SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 199 - National Capital Chapter, BMW CCA

ing) finally stopped the car at the edge of the
median. We had been belted in and were both
fine. We jumped out and found the deer was a
loss and fluids and steam were pouring from the
front of my car. The entire front was seriously
damaged, the nose pushed totally in, the grills
shattered, and the radiator impaled on the fan.
(Later I realized that at a higher speed, the deer
might have come through the windshield)
Some other motorists stopped to offer help. A
state trooper arrived within minutes. The motorists
left. Then the BMW-CCA NCC members started
showing up, having left the track at various times
after we did and coming across us now. In particular,
Eric Clark stopped and stayed with us while
we waited for the tow truck which the trooper had
called. He offered us a lift, and even loaned us
money to help pay the towing. His moral support
and kind words, and those of the other NCC'ers
who stopped, made a horrible experience far less
so. We were not alone on the side of the road facing
the galking, rubbernecking spectators who
rolled past. Instead, we had concerned fellow
club members around us who sympathized and
consoled us.
So, the improbable had indeed occurred. My
DC
O
a
CO
en
3
pampered, cherished, lovingly maintained and
carefully protected 2002 had, in an instant,
become twisted metal. The indefensible investment,
countless hours, and immeasurable fun
and pride was now what the insurance company
would most likely consider junk. And only minutes
before the accident, my only concern had been
finding the time to replace the brake pads. One
(me in this particular case) tries to be philosophical:
it's only a mechanical device wrapped in
painted metal; a mere machine; it doesn't care
about me, why should I care about it. Yeah, right.
Philosophy doesn't work. The truth is, I was heartbroken.
(The saga of the repair process, after the
insurance company did in fact "total" the car, is
another story.)
Anyway, my final, and most important point is that
belonging to this Club not only improves your
skills, and provides immeasurable fun, it provides
a reassuring and valuable support system when
help is needed or disaster strikes. Thank you to
all of you who stopped to help. I know the rest of
you would have done the same if you had had the
opportunity. And of course, I'll always be ready to
help whenever and wherever I can. $
Thank Vou's
"EXPERIENCE THE PASSPORT DIFFERENCE"
• Metro's largest selection of new and pre-owned BMWs
• 15% off parts with BMW CCA membership
• Free service loaner with all factory-recommended
maintenance
• Metro area's only BMW/Hunter (H-lll) computerized
4-wheel alignment system
• Pre-Purchase Inspection: $55°°
• Full line of Zymol products
• $29 95 Express Oil Change
5050 Auth Way • Marlow Heights, MD
(301)423-8400
13
September/October '93