Things went bad, real bad…
Comming around a corner at about 80mph there was no time to even hit the brakes. They hit the Moose dead center on its rump caving the entire center of the front. The truck was done, oil, coolant, and gear oil were all over the road underneath. The frame twisted and bent in several sections. For the first time, and the last time the Express would not see them through to the finish.
Jake pushing down the airbag nursing a bloody nose, “You ok?”
Suzie “Ow, yeah, what the heck happened?”
Jake, “We hit something, judging from the blood and hair a big animal. It doesn’t look like its moving”
The two wind up climbing out of the windows
Suzie, “Man you sure made a mess out of it”
Jake, “I wonder if we get to keep it”
Suzie, “Where do you plan to put it, the truck looks almost as bad as it?”
DAY 2, 10AM-1PM
The following legs will be passed by some of the teams this time:
#9, Vaggeryd - Laholm. 161 km of highway driving. Weather is partially cloudy and cooling down.
#10, Laholm-Smygehuk. 84 km of highway driving, 102 km on small country roads. Weather is cloudy and a bit chilly.
#11, Smygehuk-Ronneby. Now the southernmost point of Sweden is passed and the teams are heading north again. 80 km of small country roads, 129 km on larger country roads. Weather is chilly with pouring rain.
Team Off Constantly / @Obfuscious
10AM-11AM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Härjedalen
Distance: 1233 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: None
Distance: 1330 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: Team is stopping for food at Orsa hamburgerbar
Distance: 1393 km
Fuel: 16 litres
Money: $5024.41
Fatigue: 30%
Team Mountain pass / @HighOctaneLove
10AM-11AM
Notes: None
Distance: 1298 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: None
Distance: 1395 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: Team is refuelling at Preem, Mora and stopping for food at McDonalds, Mora
Distance: 1419 km
Fuel: 49 litres
Money: $6735.82
Fatigue: 20%
Team Thunderstruck / @Fayeding_Spray
10AM-11AM
Notes: None
Distance: 1362 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: None
Distance: 1470 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: Team is stopping for fuel and some hot dogs at OKQ8 Djurås
Distance: 1515 km
Fuel: 46 litres
Money: $4456.47
Fatigue: 38%
Team Green Gunners / @abg7
10AM-11AM
Notes: None
Distance: 1448 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ludvika
Distance: 1564 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Kumla
Team is stopping for food at Grillcenter Kumla and for refuelling at OKQ8 Kumla
Distance: 1681 km
Fuel: 50 litres
Money: $1765.40
Fatigue: 23%
Team MV Design / @Marcus_gt500
10AM-11AM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ludvika
There is a smell of gasoline in the car. The problem is traced to a crack in a fuel hose, however, near a fitting and could be shortened.
Team is stopping for fuel at Tanka, Ludvika
Distance: 1569 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: None
Distance: 1678 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Kumla
Team is stopping for food at Grillcenter Kumla
Distance: 1747 km
Fuel: 32 litres
Money: $9709.98
Fatigue: 38%
Team Bunnysquad / @Mikonp7
10AM-11AM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Kumla
The throttle cable snaps but could be temporarily fixed to drive to the nearest shop. At Lillåns bil, Örebro, there was a Volvo 240 cable lying on a dusty shelf that was close enough to be easily modified to fit.
Distance: 1754 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Grums
Team is stopping for fuel at OKQ8 Grums
Distance: 1877 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2010 km
Fuel: 45 litres
Money: $2149.94
Fatigue: 17%
Team Operation BIRD / @Elizipeazie
10AM-11AM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Grums
Team is stopping for fuel at OKQ8 Grums
Distance: 1848 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: None
Distance: 1966 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED:Falköping
Team is stopping for food at Ströget mat & pub, Falköping
Distance: 2051 km
Fuel:40 litres
Money: $5185.32
Fatigue: 25%
Team New Life / @VicVictory
10AM-11AM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Grums
The old spare that was put on earlier in the race was old and worn and could not cope with the spirited driving in the long run. Two new tyres is bought at First Stop, Grums for $120. The remaining old tyre used as spare.
