Blue Ridge Mountain Drive - 3/13/11

[AMPowerJ]

Hi -

Heads up that Misha (mtechnik3) is taking the lead to organize and mountain drive on 3/13/11 which is a Sunday. I plan to go and I hope we can get a another good group together like we had last Fall.

Misha will post the details with the route, etc. as he pulls all that together but just post on the thread if you think you can make it so we can get a head count.

The last event we had was a lot of fun and it was nice to meet fellow enthusiasts so hopefully we can have a good turnout for this one too.

[mtechnik3]

Ashley, thanks for setting up the thread buddy.

I'd like to invite you on a spirited mountain drive with fellow car enthusiasts from North/South Carolina and Tennessee. If you would like to attend, please post your location and car in this thread so I can get a head count and general idea of where you're coming from. There's also an event posted on facebook. If you're on fbook, let me know and I'll send you an invite. The drive will take place on Sunday, March 13th.

Most of us are meeting in Charlotte. From there we'll drive about 2 hours towards NC 226A in Western North Carolina on whats called the Diamondback Route which cuts through Pisgah National Forest on scenic mountain passes. We all had a great time last year during the Spring and Fall drive. I know it's late notice, but hopefully you can join us. These are some of the best driving roads in the country!

Where can you find more than 190 steep, climbing curves in just 12 miles? The Diamondback - North Carolina's last alternate route!

Sweeping curves, amazing scenery and cool mountain breezes make the Diamondback, NC 226A, one of WNC's last great mountain roadways.

The Diamondback, NC's 226A is loaded with switchbacks looping almost 360-degrees. Runs of S-curves climb and twist sharply as they snake through lush green forest in route to the Blue Ridge Parkway just above Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

This heavily wooded trek, from Marion in McDowell County to Switzerland Inn, on the edge of Mitchell County, NC is an exciting and challenging drive. Two-lanes of smooth, well-marked pavement are flanked by rocky outcroppings, shear drop-offs and quick, tight hairpin curves

Here's some information on the Diamondback Route.

[elm3]

I would like to join, if my schedule permits it. I will let you know when it gets closer. I'll be coming from Canton, Georgia (North Georgia). I'm Eric btw and drive an '09 e92 M3.

Eric

[sg///M3]

[nytrus112]

I'm in!!!!! And you know me.

Stephan - '11 Black E90 M3

[nytrus112]

BTW, for general info, I was on the drive last time and it was frickin' awesome. I'm sure the pics are still up on here. I've been feining for another one so I'm extremely geared up for this. I'm supposed to be taking a trip home (Barbados) on that weekend but now I'm likely gonna put that back a couple weeks just to be able to make this.

[VictorH]

Looks like my schedule might be good for this. Any idea as to how long the total round trip will be?

[sg///M3]

Originally Posted by VictorH

Looks like my schedule might be good for this. Any idea as to how long the total round trip will be?

Departure time is around 7:45am and it looks like the plan is to get back around dinner time. I'm sure you can head back early if necessary.

[mtechnik3]

Here's a Google Doc with all the up-to-date information for the drive.

PM me, or post your questions here.

Originally Posted by elm3

I would like to join, if my schedule permits it. I will let you know when it gets closer. I'll be coming from Canton, Georgia (North Georgia). I'm Eric btw and drive an '09 e92 M3.

Eric

We'd like to have you join, Eric! We can always meet on the way up near I-40 W or US 321N. Keep in touch.

Originally Posted by nytrus112

I'm in!!!!! And you know me.

Stephan - '11 Black E90 M3

Looking forward to it buddy. Last time was fun.

Originally Posted by VictorH

Looks like my schedule might be good for this. Any idea as to how long the total round trip will be?

Plan for a good 6 hours, plus some more time for taking photos etc.. We'd like to have you come if you can!

Originally Posted by sg///M3

Departure time is around 7:45am and it looks like the plan is to get back around dinner time. I'm sure you can head back early if necessary.

Thanks Andol. Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday in the M3!

[elm3]

Sounds good, I'm trying to see if I can recruit some people from GA. to join us too.

[AMPowerJ]

I'm in ... thanks for taking the baton and organizing this one. It should be a blast.

[Rooz]

Last time we did this it was a last minute thing, this time we tried to plan a little further ahead, quite the turnout thus far...

1) Rooz R - E39 M5
2) Jeff B - E46 M3
3) Misha N - E82 135i
4) Claude M - E39 M5
5) Heather R - E39 M5
6) Steve R - 2001 Viper
7) Matt H - E60 M5 or E46 330i
8) Marc J - E46 M3
9) Andol Y - E92 M3
10) Jason D - E46 M3
11) Holly W - E60 535i
12) Bryan M - E92 335i
13) Jeff R - E36 325is
14) Bryan A - Mini Cooper S (I think it's an R56?)
15) Ashley J - E90 M3
16)Devin C - 2010 GTR or 93 RX7 TT
17) Neal A - ??
18) Hardy E - E93 M3
...

If you have any questions/comments/concerns, feel free to PM mtechnik3 or my self

[C'sM3]

I had a great time last time. I'm definitely in as long as the weather is good. Plus, I have a couple friends that might join B-)

[jj007]

I'm in providing I survive the St. Patty's Day Pub Crawl in Charlotte the night before.... I hear they are estimating close to 10,000 people this year... (e92 m3)

[ADV.1 Matt]

Can you really even do effective drives on BRM with all of the recent crackdowns on speeding? Isn't it patrolled like crazy these days?

[mtechnik3]

Originally Posted by C'sM3

I had a great time last time. I'm definitely in as long as the weather is good. Plus, I have a couple friends that might join B-)

Sounds good Chris! Looking forward man.

Originally Posted by jj007

I'm in providing I survive the St. Patty's Day Pub Crawl in Charlotte the night before.... I hear they are estimating close to 10,000 people this year... (e92 m3)

Keep in touch and let us know your plans.

Originally Posted by ADV.1 Matt

Can you really even do effective drives on BRM with all of the recent crackdowns on speeding? Isn't it patrolled like crazy these days?

We have done a couple drives without any issues with law enforcement. We don't get too crazy or race, and it's not the purpose of the drive/meet. We won't be on the BRP on this drive. I agree with you - the BRP isn't a good place to speed, and it's patrolled.

The drive up to the mountains on I-40 W and US-321 N isn't too bad. You can usually crusie about 80 no problem. The Diamondback Route (NC 226A) parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway along its northern segment. That's where a majority of the mountain drive will take place. The cops aren't as bad here as they are on the BRP.

[ADV.1 Matt]

Thanks for the info man - it has been awhile since I made my way through there.

[mtechnik3]

Here's a Google Doc with all the up-to-date information for the drive.

PM me, or post your questions here.

[AMPowerJ]

I spoke to Martin (Martin_D) tonight and he plans to bring his M3 on the drive as well. Hopefully we can get a few more from the Raleigh area too.

If anyone hasn't seen this car it will be a head turner for sure.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477317

[mtechnik3]

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

I spoke to Martin (Martin_D) tonight and he plans to bring his M3 on the drive as well. Hopefully we can get a few more from the Raleigh area too.

If anyone hasn't seen this car it will be a head turner for sure.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477317

This is great news! Can't wait to see it in person. Thanks for reaching out to Martin brotha! Hopefully we'll get a few more members from Raleigh.

[robotrenegade]

This is going to be fun! Can I meet y'all in Gastonia again?

[AMPowerJ]

Originally Posted by robotrenegade

This is going to be fun! Can I meet y'all in Gastonia again?

That shouldn't be a problem. Have you already talked to Misha about what time we should pull onto 321? We could meet at that same gas station.