Hitting the Tail of the Dragon this Weekend and a Car Meet

"nerd_racing" (nerd189)
10/03/2018 at 09:25 • Filed to: tail of the dragon, Autozam AZ-1, Zoom Zoom

I’m heading to Deals Gap this weekend with some friends to finally hit up the tail of the dragon with the Autozam. There’s also a Ford Festiva gathering in Raleigh that I’ll be attending with it too. Lots of old friends from my Festiva/Aspire enthusiast days will be there.

Any tips for the Dragon? Or cool roadside places to check out while I’m in that area?

Any Oppos in Raleigh that want to come check out the car during the Festiva Meet on Saturday?

DISCUSSION (18)

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > nerd_racing
10/03/2018 at 09:32

“ There’s also a Ford Festiva gathering in Raleigh”

Kinja'd!!!

tpw_rules > nerd_racing
10/03/2018 at 09:33

My only tip is be prepared to be stuck behind someone towing a boat. And in front of someone with at least 600HP. Most likely, at the same time. There are pulloff areas but the boats don’t fit and they’re difficult to use anyway.

There’s a couple nasty decreasing radius turns so take it reasonably carefully your first time. I also get kinda woozy on back to back runs. If you’re susceptible, watch out. Getting barfy with 5 miles to go is miserable.

Edit: Also, under no circumstances cross the double yellow ! Not even to hit the perfect apex. You’ll crash into a boat going the other direction, and lose.

random001 > nerd_racing
10/03/2018 at 09:44

I want you to have a SHAZAM license plate....

random001 > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
10/03/2018 at 09:44

Because it’s a party, man.

random001 > tpw_rules
10/03/2018 at 09:45

I second this advice, and put it behind “avoid the dragon altogether” because there are way better roads in the area.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > tpw_rules
10/03/2018 at 09:48

under no circumstances cross the double yellow

I don’t know why this seems to be a difficult concept. Saw this quite a bit when I was there...I was sure one lady who was using the entire road like her personal race track was going to kill someone while she was hustling her god damn SUBURBAN around the corners.

Milky > nerd_racing
10/03/2018 at 09:53

I’ve only been once but I had more fun on this section of 28. There was no traffic.

Kinja'd!!!

E90M3 > nerd_racing
10/03/2018 at 09:56

Some of the other roads around there are almost as fun and a lot less crowded. I enjoyed my time on the dragon, but I enjoyed some other roads more because they were pretty much vacant.

Kinja'd!!!

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > nerd_racing
10/03/2018 at 09:58

Use gps so you know what corners are coming.

nerd_racing > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
10/03/2018 at 10:08

Because the Mazda 121/Ford Festiva is a great little car. They are highly tuneable and fit any and every mazda B series engine, including the Mazda 1.8L from the miata. They weigh nothing, and you can still fit 4 people comfortably. The chassis is surprisingly good for racing too. I’m building a powertrain swap for one right now actually. Staying 1.3L but almost triple the stock horsepower without a turbo.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > nerd_racing
10/03/2018 at 10:11

I might just have to drive one apparently . Do they drag race them?

nerd_racing > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
10/03/2018 at 10:35

yes, there are some that are breaking into the 9s with built 1.8L engines.

nerd_racing > random001
10/03/2018 at 10:49

SHAZAM is taken in NY apparently. 5HAZAM isn’t though.

random001 > nerd_racing
10/03/2018 at 11:58

That would work! Or just get SHA and let people figure it out...

nerd_racing > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
10/03/2018 at 15:08

This one won’t be a problem for me, I have lane to spare. Plus I take pride in not crossing lines when I drive spiritedly.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > random001
10/03/2018 at 15:56

I guess I went at the right time, but I’ve hit it with very little traffic, ie LimitedTimeOnly was the only car in front of me for like a mile. It’s amazing when it’s empty. When it’s not, it’s irritating. Fuck Harleys.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > nerd_racing
10/03/2018 at 15:57

Other than do the Skyway, and FUCK HARLEYS, I’ve got nothing. I found 129Photos takes the best photos.

random001 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/04/2018 at 06:33

I’ve managed to get it pretty clear as well, but that’s so much rarer than being stuck behind people who shouldn’t be there, or in front of people who are intent on killing themselves and someone else.