After an amazing day of cars, ralliers and roads, we have made it to Bruges to give a little update before crashing into bed…

Yesterday, Kim and I flew redeyes into Heathrow and were graciously picked up by car service, courtesy F5, to meet the rest of the team for our little hopefully not too bleary eyed photo op with the F5′ers at the Chertey office (photos to come, but some on flickr).

We picked up some last minute items at our newest sponsor’s shop, Euro Car Parts (spare parts, oil, tools, Thule roof bin, you know, minor things) and spent some time jerry rigging the bin to the rack with first zip ties, then door hinges and U bolts meant for something else inside the car. (Solid job the boys I might add!) By the time we rolled into Goodwood’s camp site, it was approaching midnight.

The party was still going though, complete with grills, beers, music and other tailgaiting activities like sitting down, beer pong and running around naked (the Danish team from Arhus). It was really fun rolling in though with our twin cars and we definitely got some attention with the new wrap.

The next day, we headed over to the race track and after getting shaken down by a few guards in Russian accents and fake mustaches, we parked the cars next to another Washington team, Abandon the Cube, whom we hadn’t seen since the meetup a few months ago.

We spent most of the day catching up with other ralliers and taking it all in. There was quite a bit to see – cars with grills welded to the back, cars with sailboats welded to the top, cars with tv’s fastened to the outside, London cabs, our friends at The Griswolds (green van complete with wood paneling inside and out), our friends at Just A Steppe Away and their blue Suzuki R4, ambulances, firetrucks, cherry pickers, gypsies singing and dancing, and of course, Buddy, star of the Mongol Rally movie and Nat Geo’s Wild Rides: Rickshaw Run. We got a chance to meet Mercy Corp’s events coordinator, Sandra Dow, and fundraising director, John Cunningham. (Thanks for the MC stickers – the cars weren’t complete without them!) Good friends Mary Ann, Matt and Isaac also made the drive down to cheer Baatar Hero on. Whoo hoo!

All too quickly, we took one amazing loop around the racetrack (photos and video to come) before heading off to see the white cliffs of Dover and hopping the ferry to Calais. Now in Bruges, its nearing some ungodly hour and I should really get to bed! 

Though overly tired and not without a bit work left to do on the cars, the team had a fantastic day. Yasmin – we miss you! We wonder where you’re going to fit in the car! We can’t wait to see you in Almaty!

Tomorrow we head to Koln and then Prague for more Mongol Rally maddness. We can’t wait to see more wacky cars and meet some more teams, as well as some F5′ers along for the ride. By the way, it seems that some of the other teams have heard of us – and thanks to you we are the top Mercy Corps fundraiser so far! You guys are Baatar Heroes!!!