Sunrise Over Budapest. I slept not. That is why you have this blog to read.
Team Photo, 8AM
In the same parking lot as we were.
Undersude if the VW. The SOUND this thing makes, hoo boy.
Inside the Touarag's service truck
Inside the VW TDI.
Andre De Azevedo - 20 years in the Dakar, fifth in trucks last year, best ever showing second.
Second co-driver positon: time keeper. Navigator rides on the hump in the middle.
Sixteen gears
Navigator controls these. The set on the left control hydraulics to the suspension. The set on the right controls air pressure to the tires. Both can be raised or lowered on the fly, at will.
I barely was able to climb up into this Tatra, slipped in the process and nearly face-planted in the street.
they said he was holing for red, but all he had was clear
Bidding farewell
The truck from which I thumbed a ride
People seem to like my hat. Or at least they notice it. I haven't seen any other coyboy hats in the throng. This is Dakar/ASO's Pierre Kistler trying it on for size. I think he might even be a bigwig.
Assistance veicles have their own registration process. The African Dakar included, in total, 2000 vehicles and a total of 2500 people in them. Nickie (left, a local to Budapest) and Alexia (French) were at this table all day long and still greeting team members with a smile at the end of the day. Each year, the Dakar is a reunion. Today was day zero and I'e already met people I look forward to seeing another time, on another continent.
Alexia takes my hat for a spin. Please forgive the shadow!
First registration - you get your number. Even my assistance van is registered and I have a number. Here is Jonah working on affixing his number 17 to his KTM. It's a good feeling to get your number.
It's more than a pain in the ass to get these stickers around curved edges. The trucks have it easy.
Easy does it, easy does it...
Taking a break from stickering to sign an autograph
