After reading this terrible news:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...1&page=1&pp=15

I think it's a good time to remind us all to be carefull at Deals Gap this year. Without a doubt there will be people driving fast on the Dragon but please be sure to keep a few things in mind like, road conditions, the condition of your car and tires, your skill as a driver and the fact that you could just blow a tire or hit an oily spot at any point. Not one of us is a god behind the wheel and "The Tail of the Dragon" is a dangerous road. Let's keep in mind that it's not just our lives we risk but the lives of those around us as well.

If anyone has the car preparation list from last year that may be of some help as well.

From what I read at rimoftheworld.net, Witnesses say Dave(Guitarjunkie28) was driving too fast down the wet mountain road, lost control of his FD and hit a saturn head on tragically killing himself and seriously injuring a young girl.

I don't think there's anything I could say to console his friends or family so let's just try to prevent this sort of thing in the future.

 

I totally agree with you...

I'll try to find car preparation list from last year!

 

Alright guys..

We now about just over two month away from DGRR 2007!

As most of you know, Deals Gap / Tail of the Dragon is a part of US129 and in order to get there, you'll be driving addition 20 miles or so from the lodging.

And also most of us will be driving to the area from various part of US of A.

Few things you must be aware before you get to DGRR 2007.

Make sure your car is in TIP TOP condition. This means, you need to be sure your car is in good working order. Make sure to check your brakes, change all fluids, no fluid is leaking, and its not over heating.

Tail of the dragon is 11 miles long, 318 turns, and some turns are very dangerous. One mistake and you could be going down a 100ft drop!! I'm not joking about this and you need to be award that this could easy happen to anyone. So, make sure your tires are in good condition and make sure you don't have any suspension damage.

Second day, we will cruise up thru skyway. Skyway is about 60-80 mile hike going from 600ft to 5000+ft elevation. Last year, we had couple of cars overheat during this cruise. Make sure your cooling system is working properly. We will make few stops along this cruise but if something happens to your car, it will be very difficult to get help. Cell phone signals are at weak and not all service providers work up there.

If you have two way radio, bring it with you!! Most of us will communicate thru 2 way radios. I will get couple of extra sets for some of the volunteers to use.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

Everyone attending this event should understand that NO ONE will be responsible for any accidents or mishaps. What ever happens up at DGRR 2007 is your responsibility.
Last year we had one fender bender... Could of avoided if people knew the limit of their car.. Don't PUSH the limit!!

Also understand that when your car is out of commission (due to accident or mechanical failure), someone would have to help you. This might cause problem for others who came to enjoy the event. SO, please double check your car and be careful up there. Tail of the Dragon is a PUBLIC road and any mis-conduct will have consequences.

Recommended Maintenance Checklist
For the
Rotaries at Deals Gap Rally
1. Brakes
¨ Brake lines, hoses, and connectors, tight, no leaks or cracks,
(tighten connections or replace lines as necessary)
¨ Brake fluid, clean and clear (should be replaced every 30K miles)
¨ Brake Fluid Reservoir, should show full & no leaks
¨ Check and Replace brake pads as necessary
¨ Front, minimum thickness 2 mm, .08 in.
¨ Rear, minimum thickness 1 mm, .04 in.
¨ Check all rotors for wear and condition
¨ Front solid rotor, recommended min. thickness 20 mm or .79 in.
¨ Rear solid rotor, recommended min. thickness 8 mm or .31 in.
¨ Front vented rotor, recommended thickness same as solid rotor
¨ Rear vented rotor, recommended min. thickness, 18 mm or .71 in.

2. Tires
¨ Car has 4 tires mounted and one spare tire stored
¨ No Flat tires permitted, (yes, even if they are flat on only one side)
all tires properly inflated
¨ Tread depth, minimum 3/16” recommended and no wear bars showing
¨ All lug nuts tight and secure on all wheels

3. Clutch
¨ Clutch Pedal, in good working condition, pedal play =.02 to .12 in.
¨ Master Cylinder & Clutch Line Connections, no leaks, all connections tight
¨ Hydraulic Fluid, clean and changed within last 12 months
¨ MC Reservoir, no leaks and filled to proper level

4. Cooling System
¨ Radiator Cap, in place, tight with no leaks.
¨ Thermostat no leaks and installed
¨ Hoses and Overflow tank, no leaks and filled to maximum level
¨ Coolant, changed and system flushed within last 12 months

