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until Dragon Hunting Season Opens

Brittany Paul

What is Miatas at the Gap?

Simply put, MATG is THE longest running Miata gathering in the country. Located in the midst of some of the greatest driving roads in the country, we are one of the largest gatherings of Mazda Miatas and owners in the US.

Who?

Attendees range from Miata newbie to 20+ year veteran and their vehicles from stock to Excocet/track rat and all forms in between. They come from all walks of life and some even come from other countries to attend each year. The cars were meant for these roads and the area doesn’t disappoint.

Where?

Ground Zero for the event is the Fontana Village Resort (link, map) located in the middle of Miata driving paradise. The main attraction for the Miata enthusiast is the legendary Tail of the Dragon. Being in close proximity to other options like Wayah Road, the Cherohala Skyway, Moonshiner 28, Devil’s Triangle TN, Six Gap in Georgia, and Diamondback 226A means endless hours and days of driving bliss.

Why?

Miata, MX-5, Eunos Roadster, whatever you call it, the Mazda Miata is the most popular sports car ever made. With more than 1,000,000 built since 1989 and fans and enthusiasts the world over love to come together to enjoy great driving roads, make lasting friendships, and enjoy being a part of the greatest group of car enthusiasts around.

Other Details

We have vendors for all types of Miata upgrades, a tent with event t-shirts and commemorative dash plaques, a schedule of organized drives, and the infamous beer and wine swap on Saturday night. There is also a General Store nearby to keep you fed and hydrated for your driving adventures while providing a great meeting point.

Events

Lunch Run to Iron Works Grille

Chris Matthews is leading this Thursday lunch run to the Iron Works Grille in Tellico. Everyone is welcome and this will be a nice easy pace that everyone can enjoy. Staging at 9:30AM.
Fontana Village General Store
Thursday, August 4, 2022
10:00 AM

Thursday Night Sunset Run

The first "official" event of MATG is this group drive from Fontana Village, across the Cherohala Skyway to view the sunset from a breathtaking overlook. This is a great introduction for you first timers. Please stage at 6:30 PM at the General Store.
Fontana Village General Store
Thursday, August 4, 2022
7:00 PM

Friday Morning Spirited Run

The annual spirited drive to various twisty roads around the area.  Only 40 cars will be permitted due to traffic.  Meet at the parking lot beside the General Store at 9:30 AM and leave at 10am SHARP.
Fontana Village General Store
Friday, August 5, 2022
10:00 AM

Ladies MATG Meetup

Aivy, one of our event regulars, has organized a photo shoot for any interested women who brought their cars this year and would like a nice individual shot and group picture. Meet at 1pm for 1.30pm group photo.
Boat Ramp/Dock near Fontana Dam and NC28
Friday, August 5, 2022
1:00 PM

Run to Fat Buddies BBQ

The Friday Afternoon Fat Buddies run across Wayah road and back on SR 28. This should not be confused with the Friday Morning Spirited Run. This will be run at a fun pace, but not a fast, highly spirited run. Stage at 3:30 PM and leave by 4:00 PM.
Fontana Village General Store
Friday, August 5, 2022
4:00 PM

Evening NA Dragon Run

Calling all NAs! Arash Himani will be leading anyone in an NA (others welcome too) on a Friday Evening run across the Dragon to 129 Hub and back. Stage at 7:30 PM. The run will not be spirited and will be at a pace at, or just above the speed limit.
Fontana General Store
Friday, August 5, 2022
8:00 PM

Disc Golf at MATG

With a great course on site why not use it? $5.00 buy in all going back to the participants
Fontana Village Disc Golf Course; Corner of Welch and Woods Rds.
Saturday, August 6, 2022
8:00 AM

NC. 209 “The Rattler” Spirited and challenging drive.

