Some of the following info has been taken from the 8th Gen Civic forum.They are going to be at the Dragon, the weekend after us.Apparently this is a yearly event for them.So... since most of us are Dragon Virgins, I figured a little wisdom from our FWD i-Vtec friends could help us out.

Who - Nico Forum guys and guests
What - 1st Annual meet/cruise of the DragonWhere - Deals Gap/Tail of The Dragon/US-129
When - Sept 3 - 6
Why - Meet your fellow Nico RB members, check out each others cars, hangout and have fun.Plus ride the legendary TOTD.
How - Drive whatever you got. Trailer it or Drive the DD if your Nissan or Infiniti is down.

Ok, so when we get to TOTD, what are we going to do for about 4 days??Ideas anyone????
Car show - Nico Baller Award, Longest running Non-running Ride Award (probably me lolz), Farthest Travelled,Most Creative swap,
BBQ - They were talking about KOA Campground in TN, might be one closer to Robbinsville.
Photo shoot – Someone bring a wide angle lens!! Some HD video cameras
Cruise - The Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Fugitive Dam
Swap meet - Bring your extra parts & Bring your Cash!!

Accommodations

We'll be staying in Robbinsville, NC.It's the closest town.It has Gas stations, Drug Store, Grocery Store, etc..This town also has Verizon Cell Service.On the Dragon there is none.So 2 way radios or CB radios are going to be the only other way of communication.

The following are based upon group of ~40, Sept 3-6.

Fontana Villagehttp://www.fontanavillage.com/...ion/3

Qty Type of Room Price
10 Lodge Room - 2 Queen Beds $ 84.15
7 Lodge Room - 1 King Bed $ 84.15
8 Fireplace Room- $ 92.65
7 Hemlock Cabin - 3 Room $ 220.15
6 Hemlock Cabin - 2 Room $ 129.15


Caravans - Well it seems that the South Leg will be starting in South Fl (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami), Thursday night ~8 - 10pm.Then arriving in the Orlando area 3-3.5 hours later (~11 - 1am).Then making our way to the Discover Mall, to meet up with the GA people (~ 7 - 9am Friday).From there onwards to a weekend of fun (reach ~ 12 - 2pm Friday)

What to Bring? - Here is a list complied over the years from Dragon Vets on what to bring to have a enjoyable Cruise.
· FRS Radios (Family Radio Service) set to Channel 7 Subchannel 21
· CB Radio· Camera and Film· Ac/Dc power inverter
· Cash· Digital Camera & Extra memory card
· First Aid Kit· Roadside Kit: tire repairs, compressor, flares, etc.
· Tools· Duct tape· Zip-ties· Jack (not the scissor jack)
· 1or 2 Qt’s of oil· Booze (Graham County is a Dry County)
· Anti-nausea medicine for Passenger on Dragon
· Umbrella and/or Poncho· Good Attitude· Flashlight & Batteries· Folding Chair· Patience
· Detailing Supplies (you guys know who you are….not me
· Window Cleaner and Rags· Bug Spray
· Snacks and Drinks
· Batteries for: Camera, Flashlight, Etc.
· Laptop· Sunscreen
· Evenings can get a little chilly, bring something appropriate
· Wood if you want a bonfire

Nissan / Infiniti Prep Checklist
· Oil – Close to 5K mark on current Oil? Go for an early change.
· Check/Tighten your IC Piping coupler
· Zip-tie all Vacuum lines
· Under Hood Check –Look for leaks, broken/worn engine mounts, worn wires
· Gearbox Oil – If near 2 years or 50K miles - Change
· Brakes – Check Rotors for cracks (x-drilled) and Pads – Have at least 50% left
· Brake Fluid – If near 1 year or 25K miles – Change
· Coolant – If its yellow/green let it mellow, if its brown flush it down!!!
· Tires – Make sure you check your pressure!!! – check for uneven wear
· Wheels – Check Torque on lugs 83ft/lb 1st gen, 102ft/lb 2nd gen <----- Check your FSM for correct specs
· Wipers – Replace blades if older – It could be quite wet
· Lights – Check all lights to verify operation.
· Battery – good condition, make sure is securely fastened. Go to Autozone get a FREE Alternator and Battery check.
· Suspension – Check all bushings for wear, replace as needed
· Steering – Check for wear – replace anything questionable.
· P/S Fluid – Old and Nasty – throw in a cooler if you don’t have the loop.
· Exhaust – Secure with no leaks, check mounts· Heat shields – make sure you shield your BMC, wires and anything else near your manifold/downpipe/turbo etc…
· Wheel Bearings – Check for excessive play

Running The Dragon even at the posted limit taxes all the systems.
318 Turns in rapid succession will find the weaknesses if not attended to ahead of time.
Please be sure to check you braking system well.


