16th Annual British V8 Fall Gathering September 30 - October 3, 2026 Hotel

[v8mgb]

The 2026 British V8 fall gathering will be, arrivals Wednesday September 30 and departures Saturday October 3rd.  We moved things up a day earlier to avoid the crowds and get a better room rate.

Mike Moor worked with the Talley Ho Inn to get a special rate.  Mike also had the house reserved but the Talley Ho Inn has the upstairs blocked off. 

Use this link to reserve your room or let Mike know you plan on staying in the house.

https://resnexus.com/resnexus/reservations/group/D362DC13-BAC5-4BF3-A8C0-D9D17546162C?GID=ccf393b7-3c33-4cc5-ae86-311f6864611d

[johnsfolly]

Has there been any sort of schedule sent out?
Got my reservation at the Parkman and looking forward to the Smokies-- although it will still be summer down there!
John Deikis

[v8mgb]

Its fairly loose.  About the only planned activity is the drive on Thursday.  We will leave the hotel at about 10am.  drive the foothills parkway, stop for a group picture at the boat launch, stop at deals gap and then the Tapoco lodge for lunch.  From there we head over to the Cherohala skyway to Tellico Planes and back to the hotel thriugh Ballplay TN, 72, 129 and the Foothills parkway. 

There are some scenic overlooks and waterfalls along the way that some may split off onto.

For dinner we have has a simple hotdog picnic and campfire at the hotel all depending on weather.

Slideshow from 2025 https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11p6AZke06uQy2Wl-BSdQbrz-VB_vuBA4ehROYy4NkIw/edit?usp=sharing

From the Parknam / Tally Ho Inn

Left onto 321, drive 8 miles

Left onto Foothills parkway, drive 16.8 miles

Left onto US-129 (the dragon) 15 miles

Stop at the picnic area on the right to regroup
Drive the Dragon 318 turns, 13 miles
Stop at Tail of the Dragon Store, right side of the road
Leaving Tail of the Dragon Store

Right / South onto US-129, drive 2.7 miles, Tapoco Tavern

Leaving Tapoco Tavern - Headed to Cherohala Skyway

Right onto US-129, Drive 7 miles

Right onto Joyce Kilmer Rd, drive 0.5 miles

Right onto Joyce Kilmer Rd, drive 5.4 miles

Left onto Santeetlah Rd, drive 2.3 miles

Right onto TN-165 W/Cherohala Skyway, drive 41 miles

Stop at Exxon Gas Station (end of Cherohala Skyway)


Return Trip Options
Non scenic way through Maryville, 1H 17M
68 - 411 - 321

Scenic way via Foothills Parkway,  1H 27M
68 - 411 - 72 - 129 - Foothills Pkwy - 321

Scenic way back to Townsend via
460, 411, 72, 129, Foothills Parkway
Leaving Exon station take a right
Left onto 360 towards Ballplay
Continue on 360 to Toqua
Continue on 360 to 411
Right on 411
Right on 72
Right onto 129 (drive past Dragon City)
Left onto Foothills Parkway



Addresses / Driving Time and Miles
Tail of The Dragon Store
17555 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Tapoco Tavern (lunch on the patio)
14981 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Shell Gas (end of the Cherohala Skyway)
104 Rafter Rd, Tellico Plains, TN 37385

Exxon Gas Station (end of the Cherohala Skyway)
450 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains, TN 37385


Parkman / Talley Ho Inn
8314 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882


Driving Time / Miles - Gas up before you leave the Parkman / Tally Ho
Parkman / Talley Ho Inn  -  End of the Cherohala Skyway,  2H, 35M, 99 miles


End of the Cherohala Skyway - Talley Ho Inn , 1H, 27M, 66 miles
Total Times / Miles  4H, 3M, 165 miles

[johnsfolly]

Thanks!

[Scott Costanzo]

I've driven that route many times and still get excited at the thought of doing it again. It's a ton of fun!

It will probably still be summer down there but we've had a few days in the high 40s/low 50s in the past.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Scott