I agree this doesnt have to be over engineered. It is a plain and simple event where a bunch of Rotaries are getting together to dirve and hang out.

Everyone going understands they are resposible for their own meals and lodging. How less complicated can it be?

Herblenny - Just let us know when its O.K. to reserve rooms. I will be ready to book my room after the 1st of the year.

LeeP - Your aspirations to make a huge at the Gap are commendable but sometimes simpler is better. This is one of those events. I haver no idea if Herblenny is aspiring to make this a huge east coast event. IMHO it would be better if there was only 50-100 cars there.

I also own a Mini Cooper S and the Mini guys head out there every year. They said Dragon gets really crowded. I might ditch Dragon at one point and find another road to cruise anyway if Dragon is too crowded.

Thanks again Herblenny for organizing this. If you need any help shoot me a PM I have organized 4 Rotary only events in Florida maybe I can help in some way.

- Jim

 

I think that was only till the discount details were ironed out.

 

True... actually groups of 10 to 12 cars would be optimal.

 

Thanks Jim,

But there are few others also working to get this event going.. so, its not just me..

Far as hotel goes, I was supposed to get an answer about getting an off season rate at the Fontana Village. The guy in charge is currently on vacation and I should hear back first part of Jan. I will call them later today just to see if they heard back from him.

Also, few vendors are interested in sponsoring this event. One vendor in particular is working to see if they could be a sole sponsor. I'm hoping they will give us an answer today or by end of this week. After this week, I'm just going to go ahead and accept sponsorship from other vendors.

 

I personally don't know exactly how the $50 registration number was decided on this year. Last years amount went to cover the rental of the mansion for lodging, the dinner and shirts. I assume this year it will cover similar expenses. There are not a large number of places to eat so a co-ordinated dinner/banquet makes it easy for everyone to eat and "hang out" at least one night. You are going to have to buy food anyway so contributing to a big diner is no different. I am sure there is also a nominal cost for T-shirts. There are also large door prizes again this year, which everyone said they wanted. When you take out diner and a t-shirt, which you would buy anyway, they cost is nominal when you think about it. I think the fee was merely in an attempt to better organize and co-ordinate things and insure no one person took on the entire financial burden. I highly doubt anyone is going to make any money off the event.

As far as unexpected expenses I can't speak in detail to them since I was not out anything personally. I just know that the organizers ended up spending around $250 or more each on unforseen occurences that always seem to arise at any event. If all you are doing is meeting and driving I doubt you will have any out of the ordinary expense. Of course I have never heard of a bunch of people meeting at the corner McDonalds and sponsors wanting to get involved. Maybe I was mistaken but it sounded like you were having more of an event when you mentioned sponsors.

And Vette, the driving is simple to pull off, it's getting everyone together in one location to "hang out" that is tough. We had about 30 total drivers. If you completely took over the Crossroads of Time you wouldn't begin to have enough parking for that number. We found that in order for everyone to hang out together we had to have one location due to our number of participants. Just showing up and hoping you can find somewhere to park will be challenging at best. And believe me even as exciting as the Dragon/Gap is the novelty can wear off. Of course then you learn the road and begin filming your exploits .

As far as making it huge Jim, I never said that. I think if you had 30 to 50 drivers that would be immense. All I am saying is if we can combine forces we could make it the best possible experience. I am not even suggesting that you need to charge a registration fee. When any event gets of size it becomes much easier to pull it off for less money because sponsors begin to foot the bill. I would love to see sponsors and vendors up there showing and selling their goods allowing us to shop and drive. I think you could do it all free. My main point was our combined numbers could bring on more sponsors and make it more fun for everyone. Perhaps our groups are not looking to do the same thing. Maybe getting both groups together is just too ambitous. Either way I am looking forward to both events because taming The Dragon is always more fun with other people to share it with. See you there.

 

here is a pic of me at deals gap last time i was there LOL

 

Whatta bummer..........sorry dude.............was the ticket expensive???

