Bowling Green Reunion.

[cvette98pacecar]

How many people would like to extend the get together by three days?
Here are my thoughts, we can all meet on Sunday night at one of the mountain ranges and work our way to bowling green by Wednesday night. I have three Go Pro camera and a couple of nice digital cameras that we can set up on different cars it would be nice to see 30 to 50 C4, Grand Sports, ZR-1 all cruising down the mountain ranges.

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/pdf/Brochure.pdf

[Blue Flame Restorations]

I'd absolutely LOVE to do the Dragon but I just can't swing it this year. simply too much work in front of me. Sounds like a great idea though, Robert. I would imagine someone here would do it.

See you in Bowling Green on Thu afternoon - Sunday morning!!:cheers:

[Paul Workman]

Looking forward to it, "FER SHER"!!!!

P.

[Fully Vetted]

Driving from Texas so already leaving sometime Tuesday. I voted as a possibly. Totally depends on work. But, to answer your question...absolutely! I'd love to!

[FU]

We are trying..........

[Kevin]

i'm interested in theory. but i don't know if i can actually swing it

[-=Jeff=-]

I would love to.. maybe when my kids are in college or at least High school ( they are 10 and 7 now)

Just can't do it this year.. some day

[QB93Z]

Which mountains are you talking about?

I would be up for heading out a few days early and meeting up with a caravan. We had 12 ZR-1's from the NE and WAZOO in 2010. It was a lot of fun.

I couldn't get away for the whole previous weekend but I could probably meet up with a group on Monday or Tuesday.

My advice is to pick a location, plan the route, announce the dates and people will arrange their plans if they can.

Recent reports I have heard from several drivers is that Tail of the Dragon is over crowed and heavily patrolled. There are some other nice driving roads in that area that might be more enjoyable.

Jim

[WARP TEN]

I plan to go down to BG on Wednesday AM from Chicago unless work issues arise, then Thursday. Couldn't swing any more time off right now. Part of the price of getting the ZR-1 is that I have to take the wife to Italy later this year and that will eat up all my time off. Unless I quit. Which also has a certain appeal. Most expensive ZR-1 in history! --Bob

[Jagdpanzer]

Believe me brother, a lot of us share the same pain you are suffering

[Kevin]

I plan to go down to BG on Wednesday AM from Chicago unless work issues arise, then Thursday. Couldn't swing any more time off right now. Part of the price of getting the ZR-1 is that I have to take the wife to Italy later this year and that will eat up all my time off. Unless I quit. Which also has a certain appeal. Most expensive ZR-1 in history! --Bob

what's gona happen if you come home with a ferrari

[Jagdpanzer]

what's gona happen if you come home with a ferrari

When it comes things related to cars I've always found it better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

[Daniel_Mc]

Robert,

LOVE this idea the Grand Sport Registry did this last year and about 4 years before that and it was a huge success. However I voted no because I would never be able to take that much time at once off of work.

Daniel

TOD Pics:
http://www.grandsportregistry.com/photopost/g563-ncm-gathering-20082627tail-of-the-dragon-27-run.html

http://www.grandsportregistry.com/photopost/g622-2012-corvette-homecoming26-tail-of-the-dragon.html

[MikeGolf]

The Tail of the Dragon is a local run for me as are the Blue Ridge, which I'm assuming you are talking about. The Dragon is over rated by far and over crowded. I would NOT do it on the weekend, every bicycle, car or motorcylce try to hit it on the weekends. Dangerous and Deadly!!!! [-X There are better less traveled and unknown to the public, roads that are far better for sport driving that is less dangerous. =D>
The WAZOO and NE crowd could take the Blue Ridge Parkway up most of the way. A Beautiful drive in itself. A great jumping off point is Fontana Village.

http://www.fontanavillage.com/

[MikeGolf]

If you do the Dragon please do it on a Monday!

[ZZZZZR1]

When it comes things related to cars I've always found it better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

Well said!!! But does it work???

[Fully Vetted]

It works as long as THEY don't start doing the same thing!

[Ronstar]

Sounds like fun. I could probably swing it with enough advanced notice

[WARP TEN]

When it comes things related to cars I've always found it better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

Or don't tell her at all....like a Haibeck 500 package.....Why is the car at Marc's? Just getting a little winter maintenance, dear...........

[cvette98pacecar]

Here are my thoughts:
Sunday we all meet up in Alcoa, Tn
Monday we drive the smokey mountain range ending up in Vonore, TN

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa468/rdemarco06/Dragon_zps9c23191d.png

Tuesday, we drive MOONSHINER 28 from (Hexagon 1)Tail of the Dragon, all the way to Walhalla, SC. 103 miles (Hexagon 3)break for lunch, than drive back on Moonshiners 28 (Hexagon 8)connecting with the CHEROHALA SKY-WAY (Hexagon 3)stopping near devils triangle.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa468/rdemarco06/Tuesday_zps0f38df12.png

Wednesday, we drive Devils triangle than head to bowling green.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa468/rdemarco06/DevilsTriangle_zps67028da4.png

I am going to try and get Vette magazine to cover the entire week.

