Semis on the Dragon: A Cautionary Tale (Long) [Archive] (2024)

azcat

4th August 2003, 13:28

I got to DG on Wednesday 23 July 03 and started playing on the Dragon on Thursday—not ripping and tearing, just trying to be smooth. I saw two semis in my trips over and back but neither was a threat. At 1345, though, I was northbound just past mile marker 5, on a short straight into a right turn, when the nose of a semi came around the corner ahead. :eek: I was doing 35-40 (yes, I was speeding, but not much) and made a huge attempt to stop. The truck kept coming and in the last four feet before impact, I decided that I was not going under the trailer, so I cranked the wheel hard right, all the way to “locked”, intending to go into the bank. Apparently, I also braced for impact by mashing harder on the brake and clutch, as the wheels locked up and the car skidded straight. THUMP! :( I was going less than 5MPH when I hit, but it was a pretty good jolt. I couldn’t get out because the leading trailer tire was next to my door and the bank was blocking the passenger door. I turned the wheel to the left and the car shuddered. I put it in reverse and back away with another, smaller, shudder. I got out to inspect the damage and to possibly kill the truck driver. :mad: Surely, Cardinal Freight wouldn’t miss one for several days, at least.

There was no damage. None. No scrapes, no abrasions, no torn plastic or sheet metal, nothing. :D Except…there was a large scuff on the driver’s side tire. When I cut the wheel hard right, the trailing edge of the tires (205/60-14s) stuck way out past the bodywork, and the trailing edge of my tire hit the trailing edge of the trailer’s rear tire, preventing me from going under the trailer or into the bank.

The driver said he thought he hit me, and I told him that he had but that there was no damage. He said he was sorry and just wanted to get off the road. I told him to wait while I backed in front of him, and then I’d “escort” him and warn oncoming traffic. “But,” I said, “Don’t ever come on this road again.” A little melodramatic, but I was still shaking. Sorry, no pictures—I didn’t have my camera with me.

So, I said all that to say this: those of you who, like me, go down early to play may want to keep in mind that truck traffic seems to be a lot more common during the weekdays than we might have thought—I came across three in one day.

I wish the cops would enforce the yellow line violations on weekdays, and not just weekends…

azcat
…who went back and took pictures of the skidmarks on the road, but not in his seat.

CoachWes

4th August 2003, 14:51

Great post! I have seen pictures of similar stories, but with much, much worse outcomes. My greatest fear at DG was the oncoming truck and/or bike traffic. Other miata's worried me NONE.

Thank goodness you were safe and can tell such a tale. Great place to play, but safety first.

k nielsen

15th August 2003, 11:54

blewgo

16th August 2003, 08:11

Maps say US 129. How bad can a US highway be? There are no warning signs and there is no place to turn around once you get on it.

Also don't under rate the bears as hazzards. They can cause exciting moments. Ask my pants. :eek:

Tim K

22nd August 2003, 18:22

I remember my first trip through the Gap. It was dusk and I just finished tuning the motor for the higher altitudes of the mountains. Excited, I buzzed up the road for a quick jaunt to see if the carbs were jetted right.

Well, as soon as I got past the little bar at the Gap I came face to face with a semi. His tractor was all the way over on his side of the road. Matter of fact, he was partially off the road, but his trailer was still in my lane.

There are some tight turns on that road. :eek: The only saving grace was I was on a motorcycle and not a car. As such I was able to squeek by without too much drama.

Still, it was an eye-opener and set the tone for all my trips to the Gap. Caution is the better part of valor. There are plenty of corners that aren't blind to play on as opposed to those that are. ;)

I'm glad you and your Miata were able to escape unscathed. Sometimes, even during a bad-luck situation you can have a bit of good-luck.

ScottT80

27th August 2003, 13:01

Miata GT

28th August 2003, 07:18

How do they enforce the yellow line crossing thing? Didn't seem there were many places to hide...

Mark

phinz

2nd September 2003, 19:07

They put two guys up in the woods in camo with a video camera and a radio, then pull people over up the road.

And no, I'm not being facetious. I have a copy of the video.