Driving The Dragon: Porsche GT4 RS + 318 Turns in 11 Miles | Henry Catchpole - The Driver's Seat
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Published 2023-05-24
However, away from The Tail of the Dragon, Catchpole finds that there is much, MUCH more to explore in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. In fact this might just be the greatest, most extensive collection of driving roads in the world, with incredible stretches of asphalt scattered all over this amazing, densely forested area.
Of course a great driver’s road needs a great driver’s car and they don’t get much better than the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS. With the naturally aspirated engine from the 911 GT3 mounted in the middle of the car it is an absolute joy to drive. In fact the only thing that sounds better than one of these engines revving to 9000rpm is two of them. Or three. Or four. Which is what happened when we met up with some of the cars from Smokies GT.
Everything from a 993 RS to a well used 996 GT3 to a PTS 992 GT3 was there and it was wonderful to duck and dive with the cambers, watching the wings and hearing the howls. There was even time to stop and brew coffee on the rear wing of a 997 GT3. All in the name of raising money for the battle against Cystic Fibrosis.
We hope you enjoy the episode. Let us know if there are any other places in the USA (or anywhere else on the planet) that you’d like us to visit in our continuing quest to find the greatest driving roads in the world. And if you’re in the US and you haven’t done so already, please do think about joining the Hagerty Drivers Club - not only is it great, it also helps us to keep making videos like this! bit.ly/Join-HDC-Henry
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Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
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Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review
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Revelations | Untold Stories About Automotive Legends with Jason Cammisa
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All Comments (21)
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The Hagerty videos with Henry are some of the best automotive videos out there. They are extremely well written, shot, and edited. I'm impressed!
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I saw this red Porsche GT4 RS with Florida plates in the parking lot of Walmart in my home town of Waynesville NC. Took note of a pair of eye glasses on the driver's side dash as I took pictures of the car. Thrilled to see my first GT4 RS in person. A couple of guys came back to the car and I chatted briefly with them about the Tail of The Dragon. I noted the driver spoke with an accent. Now I see this video and realize it was Henry I was talking too! I wish I had known! So enjoy your commentary and feedback in your videos! Keep up the great work guys!
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Finally a simple, yet brilliant video of the dragon and the neighboring roads. The area is beautiful and anyone who enjoys driving has to experience it. Don't forget to check out the dams nearby!
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As a NC (Charlotte) native I love to see our famous Appalachian road on Hagerty. Henry nailed it, it’s very crowded and full of police at peak times because of how big the internet has made it, but it’s hard to match that cultural feeling of automotive Mecca seeing all the different builds and people there. I try to go once or twice a year. There are better quieter roads, yes. But it’s ~The~ Dragon.
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You can really link your way all the way through the Smoky Mountains in an incredible way. In February, I took out my NC miata by myself, and drove down through Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway (469 miles), Tail of the Dragon, scraping into the mountains of Tennessee. I drove for 9 or 10 hours straight every day for 5 days, stopping only to pee off of overlooks and refill on coffee and beef jerky from my trunk. I'd find a squiggly road that off-shoot from BRP, and see where it would go. Eventually, I'd find a hotel when I couldn't drive anymore, and I'd fall out of my car buzzing. Best trip ever.
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I recently had the immense pleasure of pushing a GT4 RS flat out at Circuit of The Americas. As a former race car driver and current instructor, I drive lots of incredible cars, but the GT4 RS is on a whole different level from anything else out there right now, regardless of price. The handling and responsiveness at great speeds is mind blowing. Such an incredibly satisfying car to drive! And of course, Henry is always outstanding!
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Henry - so nice to have met you and to have had the privilege to run with you for a short while. Great having you at Smokies this year!
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“After the last car has left, the road remains.” Love that sign-off ❤
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Just drove the Dragon and all 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time this past month in our manual C6 Corvette; paired together, those roads and that car proved to be a blissful combination (especially with the targa top stowed in the hatch)! We'll treasure the memories made as we await the next opportunity for a return visit.
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Henry these endings have been quite poetic lately, you and your collaborators really know how to sell the excitement of a blast in a scenic flowing area and road - the howl of a flat-6 in this case didn't hurt either. Good work as always!
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This brought tears to my eyes. The sounds of the downshifts of that engine are blissful.
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Yes, friend. Everything you said about these roads and this region of the country is spot-on accurate. It's easier than you think to find quiet times on these roads. Just avoid weekends. And get up early.
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Love Porsche, and Love Catchpole...couldn't be a better combo.
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There are 50 roads similar to the dragon all within an hour or two drive. The funny part is they're only 40-50 miles from where I live but the switchbacks add a tremendous amount of time to any drive! Appalachia is a beautiful place to live!
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I drove the Tail last year. It was amazing. Perfect weather. Colorful trees. And I agree that the roads surrounding the Tail are amazing as well. I drove for hours and enjoyed every mile. 😁🤙
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Hats off to Hagerty for funding all of the great content on YouTube !
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Henry Catchpole strikes again!! The car(insert: ultimate dream car), the video edit, the screenplay, the narration??!! I loved it!
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I’ve been on that stretch of road several times on a motorcycle. There are hundreds of miles of great riding/driving roads in that area!
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I'm from Chattanooga, and have been to the Tail of the Dragon a few times. Hearing my city mentioned by you is something I never thought I'd hear, but I love it! This was a beautiful video, and it's inspired me to go up again real soon!
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California has a huge car "scene." The car is an accessory. The roads and people around this place represent real car "culture". It's in the blood. The touge vibe is such a perfect explanation. Before kids I went every year for my birthday... during the week. In the evenings the road and the people you meet are perfection if you are a true enthusiast.
