Driving The Dragon: Porsche GT4 RS + 318 Turns in 11 Miles | Henry Catchpole - The Driver's Seat

In this episode of The Driver’s Seat, Henry Catchpole visits a famous road that has always fascinated him - the incredible Tail of the Dragon. It’s obviously not a race track, but it has some of the mystique and atmosphere of the Nurburgring Nordschleife when you rock up in the car park at the weekend. You might see anything from a modded Honda Civic Type-R to a Carrera GT and everyone is there because they have petrol running through their veins.

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.

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[chrisdenman]

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!

[chrisolson]

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!

[barsaf]

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!

[Weishahn]

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.

[TheBriGuy]

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.

[ryanyearsley]

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.

[Asheen_Singh]

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!

[GTSCarLife]

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!

[milksteak]

“After the last car has left, the road remains.”

Love that sign-off ❤

[timparke]

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.

[realtorjeremyschilling]

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. 😁🤙

[sammysamMZB]

Henry Catchpole strikes again!! The car(insert: ultimate dream car), the video edit, the screenplay, the narration??!!
I loved it!

[TooLeegitToQuit]

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!

[dogpotter]

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!

[Yathuprem]

Came here for car reviews, stayed here for the road review. Fantastic stuff as always, Keep up the good work Henry

[topcover]

Love Porsche, and Love Catchpole...couldn't be a better combo.

[EntrepreneursInCars]

Took my Mclaren 720s here last summer. Easily one of two of the best roads on the east coast. The 'back of the dragon' is the other one.

[shaungouws]

Just bliss! What an amazing road(putting it on my bucket list), what a car, what a presenter, what a video...just pure joy from beginning to end. Thank you to everyone who produce these stunning videos for us(petrol heads) to drool over...we appreciate it, and you!😊

[petercole]

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!

[CBMedia]

Good to see my CB decal is still there 🙂