11 Aug 06
With Roger speeding off into the distance, to get ahead of the approaching storm, I shift up through the Mini's gears in a bid to stay with him. Unfortunately I find myself stuck behind a slow-moving lorry, losing valuable seconds - and more importantly, losing sight of Roger in the lead van.
Finally I'm able to overtake and the race is on to catch up with the group - and avoid being engulfed by the ferocious black cloud that's growing ever larger in my rear-view mirror. The supercharger whizzes away frantically as I accelerate up to 100mph - but it's all too late.
The visibility drops to zero and apocalypse erupts all around me. I pull over to the side of the road, as the Mini begins to get pelted by hailstones. They are bigger than any I have ever seen before, causing the windscreen to flex worryingly as they bounce off it.
However, this is nothing compared to what comes next. Seconds later, my panic-stricken voice is drowned out by the terrifying crash of solid ice rocks punching against metal. It sounds like I'm surrounded by an angry mob, attacking the Mini with sledgehammers.
Suddenly the side window caves in, showering me in glass. Hail now cascades into the car and I curl up into a ball, desperately attempting to shelter my face. This is no longer an adventure; frankly I am terrified.
The whole thing only lasts around three minutes, as the core of the storm passes directly overhead. Yet it feels like a lifetime. I manage to relocate Roger and the rest of the group and we limp to the nearest town in order to lick our wounds.
The damage to the Mini is shocking. Every single panel is dented, bits of plastic trim have been ripped off and patches of paint are stripped down to the bare metal. This was a very lucky escape.
After sealing up the smashed window with cardboard, we make our way on to our overnight stop, at the town of Glendive, East Montana. En route, we pass by felled trees and overturned trucks lying in the storm's wake - testament to its awful power.
That night, while sound asleep in our beds, the same storm goes on to produce the elusive tornado we've spent all week searching for. It wrecks nearby farm buildings, brings down power lines and causes chaos to the local community.
Speaking from experience, I'm glad we missed it.