New this year for Saturday is a spirited run from Fontana to NC 209, known as "The Rattler". This will be a challenging run and not for the faint of heart. It will also be a full day of fun, staging at 9:30 and returning by 4:00 PM.
Fontana General Store
Saturday, August 6, 2022
10:00 AM

Annual MATG Photo

The annual photo of Miatas at the Gap.  The shutter snap is at 11:00 sharp! Make sure that you're there plenty early to get a good spot in the photo. Killboy will have them available on his website for anyone to purchase at great prices.
Ballfield in Fontana Village
Saturday, August 6, 2022
11:00 AM

Raffle

The prizes are donated items from our vendors and partners. 100% of all proceeds benefit the chosen recipient as our way of saying Thanks and showing support for our community and the community we become a part of every year.
Fontana Village Vendors Area
Saturday, August 6, 2022
4:00 PM

Beer Swap And Wine Tasting

Gather your favorite local adult beverages and share them with the crowd at the annual MATG Beer Swap and Wine Tasting during and after the raffle!
Fontana Village Vendors Area
Saturday, August 6, 2022
7:00 PM

Lodging

Fontana Village

For over 8 years now, Fontana Village has served as Ground Zero for Miatas at the Gap. We fill the village each year with Miatas and friends in lodging that runs from simple campsites and RV hookups to hotel style rooms in the Main Lodge to a variety of private cabins. All vendors and tables are set up in the General Store parking lot across from the pool and ball fields. There are always a number of pre-planned events that stage in the General Store lot or other locations in the village and surrounding areas. These events can range from sightseeing tours to spirited canyon drives and everything in between. On Saturday afternoon, the vendor area is where the Graham County Tourism Board and Fontana Tourism Development Association provide a FREE LUNCH and Moss Motors provides FREE ICE CREAM after the Dam(n) Photo. Attendees gather here again Saturday Evening to celebrate the end of another great gathering with the charity raffle and the Beer & Wine Swap. Every year we are able to set aside a block of cabins, camping spots, and lodge rooms that are only available to our group. This block, except for the camping spots, is pre-negotiated at a special discount rate that is only available for attendees of MATG. To take advantage of these rates, you must register directly by phone and tell them you’re with the Miatas at the Gap group. Fontana Village also houses one of the few bars in the area, multiple restaurants, the General Store for all of your basic needs, and the Pit Stop where you can refill the gas tank, rehydrate and shop for some area memorabilia

300 Woods Rd
Fontana Dam NC, 28733
(800) 849-2258

Tapoco Lodge

11.7 Miles from Fontana Village

Tapoco Lodge was built in 1930 by ALCOA for workers on Cheoah Dam. The lodge consists of suites, lodge rooms and cabins.

14981 Tapoco Road
Robbinsville NC, 28771
(828) 498-2435

Quality Inn & Suites

20.5 Miles from Fontana Village

The Quality Inn & Suites is in the middle of Robbinsville and walking distance to grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations. Free wifi, continental breakfast and allows pets.

107 Rodney Orr Bypass
Robbinsville NC, 28771
(828) 479-6772

Restaurants

Mountview Bistro

The Mountview Restaurant sits at the top of the valley on the west end of The Lodge at Fontana. The Mountview offers a savory menu featuring the freshest local vegetables and meats, baked goods and desserts sided with an ever changing selection of beautiful main courses.

300 Woods Rd
Fontana Dam NC, 28733
(828) 498-2115

Wildwood Grill

In the center of the Fontana Village Resort on a hillside overlooking the activity fields, Gunter Cabin and the General Store sits the Wildwood Grill Restaurant. Once a game room and snack bar, the remodeled Wildwood Grill offers a warm and charming ambience, wonderful food, craft beer, wine, cocktails, and friendly service. Food options range from a wide selection of appetizers to salads, burgers, incredible sandwiches and made to order pizzas and the full menu is available for both lunch and dinner. Whether you dine on the lively patio or settle into a cozy table inside, the Wildwood Grill delivers an unequaled mountain view with regularly scheduled live music, food, and great friends! If you’re on the go, the food selections are available on a carryout basis as well for your picnic at the dam, or lunch on the Dragon, or wherever your adventure leads. Take-out on pizza and other snacks is also available.

