Returning to the SUV, I began to think that of the items presented in the trunk might be needed. Thinking and figuring, I was looking at the slope of the road, and suddenly a crazy idea came to my mind.
The road went down at a steep angle and, bending around the hill in an arc, led out into the city. The distance was about five kilometers, but before the first gentle turn about one and a half. “What if you start Kruzak from a pusher?” I thought. With manual transmission cars this trick works, with an automatic (the Land Cruiser was equipped with an automatic transmission) I wasn't sure nor had I ever heard of such an experience. In any case, there was nothing to lose. Need to try! After climbing into the car, and making sure that all appliances, including the stove and headlights, are turned off, and the key is turned to the ignition position. With difficulty pressing the brake pedal, shifted the gearbox to neutral. Then, turning the steering wheel to a U-turn, he released the brake. The car reluctantly rolled back and, having run over the leg of the suicide girl, rolled out onto the road with its front wheel.
The car began to pick up speed very slowly, and in the meantime I was trying to figure out at what speed it is better to shift the gearbox and in what position should I put it? Regarding speed, it was definitely worth accelerating as long as possible, the faster it is, the better.
Looking at the selector, I realized that the choice is small: there was only the “D” position, and then the possibility of lowering by switching down again. A special piquancy of the situation was given by rain flooding the windshield, reducing visibility to a minimum.
Firmly clutching the steering wheel with wet hands, I peered at the road, occasionally glancing at the dashboard:
Now the speedometer shows 3 km / h
To the end of the mountain slope is approximately 1139 meters
The car continued to pick up speed confidently, and the rain poured more and more intensively outside the window. The arrow on the dim instrument panel slowly crept up.
I was more and more doubtful. What if the wheels stop and I get skidded? How long is the flight from this mountain? With every second it became more and more dangerous …
– I'm lucky!
I pressed the gear selector button and with force abruptly switched it to the “D” position, depressing the gas pedal all the way. The SUV, almost without jerking, started up and roared the engine.