Team is refuelling at St1 Grums
Distance: 1848 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: None
Distance: 1969 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Team is stopping for food at Eldorado, Falköping
Distance: 2051 km
Fuel: 15 litres
Money: $3536.51
Fatigue: 55%
Team Harcourt-Entwhistle / @Jaimz
10AM-11AM
Notes: None
Distance: 1928km
11AM-Noon
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED:Falköping
Distance: 2051 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: Team is refuelling at ST1 Falköping and later having food at Eldorado, Falköping
Distance: 2078 km
Fuel: 48 litres
Money: $3813.52
Fatigue: 25%
Team Letto / @LordLetto
10AM-11AM
Notes: None
Distance: 1912 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: None
Distance: 2024 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Team is stopping for food at McDonalds, Jönköping
Distance: 2134 km
Fuel: 30 litres
Money: $7884.83
Fatigue: 40%
Team V6 Vandals / @Madrias
10AM-11AM
Notes: Team is firing some fireworks when passing Hillbilly Rollers
Distance: 1958 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: Team is stopping for refuelling at Ingo, Vänersborg
CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Distance: 2059 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: There is some trouble with the electronics. However, it’s not worse than it can be fixed at the side of the road.
Team is stopping for food at Burger King, Jönköping
Distance: 2119 km
Fuel: 29 litres
Money: $750.58
Fatigue: 16%
Team Hillbilly rollers / Knugcab
10AM-11AM
Notes: Team is somewhat surprised by the V6 Vandals fireworks
Distance: 1956 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: Team has stopped for refuelling at Tanka, Trollhättan
Distance: 2047 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Distance: 2164 km
Fuel: 28 litres
Money: $1516.11
Fatigue: 40%
Team Stm316 / @stm316
10AM-11AM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Distance: 2114 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Team is stopping for fuel and some hot dogs at Preem Vaggeryd
Distance: 2164 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2324 km
Fuel: 26 litres
Money: $2803.70
Fatigue: 55%
Team Sippppp / @TheElt
10AM-11AM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Distance: 2066 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Distance: 2222 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Team is refuelling at Ingo, Laholm and stopping for food at Japata, Laholm
Distance: 2325 km
Fuel: 50 litres
Money: $1854.92
Fatigue: 73%
Team REE / @Detsikeulii
10AM-11AM
Notes: Team is refuelling at Qstar Grästorp
CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Distance: 2099 km
11AM-Noon
Notes:CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Distance: 2270 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Team is refuelling at Ingo, Laholm and having food at Jipata, Laholm
Distance: 2325 km
Fuel: 50 litres
Money: $2401.92
Fatigue: 25%
Team Dust Devils / @DukeOFhazards
10AM-11AM
Notes: Team has stopped for refuelling at Circle K, Vara
CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Distance: 2086 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Distance: 2239 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Team is stopping for food at Örelids, Laholm
Distance: 2325 km
Fuel: 15 litres
Money: $4898.80
Fatigue: 40%
Team Bakewell Tart / @Mythrin
10AM-11AM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Distance: 2134 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: CHECKPOINTS PASSED: Vaggeryd, Laholm
Team is stopping for fuel at Preem, Hjärnarp and having food at Hjärnarps pizzeria
Distance: 2353 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2407 km
Fuel: 46 litres
Money: $2506.12
Fatigue: 47.5%
Team Shitbox / @Mr.Computah
10AM-11AM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Distance:2314 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Distance: 2473 km
9AM-10AM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Team is refuelling at Qstar, Beddingestrand and having food at Restaurang Smygehamn
Distance: 2511 km
Fuel: 50 litres
Money: $2752.86
Fatigue: 53%
Team Getaway Plan / @BoostandEthanol
10AM-11AM
Notes: CHECKPOINTS PASSED: Vaggeryd
Team is refuelling at Preem Vaggeryd
Team is followed by the police for a while
Distance: 2308 km
11AM-Noon
Notes: Checkpoint passed: Laholm
Distance: 2441 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Team is stopping for food at Restaurang Smygehamn
Distance: 2526 km
Fuel:36 litres
Money: $1428.66
Fatigue: 55%
just a little question
@Aaron.W
are you still in my car?
EDIT:
I am just gonna assume your team is still here since i haven´t dropped you off yet…
Team V6 Vandals
10:30 AM, approximately.
The raspy V6 suddenly roared as Amy pinned the loud-pedal to the firewall, seeing her opportunity. She swung out to pass, ducking out of the Hillbilly Rollers’ slipstream, the Swift’s aerodynamic - for the 80’s, at least - body slicing through the air as they charged up alongside. 3.9 liters of fury hammered away under the hood, fighting drag and air resistance as Jake and Cody rolled the rear windows down, before unleashing a barrage of fireworks at and around the Hillbilly Rollers’ car. Luke joined in, lighting the fuse of one of the Roman Candles and spraying popping, crackling balls of light in front of the windshield as they roared past.
