Rally Chaser

As you know, there are two kinds of stages: specials are races, and liaison are transporting everything to the next place to set up and race. Also as you know, timing for specials is synchronized, one racer every minute. Liaisons aren't timed for score, but each racer is given a set time at or before which they must arrive. Be late and you're penalized. The upshot of this is that we've been totally hauling ass. The whole crew is suddenly in the race. And as a driver of one of those vehicles, it's particularly exciting for me. It has a bit of the gumball flavor to it.

So, Jonah is in fifth overall! This is very big indeed. He is going to move up in this thing. I feel that his prowess at racing and his career are on the constant rise.

We had another border crossing today, but in a different location. We went back into Hungary from Romania. I shall miss Romania. The countryside in the mountains around Baia Mare are stunning, dotted with little villages. Like real little villages, that follow the river from the mountains (as does the road). And though the city center is kind of, well, bleak is how I put it, the people in it are stellar. Completely wonderful people, helpful cops, good prices for once. I am sad to see it go. But hats off, Romania, I'm impressed.

Anyway the crossing was jovial, had some people around to watch, and smooth. At one point another rider came through - doing the liaison on his bike. He did the passport thing and then wound up to throw a huge wheelie across the border. I got a shot of it, though not very good:

The Pan Am guys are really fun. We're missing Charlie in many ways, but still having a great time. Evan almost had an aneurysm tonight from laughing to damned hard. Fun, despite the hard work and exhaustion.

I have to wrap this up. One hour of sleep awaits....