I'm definitely going to extend the "barb" on the hood release catch on the new one. I'll cut the hook off the one I have now (or, more accurately, "what's left of the one I have now") and will weld it to the bottom of the catch on the new hood, so there are two catches.
I'm sure i'll find it was my fault, for the hood not being latched or something, once I dig into it, but no matter the reason, I don't ever want to experience that again.
darn... like my kid said--"you've experienced A LOT of "one in a million" things."
-Brad
