So I drove the Dragon
 

And it was fucking awesome! I actually wasn't even intending to. I visited my GF's sister who just moved to Knoxville, TN. I thought Deal's Gap was too far out of the way so I didn't even consider going there. On saturday her sister's BF takes us to the Smokies to go white water rafting. On the way home we start going through this really windy road but I'm thinking there's no way this could be the gap. Then I see alot of motorcycles and I put two and two together. I was dieing a little inside knowing I was on the gap in the back of a honda civic. The following day I drove back by myself to give it a go.
Here's a little tip for anyone going to the gap for the first time. If you're coming from the TN side of the gap (US129 south) right before the switchbacks start the road changes from 50 mph to 30mph. The problem is you don't see the 30mph sign until you've gone around the curve at 50mph at which point there are troopers waiting to ticket all would be thrill seekers. Needless to say I got a nice fat ticket. Sunday also seems to have much more traffic and police attention than Saturday.
Other than that it was fun as shit. Amazing road, one curve after another. To top it off the road is in great condition as well. I went up with almost no traffic. Chased a Mustang Cobra up a little while. Slow traffic pulled off to the side to let faster traffic pass. Chased a gutted integra the entire way down. Found the limits of the RS2s, luckily had some road to spare. Did not overheat either, temps stayed at about 200F, so far shrouding has worked. Did not encounter any fast bikes, every one pulled to the side. Saw a lot of really nice cars. Didn't meet anything I couldn't keep up with. A miata definitely has an advantage around tight curves. All in all it was the most fun I've ever had in the car. I think I need to get a rollbar and get out to the track. Some of the various photographers got some pics of the car as well.
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orde...A000605&po=605

sounds like fun bro, and DAMN the car looks great in the pic

what intercooler is that?

it's the Begi #2 and thanks! It needs a wash and wax badly. About 1200miles of bugs and birdshit on it right now.

Dang, it does look nice! Looks like fun too.

That is sweet! Nice pic too. Our cars are friggin twins. Actually part of a set of triplets with Savington too.

You still have your black and tan package leather seats in?!? I pulled mine and put in a cheap set of black cloth Miata seats. Deleted some seat cushion and you hold pretty good in them. I couldn't stand how much I slid around in the leather ones.

Roll bar and track days! Gotta do it, gonna love it.

Fan shrouds FTW.

yeah I still have the leather seats. At the moment I do 99% of my driving on the street and the seats are in really good condition, and most importantly I'm too lazy to swap them for something else.

Love the avatar. I don't run into too many zatoichi fans.

Yes, the gap is awesome.

I liked the photo... a lot... at first. Then I tried to save it and it's protected.:jerkit:

yeah, they want you to buy, and I'm not paying either.

Print screen and paste it's ass..
here I'll do it for you:
Attachment 211381
Attachment 211382
Attachment 211383

Now you can save them!

It’s funny, every time I am state side, I drive to visit a friend of mine (no really I have friends) I drive past the dragon, and never even think about turning. There are roads a lot closer to me, that have a lot less traffic, police, and publicity that are every bit as fun, and challenging as the dragon to drive, and I visit these roads often. To me the dragon is lost, it was a road locals enjoyed for years, but now with world wide fame, no one can enjoy it.