Irony: Interstate 280

[IMSA90QGTO@aol.com]

Just days after we have herd about how Mike Williams' quattro was 
defeated by El Nino along US Autobahn 280, I conquered that same stretch 
and watched a Mustang hydroplane and smash into the side barrier.  I know 
many of the listers don't know this particular stretch of road witch is 
as perfect as Mr. Williams has described it.  I was heading southbound 
just past the CA 92 interchange, about 2 miles north and the opposite 
direction of where Mike had his crash.  I was going about 75-80 in a 
moderate rain storm as I was passed by an early ninetees Mustang GT.  I 
was in the #2 lane and was passed by the Ford in the #4 lane.  He was 
going roughly 85 mph which are speeds only a quattro should attempt.  I 
had visual of the Mustang while he was a good 500 yards ahead of me.  The 
road isn't lit that well and all of a sudden I saw the Mustang's head 
lights face me then disapear gain until i saw sparks and light as the 
stang sideswiped the barrier.  I felt obligated to stop, as should of 
someone for Mike.  I pulled over behind the driver and got out of the 
car, i felt like a cop almost.  The white Mustang was still pancaked 
against the barrier and the driver had gotten out of the car and was 
quite panicked.  I just wanted to see if he was ok, and he was.  I even 
had a brief discussion w/ him about my AWD quattro system; he didn't 
care, he was more shocked that he had just messed up his Pony.  I helped 
him get the debree off of the shoulder and made sure the car started.  He 
drove away into the dark rain as i observed a good $3000 of body damage 
and i thought about how Mike must of felt.  I am good friends with him 
and feel really bad for him.  I thanked god for quattro cause i really 
need it to get back to San Jose.

Mike Robinson
Santa Clara, CA
1988 Audi 90 Quattro
148,000+ miles