With a final whistling, screaming bottle rocket zooming out the rear window, and a last deafening explosion, the Vandals completed their pass, their Sinistra Swift disappearing, slowly, into the distance.
12:15 PM
“Ooh, that’s a little unpleasant.” Amy said, feeling their mighty V6 surging and coughing, the check-engine light glowing as the dashboard lights flickered.
“Yeah, that doesn’t look good at all.” Jake replied, checking the laptop. “All of the sensors are reading funny. Everything’s reading low.”
“Bad ground.” Luke said. “Willing to bet that Lady Leadfoot driving over that pothole a mile back loosened up one of the chassis grounds, now we’ve got electrical problems.”
“Well, if it gets any worse, she’s going to die on us, so best we pull over now, fix it, and think about getting some food.” Amy said.
“There’s a Burger King.” Cody said, pointing. “We’ll stop in there, fix the car in the parking lot, then eat.”
They raced into the parking lot, parked up, and immediately set about checking the car for problems. Not finding anything related to the chassis grounds, Luke checked the harness, then said, “Well, it was a loose ground, but it’s the signal ground, not chassis ground. It fell out of the connector and was banging on the firewall.”
“Explains why it kept running. May not have been the zero-volts it wanted, but it was close enough to keep the electronics in range.” Jake said. He leaned in, then pushed the loose pin back into the harness, before applying a liberal application of duct-tape to hold everything in place… Maybe.
Team Mountain Pass
Day Two: 10AM - 1PM
After leaving the hotel, we pressed on into the sunny, but chill, Swedish morning. Pierre decided to engross himself in a word puzzle game on his tablet and I kept the pedal to the metal in search of all the speed I could scrounge from the diminutive Bogliq. It wasn’t enough. Despite our best efforts we were six hundred kilometres behind the front pack. Six hundred kilometres!!! We were a whole day’s driving behind the frontrunners… I was so depressed at our lack of pace that when we finished getting fuel we went to McDonalds for lunch.
This turned out to be a lot more fun than anticipated! They had unique choices on their menu I’d not seen before, like a McBagel and Maestro Legacy range and donuts!!! Pierre and I made sure that we sampled a little bit of everything on offer, including fresh cows milk… Sweden is indeed much more civilised than I could ever imagine!
Stats:
Distance travelled - 1419Km
Fuel used - 176 litres
Money remaining - $6,735.82
Fatigue level - 20%
TEAM HILLBILLY ROLLERS
DAY 2 10AM - 1PM
The (for the 80s) huge disc brakes of the Celestia locked up the front wheels with a screech, putting two black marks on the tarmac while the Swift was passing and disappearing into the horizon
ANDREAS: WHAT THE (curse word) DID THEY DO? THEY FIRED FIREWORKS AT OUR CAR!
JANNE, MARIE (at the same time): NOW THIS MEANS REVENGE!
ANDREAS: But how? They have already passed us?
JANNE: Like if an 80s Swift was some kind of sports car? I bet we will pass them again later on.
MARIE: Yeah, let’s just take it easy by now and give the bastards a piece of mind when we see them next time!
(Meanwhile from the speakers)
Some hours later:
ANDREAS: HAHAHAHA, look who is standing outside the Burger King!
JANNE: HEHEHEHEHE, THIS MEANS WAR!
(The Celestia is sneaking in behind the now empty Swift)
ANDREAS: Hehehe, how about this, first we put a banana in the tail pipe…
MARIE: Yes, and then we put a whole bunch of old Wunderbaum* air freshners hidden in the air intake…what do you think…is twenty of them enough?
* Little trees for you americans
JANNE: Hahahaha, and don’t forget to put some gravel behind the hub caps…
MARIE: And last but not least, how about a huge (male genitalia) in the back window drawn with some shaving cream?
PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSCHHHHHHT!
MARIE: HAHAHAH, THAT WILL TEACH THEM!
With smoking tyres the IP left the Burger king parking lot.
To be continued…
(@Madrias)
Team New Life
“Seriously, we need to stop going to these pizza places,” Kyle grumbled. “I mean, tuna and mussels?”
Fuzz made a gagging noise, which elicited a dirty stare from restaurant staff.
“Indiana pizza. With… does this say curry?” Hank asked, shocked. “Indiana? Curry? Indiana’s about the blandest state out there. They wouldn’t know curry if it slapped them in the face.”
