**The 1st Annual E30 SE Rallye** (Updated Thread)

[MichaelH]

The road going in to Abrams Creek is horrible... The campground itself is fine tho...

And yes, as Ely says, buy gas before you get to the Dragon area..

As one of our crew last time almost found out the hard way! Steve you and Ely will be there for sure right? I may come in my new ride.

[HST]

Something else I think would be a great idea on this weekend ride is for everyone that shows up should have a name tag with your R3V user name and real name or something along those lines where others who do not know you will be able to relate to who each other is. Probably a stupid idea but it would make it easier to relate to who each other is.

I like it!

[atomic]

Something else I think would be a great idea on this weekend ride is for everyone that shows up should have a name tag with your R3V user name and real name or something along those lines where others who do not know you will be able to relate to who each other is. Probably a stupid idea but it would make it easier to relate to who each other is.

[tn325i]

The road going in to Abrams Creek is horrible... The campground itself is fine tho...

And yes, as Ely says, buy gas before you get to the Dragon area..

[rs4pro3]

Right now what I'm thinking(as I'll probably lead the dragon portion of the drive) Is If people want friday night we can run threw and back before it gets dark. Then Saturday will be the main driving day, with running the dragon in the morning say starting around 9-10 and probably run it 3-4 times end to end(depends how traffic is) typically around 11ish traffic starts getting heavier in the area. Then after the last run we can all stop and check out the tree of shame/gift shop area. And then from there either do lunch back at the campground or run to Robbinsville and get fast food or a stop by some local eateries and get gas for those that may need it. Then during the mid day run some of the local roads like the Skyway and 28 and then head back towards the dragon around 7p.m. And do some dusk runs and then head back to the campground for dinner.
Then sunday morning run the dragon a few more times before noon.
I'll try and throw together some sort of route map with some of the roads we may wish to hit.

FYI There is limited gas availability around the dragon itself. There are 2 nearby stations but they are small and mostly sell expensive high octane race fuels. Robbinsville will be the closest location for gas, so Please on your way Friday stop and fill up at either Robbinsville, or one of the other local larger towns before getting near the dragon area it self. We will plan a gas stop around lunch time saturday, and maybe latter in the evening(depending how far we drive) So if you car is a Gas hog you may want to consider bringing a 5-gallon can and keeping it at the campsite just in case(unless you don't mind paying a premium for the local gas).

[David325is]

How many runs do you all think we'll do on Sunday August 19? I ask because I will not be able to make it on the 18th and I am trying to gauge if I can still make it up there sometime during the weekend.

[rs4pro3]

from what Steve said Abrhams was awfull ruff. I'm not sure about parking as we weren't looking. I'd call the ranger up in that area and see if it was a big deal or not. There is a large common area we could probally all easily park in.

[atomic]

Aren't we getting close by not having some sort of reservations or idea even where you would stay at? After all the middle of August is prime camping season ?? I personally do not need a place since I will comute from Townsend back and forth. And I am still unsure if my new e30 will be ready for the ride. Hopefully within the next 2 weeks I will be finished or at least real close to it. That is if everything will finally go right with the suspension swap plus the maintenance stuff needed.

[dinanm3atl]

We can park as many as we want. Or park them "near" our site or something... no big deal I would think :)

[RobertK]

Ratler ford is the ground camp site and they have one space available friday and saturday night(check out time 11a.m. sunday), But they say max 25 people and 3 vehicles, so not sure how flexible on the vehicle rule they are.

What about Abrams Creek.. any restrictions there on people or is it too rough?

Also would Ratler ford possibly have a place within walking distance that everyone could park that is close to the site?

[rs4pro3]

Ratler ford is the ground camp site and they have one space available friday and saturday night(check out time 11a.m. sunday), But they say max 25 people and 3 vehicles, so not sure how flexible on the vehicle rule they are.

[dinanm3atl]

If we are camping let me know... because I have a tent and everything :)

[RobertK]

Was there not one that you mentioned that was a group site?

[rs4pro3]

Also the group site only has one site available and it's only free Friday and Saturday night. Plus the reservation site says 25 people allowed per site but just 3 vehicles. So not sure if that works. It may be best to just stay at one of the closer camp grounds, And get 2 or 3 together to set up on one site.

[tn325i]

Ely is a busy guy and prob hasn't had time to get this on...

Fontana Village campground and Cable Cove are the closest to Deals Gap on the East end (N. Carolina side) of the Dragon.. Both have bathrooms and showers.. Cable Cove is about 14 miles away.. Fontana is very close at about 6 miles...

On the West end (Tn. side) Abrams Creek is closest but it is def wilderness camping.. It has bathrooms, but nothing else..

Rattler Ford is a group campground but is a bit farther away, prob 30-40 mins..

All of them need reservations and have a limited number of sites... So it should be decided asap !!