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On the way to the airport at 4am yesterday, a really big racoon decided to run across the road at the moment I was going by, there were no other cars for miles around and it was raining heavily on the unlit two lane road (rt. 44 for in New Hartford for those that know CT) needless too say, at 50 mph and a dead center impact, the front of my car is toast.
I managed to make it to the airport to catch my flight, which was a miracle because when I got there and popped the hood, my radiator was completely destroyed, with no coolant and the engine fans in overdrive, the temp gauge had gone almost into the red zone about 15 miles from the airport but the car ran normally, with no EML light or other warning, it could have been the heavy rain and low air temp. plus the fact I didn't have to stop at all, that kept the engine from going into meltdown.
I get back from Chicago tomorrow, so I'll be able to checkout the damage in the daytime and have the car towed to the shop for repairs, I went more than a year with not even a door ding and now this, it's open season on racoons! The only good thing is I won't have to make a claim against my insurance, since I was heading out on a business trip, my corporate insurance was in effect.
Water, plastic bags, 6" long pieces of rubber (which nailed me the other day, destroying my driver's side fog light )...and now racoons. Point is, MINIs seem to like dry flat pavement and nothing but. Cute little buggers, but damn fragile (and I'm not talking about racoons).
Please send me a list of your mods, I can't have you being faster than me ya know I have a brick of .22 LR, when I get home I'm going coon hunting, so when you see me with my Daniel Boone coon cap, don't ask any questions.
That's funny...I hit a racoon just of Rt. 44 in New Hartford a few years ago, in a Volvo 740 wagon. The racoon lost big time. My only confirmed road kill in my life. (there may have been some squirrels...but I'm not sure). Sorry to hear about the damage, but glad you're covered well. Maybe a cow-catcher instead of an air dam up front? Deer are still in season!
X2 I am sorry to hear this. That really sucks. Its getting crazy up here, guess all these creatures are getting ready for winter. Last night I had to mash my brakes as a family of deer darted out in front of my MINI.
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#43 Street Modified (SM) Class SCCA Hawaii Region
2005-2009 Solo Run Off and Points Champion (Hawaii)(2nd 2006 Points)
2005-2008 Overall PAX: 8th 2006, 7th 2007, Tied 10th 2008.
2010-2011 Modified FWD RallyCross (Points Champion) http://www.sccahawaii.org/pics2008/s.../img_38944.jpg
The only migrating racoons do is from one trash can to the next. I've done a good bit of packpacking, (get about 30 "bag nights" a year) and I'm not at all fond of racoons. Way too many of them.
Can I just get in with this before one of our "bleeding hearts" does...
I think you should be ashamed of yourself that you didn't go back and check on the poor creature. It might have still been alive you know? Instead of making your oh so important business trip, you should have been taking it to the vet. You claim it was "big" but I'll bet anything that it was just your everyday, average racoon minding it's own business. Not only that, but you were probably speeding too! Reckless driving Mini owners that assasinate racoons (or any of God's creatures) reflects badly on all of us.
>>I think you should be ashamed of yourself that you didn't go back and check on the poor creature. It might have still been alive you know? Instead of making your oh so important business trip, you should have been taking it to the vet. You claim it was "big" but I'll bet anything that it was just your everyday, average racoon minding it's own business. Not only that, but you were probably speeding too! Reckless driving Mini owners that assasinate racoons (or any of God's creatures) reflects badly on all of us.
>>
>>Ken
>>
>>>> So step down from your little soapbox and start to frequent less lectures from tree huggers and animal activist whackos that appear to leave <sic> in a different planet from ours.
>> ...and welcome to MCO Mr.O'Reilly...Unfortunately, this is a "Spin Zone"...We spin our tires, we spin our superchargers, we spin our cars...
>>X2 I am sorry to hear this. That really sucks. Its getting crazy up here, guess all these creatures are getting ready for winter. Last night I had to mash my brakes as a family of deer darted out in front of my MINI.
>>
ant
creatures/racoons getting ready for the winter in Fla.?????