“Maybe they mean India,” Kyle interjected.
“That would make more sense. But it says Indiana here.”
“You know what, let’s just play it safe,” Fuzz said. “Calzones. Ham and cheese. Nothing that will kill us.”
The cousins nodded in agreement.
“Yeah. And definitely no pizza next time,” Hank added.
“Well, what kind should we do next?”
He shrugged. “Something local. Not Swedes trying to do Italian or American or what have you.”
Fuzz shuddered. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“It can’t be any worse than mussel-and-shrimp pizza, can it?”
Question, and I don’t know if we can go back and retroactively change this BUT… Hank is not the type just to replace the balding spare and not deal with the original tire that failed. He likely would have replaced both, put them on, and taken the now-extra tire and made it into a spare. Possible?
(And yes, they will try to, for their next meal stop, find some actual Swedish food, possibly of the seafood variety)
Team Green Gunners, Part 7
Having completed the last few hundred miles of the race without incident, the Green Gunners continued to drive at their fast, steady pace as usual. Some time around noon, they passed the checkpoint at Ludvika - but being so far back in the pack, this achievement elicited no reaction from them. They just kept the hammer down, hoping to close in on their nearest rivals - and hopefully work their way back up the pack.
The Green Gunners soon found themselves at the next checkpoint in Kumla. There, they had lunch and later found an opportunity to refuel their car. That’s when Tom remarked:
“Right now we are lagging behind, but there is still a lot of driving to do. With several other entrants having already fallen by the wayside, we remain optimistic about our chances. The last few hundred miles were trouble-free for us, but anything can happen in this race; we must therefore remain wary, especially considering the number of freak incidents which have already happened so far.”
Bob silently nodded in acknowledgement as the Green Gunners returned to the road. Would they work their way up the field, as Tom expected? Or would they go out of the race with a bang, or worse yet, a whimper? Time will tell.
I’m not sure that I understand the last part (came home from work recently and understanding Swedish is hard enough). PM me with a more detailed explanation so we don’t have to clutter the thread.
Operation BIRD
State of team:
Connor:
currently driving; repeatedly checks on the others in the rear-viev-mirror; sceptical about trustworthiness of Lucas and John
Redwood:
co-driver´s seat; neutral; in conversation with John and Lucas
Tonsom:
rear left seat; in conversation with John and Lucas; in hope for progress on mission
Possible State of guest occupants:
Lucas: in conversation with Tonsom and Redwood, possibly Connor; eager to help
John: see Lucas
day two; 10:36 in the morning
Tonsom: “Well… seems like you are not very talkactive when stuff is getting serious… at least serious for us…”
Connor: "We´ll be arriving at the town of Grums shortly.
[to John and Lucas, while keeping his eyes on the road]
“We can stop at Grums railway station for you to get to Stockholm. Despite little talking between us, i appreciate your presence.”
Tonsom: “Yeah… don´t listen to that guy… Anyway… you certainly aren´t a couple of assholes…”
The car comes to a halt at Grums railway station.
Tonsom hands a 50$ bill to each of the members.
Then John and Lucas get out of the car.
John: “What´s the money for?”
Tonsom: “Lemme put it this way… we have a bunch of it left and… if we fail our direct task, we can say we minimized the damage done by not getting it done…”
John: “Erm… Thanks anyway. Have a good time on your way!”
Tonsom: “Goodbye then…”
Lucas: “Bye.”
@Knugcab
could you please remove 100$ from my money left at the start of the next stage (gave them to the Wolfes for the train)
@Aaron.W
sorry if i overdid it with RP…
anyway… glad i could help out
DAY 2, 1 PM - 4 PM
The following legs will be entered by some of the teams
#12, Ronneby-Uppvidinge, 119 km of small country roads. Partially cloudy and warm weather.
#13, Uppvidinge-Västervik, 156 km of small country roads. Clear and warm weather.
Team Mountain pass / @HighOctaneLove
1PM-2PM
Notes: None
Distance: 1516 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ludvika
Distance: 1623 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: There is a fire under the bonnet, spreading quickly, making the car burst into flames. The team is getting out in time but the car is completely burnt out.
RACE OVER!
Distance covered: 1631 km
Team Off Constantly / @Obfuscious
1PM-2PM
Notes: None
Distance: 1475 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: Team is refuelling at OKQ8 Djurås
CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ludvika
Distance: 1550 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: None
Distance: 1654 km
Fuel: 40 litres
Money: $4951.42
Fatigue: 53%
Team Thunderstruck / @Fayeding_Spray
1PM-2PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ludvika
Distance: 1645 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Kumla
Distance: 1764 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: Engine is running hot in the heat, team is taking it easy for a while.
