We are hosting an exciting 200-mile* drive to the Back of the Dragon in Tazewell, with a detour to Burkes Garden and an opportunity to drive through the Hayter’s Gap and The Channels Natural Area Preserve. This event is an excellent opportunity for Porsche owners to showcase the capabilities of their vehicles and connect with other enthusiasts who share their passion for sports cars. So, join us for an unforgettable adventure that will test your driving skills, provide you with a breathtaking view of the Appalachians, and let you experience the thrill of driving like never before! Those coming on Friday evening to Bristol area, we may do a small gathering and have some drinks - stay tuned, we will inform via email.

*120-mile of PCA sponsored drive / 80 mile of suggested roads to return home on your own.

We will have two meeting locations and time to this event:

Option 1: 8:45 a.m. in Bristol, Virginia - Welcome Center - 66 Island Rd, Bristol, VA (I-81 North - Mile 1)
Option 2: 10:15 a.m. in Marion, Virginia - CITGO, 1121 N Main St, Marion, VA

AGENDA

BRISTOL TO MARION – 49 miles

8:45 – Meet in Bristol

9:10 – Groups 1 to 5 rolling with 2 min interval

10:00 – Groups 1 to 5 arrive in Marion Citgo/Ingles – Restroom located at Ingles and Walmart

MARION PARKING CHART

MARION TO TAZEWELL – 32 miles

10:30 – GROUP 1 to 5 leaving Marion toward BOTD with 3 min interval.

11:45 – All groups arrive at Back of the Dragon Welcome Center (drivers can go straight to their restaurants of choice – see below)

LUNCH

11:45-1:30 – All groups will have 1:45h to eat in one of the restaurants below and come back to meet at BOTD. Click on the hyperlinks below to see their menu:

TAZEWELL DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS

1:30 – All groups meet back at Back of the Dragon Welcome Center

TAZEWELL TO BURKES GARDEN – 23 miles

1:35 – GROUP 1 to 5 leaves toward Burkes Garden with 3 min interval

2:15-2:25 – All groups arrive at the General Store (park on shoulder near the fence) – The General Store is CASH ONLY

BURKES GARDEN TO TAZEWELL – 13 miles

2:45 – 3:15 – All groups meeting back at Back of the Dragon Welcome Center / Restroom stop

3:30 – PCA Event is over*, drivers can go back home on their own, with their lead cars or form smaller groups. If you live around Bristol or are staying in town overnight, we will meet at the Michael Waltrip Brewing for a toast.

*For insurance purposes, the Wilderness Trail Region PCA event ends here, at the welcome center after we return from Burkes Garden. Anything drive from this point and beyond is no longer part of the PCA event and PCA insurance is not applicable.

TAZEWELL TO BRISTOL – 73 to 78 miles

Two suggestions to return to I-81 / Bristol:

Via Back of the Dragon (VA-16) to experience doing BOTD the opposite way you did in the morning
Via The Hayter’s Gap* (VA-80) to experience something new and exhilarating

5:00 – Cars should be arriving in Bristol, VA area. Those staying around or interested, we will meet at the Michael Waltrip Brewery for a toast.

Disclaimer: This itinerary, agenda, and routes are subject to slight changes.

THE ROADS

BACK OF THE DRAGON

This premier riding road is perfect for Porsche drivers and enthusiasts, as it offers thirty-two miles of driving excitement, with 438 curves that will challenge drivers' skills. The Back of the Dragon is the ultimate road driving experience, crossing three mountains from Marion to Tazewell, VA, and featuring dragging curves, switchbacks, limited access, and elevation changes that no other route can offer. The Back of the Dragon (VA-16) is a 32-mile stretch of road that runs through the Appalachian Mountains in Southwest Virginia. It is known for its scenic beauty, tight curves, and challenging switchbacks, making it a popular destination for motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts. Back of the Dragon was designated a Virginia Scenic Byway in 2015, which recognizes its unique scenic, historic, cultural, and recreational resources.

Back of the Dragon on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0GZ-pwMIDM

- Source: Internet image / not from PCA or captured during a PCA event

BURKES GARDEN

Residing at 3,000 feet, a world of lush green hills, mountainous overlooks and secret forests await you in Virginia’s very own Narnia. A picturesque valley framed by nature's majesty that has been dubbed "Vanderbilt's First Choice" and "God's Thumbprint." The route there was as interesting as the destination itself, with twisted roads that every driver dreams about. While there, we will make a visit to Burke's Garden General Store, which will make you feel like going back in time. The store, run by the Amish community, offered a variety of local items (CASH ONLY), and radiates a relaxing, community vibe. The front porch provides an ideal vantage point from which to take in the valley's views. Burkes Garden viewed from the sky looks like a valley on top of a mountain or an old volcano, but in truth it was an ancient seabed, limestone caverns underneath it collapsed making the bowl like structure. It has two roads in and out, an entire self-contained community.

Burkes Garden on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k07UpOLjyDc

HAYTER’S GAP & THE CHANNELS

The journey via Hayter's Gap is an exciting adventure, with numerous hard twists that make the Tail of the Dragon look like a wimp path. This road is a never-ending sequence of twists and turns, alternating with rolling hills, with occasional patches of flat and straight road. The road surface is perfect, and traffic is light, but it's worth mentioning that in some areas, the road narrows without the safety of guardrails, making it inappropriate for inexperienced drivers. This journey takes you through the lovely scenery of The Channels Natural Area Preserve, a huge 721-acre sanctuary tucked between Washington and Russell counties in Virginia. This untouched region is located on Clinch Mountain's southern slopes and is home to the breathtaking geological wonder known as the Great Channels of Virginia. This unique phenomenon is made up of sandstone outcroppings that have been molded by natural forces over 400 million years, resulting in deep fissures or "channels" hidden among massive boulders. These canals provide breathtaking vistas and serve as a stunning backdrop for this beautiful drive.

