Annual All Toyota Dragon Run (US129), Hosted by Celicatech Options

[Murgatroy]

After voting we have settled on the dates of April 17th through 19th for the Annual Celicatech Dragon Run.

For the uninitiated, The Dragon is a stretch of road that lies between Tennessee and North Carolina, it is known by many names, but it is officially known as US Highway 129. It is a marvelous stretch of road known to automotive enthusiasts the entire world over.

This is the 3rd year for this version of our meet, but it is the evolution of the Pigeon Forge meet, which was held for many years prior.

We have anticipated a very high turn-out this year, as we have people come in from all over the country. This is an open invitation to all Toyota Owners, and will be posted across several boards.

This will be my third year hosting it, and to be honest, it is the highlight of my year. I enjoy seeing me friends and making new ones.

Now, some of you might be asking, 'Why is it called the Dragon Run?' Well, let me explain.

We are car fanatics. And the reason we love cars, is that we love to drive them. So in a departure from typical meets, we plan this around driving. Driving through the Great Smokey Mountains and enjoying some beautiful sights and comradeship.

This year we intend to make several runs of the Dragon, and come down the Cherohala Skyway as well.

This is our intended route.



Lodging is being planned just off of Cedar Bluff in Knoxville. There are many hotels to fit different budgets.

Holiday Inn Select Knoxville-West Hotel (I-40 & I-75)
- www.holidayinn.com - (877) 863-4780

La Quinta Inn-Knoxville West
- www.lq.com - (865) 690-9777

Sleep Inn
- www.sleepinn.com - (865) 531-5900

Holiday Inn Select Cedar Bluff
- www.cedarbluff.hiselect.com - (865) 693-1011

Econo Lodge West
- www.econolodge.com - (865) 693-6061

Hampton Inn Knoxville-west At Cedar Bluff, Tn
- www.hamptoninn.com - (865) 693-1101

Budget Inn
- www.hotelclub.com - (865) 934-1182

Please join in the discussion and we will see who all is coming, where you are staying, and what you would like to see happen this year. Every year is different, and every year is a blast.


2-Way Radios are recommended, this is how we all like to keep in touch with one another and make sure we all know where we are going.


I hope to see you attend.


http://www.celicatech.com/forums/showthrea...age=1&pp=25

The above is the link to our thread back at Celicatech, you must be a member to see it. If you would like to attend, please hop over and introduce yourself and let us know. So far we have nearly 30 cars signed up, we would like to have even more, this event is a blast every year!

[Tigawoods]

if gas stays the way it is and i have no problems with the car and there is no auto-x that weekend then maaaybe. an 8hr drive is alot for me. if we get alot more 6gens too

[bccentaur3]

only if the drive wasn't so long I would go.

[supershannon77]

bump. ..for an awesome meet..I'm trying my best to go this year!

[Shocker]

Im sure ill be there

[richee3]

If I can find another job by then, count me in.

[Jaws4God]

anyone from charlotte area going?

[robidunno]

As a former resident of East Tennessee, it's an unbelievable drive. 318 turns in 11 miles is the greatest feeling I've had behind the wheel in a long while. I would LOVE to be there for this. Why did I move again??? I have to say it's worth the trip if you're thinking about it.

[crwarrior]

yeah man..i was talking to my friend who has a 7th gen celi...we wanna go. im sooo going even though im in bfe but its totally worth it i hope lol...what could be fun is meeting people on the way with celicas and driving up there all together but thats just me i dunno lol but im going so hope to see everyone there

[Murgatroy]

Bump.

Four months and counting, we have roughly 45 cars already. 3rd through 7th Gens, I was hoping for a better response from the 6th Gen guys...

[TRD_Ian]

debating on making the trip from canada, we shal see

[xtinkt94]

I've done this trip on a motorcycle all the way from southern Illinois and it was well worth the ride. This is a great place to ride or drive. I can promise anyone that if they go they will not be sorry! I hope I can make it, we'll have to see. Should be a blast!

This post has been edited by xtinkt94: Jan 26, 2009 - 11:31 AM

[Dr_Tweak]

I am planning on going to this meet.

-Doc

[boosted185]

a buddy of mine took his bike down there a few years ago and the pictures are amazing. Should be a lot of fun. I'm going to try and go, no garuntees which car I'm brining tho.....90 "haftrac" or 92 Alltrac

[MR2Guru]

I'm excited, and if any of you have encountered me in chat, you know this already!

