Maple Leaf Ramp Test

The dried maple leaf made a fine natural incline, but the tip curled upward too steeply. Step one: level the ascent. I took my blue plastic clothespin and clamped its heavy spring jaw right onto the brittle leaf stem. The counterweight pulled the vein down instantly, pressing the entry edge flat against the moss carpet. Step two: launch sequence. I set my stance behind my white racer, lined both front tires with the central leaf rib, and delivered a brisk snap to the rear spoiler. Zip! The car shot cleanly up the brown slope, gained crisp airborne lift off the serrated crown, and touched down smoothly on a patch of short clover three paces beyond. Zero flutter. Clean leap.