it wasn't an extremely steep slope, but it wasn't a gentle one either ......... rpms were probably in the 1500-1800 range .... we were rolling along about 45-50 mph (the speed limit on that stretch of highway is 50 mph) .......... the car slid rather smoothly down to the bottom and under acceleration was able to pull itself back on to the highway .......... I didn't feel any major impacts ......... the return to the paved surface was squirrely because of the wet and muddied Pro-Tracs

Thanks for your help Roger .......... I'm at a loss ......... kinda like waiting for the other shoe to drop