Back from Deal's Gap (The Dragon)

[Roly]

Well, to those native to NC, SC, and TN, you should know about Deal's Gap or US 129... For those who don't, it's 318 turns in 11 miles with elevation changes of 1500'. Last year I took the 240sx after owning it for a month with 4 blown struts and 4 bald tires.. no a good idea. This year with a better suspension and newer wider tires, it was alot better. But, I still had alot of plowing going into the steeper turns that shoot uphill. I'll some pictures and video up as soon as my friend converts it. All I can say is more money on suspension and stainless brake lines. For those who want an idea www.tailofthedragon.com (http://www.tailofthedragon.com) .

[BlueByU]

I have been to deals gap back when i owned my civic Si, it was ao awsome i can't wait to take the 240:D

[Steeles]

very fun trip I went last year with a big group of 240s (a little SE meet in knoxville) had a blast.... cept for those kids in the convertable... but yeah lots of fun. you should try chasing Chris Mays 400+ HP beast up that road!

[Roly]

We had a 2000 T/A that came with us. It has about $1000 in suspension work including 17x11's in the rear with 315/35-17 Nitto 555R's. He actually stood up extremely well against the Subaru guys we were with. My problem became that the brakes lines expanded and the pedal felt like a sponge. I got to average around 30mph, but this one guy I rode with last year pushed 45mph in a Legacy. I might trailer up a set of track tires next year, along with the remainder of suspension upgrades.

[sykikchimp]

I haven't been to Deals gap yet, but I've heard plenty of stories.. US321 has some AWESOME sections too... especially up towards TN..

[Roly]

Add two more stories... A friend in his SVX rolled it. Total loss, but he's ok, and another Subaru XT crossed the double yellow line and hit a bike, the biker suffered a broken wrist and a totalled bike.

[Steeles]

Originally posted by sykikchimp
I haven't been to Deals gap yet, but I've heard plenty of stories.. US321 has some AWESOME sections too... especially up towards TN..

yeah chimp we should get the NC crew together and go up there one weekend!

[hurleyboi514]

dont forget about SC! :)

[zspturbo]

are there any exits / onramps during that portion of the highway? also, is it 2 lanes in each direction, or just one?

I imagine if there were no onramps for that 11 mile stretch, a couple cars blocking the way off... and you could have some AWESOME races. of course, Im sure Im stating the obvious *cough initial D in real life cough*

[Jsquared]

there are no exit ramps that i know of, b/c it's a one-lane-each-way-no-shoulder twisty-*** road through the mountains with LOTS of trees. i haven't been but some car-guy friends of mine and a bunch of car guys that ride sportbikes have been there a few times. I'm going as soon as I get the first autoX on my soon-to-be-completed S13 under my belt :D

[Steeles]

yeah you F up on the Gap and its over the side of the mountain you go or smack into the wall. no on ramps or off ramps and very little traffic. scary as CRAP at night :) two lanes banked turns lots of switchbacks.. its crazy.

Hurley - man the whole south east can come if they want... no wait.. experienced drivers only :) hope you gota strong shifter cause it'll get a workout and a half.

[mad s13]

i have always wanted to go..i'm game for a NC meet in the mountains..loljust let me get my es100's before we go..


Later
Gray

[Steeles]

haha yeah I really wanna get my suspension redone first. and my kazama stuff in... something :) I need more camber up front. pushing way too much through turns.

[sykikchimp]

That's a GREAT idea! I have a lot of projects that are up in the air right now though. We should plan a meet sometime early in July...

[Steeles]

sounds like a plan. Knoxvilles not too far we can crash there.. Im sure some of the Atlanta folks will come up.. Russ had too good of a time last time we were there. and hopefully some suprises will be here by then. :)

[sykikchimp]

I should have my LSD, swaybars, and Hoosier shod Nismo wheels on for the meet.. you b1tches with turbo's best move on out of the way! MUHAHAHAHa

[hurleyboi514]

by then, i should have the rest of my bushings installed, an LSD, and Z brakes! :)

[sykikchimp]

Ken, your car is like the yen to my yang.. lol

[Steeles]

Originally posted by sykikchimp
I should have my LSD, swaybars, and Hoosier shod Nismo wheels on for the meet.. you b1tches with turbo's best move on out of the way! MUHAHAHAHa

hoping to have the rear arms in and maybe a new exhaust and my Racing harts back on. with a lil wider track :) try and keep up chimp!

[bl200sx]

hummmmm.......I might be up for that deal's gap run, sounds like a blast.

BTW: I know some of the SC gang from High Tach, most of them can drive well.

Lets us know when this is going to happen!!

[hurleyboi514]

yah, ive seen u before. bruce, right?? yah, most of us are pretty good. i bet the boys will wanna go.

yah, charles, our mod list really close... i saw you moved into your new place. did u get a garage?? id like to come check out the new pad!!

[sykikchimp]

Originally posted by hurleyboi514
yah, charles, our mod list really close... i saw you moved into your new place. did u get a garage?? id like to come check out the new pad!!

YEAH!! I'll have to post pics of my new garage..err..umm.. House.. yeah. :D :cool:

Our back yard is a golf course now.. lol Neighbors are gonna love us. especially if I ever get a mig welder. :) HAHA

[bl200sx]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hurleyboi514
[B]yah, ive seen u before. bruce, right?? yah, most of us are pretty good. i bet the boys will wanna go.

Yeah ken, it's me Bruce ;)