OK its Official!!!
Yesterday I've signed the contract for the Group Rate at Fontana Village.

Everyone!!, you can now call up 1-800-849-2258 toll free - (828-498-2211) and make your reservation.
MAKE SURE YOU MENTION "NICO CLUB 2010"
You will have to leave a Credit Card for a Deposit of the 1st night.

You MUST make your reservation BEFORE August 1st!!!
After August 1st you will not be able to get the group rate, and have to pay full price.
Yes, I know this is short notice....

Fontana Village
http://www.fontanavillage.com/home

Qty Type of Room Price
7 Lodge Room - 2 Queen Beds $ 84.15
7 Lodge Room - 1 King Bed $ 84.15
8 Fireplace Room- $ 92.65
3 Cabana room - King Bed $99.00
6 Willow Cabin - 1 Room $84.15
5 Hemlock Cabin - 3 Room $ 220.15
4 Hemlock Cabin - 2 Room $ 129.15

Try to make your reservations EARLY!!!!!!


I've booked Fontana Village for 40 rooms from Sept 3rd - Friday (check-in) ---> Sept 6th - Monday (checkout).
The Reservation dates are incorrect on the sheet, they have made the corrections in their system already.

Check-in time is 4:00pm, but if your room is ready they will let you check-in early.
Check-out time is 11:00am.

To choose which room you want, go to http://www.FontanaVillage.com

FYI : This place has plenty of parking and is also friendly to lowered cars.
According to the people at Fontana Village.

Google Maps to Fontana Village:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Fon ... 12&iwloc=A

Please post up and let me know if you have already made your reservation.
Also if you are bringing friends, who will be booking their own room LMK.
I may have to add more rooms.

ATTENDING (correct it if its wrong, add in your completion date if needed)
1. Sickness14 (July - Raleigh, NC) <---------------------Reserved
2. Coolwhip ( - Orlando, FL)
3. Cjmartz2k ( - Kernersville, NC)
4. S14-NEO ( - Vero Beach, FL)
5. TECHLINE08 ( - Raleigh, NC)
6. LargeKid ( - Indianapolis, IN)
7. Gawdzilla ( - )
8. Robbie2883 ( - Niceville, FL)
9. Boosted98gst ( - Marrysville, OH)
10. Kevwa ( - Manlius, NY)
11. RustspecS13 ( - Columbus, OH)
12. HVP014 ( - Wilmington, NC)
13. DFTsilvia ( - Buffalo, NY)
14. Darius ( - Iowa)
15. Sil240 ( - LI, NY)
16. Synergy
17. Jrock7885
18. Rbosacco
19. Koolkillerlook
20. Built2slide
21. Mott6904
22. EvilS14 <------------------------------Reserved
23. L0nestar
24. Meet07
25. StricNyne
26. Tmjhillz
27. TwoJayZee240
28. 240sxCoupeRB25
29. 240AceX
30. Mistaken
31. Neejay (Stockbridge, GA)
32. Lazyboi444 (Alpharetta, GA)
33. Nissanlover23 (Fayetteville, NC)
34. Cameron (Buford, GA)
35. Wanganwarrior (Mike - Birmingham, AL)
36. Thatbumguy (Thomas - Birmingham, AL)
37. Cidate
38. bRadical (Charlotte, NC) <------------------------------------Reserved
39. RalphsDiorama (boulder, CO)
40.D356bud <------------------------------------Reserved
41.toadx8u <------------------------------------Reserved

A nice set of........ twistes :-)

Awesome background

About 40 cars, but... we can beat that!!!

The Dam

Cool view

Fun!!!!!

Wet curves

Turn in, brake, yank the E, counter and power on!

WOW!!!

When's the last time you drove under a waterfall?????

Gravel for you rally fans


Fontana Village


The infamous Dragon

Cherohala Skyway

More cool scenery