300 Woods Rd
Fontana Dam NC, 28733
(800) 849-2258

Dragon's Den Pub & Grill

9.2 Miles from Fontana Village

In 2004, the addition of the Dragon's Den Grill was added to Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort. Allowing 65 guests to sit, relax, and have a great meal. Four years later, the addition of the Pub was installed, so one can enjoy a cold beer with their meal if desired. Three TV's set on weather, news, & SPEED Networks are positioned around the Grill & Pub to keep you updated on current conditions & race day shouting at the tv.

17548 Tapoco Road
Tapoco NC, 28771
(828) 498-2231

Tapoco Tavern

10.8 Miles from Fontana Village

Perched on the banks of the world famous Cheoah River, Tapoco Tavern combines the very best of classic pizzeria and all American flavors with a view and environment unmatched in all of Western Carolina. Order up a brick oven pizza for the family or indulge in the house favorite, “The Dam Drink” from their full-service bar. From steaks, burgers, salads, and local Carolina Mountain trout, there’s something for everyone.

14981 Tapoco Road
Robbinsville NC, 28771
8284982800

The Hub of Western NC

31.5 Miles from Fontana Village

A good stop on the way to or away from Miatas at the Gap; good food and Dragon gear!

4371 Calderwood Hwy
Maryville TN, 37801
(828) 479-0478

Vendors

Exomotive manufactures the Miata-based Exocet kit car. Imagine putting your Miata on the ultimate diet and creating a vehicle on par with supercar performance with the reliability that the MX5 is famous for.

Bryan and the crew from Fab9 Tuning will be making the drive down from Michigan and will be setup in the Vendor's area. Please come visit them and check out their upgrades and tuning options for all generations of Miatas.

FM is proud to be back at MATG for 2022! Come say hi to the Flyin' Miata team, check a few of the FM fleet cars and talk shop with our Miata nerds. From suspension to forced induction, Flyin' Miata is your source for Miata performance parts.

KMiata delivers in the form of impressive, naturally-aspirated, four cylinder power that the Miata community has long-clamored for. The KMiata conversion proves to be a fast, reliable all-around package.

The Miata Fix exists to ensure your Roadster stays on the road. We want to meet you, learn about your projects, and help you get your fix: whether it's stock maintenance or full race car!

Moss Miata has been a major sponsor and participant of "The Gap" event for many years. If you're looking for parts and accessories for your Miata, with more than 25 years of service, Moss is where it's at!

MX5 Digital is a company created by fellow enthusiasts that aims to provide a new and unique option in the Miata market. The digital cluster accurately reads speed, RPM’s, fuel, pressure, and temperature.

Paco Motorsports has been in business since 2008 providing intelligently designed, quality built, and exceptionally valued performance products for sports cars, predominantly Mazda Miatas.

Palm Breeze Car Care will be at MATG again this year selling their waterless car care supplies and performing masterful detail cleaning on the spot. Drop your car off, get an ice cream cone, and then pick up your freshly cleaned and detailed Miata.

Dan and Carla will be joining MATG again this year and bringing some of his custom powdercoated items. You can see some samples of his craftsmanship in person at MATG on a multitude of Miatas.

RSpeed provides world class repair, service, and unique parts and accessories from around the world for the world's best selling sports car - The Mazda Miata

Alex Todd is bringing some imported JDM goodies along with tons of Miata parts and accessories for you to purchase on-site. He also offers shipping on larger items, and has a tremendous amount of inventory in stock.

Spinnywhoosh Graphics will be bringing along samples of their vinyl talents. From Miata (and other car scene) decals to window banners, large livery type applications like their Sakura kits and even autocross numbers.

Improve your vehicles appearance, increase its value and keep the original finish by having the small dents and door dings banished using our paintless dent removal techniques!

The guys at V8 Roadsters typically bring several different Miatas with GM V6 and V8s swapped in. They also offer custom tublar sub-frames, lightweight billet control arms, big brake kits, and suspension setups for all generations of Miatas.

Maps

Attractions

Roads and Drives