I'll admit that I came down hot into Deal's Gap one time on Saturday. I wasn't too sure of the general protocol - but I didn't go through the area hot again.

I think a driver's meeting is important - we all need to be on the same page with respects to Fontana, Deal's Gap, and general conduct on the Dragon. Maybe make it something where to get your meal ticket for Sat night, you have to attend the driver's meeting? Kind of like how when doing DE events with NASA you have to attend the driver's meeting after every session to receive your download card so you can drive during the next session.

 

Perhaps a "first timers" driver's meeting.

<<---- Was sleeping during the driver's meeting. Didn't get to the Dragon until noon-ish.

 

Well, I missed the drivers meeting. Mostly because my son forgot his glasses and I had to go back to the room, plus I was forgoing the "monster roll" through the Dragon. As a matter of fact, with the "long" tour of the falls, I never got on the Dragon!!!!!!!!!!! Just a few runs on Thursday - that was it.

But the part I found most rewarding was on Friday. Now I know some of you are going to debate this idea, but what was most rewarding was handing my keys to WSB and riding shotgun with him from Santeetlah through Deals Gap back to Fontana. I know I am not the fastest driver and I do drive within my limits, but I quite frankly learned a great deal on that short fast drive.

So here is my idea - by all means have the short sign-off for the participants, but have a "class" for the newbies and those that want to learn more about handling their car in "Dragon" country. An experienced Dragon Slayer working with a half dozen Dragon wannabies would provide an opportunity to not only emphasize the safety factor, but also train-up responsible drivers. Just my two cents, and WSB . Thanks for hanging with a one-eyed fat man Friday afternoon. That was nice!

 

<----- will donate time to teach newbies how to safely navigate the dragon.

 

Good ideas, again. The real issue becomes time...and organization. We would need to identify new Dragon slayers and honestly, those who don't want to participate can't be forced into it...the Dragon afterall, is a public road.

Just as I think it's wrong to force everyone to attend a Driver's Meeting. I like the idea of folks getting their dinner pass, or whatever...but I don't want to force anyone to do something just because _I_ think it's important.

In the end, the Driver's Meeting is really there to remind folks to drive responsibly. Don't cross the double yellow...don't push the limits of YOUR driving skill and remember that at any given time, folks are watching you and YOU represent our Honda S2000 Community.

 

I'd gladly spend a few hours with Dragon n00bs on Thursday or Friday... things to watch out for, areas NOT to speed (gravel lot, overlook, the gap, etc), etc.

My concern there is that the people who would want to do something like that probably aren't the same people who are drawing the ire of other users of the road.

 

If I was in Raul's position I would keep the driver's meeting simply as a CYA procedure. Also in that morning slot it helps get everyone there for the rollout on time. I missed the meeting (not a first-timer) but having set my alarm to allow for it got me there in time for the rollout, even though we were a little late.

 

Maybe just hyping up the morning meeting by the veterans would help encourage the newbies to attend?

 

The people who need the meeting the most are the most likely to avoid it. that's the issue.

 

Bingo. The Saturday meeting is preaching to the choir.