CHECKPOINT PASSED: Grums
Distance: 1862 km
Fuel: 3 litres
Money: $4456.47
Fatigue: 75%
Team MV Design / @Marcus_gt500
1PM-2PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Grums
Distance: 1873 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: None
Distance: 1990 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Team is refuelling at ST1 Falköping
Distance: 2076 km
Fuel: 48 litres
Money: $9631.77
Fatigue: 60%
Team Green Gunners / @abg7
1PM-2PM
Notes: None
Distance: 1782 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Grums
Distance: 1939 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Distance: 2097 km
Fuel: 13 litres
Money: $1765.40
Fatigue: 45%
Team New Life / @VicVictory
1PM-2PM
Notes: Team is stopping for fuel at ST1 Jönköping
Distance: 2134 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Distance: 2258 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Distance: 2409 km
Fuel: 8 litres
Money: $3453.70
Fatigue: 70%
Team Bunnysquad / @Mikonp7
1PM-2PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Falköping
Team is stopping for food at Ströget mat & pub Falköping
Distance: 2131 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Team is stopping for fuel at Din-X Knäred
Distance: 2310 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Distance: 2422 km
Fuel: 39 litres
Money: $2048.44
Fatigue: 35%
Team Operation BIRD / @Elizipeazie
1PM-2PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2144 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Distance: 2300 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED:Laholm
Distance: 2438 km
Fuel:22 litres
Money: $5085.32
Fatigue: 40%
Team Letto / @LordLetto
1PM-2PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Rear muffler broke off due to rust, spare part found at Mekonomen Vaggeryd.
Distance: 2179 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2307 km
Noon-1PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Team is stopping for food at McDonalds, Landskrona
Distance: 2469 km
Fuel: 12 litres
Money: $7775.83
Fatigue: 55%
Team Hillbilly rollers / Knugcab
1PM-2PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Team is stopping for food at Spis, Vaggeryd
Distance: 2240 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: Team is refuelling at Ingo, Laholm
CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Distance: 2353 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2478 km
Fuel: 32 litres
Money: $1423.11
Fatigue: 55%
Team Harcourt-Entwhistle / @Jaimz
1PM-2PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Distance: 2213 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED:Laholm
Distance: 2364 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2487 km
Fuel: 17 litres
Money: $3813.52
Fatigue: 40%
Team V6 Vandals / @Madrias
1PM-2PM
Notes: Team is not extremely amused about finding their car decorated by the Hillbilly rollers.
CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Distance: 2239 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: Team is refuelling at Ingo, Laholm
CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Distance: 2370 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2499 km
Fuel: 26 litres
Money: $665.53
Fatigue: 26%
Team Stm316 / @stm316
1PM-2PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Team is refuelling at Preem, Landskrona
Distance: 2435 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Some confused thai woman drives into the side of the car with her scooter, no huge damage, just some arguing.
Distance: 2517 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2631 km
Fuel: 17 litres
Money: $2740.42
Fatigue: 70%
Team Dust Devils / @DukeOFhazards
1PM-2PM
Notes: Team has stopped for refuelling at Preem, Landskrona
Distance: 2440 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: Car gets a flat tyre. Has to be changed for a full size spare at the side of the road.
CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Distance: 2524 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2642 km
Fuel: 21 litres
Money: $4820.23
Fatigue: 55%
Team Sippppp / @TheElt
1PM-2PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2459 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Distance: 2568 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2691 km
Fuel: 44 litres
Money: $1854.92
Fatigue: 95%
Team REE / @Detsikeulii
1PM-2PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2472 km
2PM-3PM
Notes:CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Distance: 2603 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: Team is refuelling at Qstar Tollarp
Distance: 2700 km
Fuel: 38 litres
Money: $2329.21
Fatigue: 40%
Team Bakewell Tart / @Mythrin
1PM-2PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Distance: 2540 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2683 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED:Ronneby
Distance: 2818 km
Fuel: 27 litres
Money: $2506.12
Fatigue: 75%
Team Shitbox / @Mr.Computah
1PM-2PM
Notes: None
Distance:2635 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ronneby
There is a nasty sound coming from the gearbox.
