Has there been a date set for running the Dragon in 2023?

 

Edit: Sadly I won't be able to make it this year. I've been doing some work on my Mini and don't feel quite ready to tame the Dragon. I will be there in spirit, and hopefully next year in the flesh!

May 3rd - 7th! I plan on going, it will be my first time in the 13 years I've had my Mini (and I live in TN).
https://www.minisonthedragon.com/

 

Thank you so much!!! We will be there. We have been on the Dragon many times on our Harleys so this should be a blast!!

 

I'll be there....second time for me. Driving up from Gainesville, GA in my R56S.

 

First time with the R53, been down a few times with the Clubman. I personally love the one in October just because of the leaves changing colors.

 

Actually taking the R53 down there March 30- April 2nd for a shake down.

 

I enjoy that event as well. Quite a bit smaller though....nice, just a different vibe. I've also been to the Miata event for the last 20 years in July. A great group and lots of fun but a little less formal. However hot as Hades most years and it's been this way since before Global Warming. HOT!!

 

just saw this. I'm in Gainesville as well. I will be heading up early thrusday morning.

 

Wow. This forum is DEAD!!

 

You can thank Zuckenbook for that.

I do not use SM, I like forums like this better, everything is searchable.

I'll be there in the R53, after on and off ownership since 2003, I am attending my first MOTD. I used to have a vacation home in that area and have not been up there in 10 years, so I am going to be doing a lot of exploring on my own, hitting up some of my favorite spots.

I will be around in Fontana for the group pics, and probably hanging out at the cabin in the evenings. I did not sign up for any of the events etc... I am not a fan of having everything planned out, I like to do things on a whim, especially when I am on vacation. I guess that is why I hate going to Disney, where you have to plan your days months in advance.

 

Dude. I want to meet you. We are in cabin 422 right across from the Adventure Center. We chose Universal over Disney.

 

We do not do theme parks anymore, when we did, we were team Universal too. I hated Disney, especially in the last 10 years with apps and tech, they ruined the experience with all the advance planning for everything. "You didn't book this ride or restaurant 3 months in advance? Tough luck."

Many years ago we were waiting to be the first into Magic Kingdom with my youngest spawn, we are in this crushing crowd by the front gate, I marvel to my wife, you never see crowds like this on hiking trails. The guy next to me busted out laughing, and agreed, we both agreed we would rather be on a trail somewhere than in that stupid park.

Got you DM will see you there. Have a safe trip down.

 

Days before a national event and no chatter, it is sad forums were killed by SM giants that only use us and give nothing back. I hate Twitter/FB/ IG for that reason. This is the real community, not some app some Billionaire is milking your data to sell.

I am almost ready. As a small business owner, this is a monumental task, taking time off.

I left for the office this morning at 0530, got home at 1830, had to race around and take care of some problems around the house before I could get to washing the Mini. The better half detailed the interior today and it looks great.

Tomorrow I go over all the mechanicals, tire pressure, fluilds etc.. Then gather my oh crap gear and pack it in the car.

I was happy to have found time to wash the old girl and treat the ceramic coating, then install some new wiper blades (PIAA) and tuck her back in the garage awaiting departure.





If anyone has ceramic coating, this is a great product that helps it last longer.




One more 15+ hour work day, and I am off!! I am taking my time going up. I really really want to take my new to me F10 M5 up, being a good sport, I am coming up in the R53. I plan on taking my time going up and coming back. I am going to jump on the BRP in Asheville on Thursday morning and just wander my way toward Sylva and jumping on the SME. I am making as many stops as I want and possibly doing some hikes off the BRP along the way.

I am not doing 12 hours straight up and back, if I was in the M5? No problem, I am not getting beat up in the Mini. I have been there done that too many times to count. LOL!!

Save travels everyone!

 

Sorry we did not meet Squirlz, I did look for you when I was motoring around I never saw your car but heard Bill the Cat met you.

I registered too late to even get a t-shirt, it was VERY last minute. I even debated leaving the Mini home and just coming up in the M5 for comforts sake since we were not involved in any Mini stuff.

Since we were not registered for anything, even the dinners and Bingo, we did our own thing. We did a lot of hiking, a lot of exploring, wandering towns etc..

I came in late on Thursday after driving the BRP, hitting up Sylva and Dillsboro then off to Bryson for Groceries / Gas and the drive in.

Just before and during Bingo we were hiking the trail system up above Fontana Village. We just did our own thing, we hit up Joyce Kilmer forest and hiked the trails there too.

I can say this, it was my first time running the Dragon in a Mini, I have owned two R53 JCW's before this R53 MCS and never ran there on the Dragon, I used to run a 1980 Porsche 911 there, a very modified for racing FC RX7 (2600lbs 560hp) and a RX8 R1 with just a front swaybar on it. I told Bill, these Minis were made for the dragon, my R53 is bone stock suspension wise (not for long just spent a lot of $$ on suspension/brakes/lightweight rims/ sticky tires) and I was amazed how well it handled. It really railed.

Next time up (we are 50/50 on going next year) it will be a much different car.

If we go next year, we will be sure to sign up early and get more involved.

It was a lot of fun seeing so many Mini'd in one place.




Sylva:



BRP

 

Love the pics, did not make it this year but i was there for the 10th anniversary and one time again for MTTS. We did have M7 Speed hand out some swag for us.

MINIs are built for the dragon. I caught up to so many bikes and other cars I had to slow down.

 

Great time this year. Weather was perfect, lots of cars and everything (that I experienced) came off well done, well prepared and very impressive all around.