Extreme Thrills

Fulfill the need for speed with an adrenaline rush!

Try Scenic Helicopter Tours (2491 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 Ph: 865-453-6342/1-877-428-6929 www.flyscenic.com) to provide your family with the adventure of a lifetime.

Break the bonds of gravity. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving (3106 Parkway Drive, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 Ph: 865-453-7777/1-877-293-0639 www.flyawayindoorskydiving.com) gives you the chance to test your skills of human flight during a single flight session or as a participant in a personalized coaching program. After a short orientation class, you too can achieve the dream of flight at the nation's first indoor skydiving simulator.

The Cherohala Skyway (www.cherohala.org), named for its path through the Cherokee and Natahala National Forests: "Chero...hala", is well known in motorcycling and sports car circles for its long sweeping corners and scenic views. Winding up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 15 miles in North Carolina and descending another 21 miles into the deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee, the skyway has several rest area facilities, but no gas stations, restaurants or overnight accommodations. Remember, the temperature is about 20 degrees cooler at the higher elevations.

On your way to Tail of the Dragon (TN Highway 129, near Deals Gap at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line www.tailofthedragon.com), be sure to stop at the Green's Classic Cars (901 E. Broadway, Lenoir City, TN 37771 Ph:865-988-4828 greenes@greenesclassiccars.com). Greene's is known for its selection of classic street rods and muscle cars.

Love the thunder of full throttle dragsters? If so, then the English Mountain Dragway (Lewis Road, Newport, TN 37821 Ph: 423-625-8375/865-428-7049 www.englishmountaindragway.com) is the place for you on Friday and Saturday nights. An IHRA sanctioned track, it offers a point system to competitors, cash to Pro Class and Foot-Brake winners each week, electronic timing, and first-rate racing accomodations.

Saturday night is race night at Newport Speedway (767 Industrial road, Newport, TN 37821 Ph: 423-623-2182 www.cockecounty.com). This 4/10 asphalt oval offers five classes of racing: rookies, street stock, limited late models, late models, and road hogs-enduro/demolition racing. The track offers plenty of seating with a great view of the track, and full concessions. The gates open at 6:00, racing starts at 7:30 every Saturday evening during the season.

NASCAR Speedpark (1545 Parkway, Seviervville, TN 37862 Ph: 865-908-5500 www.nascarspeedpark.com) has the Smoky Mountain Speedway where guests must be 16 years of age with a valid state-issued license and at least 64" tall to ride in the 5/8 scale NEXTEL Cup style cards.

Race with the wind at Pigeon Forge's only sprint car track at Speed Zone Fun Park (3315 South River Road, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 Ph: 865-908-7255 http://mypigeonforge.com/Attractions_ShowRecord.asp?business_id=649&). Ride the vertical and horizontal human slingshot and mechanical bull.

CAN-AM racing, and bungee jumping can be found at Fast Tracks (2879 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 Ph: 865-428-1988 http://thegreatsmokeymountainsparkway.com/_pigefor/pffastra.htm).

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