Rumors about Police at the Gap

Swingdancr · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:57 pm

Quote:

Posted by a State Trooper:

"Hey, just to give you a heads up for next season----we have a new captain in the knoxville district which covers blount county------ he has already told us that we will put a stop to the "race track driving" up on the dragon

this year------so far what they have said is that the speed limit is 30mph and "ANYONE" caught going 50mph and up will be charged with reckless driving and will be jailed and their bike/car will be impounded--- --I am telling you this because i am trying to put the word out to everyone i know----or to people who know people that go up there-----I don't want to have to take people to jail for this---however I have bills to pay and I kind of like having a job---so never the less I have to do what i am told to do-----so the way i see it is that if killboy.com knows and you know and dealsgap.com knows and whoever else can find out can pass this along---it will benefit everybody--- -----feel free to copy and past this and let everyone know-------if you get caught up there it is only your fault because i am trying to pass the word along for everybody's sake-----we are not just going to come up from the bottom like in years past---they are gonna have us go through cherohala skwy in north carolina and come from the top down to the bottom----so no more free rides on your way back to the state line----they are gonna bring unmarked cars with radio's and have unmarked bikes up there----this will be a joint effort with blount county and the THP-----The entire THP motor unit will be brought in 2 people at a time(for a week long assignment) to be paired up with the local car----they plan on busting tail at least 3-4 times right off the bat---then they will sit back and see what takes place-----these orders came from Nashville Headquarters- --we have a complete brand new higher ranking structure from the very tip top spot down----they have said we will work until the problem is solved----just wanted to give you and your friends a heads up.......... SIGNED... ........Trp Cagle with THP assigned to Blount County Division---- (don't come crying to me if you get busted----cause I'm telling you now)"

Well, according to Tail of the Dragon, it is just a rumor and not true.

Tailofthedragon.com wrote:

We have received numerous emails concerning the recent posting on the Internet by a supposed Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper warning of dire consequences on the Dragon this coming year for speeders. We do not post rumors on this site so we contacted Captain Ray Fletcher of the Knoxville Division Tennessee Highway Patrol. He confirmed as we had believed that some of the details in the post are completely false, such as the immediate arrest and impoundment of vehicles for speeding over 50 mph on the Dragon.

Captain Fletcher was not able to comment on whether or not the post was made by a Trooper, but some of the language, unusual statements and obvious errors as stated above make us believe the post was by someone other than who supposedly signed their name and position to it. Obviously a real Trooper would not jeopardize his job by signing such a post.

Captain Fletcher stated that the laws will be enforced on the Dragon as they are on all Tennessee roadways. Tail of the Dragon advises riders to obey the laws and they will have no trouble with the Tennessee Highway Patrol or Blount County Sheriff Deputies.

Please feel free to ask any questions you might have and we will try to do our best to get you the answers.

Crashton · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2007 1:24 pm

I read the same thing over on Roadster Chat too. As far as I'm concerned if you drive like an idiot on public roads you may very well get what's coming to you. Hoax or not, public road, not public race track. Have fun, but don't endanger others.

hellion240sx · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:47 pm

what is the speed limit while riding the gap?

Swingdancr · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:22 pm

The Tennessee side coming from 411 south is 50 until you get to Tallassee, 40 until you get to Tabcat Bridge and 30 all the way to the state line. The NC side is 55 statewide and then marked down to 40.

topdnfun · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2009 7:53 am

As Josh said, speed limit on the gap is 30 mph. If you would like an interesting challenge try running the gap with your cruise control set for 30 mph. Not as easy as you might think.

erleclaire · **Posted:** Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:18 am

Estelle here!

I was down the Gap this last week end (Jul 10th) and the motorcycle crowd was generally approaching dangerous. There was a cruiser about halfway down marking those speeding and another at the bottom writing tickets, etc. Even though I was pushing the turns hard and enjoying the drive there were several bikers who passed me at insane speeds. Frankly, in a stock Miata the turns are approaching dangerous at the speed limits if you consider vision, weather, and head on traffic. Two close calls, a big pickup came into my lane as he could not hold the turn, a narrow miss putting my tires on the edge. And a crotch rocket with head leaning over the line, his red helmet passing by my drivers mirror in only inches. I cannot imaging how awful that could have been. I think the dumbest of all are the bikers that pass you at high speed. One cut out into head-on traffic and then back in front of me at about 60mph just before a turn. All I could think of was being unable to control the Miata with a 400 pound motorcycle stuffed into my steering gear.