We NEED more 6g's this year. We took a great shot of 4 generations last year, and guess what was missing? A 6GC! The blasphemy!

Cars are coming from as far as Canada!

I think I have a few 4AG, Supra and MR2 groups on the bandwagon as well. This should be BIG! I cant wait!

[crankyelbow]

If my car is in one piece and I can remember...

I will most certainly make this trip

[MR2Guru]

I am planning on going to this meet.

-Doc

Do you think you will still be able to make it?

[pittfirefighter]

If my car is still running, i will be attending... tiga... you should join me for the trip!!

[DEATH]

95% sure I'll be there - anyone else from Houston or Texas going? Damn 3s is gonna drink $200 getting there LOL

[JustinCapps]

god this sounds amazing.. thats al long drive from WA tho.. ill see whats going on...

[Murgatroy]

god this sounds amazing.. thats al long drive from WA tho.. ill see whats going on...

We have a couple of members from Washington driving out.

[stephen_lee]

i want to go. if i land a job i'll be there fo sho

[gone9420]

ya im down to go . all toyota or is there gonna be other makes cause i know a few more people that would go but some r in hondas and lexus.

[ETNRIDER]

Sweet!!!! I am like 30 min from the dragon!!!

Let me know if anyone needs any info or anything, I will be glad to help!

[koreanjoey]

I think I win the distance award so far (via car)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...ie=UTF8&z=5

[stephen_lee]

ya im down to go . all toyota or is there gonna be other makes cause i know a few more people that would go but some r in hondas and lexus.

lexus IS toyota

I think I win the distance award so far (via car)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...ie=UTF8&z=5

nice. you'll have to change your oil like 2-3 times in a weekend LOL

[koreanjoey]

Fortunately for me I've got a Gen 3 3SGE and changing the oil is super easy. Expensive, yes, but super easy.

[MR2Guru]

Here is the attendance list from ONE forum: (Celicatech)

0.grayscale
1. Murg
2. Mario
3. 92-gt
4. Vip09
5. Ciento44
6. Luni
7. gt4rcdude
8. tuner4life
9. t4l pt.2 +1?
10. METDeath + Vafalla
11. cms-gt4
12. Colossus20v
13. Nitro Alltrac
14. Donteatbugs
15. CriScO (assuming there's no massive engine explosion on the way)
16. bCaff
17. celicasilfee +1
18. Dr Tweak +1
19. Prodigy515
20. Cavanagh
21. Silentchaos+Rider
22. v3bahumut + 1
23. car + 0 (I'm planning on going)
24. grot
25. andy10889
26. VikingJZ+maybe someone. I was a go last year for 2009
27. renegadex
28. mafix plus wife (pending i don't blow up the motor)
29. hyoctane (tentative, depends on teh wifey thing)
30. brigidrose +1 (also pending on motor not being blown up)
31. cbarett251 + wifey (continuing motor trend)
32. darthripley + justjoe (depends on $$$ & whether alltrac is running good)
33. resident brother
34. lowredcruzr
35. rammerjammer7
36. Boosted Yotaman
37. zero2toy
38. vegeta4ss (maybe)
39. supracelica32
40. Trance4c
41. InitialD93 (most likely in the Z4)
42.crazydriver (watch me crash)
43. Tecker184 +1
44. MR2Guru (91 T MR2) - Western NC
45. MR2Gurl (88 165/205 swap) - Western NC
46. "The Jeep" - Western NC
47. KoreanJoey
48. Aciddice
49. KT
50. Brak
51. Kungfubar
52. geekmyride
53. burnyd

+ MR2OC

54.jeffg213 - East TN
55.Dragonflys2
56.BlitzAction
57.Jtripp06
58.Rich3sgte - Western NC
59.SnowRocker88 - GSP SC
60.freestyle
61.Shadowlife25
62. RC'sDeuce
Here goes the official itinerary, which we try our best to follow! (Copied from Celicatech)

Friday April 17th:

8pm: Meet, Greet, Eat.

Location: Cracker Barrel 9214 Park West Blvd. Knoxville, TN. Located just off of I-40/75 on Exit 373 (Cedar Bluff.)

Saturday April 18th:

8am: Meet and prepare for departure.

Location: Old Food City Parkinglot. This is located on Executive Park Drive, just across from the Holiday Inn Select. Just off of I-40/75 on Exit 378. Yes, just down the street from Cracker Barrel.

9am: Departure.