[LancePearson]

I'm going to Bowling Green but have finite time limits..leaving Richmond, Va. area Wed the 15th early to do the 646 miles that day and attend the reception. Have room reserved but will leave after noon on Saturday and either drive to Charleston for the night or go the other way and head for The Dragon, run the Dragon the next morning then on home to Richmond area on Sunday the 19th. Only time I have dog sitters to watch my two greyhounds so that is my limit. I would love to drive down to BG on Wed. as part of a group though. My route: Richmond W. on I 64 to Charlottesville, to Charleston, WV, to Lexington then cut over to 65 or whatever it is that drops south to Bowling Green.

Lance Pearson
Chester, Va.

[LancePearson]

Which mountains are you talking about?

I would be up for heading out a few days early and meeting up with a caravan. We had 12 ZR-1's from the NE and WAZOO in 2010. It was a lot of fun.

I couldn't get away for the whole previous weekend but I could probably meet up with a group on Monday or Tuesday.

My advice is to pick a location, plan the route, announce the dates and people will arrange their plans if they can.

Recent reports I have heard from several drivers is that Tail of the Dragon is over crowed and heavily patrolled. There are some other nice driving roads in that area that might be more enjoyable.
Jim

I was going to run the Dragon last Sept with my '76 but they say there have been enough cycle and sports car deaths the speed limit is 30 mph and the Tennessee patrol polices it heavily so you get to run 11 miles and 300 curves in first and second gear. Has a little less appeal at the moment. Also, there have been a number of truck accidents as some trucks end up on the tight switchback curves in your lane. Instead, I went to the Skyline drive and drove it then the next day the Blue Ridge Parkway and turned W. to Richmond and had a blast on the road out of the mountains which was 55 mph and NO cops and few cars but lots of twisties so I have mixed feelings about the Dragon. I've got some better local runs here overall.

I ran one yesterday on a sunny 66 F. day and passed a pokey guy on a 55 mph road on a straight, ran it up to 110 then slowed to 88 in 4th and went into a fairly gentle curve set of S curves where I could see and knew the radius at 88 mph posted 45 mph and used the whole road and drifted down to 80 going through it. Mostly I drive the 90 mile 55 mph at around 62 but give nothing back to the curves posted slower, if they are ones I know or can see and there is no one coming then I run it up and carve the turns faster. That's what I mean by better for me locally....a big loop from my house on a ride on each side of the James river then the Jamestown free ferry and home the other side. Fun and pretty. Winter wheat is out now and growing, green, in all the fields here


Lance P.

[cvette98pacecar]

Secondary Route. Meet I-77 & I-81

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa468/rdemarco06/FortChiswelltoBowlingGreen_zps344e7206.png

[Fully Vetted]

Holy crap. I feel it. I'm going to get caught up in the swell and say yes. I might as well stop fighting it.

[cvette98pacecar]

To all, I know this is not for everyone. I live in Central Michigan and the ride to these mountain ranges is just over 700 miles. I figured since I am taking off Wednesday threw Friday for work and that I am already going to be three quarters of the way to the mountain ranges why not take off another two days from work and make it a week that I will remember forever. How nice would it be to have 20 or so ZR-1 cruising down the Blue Ridge Parkway. I dont get to do things like this very often, so when I do I try to do as much as possible. If you can join the cruise great. If you have obligations I understand. I just need to try and get a count on how many people would like to go so I can start working on getting hotel rooms at a greatly discounted rate.

[JThomas]

Well Robert, I can't let you do this alone! Count me in. I did the Dragon four years ago now, after Labor Day weekend in Bowling Green. It was a lot of fun but if traffic is heavy, that takes all of the fun away.

Everybody needs a wing man!

[cvette98pacecar]

I dont want to add pressure to the old ZR-1 Net registry Regional groups. However, the current count is ZOOM-3, FBI-1, WAZOO-1

[ZZZZZR1]

I dont want to add pressure to the old ZR-1 Net registry Regional groups. However, the current count is ZOOM-3, FBI-1, WAZOO-1

Need a name for the Texas group... There is one there interested!

:cheers:

David

[tomtom72]

I may have to just go buy new rubber for this! I'll bring my crew chief up on the radio and tell him I need 4 new ones! :mrgreen: :dancing

Okay Robert....you may let go of my arm now....I can't let you and Joe have all the fun! Put me down as "IN" and I'll go back and read this thread again so I can figure out where I need to be and when and how much vacation time I have to bid. I gotta get this bid in quickly so I don't leave my property manager short handed.

