8CCD-III Frequently Asked Questions

[Cookstar]

What is the Tail of the Dragon?
The Tail of the Dragon is US-129 on the North Carolina-Tennessee border and is the premier public road for sports car and motorcycle enthusiasts in the country. It is reputed to have 318 curves in 11 miles.



When is the event?
Thursday - Sunday, September 4-7, 2008. You are welcome to join us at any time during the event.



Where is the Tail of the Dragon?







Who is invited?
This is an 8thCivic.com event, not just an 8th generation Civic event. If you are a member of 8thCivic.com, you and your guests are welcome to come regardless of what you drive. If you drive a different car, just don't feel left out when we don't include your cars in the 8th generation Civic group photos. We'll make sure and get photos of the "other cars" together, too.



What makes 8thCivic.com Conquers the Dragon different from your average meet?
Not only do you get to meet new members and check out each other's cars, you also get to do some spirited driving on some of the best roads in the world. More importantly, you get to spend a few days with your fellow members so you will get to know them a bit better than you would at your average meet.



Is this a Southern regional event?
Absolutely not! People from as far north as Canada and as far west as Oklahoma have attended. It's for driving enthusiasts and fun lovers everywhere!




Hasn’t there been a crackdown at the Tail of the Dragon by the Tennessee Highway Patrol?
Yes, but I assure you that some spirited driving will occur. You will not be disappointed.



Where is the event going to be based?
The event will again be based at Tapoco Lodge which is about three miles away from the Dragon.







What are the rates at Tapoco Lodge?
Check out this link: Tapoco Lodge Rates



What are the differences between cabin, lodge, and economy lodge rooms?

• The cabin rooms are in several cottages on the property. Each cabin has between two and four rooms. The rooms within each cabin are separated just like your typical hotel rooms with a pair of private doors that people in each room must open to connect them. You pay for the room, not the cabin.
• The lodge rooms are in the main building.
• Economy lodge rooms are also in the main building. All economy rooms share two bathrooms and showers with one for ladies and one for men.
• The main building and the cabins are within easy walking distance from one another so nobody will be left out of the fun.

You can also check for reservations by clicking the link below the Ferrari picture on this page.



Where else can I stay besides Tapoco Lodge?
Check out Graham County Accommodations.



What happens when I use online directions or my car’s navigation system to find Tapoco Lodge’s address?
You will end up about 12 miles down the road from the actual location:





What is Deal's Gap?
Deal's Gap is just another name for the area where the Tail of the Dragon lies. I honestly don't know if it is the name of a geological feature or if it's a name used for the general area. Usually, when people are talking about either the Tail of the Dragon or Deal's Gap, they are talking about the same thing.



Where is the nearest town?
Robbinsville, the nearest town, is 18 miles away from the Dragon and 15 miles away from Tapoco Lodge via US-129. There are a few gas stations there and a grocery store if needed.



Are there other great roads in the area besides the Dragon?
Yes. US-129 between the Dragon and Tapoco Lodge is quite good and can be considered an extension of the Dragon. NC-28 has a long curvy section known as the Hellbender. The Cherohala Skyway which begins near Robbinsville, NC as NC-143 and ends near Tellico Plains, TN as TN-165 is a more scenic road with sweeping curves and elevations above 5000 feet.



What do I need to wear when we go rafting?
Check out this link: How to Dress



Where can I get alcohol?
Graham County, where Tapoco Lodge is located, is dry. That means convenience stores, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. will not have alcohol for sale. However, thanks to a weird North Carolina law, Tapoco Lodge is able to sell alcohol because it is a resort with a swimming pool and tennis court. The lodge has its own beer and wine store which closes at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. If you want liquor, you have to bring your own.



Can I use my cellphone at the Dragon?
The Dragon and Tapoco Lodge are in a rural area with no cell coverage. Cell coverage for some services may be available in Robbinsville, the nearest town.



How can we communicate without cellphones?
2-way radios are recommended because they are the only way to communicate when not in Robbinsville. Make sure to get some with subchannels.



Will there be any awards given?

• The Coolest 8thCivic Award will be given to the 8th generation Civic voted on by the attendees as their favorite. The vote will take place at Saturday night's dinner. This award is for individual 8thCivic.com members only. Any cars brought by professional tuners, parts stores, or nonmembers will not be eligible.
• The Longest Road Trip Award will be given to the member who lives the farthest away from Tapoco, NC. Give me your address at the event if you think you are in the running for this award.

Do you have any tips for driving the Tail of Dragon?
Read this page and follow it religiously: How to Ride the Dragon
We are not there to race! Do not drive beyond your ability! The Dragon can bite you if you push it too much! Do not endanger yourself or others!



Can I be irresponsible?
I feel an obligation as organizer of this event to do what I can to make sure the participants stay safe and enjoy themselves. Irresponsibility that endangers the safety and property of others will not be tolerated. Any offending persons will be asked not to return next year. There is to be no reckless driving, racing, fighting, or any other irresponsible activities. Do not bring online feuds to the event. Don't ruin it for everyone else.



Where can I see pictures and videos from previous events?
Check out the stickies in the Past Dragon Meets Subforum



So how much is all of this going to cost me?

