As the driver slams the shifter into fourth–a rock bent the shift linkage a few miles back–and you race toward 80 mph on a tight, rutted, rocky and occasionally jump-strewn gravel road, you bury your head in the few notes you have, struggling against instinct and physics to keep feeding the information your wheelman needs to avoid an abrupt venture into amateur forestry. Ten hectic minutes later you’re back to the speed limit, on the road to the next stage. Rinse and repeat for another 12 hours. This is the 2010 Rally-America 100 Acre Wood rally in and around Salem, Missouri, and it’s easily one of the craziest things you can do with a weekend.

Find out more about my weekend at the 100 Acre Wood Rally.