Damn, Y'all must grow 'em big in Connecticut. Down home here, most o dem critters don't get over 15lbs. on account a the poisoning. See most of 'em die young due to the lead. Now I knows that the problem with lead in humans is traceable to the ole paint and pipes that ya find in your house. In 'coons, however, most of 'em die due to another source of lead, rather than that household stuff. It seems that a good many of those critters are dying after being shot from a .22 LR or 410 gauge. Oftentimes occuring in those very trashcans from which they feed and make a racket.
At least our MINIs don't have to take the hit, as only the garbage man knows fer sure how many suffer from fatal toxic lead infestations.
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BLUBELLE - 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley, Moss Skid Plate, Chrome Trim Interior
Sorry to hear man. Looks like time for a performance radiator huh?
I tagged a coon my first week. I guess I got lucky, he did nothing to my Mini. It went right under the passenger side with a loud thump. Poor thing didn't have a chance, but no damage to the Mini.
>>>>Can I just get in with this before one of our "bleeding hearts" does...
Although this is a good line to start with, maybe smiley face with wink might be a good addition or even a disclaimer at the end. It's really hard sometimes to tell about the humor when it is a topic like this.
>>What would you do if you are driving at night and all of a sudden a creature dives in front of your car with less than a split second to react?
I have had this happen to me at 430am in the morning with OK visibility very dark in rural areas just about a mile out of my motel area I was going along maybe 40mph when in a second there was a very very large furry grey brown something that ran very quickly right in front of my rental van barely missing me. I was startled and shocked something so big was moving so fast and still I had so little time to see it. Once it passed I barely had any time to see what it was because it was so dark. No street lights. I think I was at the speed limit or under it. Very scary. No time to think, I didn't have time to press the brake either. No fog.
>>We were driving only 5MPH above the speed limit, no rain, minding our own business to make it safely back to Williamsburg which is a good 1 and a half hour drive from Richmond.
>>
>>At 70MPH that Raccoon was done and over with, period. A 2,600 pound car moving @ 70MPH will slice any living creature like a hot knife, sorry but that is the reality of it.
I think you are correct given the laws of physics.
>>I was not going to pull over to check on whatever was left of the Raccoon. It was late at night, dark, cold and plus we were in an unfamiliar area. Pretty unsafe to expose my wife and myself to further risks ...
This is the point of my post and it is not a small one. I think that the safety of people given the circumstances is the most important thing. If you feel you are unsafe to look out there in the dark or there is no safe shoulder and there are other trucks that may not have enough warning to slow for you then don't stop unless your car is unsafe to drive.
The other thing that happens all the time is when trying to avoid an animal one looses control of the car and hits another car or worse. The animal is saved and the people are very hurt including other people that had nothing to do with the close call with the animal. Sounds like driving school time.
>>Sorry, but human life is still worth more than the life of any other creature. Some people seem to forget that.
Absolutely. The collision is very unfortunate. If it is safe to stop then you may try to render assistance but it isn't going to good most of the time. The minor injured animals will manage to escape and get away under their own power.
Driving rural roads is a bit hazardous. Is that why they have those nice rally lights? Wow that would be a ton of light.
__________________
#43 Street Modified (SM) Class SCCA Hawaii Region
2005-2009 Solo Run Off and Points Champion (Hawaii)(2nd 2006 Points)
2005-2008 Overall PAX: 8th 2006, 7th 2007, Tied 10th 2008.
2010-2011 Modified FWD RallyCross (Points Champion) http://www.sccahawaii.org/pics2008/s.../img_38944.jpg
)...and now racoons. Point is, MINIs seem to like dry flat pavement and nothing but. Cute little buggers, but damn fragile (and I'm not talking about racoons). 
I have a brick of .22 LR, when I get home I'm going coon hunting, so when you see me with my Daniel Boone coon cap, don't ask any questions.
Please tell me you're kidding...
...and welcome to MCO Mr.O'Reilly...Unfortunately, this is a "Spin Zone"...We spin our tires, we spin our superchargers, we spin our cars... 
