ABOUT BRG/SMG

• The First Annual Blue Ridge Gathering was July 28 - 30, 2000 between Ashville, North Carolina and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. OG 3Sier, Jeremiah (LineNoiz) started BRG that year with a total of 19 cars in attendance. The event got it's name due to the original gathering(s) driving the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was modeled after the Ocean City Gathering, where aside from the mountain cruise, we would have a car show in Pigeon Forge and racing in go carts with dinner on the strip.
• There was a fall version of a Blue Ridge Parkway/Gathering the same year that seems to be mostly referred to as the Boone Gathering. This event seems to be the transition from the BRG in July 2000 to include Deal's Gap for future meets. It started in Boone, North Carolina and cruised the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is the first time that mention of the "rumored" Tail of the Dragon came into conversation. With it being 3 hours from the gathering origination spot, some decided to make it a Sunday day trip to the Dragon! This event was put together by Leland (SilverBullet) and Shawn (O'Cobra) and had 10 cars, 14 people in attandance! At least 2 of those people still attend BRG today ;)
• Jeremiah scheduled the 2nd Annual BRG June 22 - 24, 2001 to include Pigeon Forge, the Blue Ridge Parkway, +/- 1/8 mile Drag Racing, the Fast & Furious movie & the Dragon.
• In 2002, planning for the event was taken over by SeanJohnson & Aerosly7 and planned for June 28th - 30th of that year in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which was the same weekend as NOPI, Import Shootout and a SCCA AutoCross.
• September 12 - 14, 2003, SeanJohnson & Melis~ continued planning and moved the gathering to Maryville, Tennessee.
• June 18 - 20, 2004 BRG is moved back to Pigeon Forge @ the Grand Hotel.
• June 24 - 26, 2005 BRG was again in Pigeon Forge @ the Grand Hotel.
• July 14 - 16, 2006 BRG moved to the Killboy Cabins near the Dragon and was co-hosted by SeanJohnson, BSWhelchel and myself.
• Just 22 - 24, 2007 we moved it back to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. SeanJohnson, Melis~ & myself took over planning!
• August 1 - 3, 2008 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
• July 31 - August 2, 2009 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
• July 30 - August 1, 2010 at Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Carolina. This is the first year I took over planning BRG solo.
• May 13 - 15, 2011 @ Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Carolina
• 2012 @ Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Carolina
• September 5 - 8, 2013 @ Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Carolina
• August 21 - 24, 2014 @ Nantahala Outdoor Center. NOC was a real unique experience, as it sits on the Nantahala River. We rented out all of the cabin spaces they had available and some people even got "luxery" cabins a few miles from NOC. Our car show was on the river and we were able to offer awesome outdoor excursions like whitewater rafting the Nanahala and a 3-hour zip lining tour!
• 2015 we changed the location to Tellico Plains, Tennessee. The main problem with NOC was we were too big and they required payment up front from a single payer. SO, we found Tellico Plains who offered River Front socializing, small and large cabins and was conveniently ON the Cherohala Skyway. The host cabin had a large basement gameroom where we held DipFest and generally had lots of people around.
• 2016 @ Tellico Plains, Tennessee
• 2017 @ Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Carolina
• 2018 @ Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Carolina
• 2019 @ Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Carolina
• 2020 @ Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Carolina Unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic
• 2021 @ Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Carolina
• 2022 @ Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Carolina
• 2023 @ Fontana Village, Fontana Dam, North Caroline

FOR A SUCCESSFUL DRAGON/SKYWAY RUN
Make sure your car is prepared! Bleed your brakes/add new brake fluid, make sure all your lug nuts are properly torqued and bald tires need not apply! Drive aware and defensively. Do not exceed you or your car's limits.

MAPS!
Cherohala Skyway Map
Cherohala/Dragon 120 Mile Loop Map
Tail of the Dragon Map
TOTD Popular LEO Radar Traps
Tail of the Dragon Deaths

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR
Something that shouldn't have to be instructed, but I will expect our group to be courteous, appropriate and obey all laws and resort rules. We all want to have fun, but be respectful of those around you. If you do something that needs repremanding or threatens our group continuing to have/enjoy the event, you will be asked to leave. No refunds.

FEAR THE DOUBLE YELLOW
US129 is a public road that splits Tennessee and North Carolina. It is patrolled by police (LEOs) and photographers. You will be expected to obey the laws of both states or run the risk of being fined and called out online. The 316 turns of the Dragon, as well as the Cherohala have many blind, tight and guardrail-less turns. You may not see the opposing traffic until it is too late. The goal is to have fun, but not at the risk of your safety or the safety of others. Do NOT cross the double yellow.


BE KIND!