Distance: 2775 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Uppvidinge
Distance: 2902 km
Fuel: 30 litres
Money: $2752.86
Fatigue: 84%
Team Getaway Plan / @BoostandEthanol
1PM-2PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2666 km
2PM-3PM
Notes: Checkpoint passed: Ronneby
Distance: 2801 km
3PM-4PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Uppvidinge
Distance: 2927 km
Fuel:19 litres
Money: $1428.66
Fatigue: 75%
Team V6 Vandals
1:30 PM
“Oh, you’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.” Jake said, looking at what had been done to the Swift. “Thankfully, it’s a hatchback, I can clear the shaving-cream cock-up off of the rear window with the wiper and washer fluid.”
The team climbed into their car, where Jake took the hot-seat for the first time, and the 3.9 liter V6 strained to start. After several minutes of cranking, it finally lit up, exploding banana all over an unfortunate elderly lady who happened to be directly behind their car. Jake cleared the rear window, or at least smeared the cream around enough to not be recognizable, then rattled and clanked his way out of the parking lot.
They hit the road hard, the gravel no longer making a racket as long as they kept the speed up, though it threw the wheels slightly out of balance at high speeds. When Jake saw the Hillbilly Rollers pulling off to get food, he pointed them out, and it was Amy who rolled the window down and hurled one of the team’s piss-bottles at their car. She missed, but the intent was crystal clear.
After stopping for gas around 2:00-ish, give or take a few minutes, the Vandals raced out of the parking lot, having finally dislodged the gravel from their hub-caps.
Around 4 PM, a burning question was rattling around Jake’s mind, and after a few tense minutes of trying to keep their speeding Sinistra on the road, he finally got around to saying something.
“Hey, Luke, mind checking and finding out how far back we are?” Jake asked.
Luke quickly popped up one of his communications arrays, then started a broad search of social media and radio chatter, any information passed back to the race administrators, and GPS beacons for any cars dramatically exceeding the speed limits. After a couple minutes, he responded with, “Best guess, we’re in the leading 10. I’d say 8th car back, but I could very easily be wrong. Don’t have the best data to work with, though it sounds like Mountain Pass is out of the race.”
“How’d it happen?” Amy asked.
“Fire. Don’t know much more than that. Heard they’re okay, but the car’s a total write-off.”
“What is it with Bogliq and their cars being surprisingly flammable?” Cody said. “Then again, could be worse, they could be made of pure explodium and just go kaboom every time someone looks at one funny.”
“I’d guess whenever the country they’re in banned asbestos, all flame-proofing went right out the window.” Amy said, giving a light shrug. “That, and they do tend to find the most abused cars in general, and we know from experience what that can lead to.”
“Yes, we know, Lady Leadfoot. After all, you killed our little Ishu Truckling by rev-tapping it when we knew it had an oil leak.” Luke replied, causing Cody to laugh. Jake, however, cringed because he remembered the huge cloud of smoke inside the cab, making it hard to see and harder to breathe.
“Well, Luke, get on a radio or something and let Mountain Pass know that it was good to run with them, and we’ll see them in the next big thing.” Jake said.
TEAM HILLBILLY ROLLERS
DAY 2 1PM - 4PM
ANDREAS: WHAT THE (curse word) WAS THAT?
JANNE: A piss bottle. They must have really bad imagination. Couldn’t they come up with something better?
ANDREAS: Yeah, we already have Marie in the car so it’s not really like it would change the smell…
MARIE: AND WHO DID PUT A QUARTER IN YOU?
To be continued
What? The Bogliq caught fire?
Who’d have thunk it. 
Team Mountain Pass
Day Two: 1PM - 4PM
We were making great time, the l’il 1.6 was humming, the Eurobeat was tinny yet oddly satisfying and Pierre was kicking Candy Crush’s ass, when disaster happened…
A: “We just passed Ludvika, another checkpoint down, we may be slow but we’re still pushing forward! Pierre, PIERRE!!! Stop playing that game and listen to me!!!”
P: clears throat Oh yes, quite right, Sweden be baller and all that… Now I have to focus; this level’s tricky"
A: shakes head “Oh Pierre, you’re incorrigible…”
Then, ominously, the stereo cuts out.
A: “What the hell…” fiddles with the stereo “The stereo’s dead!”
P: “Hmmmm… Why does this feel familiar?”
A: “Now the instrument panel has died, I’m pulling over!”