This puts us reaching the base of the Dragon at or around 10am. Once there, we will stop for pictures and determine running order. In the event that more cars arrive than is safe for a caravan (20+) cars will be broken into groups. This is for our convenience as well as the safety and convenience of others on the road.

10am: Run!

We will begin running the Dragon at 10am, either was a whole or in smaller groups. Hopefully we will be able to get several run in over the next few hours.

1pm: Pictures.

We will make our way to Fontana Dam for group pictures. After these pictures, we will make our way to the top of the mountain to the church for more pictures.

In these pictures I would like all cars represented and uniformly parked. This is to ensure equal exposure of all cars and attendees being visible and represented.

3pm: Cherohala Skyway.

At 2pm we will depart the church and head for the Skyway. This will be a long run, so I suggest that anyone that needs gas for the next 100 mile stretch have it. There won’t be any gas stations.


8pm(approximately): Dinner.

Location as of yet to be determined. As all the cars should be in a tight group, general consensus will determine.

Sunday April 19th:

10am: Discussion, Show and Bench Racing.

Location: Old Food City Parkinglot. This is located on Executive Park Drive, just across from the Holiday Inn Select. Just off of I-40/75 on Exit 378.

All points from here on out will be played by ear. I know some folks desire a junk yard run, some would like to head to Pigeon Forge for Go-Karts and or shopping.

2pm: Lunch/Dinner.

Location: To be determined


At some point and time after this, we will all go our merry ways.

Some folks will be in earlier, some folks will be staying later. This is only a general guideline, however, we will be trying very hard to stick to these times.

Remember your Two-Ways. I will update with our channel at the time of the event.

My name is Murg and my number is (Eight Six Five) Seven Seven Three Nine Seven Zero Eight.
__________________

This post has been edited by MR2Guru: Mar 20, 2009 - 3:32 PM

[MR2Guru]

95% sure I'll be there - anyone else from Houston or Texas going? Damn 3s is gonna drink $200 getting there LOL

Hey Matt, I know DarthRipley, JustJoe, and Stephen_Lee are all Texans, maybe you guys can make a caravan of sorts?

[Chhaos]

This sounds like an awesome event. Just too short of a notice for me right now. Hope everything goes great and count me in for future years.

[stephen_lee]

95% sure I'll be there - anyone else from Houston or Texas going? Damn 3s is gonna drink $200 getting there LOL

Hey Matt, I know DarthRipley, JustJoe, and Stephen_Lee are all Texans, maybe you guys can make a caravan of sorts?

im 87.3% sure i'll make it.
Lets see how close to houston my route is. if its semi close, i'll meet up w/ you Matt

[stephen_lee]

Total Estimated Time: 16 hours 6 minutes
Total Estimated Distance: 1039.37 miles
Total Estimated Fuel Cost: $63.14

7A is cool at times

[stephen_lee]

Matt, i can meet up w/ you in houston, its on the way.

Ripley, you can take I20E and we can all meet up in Meridian.
But to meet up w/ us and taking i20, your trip will be 30 miles longer.

Meet place would be:

Queen City Truck Stop
5502 N Frontage Rd
Meridian, MS 39307
+1 601-482-0259

We can eat there

This post has been edited by stephen_lee: Mar 24, 2009 - 7:28 PM

[DEATH]

95% sure I'll be there - anyone else from Houston or Texas going? Damn 3s is gonna drink $200 getting there LOL

Hey Matt, I know DarthRipley, JustJoe, and Stephen_Lee are all Texans, maybe you guys can make a caravan of sorts?

im 87.3% sure i'll make it.
Lets see how close to houston my route is. if its semi close, i'll meet up w/ you Matt

Right on or Vice-versa

Total Estimated Time: 16 hours 6 minutes
Total Estimated Distance: 1039.37 miles
Total Estimated Fuel Cost: $63.14

7A is cool at times

Total estimated 3S-GTE fuel cost: Arm, leg 1st born child

[Jaws4God]

is it too late to book lodging??... I think i want to go to this!!

How fast do they go?

anyone from the Charlotte area want to meet up and cruise up together?

This post has been edited by Jaws4God: Mar 26, 2009 - 12:00 PM

[easternpiro1]

mr2guru who else from north carolina is going? im seriously considering!

[stephen_lee]

just asked for friday && monday off

[illneversellmyce...]

jaws ill link up wit ya

[easternpiro1]

if death is goin... count me in! lol and drag that goon Dman with ya!

[pittfirefighter]

anyone going from northeast??