Likely I will be at meet XIII during the upcoming weekend too. Although my Miata is more worse for wear. A 91 that has been everywhere, smashed into cactuses, fences, dumpsters, back side of Rob's tavern, over the ditch behind Bobbie Joe's Irish Pub, and flipped up in the air landing backwards on I 10 facing two semi's head on, been smashed into by others, and taken into places that only the border patrol could understand. Nearly 200k traveling coast to coast and despite my abuse it is still going. So look for the battle damaged little white and silver mutt. (Rebuild in the next year I think)

Ragtop Girl · **Posted:** Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:28 am

I plan on making ONE run on the Dragon, early in the day, just so Curious can earn her Dragon sticker but that's about it for me on US 129. I've heard it's gotten REALLY bad with several fatallities already in 2009.

Be very, very careful out there! :shock:

Swingdancr · **Posted:** Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:31 am

There have been 2 fatalities this year so far. They were both riding full sized cruisers.

My best advice: Keep it on your side of the yellow at ALL times and keep it under control. It isn't a race track and there isn't any run-off room, so don't drive it to the limits of your or your car's potential.

Go out, have fun and push it a bit if you want. Just remember, there are law enforcement officers present and you will get a ticket for speeding, crossing the yellow, squealing your tires and many other things, but they won't bother you if you keep it reasonable.

erleclaire · **Posted:** Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:23 am

Estelle again,

The "Tail of the Dragon" is something that perhaps, back when it first opened and the speed limits was 55 it had developed a reutation as the mother of all rides. Like most of the other roads in the area, it is not about speed, rather the joy of banked curves and using the transmission instead of brakes as is common in town. However, I caution everyone that it is not so much one's driving a Miata and having fun, but the behavior of those who think it a racing course. Last weekend was I think dangerous and what makes it dangerous for everyone.

wndblwn · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:43 pm

Thanks for the advice. As a first timer I definitly do not plan on pushing it.

manymotors · **Posted:** Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:02 am

There are other, less travelled and less patrolled roads in the area on which to drive sportingly but common sense should prevail. You can still have a lot of fun and enjoy some challenging driving and still do the speed limit. I live in the area, have attended a number of driving schools and track sessions and it is very easy to get into trouble if inexperienced on these roads....unexpected wet corners from springs running onto the edge of the road, cars (usually SUV's) coming the other way on your side of the centerline on a very narrow road with nowhere to go (a real common issue), crazy sportbike riders, etc. So have fun but be careful! See you out there.

erleclaire · **Posted:** Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:31 am

Estelle one more time,

I currently live live in S.E. Tn and like most of the area there are some really wonderful and scenic places to drive and see. Some are spectacular and due to the very sudden weather changes can be a challenge to simply get the key in the door lock, let alone drive somewhere other than off the edge of a ridge into the silent air. (Lasting only a short time before the big noise and ouch!) There are old mining roads, abandoneed rails, single lanes (that means only room for one set of axles), and roads that are really nothing but trails left over from the days of horse and buggy. Some are so tight that even a Miata cannot make the turn without a little shuffling. So, the advice as you have heard above is be always alert, and expect something at every turn, and something to come at you unexpectedly from the next lane, from behind, or even from the cliffs above, i.e. it is impossible to drive over a pile of bowling balls and/or larger size rocks and not have it ruin your day. I enjoy the simple pleasure of navigating smoothly, shiftng cleanly and smart, and gearing to meet the road in the best possible way. I just love to do those rolling and banked curves, and do them relaxed and enjoyably. So in most cases the speeds posted are plenty fast and some time in excess of what I think in enjoyable. If one wants to go all out for high blood pressure and speed, stop and go driving, and a life of danger, well you can get that almost anywhere any day - Just drive the I 405 in LA to the airport..............

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