The Bogliq pulls over to the side of the road. Now that there is no slipstream the front of the car is wreathed in toxic black smoke. Our duo, realising the danger, snatch their “Go” bags from the cabin and find themselves face down at the edge of the forest on either side of the road. The Bogliq’s cabin had somehow exploded, throwing them clear but otherwise unhurt, and the whole car is now merrily burning itself down with only some twisted metal to mark where Team Mountain Pass officially finished the Meatball Rally.
A: “Well that sucks… Pierre, did you check to see if that Bogliq had all it’s recalls done?”
P: Looking sheepish “Uhhh… I forgot”
A: “Damn!” looks in his bag “At least we have enough money to buy another car, check your bag will ya? … Maybe a Zap this time?”
P: ahem “Uhhh, Andrew, I kinda moved the money since I was worried it would get snatched if someone stole our bags… Sorry, but the money is gone, literally up in smoke and my tablet’s wrecked too” sniffs
A: “Son of a bitch!” sigh “OK, we’ll just have to wait for the Swedish police and fire brigade… Hopefully I have enough room on my credit card for flights home”
P: “Hopefully…”
So the sun sets on our intrepid reporters, victims of Logi and rendered penniless, as they sit side by side, soot stained and weary, their dream shattered and their hopes dashed yet again by capricious fate…
Stats:
Distance travelled - 1631Km
Fuel used - 200 litres
Money remaining - $0
Fatigue level - 100%
Team Green Gunners, Part 8
The past three hours of the race were surprisingly uneventful for the two men who were known as the Green Gunners. Nothing untoward had happened at all, but on the other hand, there was very little which could lift their spirits either. It was around this time that they began receiving reports of a blue Bogliq literally melting after it caught fire and subsequently exploded. Tom was the first to comment on the inferno:
“Well, that’s it for Team Mountain Pass. They definitely went out with a bang…”
“…and a whimper as well!” Bob replied. "My suspicions about self-immolating Bogliqs are most definitely true now!
“Let’s hope our car doesn’t suffer the same fate as theirs does. Cars like ours are getting scarcer over time, and ought to be preserved”, Tom concluded.
And as expected, the Green Gunners forged on towards the next waypoint.
Team Bakewell Tart
The Ditane had racked up the miles barking through the country roads still quite a way behind the leaders but gaining slowly.
“Apparently another cars down, the blue Bogliq” said Connor.
“Aren’t they all blue, shame it wasn’t one of the leaders but we live in hope” replied Mandy.
“I despair sometimes” said Connor exasperatedly.
“You want to win don’t you” shot back Mandy planting her foot deeper into the carpets.
As the words left her mouth her phone began to buzz ontop of the ashtray it showed a call from ‘Dad 
’ Mandy slowed her speed and picked up the phone catching a quick glare from Connor. Mandy’s dad quickly cut to the chase.
“Wait they’re doing it again, do it do it do it” replied Mandy instantly.
DAY 2, 4 PM - 7 PM
The following legs will be entered by some of the teams
#14, Västervik-Motala, 144 km of larger country roads, 10 km of highways. Warm and partially cloudy weather.
#15, Motala-Gnesta, 64 km of larger country roads, 124 km of highways. Warm and partially cloudy weather.
Team Off Constantly / @Obfuscious
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Kumla
Distance: 1780 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Grums
Team is stopping for food at Sibylla, Grums
Distance: 1849 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: None
Distance: 1957 km
Fuel: 16 litres
Money: $4936.42
Fatigue: 75%
Team Thunderstruck / @Fayeding_Spray
4PM-5PM
Notes: Team is stopping for refuelling and eating at OKQ8 Åmål
Distance: 1913 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2034 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: Team is resting somewhere between Tråvad and Ullene
Distance: 2034 km
Fuel: 30 litres
Money: $4357.13
Fatigue: >100%
Team MV Design / @Marcus_gt500
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Team is stopping for food at Spis, Vaggeryd
Distance: 2164 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: Car is reversed into a light pole when leaving the parking lot. Bootlid springs open and has to be straightened out enough to get it closed.
Distance: 2223 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Distance: 2353 km
Fuel: 24 litres
Money: $9610.77
Fatigue:83%
Team Green Gunners / @abg7
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Vaggeryd
Team is stopping for refuelling and food at Preem Vaggeryd
Distance: 2164 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Laholm
Distance: 2324 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Distance: 2480 km
Fuel: 23 litres
Money: $1585.19
Fatigue: 68%
Team New Life / @VicVictory
4PM-5PM
Notes: Team is stopping for fuel at Preem Landskrona and food at McDonalds Landskrona
Distance: 2436 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Oil pressure light is flickering. Engine is knocking.