Alcoa, TN on Sunday May ??? at what time??? Do I have that much correct?

:cheers:
Tom

Okay, two maps. Which one are we doing? Roanoke VA to BG ???? or Alcoa, TN to wherever? I'm a bit confused, but what else is new LOL....I'm "IN" anyway!

[Gunny]

Count me in ... at least tentatively. I usually run the Dragon on the way to BG every year anyway.

The Smoky Mtn loop is outstanding ... done it many times. Plan on allowing ample time for looking/stopping for photo ops. The Dragon will be fine on a weekday ... because of the issues mentioned earlier I no longer run the Dragon on weekends. Don't know about this year but last year the TN troopers did not have enough funding to allow patrolling US129 except on weekends ... and I can't remember the last time I have seen any patrols during weekday runs. The only thing I can think of that might dampen our parade would be RAIN (pun intended) ... some years are OK & sometimes, it's just wet.

http://www.zrwon.com/gallery/dragon/tod09/slides/A1706116.JPG

http://www.zrwon.com/gallery/dragon/tod09/slides/A1706126.JPG

http://www.zrwon.com/gallery/dragon/tod12/slides/S90_6489.JPG

[FU]

Handsome pose Geo. :saluting:

[Jagdpanzer]

I'm in for a taste of Dragon Tail

[msmoore]

I've done the Tail on a bike and it's a blast if not too crowded. I've done the Cherohala Skyway(which is very nearby) in the Z and was much nicer. Beautiful scenery and nice places to stop along the route

[ZZZZZR1]

Add 2 from Tennessee. There might be a 415 or a TT joining the trip! (not sure which car will come)

:cheers:

David

[XfireZ51]

No way we could do this on one of the days during the Gathering as a day trip?
How far is it from BG?

[LancePearson]

I live in Virginia so toyed with the idea of after and dropping down and running Cherohola and rte 129 but decided tentatively not to. I've done the same thing as Cherohola here on the blue ridge parkway about 50 miles s. from Waynesboro to route 60 going east back to Richmond. Pretty ride but the b.r.parkway has in va a 45 mph speed limit on it. Most fun was turning east out of the mountain and running the twisty, dropping in elevation, country road headed down to the piedmont elevation and was 55 mph speed limit. I always use the speed limit as a sort of barometer or starting point at least.

Lance

[Fully Vetted]

No way we could do this on one of the days during the Gathering as a day trip?
How far is it from BG?

I definitely second that motion.

[LancePearson]

bowling green to 129 tail of the dragon area is about 240 miles each way....

[Paul Workman]

No way we could do this on one of the days during the Gathering as a day trip?
How far is it from BG?


I definitely second that motion.

Dittos here! Marc (and maybe Dominic?) and I were the only Zs that did the BBQ and icecream run at The Gathering one year. The locals called one of the stretches "The roller coaster", and it definately made for a spirited few hours and beautiful scenery!!!

I'd love to "do the Dragon" too, but far as twisties go, something closer might work almost as well??

P.

[ZZZZZR1]

2 more potentials from New Hampshire!

Pete and his brother might bring his DRM 95 and a 95 ZR-1! Also dislpay the DRM 95 in the museum.

:cheers:

David

[cvette98pacecar]

2 more potentials from New Hampshire!

Pete and his brother might bring his DRM 95 and a 95 ZR-1! Also dislpay the DRM 95 in the museum.

:cheers:

David

That is 10 cars with a possible 11 more. 21 ZR-1 on a road trip, Does not get any better.

[tomtom72]

That is 10 cars with a possible 11 more. 21 ZR-1 on a road trip, Does not get any better.

I hope I'm on "the list"? Are we really gonna do this?:happy1:

:cheers:
Tom

:o sorry to be a PIA...but I love the twisties!:mrgreen:

[LancePearson]

Will there be a drive at the Bowling Green Gathering itself? I've seen some years they lead on the local roads where sometimes factory vettes get workouts and that is fun without the extra 500 miles of driving and time. I hope they have some kind of local drive where we can follow as a group during the Gathering. I've read other years where they do and the guys writing like it. You will have great fun in the Blue Ridge Mountains no matter how many do it.

Have a blast.

Lance P.

[tomtom72]

Lance, They were "Check Rides", conducted by Jim Ingles. I went on two of them and they were a blast. Last year Jim wasn't in attendance so the was no "Check Ride". I missed not having it on the Gathering's agenda. He handed out copies of the actual engineering evaluation sheets that were the day's work load for the Check Ride.

:cheers:
Tom

[MickeyD]

Am I the only one from Texas?

