Jonah Street and Team Top Rally PanAm are 5th overall after 2 days of the Central Europe Rally

Baia Mare, Romania - After the first two days of the Central Europe Rally, the team is in Transylvania, preparing for five more days of intense rally competition.  This event is the first of the Dakar Series, attracting most of the world's best cross-country rally talent.

Photo credit: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images

Jonah Street finished the first three stages in 8th, 3rd, and 9th positions, and now stands in 5th position overall, about 2 minutes out of 2nd place.  The wet, muddy and rocky conditions can be very dangerous for large and powerful rally bikes, so Jonah is riding fast but conservatively.

Team manager Charlie Rauseo thinks that things are going according to plan, "Although shorter than the desert rallies we know so well, this event is long enough that Jonah can use a strategy of taking as few risks as possible, especially in the early stages, but keeping within striking distance of the podium."

The Central Europe Rally is the first of the new Dakar Series, with US Television coverage on Direct TV Channel 101.  Following success in this event, Rally PanAm hopes to compete in the entire series, including the 2009 Dakar Rally in South America.

Team Top Rally PanAm Is the only American motorcycle team now competing in rallies, and is backed by Top Oil Company, Klim gear, Scuderia West, Gore-Tex, APL, Motion Pro, Baja Designs, Transfer Flow, Ready Racing, Scott Goggles, Renazco Racing, MX1West, ICW, DP Brakes, Megla Designs, Aladdin Freight, KTM Twins.com, JJE Constructors, Michelin, Linkfinity, Iridium, JoeHauler, SPS Suspension, and Harry's Custom Paint.