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Each month, Panorama magazine brings you the best from the world
of Porsche. Races, vintage car shows, technical articles, we cover
it all!
At Panorama, we never have room for all the pictures we'd like
to
share with our readers. Here are some photos that just wouldn't
fit
into the magazine this month.
Featured in the October issue are Bill Warner's story and photos
from the 2007 Boxster introduction on North Carolina's legendary
"Tail of the Dragon." Here we present some additional
photos from that shoot and a sidebar from Bill on the road itself.
We refer you to the magazine for even more articles. How do you
get your copy? Join PCA, Porsche Panorama
is a prime benefit of membership!
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| White-faced dials mark the Boxster S. Sport Chrono
option further increases the performance package.
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| With 318 turns in 11 miles, the Tail
of the Dragon provides a challenge for car and driver.
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| With few exceptions,
every state has a great “driver’s road,”
a road where one can push the limits of the car
and one's own driving talents. Route 29 from near
Maryville, Tennessee, to Robbinsville, North Carolina,
is just such a road. Over 318 turns in just 11 miles
ensures an afternoon of fun behind the wheel.
It was on the Tail of the Dragon that
Porsche Cars North America chose to showcase the
new Boxster and Boxster S. Actually the road is
more favorable to riding a motorcycle than driving
a car with slow corners and dramatic camber changes.
Motorhomes and trucks were non-existent but bikers
(and in some cases pieces of bikes and bikers) were
plentiful. |
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| Even in the Boxster, one hardly
gets into fourth gear before it is time to down
shift for the next turn along the route. A connecting
route known as the Cherohala Skyway (State Route
143 from Robbinsville to Tellico Plains, Tennessee)
is more suitable for experiencing the features of
any Porsche than is the Tail of the Dragon, but
fortunately one can experience both routes in the
same day.
An evening or two in the Snowbird Mountain Lodge
in Robbinsville would be icing on the cake. The
rooms have terrific views of the Great Smoky Mountains
which you can experience from your own personal
hot tub. |
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| Boxster and Boxster S offer additional
power in 2007.
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| Decision at the crossroads:
back to the Lodge or drive on? |
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| If time permits, a drive to nearby
Highlands and Cashiers (pronounced Cash’ ers)
then north on 107 to Sylva and west to Bryson City
(where the train wreck from The Fugitive was filmed)
is worth the time. From there, it is a short ride
back to Robbinsville.
So if one day you have a hankering to get away
and have a day of hammering along a road with beautiful
views and no billboards, take a ride on the Tail
of the Dragon, but be sure you are driving a Porsche
when you do. |
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| There's ample space
for weekend luggage in the front compartment. |
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| Top down, warm day,
challenging road--perfect! |
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| Boxsters stand ready at the Snowbird
Mountain Lodge.
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| And if additional stowage space
is needed, there's plenty more in the rear. |
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| A pause to take in the view. |
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| Check out the expanded October issue for
the full story on the new Boxsters, in-depth coverage of
the 51st Porsche Parade at Portland, Oregon, and a Panorama
Profile on driving great George Follmer, who brought Porsche
its first Can-Am title. Also included is the announcement
of candidates for national officers for 2007-2008, and plenty
of technical questions and answers from PCA's team of experts.
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