[Jaws4God]

Well i'm gonna get off of work at 2pm so we can try to make it by 8:00pm. Just hope it doesn't rain and you all take it nice and safe.. I am hoping there won't be much speeding :-/

[Murgatroy]

Well i'm gonna get off of work at 2pm so we can try to make it by 8:00pm. Just hope it doesn't rain and you all take it nice and safe.. I am hoping there won't be much speeding :-/

We try to keep the speeds reasonable. There will be man cars and the Dragon will be packed on the weekend. I wouldn't be expecting us to be going much faster than 35MPH tops on the Dragon.

We will have many inexperienced (as far as the type of driving) drivers with us, something I will be taking into consideration as I lead.

If it makes a difference (it won't) I will be driving my `90 ST to lead the pack.

[MR2Guru]

In case anyone is looking to meet up with others from their areas, you might want to hop on CelicaTech, since that is where most of the discussions are.

Dragon Thread

I will be coming from NC, but I'm headed out on Thursday the 16th, so that may not be helpful for those that are only going friday/saturday.

[Murgatroy]

This Friday!

Hope to see you all there!

[Jaws4God]

I'm still planning to go!! I checked the weather, looks like Friday and Sat should be beautiful.. calling for thunderstorms all day Sunday..

I probably would be considered an inexperienced driver on those types of roads... I have been practicing around here.. but I know nothing is like the dragon..

I am hoping to have 2 other guys ride up with me ( Matt and Nick) but i need to find out if they definitely can or not.

[illneversellmyce...]

i def can jaws i got some things fixed that i needed too

[Jaws4God]

see you all tomorrow!!

[Jaws4God]

anyone coming over here? I only saw 1 other 6th gen... :-P we need to reprezent! lol


8am we hit it!

[Jaws4God]

Very Dissappointed we only had 2 6th gens there Me and Nick were the only ones ....

And you can't use the excuse "its too far" we had 2 guys there from Washing State! 2600 miles!

[illneversellmyce...]

sweet jaws we need to join all of our pics and vids sometime soon and get them posted.

yeah every gen from 3 to 7th was represented at the meet with the 5th dominatinating around 20 or so

[Murgatroy]

It was nice having so many generations shown this year.

I am really hoping we can get a 1rst Gen there next year, seeing as how Andy (the guy in the EightSix) owns a pair.

That leaves a hole for a 2nd Gen, but if things go the way I am hoping for next year, we should have an even better turnout.

It was great to see you all there, and I hope we can get even more 6th Gens there next year!

[illneversellmyce...]

hey found a photographer who captured some pics of me on the dragon run!







and the guy with us in the z4 already got a vid up check it out if you like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GlPhM9uP2c

[Murgatroy]

Maybe one day I will finish my bodywork and get painted so they will stop editing me out of the videos.

[Jaws4God]

hey found a photographer who captured some pics of me on the dragon run!

which site were those from?

[illneversellmyce...]

theprojectextreme one

[ETNRIDER]

Very Dissappointed we only had 2 6th gens there Me and Nick were the only ones ....

And you can't use the excuse "its too far" we had 2 guys there from Washing State! 2600 miles!

I was there Friday night!!!!

Had family time on Saturday!! as you can see.....





I took a few in the CB parking lot on Friday. I will post them up when I get a chance. It was nice to meet you all!! Maybe next time I can run the dragon with some Celicas!

[Jaws4God]

Very Dissappointed we only had 2 6th gens there Me and Nick were the only ones ....

And you can't use the excuse "its too far" we had 2 guys there from Washing State! 2600 miles!

I was there Friday night!!!!

Had family time on Saturday!! as you can see.....


I took a few in the CB parking lot on Friday. I will post them up when I get a chance. It was nice to meet you all!! Maybe next time I can run the dragon with some Celicas!

So how was the game??

Sorry about forgetting about ya.. did you come back on Sunday? Adam and I just decided to start heading back since it was raining...

[ETNRIDER]

The game was good, UT should do ok this year. My little girl had a BLAST!!!

I had to work on my school work on Sunday so I did not make it back out, plus the weather wasn't good.

I hope you all had a great time, if you are back in the area we can hit some dragon like roads there are a ton of them around here.

[illneversellmyce...]

woot had fun with the gif generator!


GIF animations generator gifup.com


GIF animations generator gifup.com


GIF animations generator gifup.com

This post has been edited by illneversellmycelli: Apr 21, 2009 - 6:15 PM