An embarrasing accident for a Quattro . . .

[Davis Walp <73641.1733@compuserve.com>]

Hi everyone -

O.K., I admit it.  I like to drive fast.  I like to drive fast in the snow, in
my Quattro, evoking the jealous looks of others in lessor automobiles.

Here in upstate New York this morning it was snowing and real slick.  And
unfortunately, I ended up broadsiding a snowbank after spinning out at about
40mph.  I am real lucky that the snowbank absorbed all of that energy, and my
Quattro did not.  (Minor crack in front bumper and nothing else!)   The worst
thing damaged here is my pride.

What perplexes me, though, is the manner in which my accident occurred.  And
that is why I am appealing to the wisdom of the list.  Here's what happened:
Straight wide two-lane road.  Snow covered. Travelling 40mph in right lane.
Approaching slower traffic and decide at last moment that I cannot make lane
change due to proximity of car in left lane.  Get on brakes hard, to maintain
distance.  Antilock rumbles, and backend starts rocking left to right like a
pendulum, with each "swing" increasing in magnitude until I was in a spin.  It
was almost like the rear wheels locked up, yet antilock was doing its thing.  No
brake warning lights or anything.  Ended up on other side of road with severely
bruised ego.

Has this happened to anyone else in the list?  I drive a well nurtured 1988
90Quattro, and for the life of me, I cannot figure out what went on here.  Could
this be an overcorrection problem, a computer problem, or was this simply all
due to my own stupidity?

Looking forward to your sage response . . .

73641.1733@Compuserve.com