stupid raccoon

[Benz Dr.]

So, there I was, driving along in the dark tonight when this stupid raccoon ran right out in front of me. It hit right in the middle of the car and it sounded like I hit something big and hard. The resulting bang made the whole car shake - and I really wasn't going that fast because I had also just missed a deer and short while before this.

I watch the gauges but nothing seemed out of sorts so I kept driving but slowed down to keep an eye on everything. Then I noticed that my fan belt was starting to make noise so I decided to pull over in a small village under a street light. As I was making my turn clouds of steam began pouring out of the front of the Rocket and from under the hood. From what I can tell, the bottom of the rad is all pushed back and fan blades went through the rad core. 

Looks like it might be a while before I'm back going. Best part was that I stopped in front of a friends place and he gave me a ride home.  I'll get it towed home in the morning and report back on all the damages.

[Cees Klumper]

Living in  rural area I've also noticed how animals, be they deer, rabbits, foxes or what have you, do have  tendency to jump right  onto the road rather than away from you as you drive towards them. Just a few weeks ago I barely was able to avoid hitting a fox that did that.
Good luck with the repairs, let us know if you have any questions ;-)

[johnm]

 Something tells me you'll be back on the road soon Dan. At least it wasn't a Moose which there are an abundance of here in Nova Scotia 

[Shvegel]

Reminds me of one of my favorite management quotes: "The roads are littered with flat Squirrels that couldn't make up their minds."

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Sorry to hear this Dan, hope the damage is not too severe. Only 12 days to go to PUB hope you manage to bring the Red Rocket to Virginia.

Best

Dieter

[Benz Dr.]

Thanks everyone. I won't be able to make it to PUB this year. Aside from my broken car there's way too much going on around here for me to leave right now. I've already talked to Mike, Tom, Alex, and Ray so they can fill you in on any details. My car will get fixed - raccoon.......uh, not much.

I actually hit a deer once. Smashed the driver's side 1/4 panel in so much that I couldn't drive the car so we had to pry the sheet metal back out with pry bars. We don't have bears, beavers or moose around here - and when I think about how that would have turned out, I'm happy about that.

[Alex D]

A long time ago when I first started driving 30+ years ago someone told me that if an animal of any kind, especially a deer, hits your car, you always say the "deer hit you", if you say "you hit the deer", then your liable and can be ticketed.  This was from someone who lived in a very rural area, must have known from experience. 

[TheEngineer]

Who has the right-of-way at night on a dark county road? you, who should have been in bed or the raccoon who was on it's way to look into your window at your house to make sure you were at home? They think they own the road, you know!

[JamesL]

I note no-one asks how the racoon faired...
Sorry to hear Dan, but as noted, a bigger critter would make a bigger mess

[Peter van Es]

Dan,

and that is after you promised to let me drive the Red Rocket.... rats.

Shame you're not able to make it. I'll miss you.

Peter

[Benz Dr.]

Yeah, I know.........

Had a look at the damage yesterday when the car was hauled back to me. It pushed the rad back so far that it hit the shaft of power steering pump. A blade was snapped off on the fan and several holes were punched into the rad core. Even the license plate was bent back. Bottom of rad is pushed in and it ripped my exhaust off near the center muffler. I think I will be talking to my insurance company.

We went back to have a word with the offender and found him right side up looking rather well considering what had just happened. When I asked him why he stepped out in front of me he said nothing. Typical response from a typical miscreant. 

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Dan,

sorry to see that the raccoon with so much distruction changed your plans for PUB. Members will miss your helpful input at the PUB session. Perhaps you find a way to make it after all. You mentioned that there is too much work for you to do, then on the other hand you can use a break. Think about it, after all PUB only happens every 2 years.

Dieter

[kampala]

Dan

You sure it wasn't "Rocket" who hit your Red Rocket?



(for those who don't know Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, Rocket is the Racoon)



Seriously sorry about the extensive damage and we will miss you at PUB.