• Double occupancy room at Tapoco Lodge for 3 nights: $188 total per person
• Jet boat ride: $28 (if less than 10 people), $22 (10+)
• Rafting: $29 (under 40 people), $27 (40+)
• Friday lunch: under $10
• Friday dinner: under $10
• Saturday lunch: under $10
• Saturday dinner: about $15
• Plus gas, other meals, etc.

Double if you’re paying for two. Start saving now!

[Cookstar]

This thread is now open for comments

[Gone]

This is very tempting, I have always wanted to drive the Dragon...

hhhmmmm...

[tuner student]

i really hope i can go. but i don't know where i will be after july. hopefully uncle sam lets me stay in new york for one more year after july. and if not (even better for at least this meet) i get sent to Cherry Point NC. what do u think would be a wise date to set as a cut off date if u don't have one in mind?

[Cookstar]

What do you mean by a cut-off date?

I'd like to have a good idea how many people are going to be there at least a month in advance if that's what you mean.

[tuner student]

yea thats what i ment a month is fine ty i just needed to know when i need to say yes or no based on uncle sam and how fast do the rooms usually fill up cause i don't want to make a reservation and not go. but then again it is only 25 dollars that i would loose.

[Cookstar]

The rooms at Tapoco Lodge are nearly full now. There are other places around to stay though. See the first post.

Also, for whatever reason, several people cancelled within the last month last year so you never know what's going to come open.

[drdre1443]

hey just wanted to drop in and say good job on organizing a weekend like this. I currently have a S2000 and I make several trips to the Dragon as solo runs or as group meets. I hope to have my hands on a Si before your meet.

Wondering if Tapoco Lodge gets booked, have you had any contact with the other Resorts for room rates? Last time I was there in the fall, we all stayed at Fontana Village and we got a special so-called "dragon-slayer's" rate of 75 bucks a night and it was a great place to stay.

Also, I would highly recommend creating a list of subchannels for each region or metro area that is coming down. This way people could print out a list to have at the meet and find up some people around. I picked up a set of 17 mile cobra 2-ways last year and they worked real well at the dragon. on the dragon I had just about a mile's distance of clarity.

[Cookstar]

Great to have you aboard! Actually, as I'm typing this, I happen to be at the Microtel in Robbinsville. I came up here for the weekend to get away and do some scouting.

My report on the Microtel is that it's definitely not a resort and pretty basic but it does have wireless internet and a TV and telephone in every room, which Tapoco does not have. The best part about this place is that it's is very clean. I have no fear here of catching anything or being attacked by any critters in the middle of the night.

I have emailed Fontana Village in the past and they did not reply. I might add them to my list of places to visit this weekend as a possible base for next year. Dirk and Marsha at Tapoco have been wonderful to us but this might be the year that we really overflow the place. I'd really like to have it somewhere that is able to accommodate all of us.

As far as cheaper places, I've heard that Tuskeegee Motel is somewhat outdated but very clean is anyone is interested in staying somewhere cheaper. I don't know anything about any other places.

It would be great to have you join us this year.

[drdre1443]

in case you do get to check out fontana village, it was able to hold 207 drivers last fall(and their +1's). It has TV and internet and phone. There are about 3-4 restaurants on site. What I liked best was that you got to drive the hellbender which is right next door.

[Cookstar]

We're back at the Microtel. We drove through Fontana Village. It's huge! It's pretty cool but lacks the intimate feel of Tapoco Lodge. I don't know if I care to base the meet there.

[ziggy149]

Do you know of anyone driving down from Michigan? Just picked up my GG Si one week ago today - had a 2006 GG LX prior. Luv this car and would be awesome to catch up w/ u guys in Sept. Just wondering if you could put me in contact around where I live (Motor City) to sort of caravan down.

Thanks

[tuner student]

what hotels in the area would prob have rooms a month out. I can not even plan that far ahead, one of the downs of being in the military. i mean who know where i will be then. at the most i could put in for leave and make m plans a month and a half ahead. i'll call the lodge to see if there are cancelations but if not i just need a place close by to crash.

i went to the graham county link but which one of the motels would be the closet to where the bulk of the group are staying. and do we have a block of rooms in the lodge that is mentioned.

[guzziknight]

Hi All,

I live in Atlanta, so I'm not far away. I'm going to try to come up for a couple of days, probably only Thurs and Fri, due to my work situation. Not sure yet where I'll stay. I'll be up there next week on my bike. I've never been up there in a car, so that should be interesting!

Yaniv

[Cookstar]

Hope to see you there, Yaniv. You'll have a great time and want to stay until Sunday too.

[guzziknight]

Originally Posted by Cookstar

Hope to see you there, Yaniv. You'll have a great time and want to stay until Sunday too.

I'm sure I'll want to stay, but I can't this year. I'm leaving the following Wed to ride up to Indy for the Moto GP race. I've had that trip booked for a while and can't miss it.

Just out of curiousity, I was looking at the pics from previous Dragon events, and it seems that all the cars were SI models. Do many people with LX or EX models show up?

Thanks.

Yaniv

[HanCivicSI]

Most of the models last year were Si models but there were some LX and EX sedans and coupes there also.

[Cookstar]

All members are welcome, regardless of what they drive.

[HanCivicSI]

Originally Posted by Cookstar

All members are welcome, regardless of what they drive.

[guzziknight]