We all know that Glenn won the CMC (Camaro Mustang Challenge) race in his Camaro. In the process, he got into the back of a Porsche 944 that was a much slower car. It was a racing incident and it happens, but that bent the tow hook on the front of the car.

Anyway, when we loaded it in the trailer, I managed to get the winch hooked up to the bent hook so we could pull it up the ramps (I didn't "like" that, but I didn't think it was going to be a big deal). Once it was up in the trailer, I hooked the rear straps to the axle and the floor of the trailer and Glenn told me to tell him when the straps were snug (as he pulled the car up with the winch). Just as they were pulled snug, I told him "tight" and hopped up. I no sooner got to my feet (standing right against the rear bumper) and he bumped the winch "extra snug" and the tow eyelet broke off of the car. The car quickly rolled out of the back of the trailer. Problem was, I was standing right there. I really hadn't had a chance to get my footing before I found myself trying to stop a car. I couldn't get out of the way, it was already "into me". So I tried jamming my foot into the trailer ramp and slamming my knee into the back of the bumper. That slowed it down, but I still couldn't get enough grip or balance to actually stop it. And, the ramp ends half way down and I'm wondering if I'm going to fall off of the end (and then what). That's when Jeff Burch (last years NASA CMC champion) and another guy jumped in to help (thanks guys!!!). Luckily they saw what was going on and dove in and helped me hold the car until we could get it blocked in place.

So, it's really a good thing that I stood up as quick as I did, or I'd have probably been under the car. And, it's an even better thing that those guys arrived... or I'd have probably been under the car.

I wound up with some sore muscles and such, but I'm otherwise fine (and feeling pretty good already).

In the past, I've been known to use a wheel chock when loading with a winch. I just slide it up the ramp behind the car "just in case". In this case, I questioned the tow hook, but didn't act on that. And this does put you right behind a rather heavy object that's on wheels. So, nobody got hurt, but it reminded me to bring up the subject of being safe while loading your car on the trailer. Use wheel chocks or stay out from behind it. Don't pull them down with the winch, you can snug it with a tow strap hooked to something more substantial than the eyelet and I'm sure there are other things to suggest as well.

I goofed by not trusting my instinct about that eyelet and could have managed to get myself hurt. I just wanted to post this to remind everyone to think before you wind up standing where I was standing at just the wrong time.

Be safe!!!