5. Engine
¨ Belts and Hoses, all drive belts inspected, and properly tensioned
(replace if cracked or worn)
¨ All hoses tight, not leaking or showing signs of wear
(replace if cracked, bulging or with other signs of wear and deterioration)
¨ Engine oil and Oil Filter, recently changed, less than 2K miles, oil at proper level
¨ Battery firmly secured in the engine bay

6. Windshield, windows, and wipers
¨ Wipers, at least one working speed and maintained in good working condition
¨ Glass, clean with no restrictions to good forward and rearward visibility

7. Exterior of your Rotary Wonder Car
¨ All running lights in good working order.
¨ No loose body parts that might cause problems for other cars if they fell off during drives

8. Drivers Compartment
¨ Lap belt and shoulder belt in proper working order, both worn during drives
¨ All items stored in the passenger cabin are properly secured or removed before drives

9. Audio System
¨ Radio, tuned to a Country or Bluegrass Station if reception available
¨ CD, Cassette or other music source, appropriate driving music


* all specifications, measurements, and service intervals cited in this checklist were taken from the Mazda Factory Service Manual for S5 RX7s, Section A, Scheduled Maintenance Services or from the Haynes Automotive Repair Manual, MAZDA RX-7, 1986 thru 1991, All models, publication # 61036 (1419).

 

Hey Phil,
It's Johny,
I came up last year with the wife and 2 FC's. I also had all the signs and the banner made for the group last year.

I wont be attending the event this year for a few reasons one of which is safety. With the increased presence of police and the way it has turned into "race course" its only a matter of time before it cost someone a lot of money or even their life. I'm as guilty as almost anyone of speeding through the gap but one pass and I knew it wasn't for me. Then with people bumping each other and a couple spinning out, WTF save it for the track. I'm lucky I live close to VIR and have done several events, with an instructor in the car and learned much about the handling of my FC. A lot of attendees think the gap is a time to test the limits of their car, They will learn the hard way.
Sorry if I offended anyone not my intention.
Good luck with the event


Johny Ligon

 

Hey Johny!

I totally understand your point and also glad that you brought up the importance of safety.

I need everyone who will be attending this event to realize that IT IS NOT VIR, ROAD ATL, BARBER, MID OHIO, drag strip, or some drift course... Those who think that (I hate to stereotype, but statistical, young teen drivers) and act like one, I will personally report to Tennessee Highway Patrol with your plate number and also report to Robbinsville sheriff's office.

But to re-assure you a bit, Another reason for me to divide the group into smaller pack is to reduce any accidents might occure at the event. A group leaders leading 4-5 cars could warn the danger about the road better, control the speed, and after the run get feed backs from the drivers in the pack.... I think only time its out of control is when people wants to run over and over and over trying to push the limit of their car outside of these small groups. Last year, we had one incident with the fastest group and I'm going to emphazise to all the leaders that they NEED to concern more about safety than thinking DG as a race course.. ITs NOT!!!

Once again, This event is combination of Rally and Get together.. Its not a race course..

I hope you will reconsider and attend this years event.

 

I agree this is not a race course and shouldn't be driven as one. Keep the 100% driving on the course it is alot safer and more fun. I think we all know the limits of our cars, or should, along with our driving skill. I don't claim to be the most skilled driver but I do know the limits of the car. I like spirited driving as much as anyone else but trying to drive on the edge on the street is not the way to go. Keep it on the track.

Me personally I get my fun at 100% on the track or at AutoX's. As for stuff like DGRR I may drive fast but not nearly at the limit of the track. You can have fun doing both and if you wreck/spin on the track you are lot better off then going off the side of the mountain or hitting a tree.

So if you are going to race, DON'T. If you want to do like most of us and just have fun driving on a curvy road DO. And most off all keep enough distance between you and your group members so you can come to a stop before hitting the person in front of you if something happens ahead, because more than likely you won't be able to see what is going on.

 

Thats what I am talking about!!!

Last year I got griped on because I wasn't hauling ***, by several people. I went to enjoy my car, the people and the scenery.

I actually think the fastest I ran the Gap last year was when we first got to it!!! I was just trying to stay between two cars (red FD and the RX-3)....and I was loaded down with all my AND Pauls gear!!!!

