Has anyone driven the"Tail of the Dragon"?
10-09-2018, 06:14 PM
#1
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Has anyone driven the"Tail of the Dragon"?
I bought my C5 about a month ago in New Jersey. I had to drive it back to Florida, no biggie, I have made the trip a few times before. Well lo and behold, hurricane Florence comes and I have to go west to avoid the 90 miles of Rt.95 that is closed. I ended up driving through the Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee, through a mountain road known as the Tail of the Dragon. What a ride. There are 318 curves in an 11 mile run through the mountains. The speed limit is 15 mph, and I am driving a car that is new to me and I am not familiar with. I managed to make the run at about 30 mph. My wife said that if we were driving her minivan, she would have thrown up. Man, can these car handle. I have never had a car that handles as well as this one. I just had to relate this story. Thanks.
10-09-2018, 06:43 PM
#2
Team Owner
A lot of vette owners have driven the dragon, glad you enjoyed your turn, see many motorcycles?
10-09-2018, 07:42 PM
#3
Safety Car
Tail of the Dragon is on almost every gear heads bucket list lol. That is one place I will make sure I take my Z. Cruse down AC blowing in comfort, then let it eat!
10-09-2018, 08:01 PM
#4
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It is a popular destination for those wanting to cruise a twisty road. I haven't driven it yet, but it is on my bucket list.
10-09-2018, 08:08 PM
#5
Safety Car
Tail of the dragon is on every gear head, sports car driver or motorcycle rider's "bucket list." It's a fun road, although it's often crowded, even on weekdays.
Another great drive (in a car) is the Cherohala Skyway, in the same area of the smokey mountains between eastern TN and western NC.
Another great drive (in a car) is the Cherohala Skyway, in the same area of the smokey mountains between eastern TN and western NC.
10-09-2018, 08:16 PM
#6
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15mph? That sounds like ZERO fun. Whats the cop/enforcement situation?
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; 10-09-2018 at 08:16 PM.
10-09-2018, 09:06 PM
#7
Instructor
The Dragon
I'm surprised anyone with a sports car hasn't heard of it. It does offer plenty of turns but is bumper to bumper on the weekends with Harleys, sport bikes, Miata's , and a little of everything else And cops, especially on the weekends.
There are many other roads just as good if not better but not exploited. Look up six gaps in North Georgia as an example. The one universal rule on all of these roads is to stay in your lane, do not cross the yellow line. Some still insist on using all of road but you can go plenty fast in your own lane.
There are many other roads just as good if not better but not exploited. Look up six gaps in North Georgia as an example. The one universal rule on all of these roads is to stay in your lane, do not cross the yellow line. Some still insist on using all of road but you can go plenty fast in your own lane.
10-09-2018, 09:35 PM
#8
Instructor
if you drove the road youd understand, its pretty insane. Never seen cops on it except to help block lanes when coning off ice. If youre driving on it fast enough to get the cops on you, youre probably driving way more than fast enough to get yourself and someone else around you killed.
10-09-2018, 09:50 PM
#9
Instructor
Here’s another awesome drive in western NC, The Rattler, it’s about a mile from my vacation house, have not had the vette on it, can’t get the vette up the mountain to my house but I have had my Mini Cooper S on it a few times....I think it’s as good as the Tail.
http://www.209therattler.com/
http://www.209therattler.com/
10-09-2018, 10:20 PM
#10
Team Owner
I've never been on the Tail of the Dragon myself, but goes without saying I heard of it. Surprised there's someone yet who hasn't. If I didn't have so many magnificent roads to drive right around here I would probably want to make the trip there. But as it is, I can leave my house and do a 50 minute circle around several roads here that has to be as much fun as any roads in the country.
If you want to try a set that's a lot of fun just stop up this way.
If you want to try a set that's a lot of fun just stop up this way.
10-10-2018, 08:07 AM
#13
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Bucket list item.. 
10-10-2018, 10:03 AM
#14
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I did not see one motorcycle when I did it, no cops either. Traffic was non existent, I was the only on the road. Did it at 25 - 30 mph. That's about as fast as I had the guts to go.
Last edited by Raycuda; 10-10-2018 at 10:08 AM.
10-10-2018, 11:35 AM
#17
I agree these cars can handle, and the harder you take these turns the better they handle, just now finding that out
10-10-2018, 11:43 AM
#18
Burning Brakes
10-10-2018, 11:58 AM
#19
10-10-2018, 01:43 PM
#20
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We have done the first portion of the Rattler from Lake Junaluska to Ferguson’s Market and then over to I-40. I thought the stretch from Ferguson’s Market to I-40 was more challenging than the first leg of 209. We will need to go back and finish the run.
Sure hope the rider above came out of that wreck ok. Goes to show you, you can be careful, staying in your lane, driving responsibly and still get smacked.
Sure hope the rider above came out of that wreck ok. Goes to show you, you can be careful, staying in your lane, driving responsibly and still get smacked.