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The roads and the scenery were incredible and exciting, but for us, it was a small part of the BOTD. The events, the people, and the camaraderie were what truly made this worth going to! Great job and thank you to all the coordinators, see you next year.
ScreenName: rx8speeddemon
Let me be one of the first to comment on what a nice vacation/car meet this is. From the first year I went with my wife and we found out how exhilarating the Dragon could be, to this most recent event where I only drove the Dragon once. Each year has been a great vacation! The area of the Smoky Mountains is one of my favorite places to visit and this gives me the added bonus of driving my car, not the family van, and spending time with some great friends.
ScreenName: VR8
It was Rotorlicious!
ScreenName: DeltaV
(Jeff)
Gorgeous weather, super people, awesome car, terrific road, one heckuva
good time.
ScreenName: derwankel (John)
There
was idol worshipping, creation of false gods and exaltation of past
Kings!
All hail the Feras, the Sponge and the Holy Borla!!!!! The FOOD...go for
the FOOD!!! (Chicken and Burgers and Steaks...Oh my!) The sponsorship on
this event is tops! I don't think you can get better support....a least
until next year...
ScreenName: speedweasel (Rob)
The Tail of the Dragon
is truly something that has to be experienced. The hairpin turns,
twists, climbs, and scenery are like no other. US-129 challenges you
driving skills and tests the abilities of your car. It is a must for the
driving or motoring enthusiast.
BOTD brings the Mazda
RX-8 owners, drivers, RX-8 web and club members and fans together for a
few spirit filled days of zoom-zooming fun. The convoys through the
Dragon and through the mountains on the Cherahola Skyway forced me to
really "step up my game." I've been three times and will definitely be
back for more food, fun, and fellowship again and again. The event
planners are to be commended for an even better BOTD. I love my RX-8!
ScreenName: ONOFIVEO
(Jamal)
Speaking as a graduated Freshman of Dragon University:
My
trip had two purposes ...
1) To give the wife and I an opportunity to get away without the kids
for a few days.
2) For me to bond even more with my 8.
Don't publish that second reason, she might read it.
The
first purpose reaped an enjoyable success! The second purpose and its
result is still spinning madly in my head! Oh the money I have spent so
far with tuning the suspension on my car in preparation for next year's
Dragon run.
As a
side benefit I was introduced to a terrific location nestled in the
mountains. Perfect for some getaway time. And best of all, I was
introduced to a wide variety of friends that I am glad I have met on
this website. Blast those who say you can't meet terrific people in
cyberspace!
ScreenName: VR8 (John)
I
think DaveT said it best when he said "It's not about the cars anymore,
it's about the people." He's definitely right. I came to the event
looking forward to seeing all the different RX-8's...and I left looking
forward to seeing all the people again next year.
I had
always considered myself a good driver (not expert by any means) , but
as ONOFIVEO said...the dragon forced me to "step up my game". I learned
a lot about driving, about my car, about what the car can handle, and
about what modifications I need to make to improve the abilities of the
car.
The
sponsors did a great job in helping to make this event better than
ever.....and they certainly gained some business from several of the
attendees. Racing Beat, for instance, has my business because I liked
their exhaust better than any others I heard at the event.
Anyway, the driving experience, fellowship with friends, food, and fun
make this an event that I plan to attend for years to come. It's easy to
understand why people drive hundreds of miles just to gather for 5 days.
ScreenName: Whitey (Jackson)
I
came with Jackson (Whitey) and honestly, I was a little nervous since I
had never met or spoke to anyone on the forums. This was the first time
going for both us of and everyone welcomed us in like they had known us
for years. I had a great time and can't wait until next year's BOTD.
Awesome people, great food, and of course, the Dragon!
**An
extra thanks to everyone who had a hand in getting the rally together,
you all did a fantastic job!
ScreenName: MissWhitey (Tiffany)
>
Being
very tight on money, and even tighter on my leave days with the military
I was on the fence for some time about coming. ($29 to register! What is
this garbage!!!) but after getting the official word I was sandwiched
in-between TWO year long deployments to Fallujah Iraq (just got back from
a year deployment, slated to go back in Feb) that was the breaking
point. Screw it, enjoy the time while I've got it here in the states.
And let me tell you it was the BEST decision I ever made, BEST vacation
I've ever been on, BEST group of people I could have spent the time
with. Like others have said, we all acted like we knew each other for
years even though we only knew some people by the name of their license
plate - VR8 - If it weren't for that whole deployment thing I would
already have my cabin reserved for next year. For anyone thinking about
going, start now, get the biggest cabin they have and split the cost of
the place with others, TOTALLY worth it. Then you don't have to worry
about cleanup because you can party at the HQ cabins
j/k help clean/cook/make drinks it's all good. and BRING A BLENDER!!!
Another thing I was antsy about was the lack of communication to the
outside world, after my first day there I took it in stride and realized
it was good to get away from the mess back home. Anytime myself or my +1
called back home, nothing but bad news spoiling the vacation. She got
word her cousin broke his neck because of a car accident half an hour
before she was about to go on her first dragon run with me. Yeah... that
helped her calm down on the run
Anyway, I've ranted enough and think of me next year you guys and I will
see you in '08 without a question!
ScreenName: marvin_rock
(Nick)
This
was my third year coming to the dragon and I have to say its getting
better every year. I've made some excellent friends, I've tested my
driving skills, invented drinking games based on archery, proclaimed
myself king, and I even got a chance to relax in the mountains. The
experience is like no other.
ScreenName: MazdaspeedFeras (Feras)
If I
could only go to one place for vacation the rest of my life, I would go
to the BOTD!
ScreenName: 6peedRenesis (Joe)
This
event started out being all about the cars. As time has passed, the
event has matured and is no longer centered around the cars as much as
it is the great people. 60 years from now, the same crew will still be
up there the week after labor day. We just might have to call it the
Buick BOTD though.
ScreenName: epitrochoid (Brian)
Nos
venit , Nos saw , Nos victum
We came, We saw, We conquered. We made great friends, ate great food,
had great fun, drove a great road, won great prizes.....and will try to
patiently await the next 11 months until we can do it again. Thanks
again to everyone involved.
ScreenName: Shinka13 (Rodney) |
