Early registration for Manx Around The Mountain (MATM) is now open. Active Manx Club members can register through an online option and pay via PayPal or credit card, or by a paper registration form that can be downloaded from the Manx Club website. Either option is available at: http://www.manxclub.com/MATM2018.htm
Please note that early registration closes on July 7, 2018. Registration after July 7th will be by walk-up at the event at a higher registration rate. Don’t wait. Added bonus to registering early: if you register within the first week (June 1 - midnight June 7) you will be entered into a drawing for a 2018 NORRA Team BNR (Bad News Racing) t-shirt! These shirts are extremely difficult to obtain and are limited in production. Additionally, every person who registers during the early registration period will be entered into a drawing for a handheld UHF/VHF radio donated by our club sponsor, Rugged Radios.
Reminder: Special room rate and availability at our host hotel will expire on July 18, 2018. Host hotel – Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center (70 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751 Phone: 866-926-0201 for reservation/info http://www.maggievalleyhotel.com) This hotel is our basecamp for the event. All runs start from here. We have a block of rooms reserved (at $89/night + tax) under the name “Dune Buggy” for Aug 8-11, 2018 - checkout on Aug 12th. The rooms are blocked until July 18, 2018. Included in the room rate is a continental breakfast. They offer a breakfast buffet on Sat & Sun for $6/person. If there is enough interest they will offer this during our stay during the week. I’ll check back with attendees just before the event.
One night deposit is required when you register. Cancellation policy: 3 days/72 hours in advance you can cancel. They will hold/charge a $10 processing fee to cancel. You will get the remainder of your deposit back (minus $10).
Planned Activities:
As a primary driving event, there are three planned runs for MATM. Runs will be conducted on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Attendees should plan to bring snacks, water, and extra gas (if you have limited range in your buggy) on each of the planned runs. On the runs you will experience elevation changes from approximately 2800 feet (at the host hotel) to 6600 feet at the highest point (Clingmans Dome).
Starting on Wednesday night (Aug 8 ), we will hold a mixer and registration at the Tiki Bar located on the backside of the host hotel (Maggie Valley Inn). We are encouraging the attendees to come dressed based on a fun hillbilly/moonshiner theme.
At the conclusion of the MATM, on Saturday evening (Aug 11), we will hold a gathering where the Manx Club’s second and final Membership Appreciation Raffle prize will be selected. Additionally, awards will be presented based on surprise categories. The MATM will not conducted a traditional Show-n-shine activity.
Description of the planned runs:
Run 1: Tail of The Dragon (TOTD). A destination for car and motorcycle clubs, the TOTD offers a challenging road course consisting of 318 curves in an 11 mile stretch. Our circular route will take us through NC and TN, including many scenic stops. One of these stops is at Clingmans Dome (the highest point in TN and the 3rd highest mountain east of the Mississippi). This course will cover approximately 200 miles. http://www.tailofthedragon.com
Run 2: The Rattler. Another curvy and challenging road course with over 234 twists and turns along the way. The group will continue from Hot Springs over the mountains, off-road, via dirt forest roads. The “off-road” course will take hours to complete so bring snacks, water, and gas if you think you’ll need it. The dirt roads are passable (but bumpy in places) by normal/passenger cars. For those that prefer to stay on pavement you have the option of backtracking The Rattler from Hot Springs or making a circular path through Asheville and back to Maggie Valley. Both alternate (paved) return routes are unguided. Plan to be gone all day. The planned course (paved and unpaved) is approximately 120 miles. http://www.209therattler.com
Run 3: Travel part of the Blue Ridge Parkway and park roads south through the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests with stops at scenic overlooks, waterfalls (Looking Glass Falls), and swimming holes (Skinny Dip Falls and Sliding Rock). Bring or wear a bathing suit if you want to take a dip. The park tour is approximately 120 miles.