Deals Gap 2000

...a review for the BMC newsletter...

Four members of the BMC made a daring return to the famous "Dragon", a.k.a Deals Gap, located in the Smokey Mtns. along Hwy 129 near the Tennessee/North Carolina border for the forth annual "non-event" known as "Miatas at the Gap". John Freas, Lisa Eubank, Nigel Soult and Lee Bohon joined a group of over 150 miatas for this non-official event to experience one of the nation’s windiest roads. For an eleven mile portion of Hwy 129, 318 nicely banked curves are strategically put together setting the stage for some spirited miata driving. Just driving through the Gap once is enough to be a little fatiguing.

The gathering is considered unofficial since it is not sponsored by any club or organization. The word just gets around on the internet about a bunch of miatas showing up on the last weekend of July and PRESTO!… an unofficial gathering!

Last year, a larger group made the trek from the BMC to join a huge gathering of nearly 300 miatas. The heat of 1999 made the trip, well… interesting. The gathering in 2000 was much more tolerable in the heat department. Rain threats were more of a concern than high temps. Fortunately, the rain was not a problem for the bulk of the time although the onset of a brief shower made for an interesting scurry of miata owners as they quickly put their tops up.

Perhaps the best part of the gathering at Deals Gap is the experience of meeting lots of other miata owners that share similar interests. This year, enthusiasts from all over (such as Keith Tanner of Canada) made the trip all the way down to be part of a great social gathering. People come together to this point to have a good time… and that’s just what they did. All kinds of people, all kinds of miatas and a great time in the scenic Smokey Mountains.

More than likely, there will be a fifth annual "Miatas at the Gap" meet late July / early August of 2001 so keep your eyes open for information of the next gathering. It’s worth the trip!