Tail of the Dragon with the SHO

[emulsifide]

As stated in my introduction thread, I managed to hit up the Tail of the Dragon with the SHO while I was on vacation this week. Here's the pictures:

What a fun trip! I highly recommend hitting up the Dragon if you're ever in the TN/NC border via US129. Slinging the beast through the corners was an enlightening experience and a MUCH different feeling than my supercharged Miata that feels like a go kart.

 

[SHOdded]

How long does it take to complete the course?  Any tips/tricks?

 

[emulsifide]

About 20 minutes at the speed limit (which is plenty fast in the turns/curves). Keep your eyes on the road the entire time and don't ever cross the center line unless you want your car to eat a motorcyclist. I had slight fade in my brakes 3/4 of the way through each of my two runs. I'm betting that upgrading to 2013+ brakes would have eliminated that all-together.

 

[ZSHO]

AYE....There was a member a while back with the similar vehicle as yours that entered the Dragon,LOL.  Z    8) http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,3395.0.html

 

[djxfactor]

I just ran the Dragon the weekend before you!  It was a blast to drive my Flex EB on it, but I dealt with the same brake fade by the end of each run.  I'll definitely be looking into a brake system upgrade in the very near future!

 

[SHOdded]

I think Shoman04 has also done it, and some bike riders too, IIRC.  From the looks of it, it takes a great deal of patience and planning.  Too easy to lose sight of the objective in these go-fast cars & get in trouble

 

[emulsifide]

AYE....There was a member a while back with the similar vehicle as yours that entered the Dragon,LOL.  Z    8) http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,3395.0.html

Funny that you mention that.....his R&T is one of the reasons why I purchased a SHO :-D

 

[emulsifide]

I just ran the Dragon the weekend before you!  It was a blast to drive my Flex EB on it, but I dealt with the same brake fade by the end of each run.  I'll definitely be looking into a brake system upgrade in the very near future!

I LOVE your Flex!!!! Amazing vehicle! It was a toss up between a SHO and a Flex for me when I went through the buying process last month. The SHO appeared before a decent Flex did unfortunately.

 

[sholxgt]

Great pics!  Good times.  Killboy get any photo's of you?

I used to go through there regularly on my motorcycle, but haven't been back since taking the wife's Fit through and getting a speeding ticket.  Cop was outside his car talking to motorcyclists at about the half way point when I passed him.  He didn't catch me till about 2 miles North of the Dragon in the straight section by the lake.  I wasn't running from him.  Just going the speed limit at that point.  Cops up there can be complete pricks to cars.  Never had one even try to pull me over on the bike.  Well, not that I know of. LOL

When most people on here hear me complaining about my brakes, they don't understand the roads I drive on.  I'm on the S side of that mountain and 129 runs straight through my town.  We have countless roads nearby that are similar to the Dragon (nothing is quite the same) with much less traffic or police.  Blood Mountain, Richard B Russel scenic hwy, etc are at my backdoor.

The MKS handles better than one would expect given it's heft, but overall it's not suitable for these roads.  We still take the Fit when we are going to go for a fun drive.  It's can actually maintain substantially higher corner speeds.  I can only imagine how fun that Miata must be.

 

[djxfactor]

I just ran the Dragon the weekend before you!  It was a blast to drive my Flex EB on it, but I dealt with the same brake fade by the end of each run.  I'll definitely be looking into a brake system upgrade in the very near future!

I LOVE your Flex!!!! Amazing vehicle! It was a toss up between a SHO and a Flex for me when I went through the buying process last month. The SHO appeared before a decent Flex did unfortunately.

Thank you!!  I'm still in the honeymoon phase with it, but coming from a '13 Flex SEL NA to this one has been an amazing upgrade and I don't think the honeymoon will ever end!  I've got 3 kids and a DJ career so the Flex is just the perfect vehicle to fit all my needs.  I loved my SEL but had always wanted to upgrade to the EB AWD, and searched for months to find the right drivetrain, color, and options combo.  I had to drive 2 1/2 hours to a dealership to buy this one and don't regret it in the least!

 

[slurppie]

We used to have our R1/R6 rallies up there and camp out in Fontana. The Dragon is nice but has become a big tourist attraction. The Cherohola is a great road if any of you make it up/down there.

sent from my speak n' spell using tin cans and string