I was just woundering if anyone here knows if neon lights are illegal at deals gap and if you guys know if they ticket guys with dark windows. I'm at about 10%. I just want to keep things easy and just get a speeding ticket.

 

I'm 99% sure you won't have to worry about neon or tint laws, even if there are some against them.

Police presence is minimal, and they are not there to be ticket miesters. They are there to keep everyone safe and help people. Seriously.

 

cop would have to be a total *** to ticket an out of state visiter for tint, your spending your money in his state helping it out.

 

I think running the gap at midnight with my red neons may be kinda cool. When i watch videos of people running the gap why is their usally a police car at the bottom of the run, it looks like the cop is almost waiting for them. but all that happens is that they just park behind him and thats it. go to yahoo and do a search for tail of the dragon, click on video and look for the one with a 350Z.

 

I've been to the gap 4 times so far this year, and 2 times last year. I've seen a cop at the bottom of the Gap a couple times. Coming from the opposite direction there is a long straight, and I think the speed limit is 40 or 50, can't remember. I've cruized trhough there at a constant 60-65ish right by the cop, and he didn't seem to mind.

I've also seen cops sitting at the lookout area in the middle of the Dragon. But I've only seen them there on days when it is pretty packed. I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket at Deals Gap, but I know a couple people that have been "poinited at".

So in all, keep it in your lane and don't do anything stupid, and you will not have any trouble with the cops.

 

What would you say are the unwritten laws of deal's gap. For EX. if I'm on Gap and an RX/motorcycle get's behind me and they are driving faster then me, What are the rules. Do I wave and try to move over a bit, will they flash their lights at me to let me know they want to pass. How do you go about slowing down on a road were everyone is speeding, I hear their are area's on Gap where you can pull over and look over the mountain, how would I slow down for those. These ?'s may seem stupid to a few of you, but I would rather have someone laugh at me then cause a problem on the Gap. We all represent each other.

 

It is common practice to signal and pull off the road a bit, (there are quite a few places, not just the overlook), and wave the bike, car, horse or whatever on by. They will most likely wave back.

I've come up on SUVs and such on the gap, and sometimes they just try and speed up more. That can get very dangerous becasue they end up using both lanes of the road at speeds which they are not comfortable with.

 

Basic rule of thumb on the Dragon is stay on your side of the road. Never cross the center line for any reason. If someone can/will pull over enough for you to pass on your side thats fine. You'll have enough runs with other people in a group to catch on to driving it.

 

Should I flash my lights if their is someone driving to slow.

 

Most of the time, people get the idea and they will just pull over and let you by. I wouldn't flash my lights since you do not have the right of way, being behind them on a 2 lane road. If they want to stay in front of you, they have every right to do so.

 

If it's another 7 owner I doubt that will happen much. If it's a local and they are driving the speed limit be polite. Don't want them calling the law and complaining about about us while we're there. Don't think about trying to "race" or "drift" or set a new land speed record on the Dragon. Just doing the speed limit in some parts is fast enuff for some people. You'll catch on as the day goes on and there will be plenty of time Saturday afternoon to get all the driving you want. It takes a while to catch on to 318 turns in 11 miles.

 

Great point guys

 

Technically, there is NO PASSING at Deals Gap. What I remember whole 11 miles are double yellow.

Everyone needs to remember that its a "PUBLIC ROAD". Which means you need to follow TN/NC driving laws.

Also remember that when you are out there, you are representing Rotary Community.
I know we all want to show off but be careful out there. Many spots on the Gap, if you make a mistake it could be fatal!!!!

318 turns in 11 miles means you have to be aware of the road, the surroundings, and the car.

Be sure that your car is in good mechanical condition.. PLEASE!!! Don't do anything crazy up there and also follow your group leader! Group leaders are there to guide you thru because they have past experience.

if you want to be a group leader, let me know.

 

herblenny How would drivers go about finding a group leader to follow? Is their a signup for drivers looking for one?

 

All will be revealed at the meet at the bottom of the dam on Saturday morning before lunch!

 

Like Turbo II said, you'll meet everyone at the dam and we'll discuss this later on. I'm still trying to find Group leaders. (1 GL to 5-6 cars).

This year, we'll organize one super long rotary drive, thru Deals Gap. Hope to have great videos and pics of this.

 

That's a great idea, especially for getting vids and pics of everyone. Then we can try and cram everyone in at the parking lot at the lake, get some more shots and break up into the groups to start running the gap. Won't be long before we're chasing each other around in circles!!!!

 

I assume exhaust noise is not a problem, as long as I close the header dump around Fontana.
I will be shooting with a mounted 8mm camcorder, and maybe some with the "hat cam".
I also have 3 spare FRS radios, and a 200w CB.
Sureshot mobile - over..

 

We kinda joked about this last year, it wasn't the noise that was going to be a problem but the exhaust fumes killing everything....

 

Ahh, but rotaries are good for the woods since photosynthesis feeds on carbon oxides to make oxygen.

 

Don't worry, I'm pretty sure I will be the loudest thing at the meet.

 

Maybe Phil will have a door prize for the loudest rotary.

 

That would be pretty funny. No cheating though! You can't run a straight pipe

 

I just hope my greddy gets here in time. (fingers crossed)

 

I cheat! (3-1/2" dump - now that's a downpipe)