MINIs Slay the Sleeping Dragon

05/06/2026

HELLO ALL!!

Now that MOTD 2026 is in the books, plans for MTTS are well on the way, then there are some of us who are working feverishly along side Hampton Roads and Upstate MINIs on the Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Summer 2026 …. I guess it’s time I address and start working on MSSD 2026.

As many of you know, MTTS pulled a fast one on many of us who plan on their events being in the summer. One of the events, in California I believe, lands on our long standing and traditional event weekend of the first full weekend in October.

This year that is October 2-4, 2026.

Even prior to the MTTS curveball, the few of us who have planned this event out the last couple of years, in particular, had decided we were in need of a venue change. The previous hotel vendor had started pricing many out of the event and so we figured why not find somewhere new to explore.

As it is, we have a couple of people planning on attending other events in the month of October including MTTS later in the month. I have decided I can’t do anything longer than a long weekend and want to keep it regional and with in 4-ish hours of the Piedmont of NC for the location of the hotel.

I will tell you right now I do not have EXACT plans nailed down. I am feverishly working on hotel, route ideas, and collaborations with East Tennessee Miniacs and brainstorming with MINI Club of Southwest Va.

I will also tell you as soon as I have things nailed down I will have it all posted here - promise.

MSSD will look different from years past but will be just the same friendly, fun, and low key event that it has always been.

Love,
Tara

02/25/2026

Since MTTS finally announced their MULTIPLE dates today it seems our weekend coincides with the CA weekend of MTTS.

We have decided to continue with our selected weekend dates as well and will not be changing them due to MTTS to provide us with mid Atlantic option.

MSSD will occur Oct 2-4, 2026.

We are looking at a venue change however, mostly due to the ever growing expense of the usual resort where we stay.

Still mountains but think more Appalachian and not Smokey.

Still with in a 4-5 hr drive from the Piedmont area of NC.

MINI SlayED the Sleeping Dragon is evolving.

Details to come but dates are definitely set and not changing.

We hope you will join us.

10/06/2025

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club

10/06/2025

And y'all wondered if that was the craziest busiest weekend ever for The Dragon region. There it is.....straight from Deal's Gap.
Thank You All who came to MINIs Slay the Sleeping Dragon this year, we had a great safe year in spite of some of those who did not show gratitude to the region. We Came, We Saw, We Motored, We Donated to Local Causes & Blue Ridge Parkway Fund, and We All Came Home Safe!
I'm very proud to be a part of the most responsible group of car clubs out there with our Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club!
Kudos to all our fabulous Run leaders who made this weekend possible and carried it all off without a hitch!
Thank You to Everyone who came out.

Another great morning here at The Dragon! What a crazy weekend it was. In 21 years I have never seen that many cars and motorcycles on the road. 5 major events in one weekend. Well the storm has passed and the Dragon is back to its normal fall traffic flow.

Other updates: Cades Cove and the park has been fully funded by TN and NC and will remain open for the fall season despite the government shut down. We are starting to see fall colors beginning so come out and enjoy the color change. Bear hunting season has begun so watch for hunting dogs on the road. Please do NOT try to rescue the hunting dogs - they have not been abandoned and have tracking collars on. They will be found.

Hope everyone has a great Monday! 🍂

10/06/2025

A few pics from The Lost Sea Adventure Run.

10/05/2025

Here are the receipts for the donations made by the Tarheel MINI Motoring Club _ MINIs Slay the Sleeping Dragon event.

10/05/2025

Boy, oh boy, to have WiFi and reception again is amazing. lol
Hope everyone has made it home or continues to make it to their home safely in the next few days.

This was our crew for the Waterfall Run below. Good looking bunch of MINIs. As with any good run there were some, uh, modifications and change of plans along the way. But I do believe all had a good time. I know I sure did.
I also came away with a much better understanding of this particular run, which I had never led before.

Thank you to EVERYONE who came out this year. It was great to meet new faces and make new friends. We LOVED the fact that we had more people not from our club or area in attendance.
Texas for the furthest drive to attend - we salute you.
If my memory serves me correct we had Virginia, NC, SC, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Texas represented.

Upon counting money collected for the shirts and as a donation to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation we made $711 which the club will be meeting dollar for dollar for the first $500 for a a total of $1211!!!!

As for the the food pantry and community dinners in Robbinsville, NC - Grace Place, A Community Table- we raised $960 with 48 registered cars but the club will also add to and make this total $1211!!!!

$2422 of donations made to the local people of Graham County and “America’s Favorite Drive” the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.
That is AMAZING!!!!

https://brpfoundation.org -Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation information

www.fivepointcenter.org -Grace Place information

I’ll post the receipts for all to see as soon as I get the payments finalized.

Last but not least, keep an eye out for details on making your reservation for next year—hopefully, we’ll be able to negotiate some rates with Fontana.

Next years dates will be OCTOBER 2-4, 2026.

Please tag us in your posts with pictures or videos for your weekend.

10/05/2025

This is the great group I had today!
The Lost Sea Adventure!

10/02/2025

If you're going on the Atomic Devils Triangle Run, here is some history about the K-25 Center told by the people that worked there back in the day. Pretty interesting stuff if you want to check them out before you go. I don't wanna call it homework, but it might make the visit even more interesting for some!

Interviews with former K-25 workers and Wheat Community residents were conducted in 2005 through the K-25 Oral History Project, made possible by the U.S. Department of Energy. Video and audio quality varies based on recording conditions. To optimize viewing quality, it is recommended that site visit...