:1. When we first got there it was kind of slow, but then it seemed like everyone came out. This post has been edited by aaronc222: Apr 8, 2004 - 11:48 AM |
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Apr 8, 2004 - 11:51 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 9, '02 From houston Currently Offline Reputation: 1 (100%) |
oh please dont get me wrong, i wasnt trying to be an ass. just letting everyone ELSE know...
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Apr 8, 2004 - 12:25 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 22, '04 From bellingham, WA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
wow.... that's uninformed..... civic is still FWD as well... and comparing a civic and celica both with suspension..... the faster car will be driver determined... NOT car determined.... |
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Apr 8, 2004 - 12:53 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Aug 30, '02 From Franklin,Tn Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Well any way, back to the topic. I have both of the vids on my comp so if anybody wants them just IM me and I will send them out. But the next time we drive it we will have a knowledge of the road. Like it was said the road is better in TN.
Bryan |
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Apr 9, 2004 - 12:15 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Aug 29, '02 From Franklin/Nashville, TN Currently Offline Reputation: 16 (100%) |
i'm adding this link to my server, it's the 2nd installment. this is the 5min10sec vid w/ music. Chemical Brothers track so i'm told.  . Dragon Tail Run w/ music. again, hope you guys enjoy, and hopefully my computer won't be too slow for you guys...i'm on a cable modem, so hopefully that'll help. -John- -------------------- AIM==Mynzeyes
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