[cvette98pacecar]

Am I the only one from Texas?

No David (Fully Vetted) is near Dallas.

[Gunny]

I hope I'm on "the list"? Are we really gonna do this?:happy1:



Yes, plans are underway ... you don't want to miss this opportunity.

Here's a couple of videos to whet your appetite ... 318 turns in 11 miles ... takes about 18-22 minutes one way ... my best time @ 15 min :eek:
Dragon - Part I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtv58Xtg1A)
Dragon - Part II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tXqY-5IHJ0)

This was a north-south run that I made a couple years ago in my C5.
I think we've outlined 3 days of twisty-turnies including 2 runs through the dragon from each direction. Gonna be FUN.

Working on details that we will post here.

[tomtom72]

Gunny, you don't have to twist my arm. You may let go now. :mrgreen:

As my former wife would have said in this instance: "Don't encourage him! He's worse than a two year old!:mad: "


:icon_boun

[BigJohn]

Gunny, you don't have to twist my arm. You may let go now. :mrgreen:

As my former wife would have said in this instance: "Don't encourage him! He's worse than a two year old!:mad: "


:icon_boun



Why????

:neutral:

[ZZZZZR1]

Am I the only one from Texas?

Working on 2 others not listed. :cheers:

David

[MikeGolf]

Count me in, it's on the way home!

[RodB]

Love this idea. Maybe the less traveled roads would be better for a caravan but maybe if we plan this during the week maybe it would work. I've wanted to do this since I saw tubands videos and talked with him about it. Btw, COUNT ME IN!!

[ZZZZZR1]

Love this idea. Maybe the less traveled roads would be better for a caravan but maybe if we plan this during the week maybe it would work. I've wanted to do this since I saw tubands videos and talked with him about it. Btw, COUNT ME IN!!

Rod,

Can't wait!!!

:cheers:

David

[Gunny]

... Maybe the less traveled roads would be better for a caravan but maybe if we plan this during the week maybe it would work. ...

Correct ... there are two known bottlenecks when traveling these routes during a weekend/holiday, the stretch inside the Smoky Mtn Park and the Tail of the Dragon. Both of these roads are much easier during the week. With a larger caravan (i.e. more than 5-6 cars) another strategy is to run the Dragon in 2 or 3 smaller groupings with an agreed upon gathering point ... makes for a more enjoyable and safer run. We're in the planning stages now and will post the details as soon as we have some things locked down.

George

[cvette98pacecar]

We are just about done, We should have everything complete by Sunday.
This is going to be just outright awesome.

[cvette98pacecar]

Agenda is up on the thread listed below.

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19560

[Fully Vetted]

I know the itiner..itenar...screw it..."schedule of events" for BG will be listed soon but I'm just curious if there is going to be any groups just going for drives. This is my first time so I don't know what to expect.

[LancePearson]

I know the itiner..itenar...screw it..."schedule of events" for BG will be listed soon but I'm just curious if there is going to be any groups just going for drives. This is my first time so I don't know what to expect.


FullyV, I have not yet seen the itinerary for the BG Gathering of ZR-1's and regular C-4's other than there is apparently a reception with on site registration at the hotel Wed. night as I understand it. In past years a fellow named James Innes has lead local "check drives" that the vette factory there uses to see how their cars are doing against a printed check list of attributes and features in real life use but I heard he isn't going to be there this year. Some other years they have had group cruises to places like the Makers Mark bourbon factory, etc. Drag racing at a local strip and so on with seminars or discussion groups, maybe even a project on someone's car and lots of interaction with the FBI, et al, in the parking lot and a barbecue, etc. I too am curious about a group ride locally while there as the NCM site does not as of yesterday have the multiday agenda posted yet either. The itinerary on this thread is for the excellent blue ridge mountains drive in the Smokies ahead of the Gathering.

I have seen them for prior years and seen dialogue about the check rides which really liked them...fairly slow on the local roads used on the way out then anything but slow on the way back in.

[XfireZ51]

Some of us have suggested this given that we can't make the Tale of Dragon trip. Hanging around the NCM all day has lost it's allure for me. The Beech Bend racing isn't a special event any longer either.

[LancePearson]

Some of us have suggested this given that we can't make the Tale of Dragon trip. Hanging around the NCM all day has lost it's allure for me. The Beech Bend racing isn't a special event any longer either.

When the itinerary comes out if there isn't a ride during the event then let's get some people together and do one. there ought to be some nice country roads to have fun on in that part of the world. Lance. I hope there will be a group ride as the simplest method of communicating is registration and itinerary listing.

[Fully Vetted]

Sounds good. If you have any two way radios you should bring them.

[cvette98pacecar]

Sounds good. If you have any two way radios you should bring them.

I will bring the 6 that I have.