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Still recovering from an amazing weekend with friends and FIATs. As we approached the weekend, the weather was not looking good. Anyone who is local to the area knows if you don't like the weather, wait a minute. The event started on Thursday and the weather stayed nice as we welcomed folks from all over the US and Canada as they arrived.
The first official organized drive was early Friday morning for the Missing Link at sunrise. Once again, the weather did not disappoint as we were treated to an amazing sunrise. For this first drive, I chose to lead out the group in the 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ to the top of the overlook for the sunrise observation.
Being in this location at this time could not have been any better.
Next, we had the drivers meeting back at the Talley Ho Inn home base. We went over safety and general instructions for the organized drives. Harper FIAT supplied snack bags for everyone and as the first group left for the Tail of the Dragon, the next group of almost 50 FIATs and Alfas prepared for the Devil's Triangle organized drive. The weather was looking good and we were looking forward to this amazing run.
At our traditional stop point on the Triangle, we shared thoughts of this amazing road.
The Devil's Triangle group stopped at the Brushy Mountian prison for lunch and prepared for the return trip. It was decided that anyone who wanted to go back via the Dragon would split off with me and we would take the "long" way back to Townsend. I am happy that we did this and we managed to get a Tail of the Dragon run in on Friday as well with amazing weather conditions.
Once back at the Talley Ho, a few of us decided to try a new place called The Abbey. It is an old wedding chapel turned pub. The food was good and the seating by the river could not be any better. Later, the bonfire provided a warm spot to share stories from the day and fun experiences from the travels.
Saturday started with another Missing Link sunrise drive, this time, led by the Auto Ricambi FIAT 124 Spider Abarth. Once again, we were treated to a wonderful sunrise. The increasing cloud cover made the sun dip behind the clouds as it rose over the mountain but it was still amazing. The fog was low in the valley and it was clear why this is called the Smoky Mountains.
We lingered for a while and got an opportunity to meet a local photographer, Kristi Parsons. She does amazing work and has befriended our group. Be sure to look her up on Instagram for some amazing work.
Back at the Talley Ho, we had our Saturday drivers meeting and discussed activities for the day. The weather was nice but the threat of rain loomed in the afternoon and evening. Our organized groups departed Townsend and we enjoyed a short Cars on the Field time with folks from all over. We even had a few French cars show up for the fun.
After the Cars on the Field, we left as a smallish group to the Tail of the Dragon. We encountered a bit of rain once we reached the Cherohala but it did not dampen the fun. Some of us stopped at the Topoco Lodge and had a snack, then continued back to Townsend for the Saturday evening dinner and raffle.
The dinner option for this year was Knoxville's number 1 food truck, The Chicken Coop. As it appeared rain was approaching fast, we started the raffle and gave away thousands in prizes from vendors who are kind enough to show support of this event. We had prizes from so many supporters, FIAT Club America, Driving Impressions, Euro Compulsion, Speedmotive Performance, 500 Madness, Benson FIAT, Flash Productions, Position 1 Dent Repair, Kristi Parsons Photography, Midwest Bayless, Centerline International and Auto Ricambi. Many people went away as winners of some really cool stuff.
The weather continued to hold off until later in the evening. The bonfire was going until the drops started falling around 11pm. As I went back to my room, it was time to reflect on how much fun this weekend has been. The people I met, the old friends I got to see and spend time with, the roads and cars...it was an amazing time for sure. This is why I do this, this is why it will continue to happen. No drama and very few issues over the weekend made this one of my favorite spring events. They are all different than the ones before. Thanks for coming if you did, I hope to see you at a future FIAT on the Dragon.
Plans are underway for the Fall FIAT on the Dragon UNPLUGGED. This will be late September, date to be announced. I have something huge planned for the small fall group, it is going to be great!
The first official organized drive was early Friday morning for the Missing Link at sunrise. Once again, the weather did not disappoint as we were treated to an amazing sunrise. For this first drive, I chose to lead out the group in the 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ to the top of the overlook for the sunrise observation.
Being in this location at this time could not have been any better.
Next, we had the drivers meeting back at the Talley Ho Inn home base. We went over safety and general instructions for the organized drives. Harper FIAT supplied snack bags for everyone and as the first group left for the Tail of the Dragon, the next group of almost 50 FIATs and Alfas prepared for the Devil's Triangle organized drive. The weather was looking good and we were looking forward to this amazing run.
At our traditional stop point on the Triangle, we shared thoughts of this amazing road.
The Devil's Triangle group stopped at the Brushy Mountian prison for lunch and prepared for the return trip. It was decided that anyone who wanted to go back via the Dragon would split off with me and we would take the "long" way back to Townsend. I am happy that we did this and we managed to get a Tail of the Dragon run in on Friday as well with amazing weather conditions.
Once back at the Talley Ho, a few of us decided to try a new place called The Abbey. It is an old wedding chapel turned pub. The food was good and the seating by the river could not be any better. Later, the bonfire provided a warm spot to share stories from the day and fun experiences from the travels.
Saturday started with another Missing Link sunrise drive, this time, led by the Auto Ricambi FIAT 124 Spider Abarth. Once again, we were treated to a wonderful sunrise. The increasing cloud cover made the sun dip behind the clouds as it rose over the mountain but it was still amazing. The fog was low in the valley and it was clear why this is called the Smoky Mountains.
We lingered for a while and got an opportunity to meet a local photographer, Kristi Parsons. She does amazing work and has befriended our group. Be sure to look her up on Instagram for some amazing work.
Back at the Talley Ho, we had our Saturday drivers meeting and discussed activities for the day. The weather was nice but the threat of rain loomed in the afternoon and evening. Our organized groups departed Townsend and we enjoyed a short Cars on the Field time with folks from all over. We even had a few French cars show up for the fun.
After the Cars on the Field, we left as a smallish group to the Tail of the Dragon. We encountered a bit of rain once we reached the Cherohala but it did not dampen the fun. Some of us stopped at the Topoco Lodge and had a snack, then continued back to Townsend for the Saturday evening dinner and raffle.
The dinner option for this year was Knoxville's number 1 food truck, The Chicken Coop. As it appeared rain was approaching fast, we started the raffle and gave away thousands in prizes from vendors who are kind enough to show support of this event. We had prizes from so many supporters, FIAT Club America, Driving Impressions, Euro Compulsion, Speedmotive Performance, 500 Madness, Benson FIAT, Flash Productions, Position 1 Dent Repair, Kristi Parsons Photography, Midwest Bayless, Centerline International and Auto Ricambi. Many people went away as winners of some really cool stuff.
The weather continued to hold off until later in the evening. The bonfire was going until the drops started falling around 11pm. As I went back to my room, it was time to reflect on how much fun this weekend has been. The people I met, the old friends I got to see and spend time with, the roads and cars...it was an amazing time for sure. This is why I do this, this is why it will continue to happen. No drama and very few issues over the weekend made this one of my favorite spring events. They are all different than the ones before. Thanks for coming if you did, I hope to see you at a future FIAT on the Dragon.
Plans are underway for the Fall FIAT on the Dragon UNPLUGGED. This will be late September, date to be announced. I have something huge planned for the small fall group, it is going to be great!
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