Running the Dragon in a 2005 Mustang GT
8/21/07, 10:22 AM
#1
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Running the Dragon in a 2005 Mustang GT
Last week I had the chance to "Run the Dragon" in my 2005 Mustang GT. For those of you that are not familiar with this stretch of US Hwy 129, it is a two lane road through the mountains of East Tennessee that has 318 curves in just 11 miles. It's one of the toughest roads in the US with hairpins, switchbacks, and more sweepers than you can believe. Cross the centerline and you're going to have some guy riding a crotch rocket embedded in your grill. There's no shoulder, only trees and a long fall if you fail to make a corner.
The road was empty, and I've done a lot of autocrossing and a few hill climes so I was pushing it pretty good. 3/4 of the way up the mountain I caught up with a pick-up truck and had to slow down to 25MPH. As I turned the next blind corner there was a cop glaring at me from a pull out. He was already writing a ticket for a guy in a white pickup and both of them were staring at the stang in disbelief. I'm sure they heard the Flow Masters coming up the mountain and my BFG KDWs screeching on the turns. Had it not been for the truck slowing me down I would been busted big time. The cop had his hands on his hip and continued to give me the evil eye. He knew what I was doing prior to that curve and I could see by the look on his face that he wanted to shoot my tires out, but by the time he saw round the corner I was legal. I don't know why, but I waved to him as I went past, which seemed to make him angrier. I can imagine the conversation he was going to have with the guy he stopped for probably 10 MPH over the limit, while I was burning tries all the way up the mountain.
I kept it under the limit the rest of the way up the mountain certain that the cop was going to come after me. I stopped in Deals Gap long enough to buy a tee shirt before starting down the mountain at the posted speed limit.
Mustang GT with mods >$30,000
I Survived the Dragon Tee Shirt $25.00
The look on that cop's face Priceless
The road was empty, and I've done a lot of autocrossing and a few hill climes so I was pushing it pretty good. 3/4 of the way up the mountain I caught up with a pick-up truck and had to slow down to 25MPH. As I turned the next blind corner there was a cop glaring at me from a pull out. He was already writing a ticket for a guy in a white pickup and both of them were staring at the stang in disbelief. I'm sure they heard the Flow Masters coming up the mountain and my BFG KDWs screeching on the turns. Had it not been for the truck slowing me down I would been busted big time. The cop had his hands on his hip and continued to give me the evil eye. He knew what I was doing prior to that curve and I could see by the look on his face that he wanted to shoot my tires out, but by the time he saw round the corner I was legal. I don't know why, but I waved to him as I went past, which seemed to make him angrier. I can imagine the conversation he was going to have with the guy he stopped for probably 10 MPH over the limit, while I was burning tries all the way up the mountain.
I kept it under the limit the rest of the way up the mountain certain that the cop was going to come after me. I stopped in Deals Gap long enough to buy a tee shirt before starting down the mountain at the posted speed limit.
Mustang GT with mods >$30,000
I Survived the Dragon Tee Shirt $25.00
The look on that cop's face Priceless
8/21/07, 12:22 PM
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Great story. The Dragon is a lot of fun. I went up there a couple years ago. We ran it several times and had a blast. We went during the week, which turned out to be a good idea. There were not a lot of people up there and no cops.
8/21/07, 03:26 PM
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such a kick *** story. that cop must have been FUMING when you waved to him. i recently got my motorcycle liscense (been riding for 2 years w/o one ahahaha) and the day after i was riding and was sitting next to 2 cops at a light. seeing as how i just got straight pipes and i usually set off car alarms its pretty loud so i reved it next to them and took off. the satisfaction of knowing they couldnt arrest me for not having my liscense was awesome.
but anywaysssssssss awesome story. wish i could run mine on that stretch of road someday
but anywaysssssssss awesome story. wish i could run mine on that stretch of road someday
8/21/07, 03:34 PM
#10
Funny. I went to High School within spitting distance of that stretch of road, almost literally. It wasn't nearly so well known then as it is now, and it was arguably a more enjoyable drive before it attained the current level of fame, for reasons which are obvious, truth be told.
8/21/07, 03:51 PM
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That is a really good drive. My wife was doing an AF tech school a few years ago in Knotsville. After the school was over we needed to make a side trip to FL before heading back to SD. I was looking at the map and that road looked to be one I would love so I added it to my trip. It wasn't til I got home I found out they called it the dragon...I wondered why I was seeing so many bikes. 
8/21/07, 07:49 PM
#15
That looks even more intense than the AZ 89 through Prescott Valley! 
8/22/07, 05:05 AM
#16
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Search on youtube for 'tail of the dragon' for some decent videos although most are on bikes. I found one of a bike following some Cobras that will give anyone a good idea what it is like. I've been there both in a car (S2000 - sorry!) and on my bike (VFR). It is an awesome experience best enjoyed during the week; less traffic and less enforcement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUrBQ...related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUrBQ...related&search=
8/22/07, 07:02 AM
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Be advised...
this is one of the reasons the cops are more prevalent up there these days:
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_SHUTDOWN.html
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_SHUTDOWN.html
8/23/07, 10:32 AM
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Reminds me a lot of the road going towards Tofino on Vancouver Island, just a bunch longer but same type of road. Only difference is you're running through old growth rain forest.