Distance: 2543 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2658 km
Fuel: 17 litres
Money: $3418.46
Fatigue: 85%
Team Letto / @LordLetto
4PM-5PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2458 km
(Note: Unfortunately I did a typo last time, distance covered should be 2369 km, not 2469, so the team is not running backwards)
5PM-6PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Distance: 2575 km
6-7PM
Notes: Team is refuelling at Preem Hörby
Distance: 2658 km
Fuel: 46 litres
Money: $7689.26
Fatigue: 70%
Team Operation BIRD / @Elizipeazie
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Team is stopping for food at restaurang Smygehamn
Distance: 2511 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2595 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2713 km
Fuel:9 litres
Money: $5085.32
Fatigue: 55%
Team Bunnysquad / @Mikonp7
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Distance: 2547 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2672 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ronneby
Team is stopping for refuelling and food at OKQ8 Ronneby
Distance: 2738 km
Fuel: 48 litres
Money: $1958.56
Fatigue: 52%
Team Hillbilly rollers / Knugcab
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Team is stopping for food at restaurang Smygehamn
Distance: 2533 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2648 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ronneby
Team is refuelling at OKQ8 Ronneby
Distance: 2744 km
Fuel: 47 litres
Money: $1321.23
Fatigue: 70%
Team Harcourt-Entwhistle / @Jaimz
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Team is stopping for food at Nilssons Gästgiveri Hörby
Distance: 2591 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: Team is refuelling at Preem Hörby
Distance: 2626 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ronneby
Distance: 2747 km
Fuel: 38 litres
Money: $3720.70
Fatigue: 55%
Team V6 Vandals / @Madrias
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Smygehuk
Team is stopping for food at Hörte brygga, Skivarp
Distance: 2556 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2680 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ronneby
Team is refuelling at Circle K, Karlshamn
Distance: 2771 km
Fuel: 39 litres
Money: $551.58
Fatigue: 36%
Team REE / @Detsikeulii
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINTS PASSED: Ronneby, Uppvidinge
Distance: 2839 km
5PM-6PM
Notes:Team is stopping for food at Lenhovda Pizzeria.
Shortly after leaving, team is failing to yield at an intersection, being hit in the right front fender, bending suspension parts. Race can’t be continued.
RACE OVER!
Distance covered: 2842 km
Team Sippppp / @TheElt
4PM-5PM
Notes: Team is resting in Karlshamn
Distance: 2691 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ronneby
Team is stopping for food at Burger King, Ronneby
Distance: 2748 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Uppvidinge
Distance: 2859 km
Fuel: 41 litres
Money: $1840.92
Fatigue: 58%
Team Stm316 / @stm316
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED:Ronneby
Team is stopped for refuelling and food at OKQ8 Ronneby
Distance: 2655 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: None
Distance: 2799 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Uppvidinge
Distance: 2909 km
Fuel: 22 litres
Money: $2654.97
Fatigue: 85%
Team Dust Devils / @DukeOFhazards
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Ronneby
Team is stopping for refuelling and food at OKQ8 Ronneby
Distance: 2756 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: Fan belt is squealing, tensioned at the side of the road
Distance: 2835 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Uppvidinge
Distance: 2914 km
Fuel: 30 litres
Money: $4729.09
Fatigue: 70%
Team Shitbox / @Mr.Computah
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Västervik
Team is stopping for food at McDonalds Västervik
The gearbox is sounding even worse.
Distance:2995 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: Team is resting in Stadsparken, Västervik
Distance: 2995 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: The gearbox is sounding even worse
Team is followed by the police for a while
Distance: 3099 km
Fuel: 20 litres
Money: $2738.86
Fatigue: 50%
Team Bakewell Tart / @Mythrin
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Uppvidinge
Distance: 2952 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Västervik
Team is stopping for refuelling and eating at Shell/Seven eleven, Västervik
Distance: 3010 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED:Motala
Distance: 3149 km
Fuel: 39 litres
Money: $2407.16
Fatigue: 100%
Team Getaway Plan / @BoostandEthanol
4PM-5PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Västervik
Team is stopping for food at McDonalds Västervik
Distance: 2995 km
5PM-6PM
Notes: None
Distance: 3145 km
6PM-7PM
Notes: CHECKPOINT PASSED: Motala
Distance: 3328 km
Fuel:3 litres
Money: $1414.66
Fatigue: 100%