All the more reason to learn how to do it in 3rd gear, no brakes. Teaches you to be smooth, judge your entry speed, and throttle out.

Hell, I've been running Deal's Gap since before this kid was born

 

I think everything has been said that needs to be. I still get nervous out there and am one of the slower people.

 

All one needs to do is look at these.

Classic reasons for extreme caution.


https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=442605

 

Hell, I don't even own a S2K, and I spun out on the Dragon. Everyone here is correct. Lift throttle oversteer will bite you...even with a FWD car. I was fortunate enough to be on the Dragon with little traffic, and a GREAT group of S2K owners that made sure I was ok. The group I was running with was experienced and I was fortunate to be part of that. In addition, had I not arrived on a Thursday to run the Dragon at my own pace, there is no way I would've been comfortable to run with them.

My first run at the Dragon was a learning experience to say the least.

Things I've learned:

Need more cowbell...I mean brakes
Need more tire
Need to soften up the rear sway bar
Need bigger radiator



Hope to see you all at WTD 2007

 

The first time I ran the Dragon was as new owner. My wife was my +1, and I did not know the car at all. I was very very slow. I enjoyed the scenery and learned the car, and fell far behind the faster cars. I knew that my skill level wasn't very high at all so I was cool with it and just let it go.

When I got home I began to study up on how to drive properly. I drove with some of the best drivers I could find and followed them, emulating thier brake patterns (or lack thereof) and went to the dragon with them the next year and followed them. They would run without using thier brakes to keep it interesting, and I learned to master that skill after a few runs. It made my driving so much smoother.

Now when i go to the Dragon, not only do I know the road, but I know the car and our limits. I am fairly quick, not the fastest, but quick, and I enjoy the road at a fun pace.

All newbies must enter as newbies and understand that this road is deadly challenging and that they should stay behind. If you take the time to learn your limits and the limits of the car in a safe place like an Auto-X, then you can challenge the dragon. Until then, drive within your bounds and realize that one minor screw up can cause major problems. Not everyone is lucky enough to spin and stay on the road.

 

 

I agree with everything that was said above. I voted "No" primarily because the question asked if it was safe for a NEW S2K driver. Personally, I think it takes a good 6-12 months of driving this incredible machine we have in "normal" (read: street) conditions in all kinds of weather, and a few stints on a track or autoX before you have any idea what it will do and how to respond. To figure this out on the Dragon during a major event (with 100+ other S2Ks) is not a good decision.

With that said, it would be an excellent opportunity to meet some of the best people/drivers you will ever encounter.

Come to WTD, hang out, drive some of the other roads in the area first (LOTS of choices) and take your first couple of runs through the Dragon as a passenger. (Lots of people would be happy to offer; including me!)

I think you will leave the event with a lot of new friends, some good experience, and a LONG list of expensive mods you now want to make.

 

We don't want you to end up like these two 16 year old kids...who died in the town just north of the Dragon the week before Christmas:

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll.../NEWS/612190337

 

I agree with Sheila 100%.

 

^The Panda has spoken.