Day 5: They're off!

Aug 03, 2007

Special to the Star

The local drivers are so fast, so aggressive and (for some) so talented that a Chevy Cavalier (oh yes) with flashing lights and a siren just isn't enough to deflect them from their intended path.

Nor, as it turns out, is a pack of 40 rally cars.

Nevertheless, we did finally -- after an hour of traffic jams -- make our way out of Moscow to the first timed stage outside of a small town called Petrushki.

We stopped in the town square, where we were treated to some local music and food, and where the organizers presented the local school with a new computer. The stage, 33 km long and muddy thanks to last night's rain, was a real challenge to complete within the alloted time.

Our first stop in Russia tonight is in Vladimir, another 50 km from the end of the stage. We have a much longer driving day tomorrow.