Its not a racecourse. Enjoy the ride!!

 

One thing many don't realize - this is a road that you don't have to drive like Mario Andretti on. You can drive the speed limit in mom's minivan and have a great time - scenery is wonderful, the curves are fun, you name it.

I don't plan on pushing my car on the Dragon - I'm just going to take it easy through the course and enjoy it. Not to mention for me the Dragon is just a small part of the weekend - the big part is meeting a bunch of great people and seeing some nice RX-7's.

Dale

 

YES! Well PUT Dale!! Can't wait to hang out with you again and learn NEW stuff!

 

Your wrong DJ! I gave you crap B/C you drove like an old lady hahahaha J/K


P.S to be more serious Please Please Please (teenagers) don't drift!!! Your not the DK!!!!!!!

 

I have to agree with everyone, that this is definitly not a race course. I recently made my ~70th pass on the gap, and i have seen a few accidents myself. Everyone should be interested in having a good time, not trying to have the fastest run or outdo their buddies. One thing that I must ask of everyone is please, please DO NOT cross the yellow line. If you have to do this, you are overdriving your ability and should really slow your pace. Just to let you know, I am 19, but i'm really not trying to start any age related arguments, just say that everyone should use their head at the meet.

Paul

 

Paul is absolutely RIGHT! The biggest problem at the Tail of the Dragon is crossing of yellow line! I and all the guest speakers will say the same thing to you... "DON'T CROSS the YELLOW LINE".

And to those who watched Fast and Furious... If I see anyone trying to DRIFT or anyone who sees someone trying to DRIFT, get their tag and I will call them in. Once again, This isn't a racetrack nor Movie, "Fast and Furious - Dragon drift".... And if you get caught, you will be excluded from future DGRR events! NO BUTS about it!

 

Just thought I would drag this ole thread out and dust it off for all the newcomers. It's now less than 3 months (82 days ) until DGRR 2008. If you haven't already started prepping your car, now is the time to get started!

 

I agree with alot of the previous statements.
Last year was my 1st time at the gap, and I experienced alot.
The good things, the views, the cars, the food, the gatherings of rotorheads.
The not so good, hearing rumors of cars going off, also bikes.

Even this, when we all went on the 1st cruise after the main gathering at the dam, there was a time where every one cam to a stop, and I heard a few cars behind me actually lock-up there tires, and when your in your daily driver, like I was, and your totally stopped an cant go anywhere, and you hear that behind you, its not a good feeling. I actualy saw the 2 cars that were behind me swerve into the other lane to avoid crashing.

Its probably a good idea, when we all go for the 1st main cruise, if we do that this year, for the cars in the last half of the entire line of cars to keep your distance, heck that goes for every one, even if were all going 20mph.

Basically, be careful.

Another good way to view it is... even on an actual race track with a lot of cars vs a few cars driving on the track, imo the more # of cars, the better chance of a crash. Like in indy, formula 1, nascar, etc, there always seems to be a crash when there at the start of the race, all together, 1st turn, etc.

There will be a lot of vehicles on the dragon, not only us. There should be no other driving thought on everyones mind besides cruising / Sunday drive.

"Its not a race, its a rally."

 

jason, Thank you for bringing this topic back up..

And NoviceRotaryTech, Great Statement!


As an organizer of this event, I think we represented well as a rotary community/car community. I was told by many LEO's that I've invited to give speeches and they all said we are the ONLY group at the GAP who invite LEOs to give speech about safety. Hearing that tells me the Im doing a decent job of organizing this..

1st year we had 0 incident
2nd year, we had 1 incident where FC rear ended an FD.
3rd year, Miata who decided to go out to the Gap and NOT attended the safety seminar went off the road. Luckily he went inward toward the hills and not down toward the river..

As an organizer, I hate to see accidents and incidents.. I tried to set a strict rules so that people would be more cautious about it but that just back fired on me.. And that being one of the reasons why I am NOT going to organize any such drive to the dragon this year. This year, its up to the individuals to find a group to go out to the dragon/US129. I will still VERY much organize a safety meeting/lecture about the safety of the dragon but it would be individual drivers to obey and understand the danger of driving the dragon..

Again, like NoviceRotaryTech stated.. Its not a race, Its s Rally!

 

My car is ready , with the exception of a few tweaks , but READY