[ACCIDENT] 2020 Corvette and a Miata Collide on Tail of the Dragon (UPDATE: Miata Driver Responds)

By
Keith Cornett
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30
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[ACCIDENT] 2020 Corvette and a Miata Collide on Tail of the Dragon

Photo Credit: Ash Monroe


The Tail of the Dragon is one of the most well-known “driving roads” for car and motorcyclist enthusiasts in the Eastern USA as it features no less than 318 curves over an 11 mile stretch of two-lane road that winds through the Appalachian mountains on the Tennesee-North Carolina border.

That popularity can make US-129 one busy road, and unfortunately, accidents sometimes happen.

We heard about this accident on Saturday involving a 2020 Corvette Stingray and a Mazda Miata. Although we believe this story first originated on Facebook, a post on the Corvette Forum by “gilbybarr” brings us the news:

Regularly there are threads here on the Forum about driving “The Dragon” here in the Knoxville area. While it can be invigorating, it unfortunately can also be dangerous, even if you are being careful. The photos below depict an accident recently on the Dragon when a C8 was struck by an older Miata whose driver allegedly failed to control his vehicle in the turns. Be careful out there!

A Facebook post from Lucas Moebes who may be the originator of this story lays the blame squarely on the Miata driver:

“To clear up any confusion, the Miata hit the C8. Miata came in with too much speed, understeered, and aimed it at the rear of the car instead of the front. Took the rear wheel right off the C8 and airbags deployed in the Miata. Everybody is okay, both cars are totalled [sic].”

[ACCIDENT] 2020 Corvette and a Miata Collide on Tail of the Dragon

Photo Credit: Aspen Burton


We are glad to see that everyone is okay and of course our hearts go out to the Corvette owner for his loss. That damage looks pretty bad considering the rear wheel was ripped off the car, and I hope all can be made right for him.

As for the young Mazda owner, mistakes happen and he should be thanking his lucky stars that the Corvette couple wasn’t seriously injured.

Several members of the Forum sounded off with discussions about how the Dragon is especially congested on the weekends with many near misses from the “limit pushers” as one user described. As for the Mazda, “waynger” sums up what many of us were thinking: “That Miata was a wreck before it crashed.”

Indeed.

[ACCIDENT] 2020 Corvette and a Miata Collide on Tail of the Dragon


UPDATE
The driver of the Mazda Miata reached out to us and gave us this statement regarding the accident. We appreciate his response and hope this will add to the discussion:

I was the Miata driver who hit the C8…just wanted to clarify a few things. First, no one was hurt and that was the first thing I made sure of when it happened. Didn’t even realize I was bleeding until the cop told me. Second, we were both there for the Tougefest event going on; we were both there to push the cars a little. Could say more on that but I won’t for the Vette owner’s sake. Third, just misjudged where the exit of the corner was and went in too hot, by the time I was coming around my fronts weren’t up to par so I just fought over as much as I could to avoid a head-on [crash] to prevent any serious injury. Believe me, I’m more thankful than anyone that no one was hurt, that was my immediate concern when it happened. I will say the Miata was typically capable of handling it, and I’ve got people that can confirm that, but my theory is the fronts were just getting old and gave way. Regardless, I’ll still totally own up to it and admit it was on me. The situation is being amended, selling my daily (A 2010 Gen Coupe) to buy a cheap truck, and pay for insurance for a while, plus getting a second job to cover excess. The C8 owner and I ended up getting things worked out and I will definitely make sure he gets his rightful C8. Believe me, I’m stupid but I’m not an ass. Amends will be made one way or another.

[ACCIDENT] 2020 Corvette and a Miata Collide on Tail of the Dragon

Photo Credit: Ash Monroe


Source:
CorvetteForum.com

Related:
[SPIED] 2020 Corvette Stingray Convertible on the Tail of the Dragon
[SPIED] 2020 Corvette Stingrays Run the Tail of the Dragon
Corvette Owners Attempt Guinness World Record on the Tail of the Dragon

 



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30 COMMENTS

  2. Looks like two fools met in the middle of a Driver’s Road. You would have been better off taking the Ron Fellow Spring Mountain Drives School for C8 they would have put you in one of their C8s and you wouldn’t be dealing with an insurance company that wants to total your car, part it out and get Rich doing it. Get in line for a 2021 C8 if they total you out. They have a better entertainment system with wireless feathers you couldn’t get on your 2020 C8. The Miata drive can get his fixed or find one Crag’s List!