 

Dang OR that's a bummer. Did killboy take that pic? If so I guess you can say you are famous for it hehehe. Was that down by the dam? I have never seen that many police cars in one place on the gap except for maybe the NC side and maybe the overlook. Most speeding tickets actually happen down by the dam. There aren't too many places to really bust the 45 mile an hour limit in a car on The Dragon. Instead, they usually get cars for crossing the double yellow. So fess up what did they hit you for?!?!?!?!

 

I agree. I've only seen one the 4 times I've gone up there with the bike. Oh and the stupid under cover green minivan. Hopefully no one will drive their cars like we ride the bikes. Speaking of bikes my wife wants nothing to do with me and my car up there, shes driving the truck and bringing her bike. (I need to get a BIG insurance policy on that woman!)

 

well, i dont know how you guys go through the gap, but in the s curves it isnt uncommon to get above 60. Well, i must say that I got lucky! I only got a ticket for a violation of a county ordinance of speeding. which carries a $5 fine and no points on your license. I cannot say that everyone else in our group was as lucky as I! Everyone else got a $160 speeding ticket and 3 pts on their license. Looks like my begging paid off for me. I really think that since I had a CDL license, that helped me a lot.

 

Everytime I got pulled over they always told me with CDL I should know better.....I have no luck with cops.

 

That's a good point. With the Gap attracting as many sports car/bike owners as it does, and a growing number of them, it seems logical that there would be a lot of police presence. Is it really not that much of an issue?

Ren

 

Per the Tail of the Dragon Website:

Read the whole thing here:

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/news_law.html

 

I'm planning to make a surveillance drive up there early next spring before the meet. I'll bring my camera and snap pics of any undercover vehicles I spot

 

Hey OR I said there aren't MANY spots, I didn't say there weren't ANY spots . There are a few spots you can easily hit 70 plus. Glad to hear your beggin skills work, hope I never have to use mine.

 

I'd be up for the Jan scouting run if I can make it. Wife is out of town 1/8 through 1/22 so only likely w/e is either 1/14-17 or 1/28-1/30. Love going to the Gap. A model of sponsorship and attendance, I think, is Miatas at the Gap the last w/e of July. About 400-500 Miatas, they come and go. The vendors that provide prizes make up for it in sales, easily. Will keep in touch w/ this thread to see if I can make the Jan run. Have Dunlop M2 snows so the car is ready!
forgot: lodging. someplace I can sleep is all I need. One prob w/ the rotaries get together in sept 2004 is they booked the Mansion in advance and were held to the $$$ to keep it.

 

Sounds like a blast Ill try to be there!

 

If Josh is willing to bring his FD there must be some barbie girls around. I'll have to go now just to chaperon the event. Maybe I can get a few other old guys to go along to help keep you yungin's in line.

 

WOW! I didn't know the THP was so nice, they'll document our speeds and time the runs for us and even video tape the run, how great is that. Do they furnish copies of the video's to all participants? Man, I'll have to write the governor a letter thanking him for having such a thoughtful highway patrol contingent. The NCHP would never work with tourists or its own citizens like that!

 

I'm sorry for the lack of updates.. The Xmas and New Year holiday kind of threw me off.
I'm back and going to put some effort into it!

Any of you guys near RotoSport in VA?? They were thinking about sole sponsoring this event.. But never heard back from Rusty..

 

I'm an old guy, but don't tell anyone. I hope to have a motor in the SE in time to go so keep me in the IN box.

 

I know RotorSport Racing in Kannapolis, NC and they have a Rusty and Brian but haven't heard of a Rotosport in Virginia.

 

Bert, you can't follow me around casting aspursions on my character.

Any updates on the hotel, food, etc, etc? I would assume not, but I figured I would be annoying and ask. I think I am just excited about it even though it is four months away.

 

Opps.. I thought Rusty was telling me that he was in VA.. I guess I was wrong..

 

I haven't posted on this thread for a while, just updated that I'm still interested. I might need to refresh some of the local guys memories though.