Spent a couple days slaying the Dragon

[FIMS]

Spent 4/9-4/12 on The Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway on my yearly trip there. Overall the Sonic wasnt the worst car Ive ever driven on either road, it has its downfalls (most of which relate to the front wheels putting the power to the ground) but the biggest problem I had was that there was no weight over the rear axle and the rear of the car would easily step out under hard cornering at a higher speed than legally posted on the road.

Enough words... Now Pics (There are plenty on Killboy.com/129slayer.com/us129photos.com from 4/10 & 4/11, only stole a few to post here)










I went with a friend of mine that has a Comp Pack Ion Redline





Now for Videos... Now, I should warn you, all youre going to hear is windnoise, exhaust, the occasional blowoff, and what seems to be the torturing of baby zebras, which I promise you is me abusing the allseasons and nothing else. (And Im sorry that the GoPro vids are short, I brought the wrong memory card and in BFE, NC you cant buy them easily)

Northbound inside the car (with a pause to allow the brakes to cool)

Northbound Non-Stop

Southbound from the overlook, GoPro on the windsheild

Southbound from the roof of the Redline

Southbound following the IRL

 

[whitnith]

There's a small group of Cobalts (and others, mainly people who had Cobalts and have moved to other cars, but it's the community of people we care about more) who all go there every year together. Some from as far as Ontario and Wisconsin, quite a few from the NY/DE/NJ area.

It's a redic amount of fun. I also recommend doing the Devil's Triangle, it's also great.

 

[Ltguy]

There's a small group of Cobalts (and others, mainly people who had Cobalts and have moved to other cars, but it's the community of people we care about more) who all go there every year together. Some from as far as Ontario and Wisconsin, quite a few from the NY/DE/NJ area.

It's a redic amount of fun. I also recommend doing the Devil's Triangle, it's also great.

Truth! I know John Powell enjoys the tail with some of the other guys on CSS each year... Would really love it if he could develops some YYZ's for the sonic, that would be BA

 

[sx sonic]

That looks like SO MUCH FUN!!!

I only went thru a bit of the vidoes but looking at the times it would appear you did a ton of cruising!!! hows them tires looking? I heard alot of tire whining around those turns lol.

 

[ungawd]

Is the speed limit only 30 through the entire length? Also, about what would you feel you averaged?

 

[FIMS]

Tires are a bit warn to say the least...

I I was averaging no more than the speed limit (plus a mph or several)

 

[JohnT]

I've only driven it once in a rental corolla but it was a still blast. I flew in on a Friday afternoon and the road was completely empty, coming back on Sunday mid day and there were cops, motorcycles, and car cruises everywhere.

A little late for the trip, but for the back end stepping out, drop the rear tire pressure. I've run as low as 24 psi cold when it was cold and slippery out.

Better tires help too of course

 

[FIMS]

I ran 30 front/25 rear and that didnt fix the problem...

Putting power through the rear wheels would help plant it better as well.

Ive yet to find a wheel that I like, so thats why Im still on the all seasons...

 

[chivalryder]

Looks like you had a lot of fun!

those pics make me think "Oh boy, I need to do something about body roll in my car!"

 

[Foxbox]

Awesome.

I've been once when I had my SVT Focus. Was a great time, I'd love to go back again.

 

[vmaxed]

I have driven on The Dragon and the Cherohala on a bike,never in a car.
Looks like you had fun

 

[FIMS]

I'm not sure if ill ever do it on a bike... that just seems like too much of a risk to me

 

[whitnith]

If we are turning this into a Dragon photo thread...

 

[chivalryder]

If we are turning this into a Dragon photo thread...

Tsk! Tsk! You're over the yellow line!

 

[FIMS]

Well, if we are doing that...

2011

2010