Hayter’s Gap on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wGy5D6BUi5o?si=E8wjqEdnoIO8sDIg

CLUB MERCHANDISE

We are a small non-profit organization, we welcome guests, PCA members or not, every Porsche driver is welcome in our events. Consider buying one of our merchandise items using the link below:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dfa0287c-e086-4bef-87eb-fe90c39056ab

We have T-shirts, key chains, Yeti and even an exclusive 11x17 event poster (shown below)! Pay with Credit Card, Google Pay, Apple Pay or ACH Debit.

Ps.: Feel free to change the suggested amount in the field “Support the 100% free platform we use!” during the check-out. This extra amount does not go to our club, but the payment platform.

DEADLINE TO ORDER THIS POSTER: APRIL 30th.

Our events are RAIN OR SHINE! Click HERE to read all the details of this event!

RSVP LIST (May not be 100% updated):

Driver	Passenger	PCA Region	Meeting At	Vehicle
Brian Swope	Laura Swop	War Bonnet	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S Yellow
Cedric Wiggins		First Settlers	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2005 Porsche 997s Black Convertible
Chris Clear		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2015 Porsche Turbo S Miami Blue
Chris Shaw		Peachstate	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2013 Porsche 911 991.1 Carrera 2
Christopher Klanica		Musik Stadt	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2017 Porsche 911 C4S
CoreyPScott		First Settlers	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2015 Porsche 911 Turbo
Daniel Wells	TBD	Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2017 Porsche 911 C4S
Daniel Wilcox	Elaine Wilcox	Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2012 Porsche 991 C2S Dark Blue Cabriolet
Dave Sample	Beth	Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2007 Porsche 911 S Cab Midnight Blue
David Kelly		Hurricane	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2021 Porsche 911 Carrera Black
Doug Rich		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2015 Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet Silver
Eddie Hidalgo		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2013 Porsche 981 Boxster S White
Frank Sauk		Hurricane	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2022 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 Shark Blue
George Watson	Liz	Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S Gentian Blue
Gordon Guo		Carolinas	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2014 Porsche Cayman S Brown
Houston Haynes	TBD	Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2012 Porsche Cayman Aqua Blue
James Beavan III		Chesapeake	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2013 Porsche Boxster S Guards Red
James Pierce		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	Porsche 911 992 GT3
Jason Bullis	Jase Bullis	Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	Porsche GT4 Silver
Jason Gill		Not a PCA Member	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2018 Porsche 911 GT3 991.2 Guards Red
Jeffrey McKee		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2021 Porsche 911S Cabriolet Carmine Red
Jeremy Stanley	Karla	Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2019 Porsche 911 Carrera T Racing Yellow or 2014 Porsche Cayman Metallic Mahogany
Jermaine Harris		Potomac	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2006 Porsche 911 C2S Silver
Joe Lundberg		Not a PCA Member	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2019 Porsche 911 GT3RS Atomic Lime
Jon Clark		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	1971 Porsche 914 Orange Crush
Keith Gunther	Kristy Gunther	Hurricane	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2009 Porsche Cayman Black
Keith Sluss	Tina	Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2006 Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet Speed Yellow
Kevin nguyen	Ben tran	Not a PCA Member	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Kevin Woodley	TBD	Palmetto	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2014 Porsche 911 GT3 Silver
Kimberly Browder		Appalachian	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Ruby Star Neo
Leo Nascimento		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Miami Blue
Lewis Carroll		Carolinas	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2016 Porsche Cayman GTS Guards Red or 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo Volcano Gray
Lia Ayoob		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2007 Porsche 911 Cabriolet
Lisa Knust		First Settlers	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2012 Porsche Cayman Basalt Black Metallic
Mark Flores	Seth Flores	Not a PCA Member	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	1975 Porsche 914/4 1.8
Mitchell Wastak	Brittany Wastak	Not a PCA Member	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2018 Porsche Cayman Black
Patrick "Shawn" Faherty	Patrick "Colin" Faherty	Shenandoah	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2014 Porsche 981 Cayman White
Richard Lutz		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	1999 Porsche 911 996 Ocean Blue Metallic
Roopchan Ramdon		First Settlers	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2013 Porsche 911 C2 Gray
Ryan Elswick		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2023 Porsche GT4RS Ruby Star (PTS)
T. J. Gottwalt	Margie Gottwalt	Carolinas	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Tammy Baergen		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2018 Porsche Panamera 4S Sport Turismo
Tim Moyer	Tina McMillan	Carolinas	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2022 Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 Aventurine Green Metallic
Todd Palmer	Melissa Palmer	Hurricane	Marion, VA - 10:15 a.m.	2023 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0
Todd Shapiro		Carolinas	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2002 Porsche 911 C4S Silver
Tom Raymond		Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	2021 Porsche 911 C2S Cabriolet
Tony Previtera	Lora Previtera	Wilderness Trail	Bristol, VA - 8:45 a.m.	Porsche Cayman S

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