  3. I wonder if the older couple in the C8 were just out for a leisurely cruise on the weekend or were they pushing the car to its limits when they met up with Buster Badass trying to set a personal best in his Miata ?

  4. So much hate for an NA. I mean sure the kid was probably driving fast but he has considerably fewer safety measures than the newer vehicle.

  5. “..and aimed it at the rear of the car instead of the back.” LOLOL I’m supposed to believe this guy?

  9. The kid obviously was driving over his head and crossed the center line, hitting the rear wheel area of the Corvette. I doubt the ‘Vette driver was doing anything more than enjoying the day. BTW, I am a Miata guy and have never owned a Corvette. Not that I wouldn’t like to have one some fine day if I live long enough.

  13. I don’t think this is a case of “mistakes happen”. I guess today’s world is hesitant to call out the truth. From the article (I wasn’t there, to be fair), it looks like the Miata driver was an idiot.

  19. Peace. All are safe. No one person harmed. To some who think just a bit of silence is due. The child made a mistake. Gods grace was with him yesterday. As for the C8 team they will never forget the almost happened. Merry Christmas all.

  20. So tell me, when did we pass the line where we disrespect people we don’t know, call people idiots who are involved in situations we know nothing about, and claim superiority over others because we don’t like comments made. It’s amazing how much some people in this country have declined since 9/11. My condolences to the couple in the C8 and if the young man in the Miata was at fault, I won’t judge, as I was also young once.

  21. Hope the Miata NA owner has insurance. Young people in low value cars sometimes drop their insurance because it is too expensive.

  22. Wonder which YouTube channel this will end up on if it’s a total loss. Remember where you heard it first.

  23. I will say this as well. The old guy was at Spring Mtn in his C7. The Old Man knew enough to stay well within his lane. The old man was taking is slow and easy. The younger one was well out of his skill level. The quick young’s of some here are telling. No I am not the older guy. I do know him personally. This is not a political election where anything goes. It is someone’s life. As well as a damn great cars destruction.

  24. I’ll drive my Duramax on the Dragon. One of you rude MFs cross the line I’ll crush your bones.

  26. Fast and furious wannabe douchbags ruin the ride for bikers. I hope I’m there we one of you drive off the mountain.

  27. Some of yall not all sound pathetic wanna talk trash on miatas, when the truth is you prob drive a festiva, im not a miata person but my son is hes 6’4″ ownes 3 his daily is boosted hes not poor he has real nice 350z never drives it theres big following for miatas the kid screwed up had the balls to admit it, wouldent of made any diff if he was on a bicycle I guess some people like to try n sound cool miata corvette festiva to each his own if someone’s proud of somethin let them be proud …

  28. The Miata driver may not have insurance. If he does have insurance it may not be enough to cover damage to a 2020 Corvette. My concern is that the rear wheel may have become a monetary lever and cracked the transmission housing or several other parts. The Corvette will probably be totaled. Most people would want a new car, and rightly so. However, it will take a long time to get a new one based on what I have read on the internet. I am sure the owner of the 2020 Corvette has full coverage automobile insurance. It would be only fair if the Miata is scrapped immediately.

  29. The Mazda owner had NO problem admitting he was guilty of driving his little “Hot Wheels” like an “Angry Bird” who was angry at something or someone…He also had NO problem advising the readers that his car could handle this road, the road shaped like a lizard or so called Dragon’s tail region, when it comes to cars and the roads
    they can handle…the only road this Mazda will be taking on is his neighbor’s driveway. Start saving your [$̲̅(̲̅ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°̲̅)̲̅$̲̅]
    …you have a stingray to buy someone.

  30. The Mazda owner had NO problem admitting he was guilty of driving his little “Hot Wheels” like an “Angry Bird” who was angry at something or someone…He also had NO problem advising the readers that his car could handle this road, the road shaped like a lizard or so called Dragon’s tail region, when it comes to cars and the roads
    they can handle…the only road this Mazda will be taking on is his neighbor’s driveway. Start saving your [$̲̅(̲̅ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°̲̅)̲̅$̲̅]
    …you have a stingray to buy someone.
    ( ° ͜ʖ͡°)╭∩╮

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