WGP2 Season 4 – RP/results thread

[Liventia]

These are the confirmed signings I have so far. If I've missed any, please re-confirm in a single-line bolded post in this thread (both driver and team).

A reminder that only teams with confirmed drivers (minimum of one) will take part in pre-season tests and races; any teams with zero drivers as of 1 April will not be allowed to race until they have signed two drivers.

Equipo Telebuenas-BA: Rod Gozum
Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis: Lukas Fichter
Bitten Heroes Academy-MW Racing: No drivers
VSK-Maarukanna Racing: Sakinomi Rikikida, Chiruno Hakusoe
Nexus Racing: No drivers
Fireline Motorsports: Adriana Kowalski
Teussische Motoren Werke: Heinz-Otto Junker, Joy Wingelaar
Grand Prix Sport Chanceux: No drivers
UrGa Motorsports Division: No drivers
Pryfors Bilar-Viska/Air Kalactin: Laura Haukanna, Indra Vartak
PrismRiver Racing: Charyseine Valkyria
Kaylan Racing Team: Anola Melani, Ted Pressley
MontagneF1: No drivers
National Armament Corporation Racing: No drivers

[Siovanija and Teusland]

TeusBank TMW Rennsport

Official Team Guide - WGP2 Season 4

A Message from TMW CEO Magnus Schonau

My friends,

We are looking forward to another season of exciting motorsport, this time taking place all over the world. Teussische Motoren Werke has, for the first time in its history, entered international competition. We are excited to begin this journey with our fans from back home in Siovanija & Teusland, our homeland whose flag we proudly race under, and hope to reach out to new fans across the world. With talented young drivers Heinz-Otto Junker and Joy Wingelaar, we are hoping to have a strong first season as a team and build towards our goal of success. We are excited, as we are sure our many fans are, for our race at the Stelburgring this season, and can’t wait to see the sea of black and gold.

Thank you for your support,
Magnus Schonau

Our Team - Our Story

It all begins in 1905, when the first grand prix race happens on a series of private roads near Stelburg. Teussische Motoren Werke, of course, enter, and go on to dominate the event, taking a 1-2 finish. From then on, TMW’s involvement in motorsport in Siovanija & Teusland would continue to grow and grow. When the National Grand Prix Championship was established in 1954, TMW began participation, and are the only constructor to have entered every single race, winning 38 constructors’ and 41 drivers’ titles in the 74 seasons since then. TMW also participate in domestic endurance racing championships, and are one of only 3 teams to have won the NGPC constructors’ title as well as the Stelburgring 24 Hours.

TMW’s founder, Julius Schonau, believed in a certain elegance and class, and that is something our team has always strived towards. From the first-ever champion, Andreas Reizel, to many other champions such as Heinrich Herschinger, Patrick Metzinger, Elias Rossel and more, and now to today’s heroes, Heinz-Otto Junker and Joy Wingelaar, there is a tradition that continues on, a torch passed down, and one that we hope will bring good fortune into the next challenge. We are TMW.

Our Team - Staff

Jorn Feistel will serve as the Team Principal for TeusBank TMW Rennsport this season in WGP2 competition, having been with the team for 14 seasons in various capacities and leading the team to 6 constructors’ championships as Team Principal. Joining him as race engineers will be Oliver Werich leading Heinz-Otto Junker’s half of the garage, while Kaspar Flugel will lead Joy Wingelaar’s half. Heinrich Herschinger, a three-time domestic drivers’ champion, will serve as the Sporting Director of the team. We cannot forget, of course, our great race-day staff, both on the pit wall, in the garage, and back at the factory in Litzengau - each member of the TMW team contributes to our success week in and week out.

The Challenger

The Teussische Motoren Werke Wagen 27A, or TMW W27A, as it will be known in the short form, is the TMW challenger for this season. It is a very balanced car, well-rounded and not sacrificing one particular area for strength in another. The successor to the TMW W26, which took the constructors’ title in the domestic championship, this car notably saw developments to its rear end stability and the aero package. It is powered by the TMW Powertrains V6 Engine, a new development built to match the Preston Autos Skychief V6 and meets all the spec requirements for the WGP2 season. This is the first TMW car to use a V6 engine. The car is designated as the W27A, while the W27B will compete in domestic championships with slight differences to match the different engine regulations.

The car, of course, keeps the classic TMW tradition in the livery. National gold is the main colour, while the sidepods, front and back wing keep the traditional black colour. It’s a livery that hasn’t seen much change in its history, and the proud TMW logo, the eagle, will be on the front nose as always.

The Drivers

This year’s drivers are Heinz-Otto Junker and Joy Wingelaar. Heinz-Otto Junker has been a much-discussed talent for many years in the domestic scene, the son of a former driver, and upon making his debut for the TMW team in the national championship last season made an instant impression. Junker won his third race, and ended up putting together a surprising title challenge against veteran teammate Patrick Metzinger, falling just short. He showed an aggression and confidence not usually seen in more the more technical culture of Teus drivers, and it’s made him both a fan favourite and the subject of much attention at home. WGP2 is his chance to shine.

Joy Wingelaar was born on the island of St Thomas in the Licentian Isles, and grew up driving her father’s tractors. Soon enough, she was competing in karting on the Isles, winning a junior championship and a now 3 senior championships on the trot before taking the step up to WGP2. She has a great deal of potential, and was highly impressive at the testing event at the Stelburgring earlier this year. Joy’s strengths lie in her technique, which has helped propel her to those domestic championships and is what she will be looking to continue on the international stage.

Our Partners

We are proud to renew our partnership with TeusBank as our Leading Partner, who will have their name on the side of the car as well as in the official title of our team: TeusBank TMW Rennsport.

Our Global Partners are Teus beer company Bergsteiger, Siovanija & Teusland airline AirRepublika, Licentian software company Barton Software and Banijan transport company Regional Transport Corporation.

Our Supporting Partners include Teussische Vermogensberatung, Adler Sportswear, TeusTel, Nordsee Elektrofirma, ANG (national oil company of Sankt Konrad), Banijan airline Orange Sky, the Licentian due of renewable infrastructure company RenewTec and delivery service Levering, as well as top Siovanija & Teusland hotel chain Imperia Hotels and Resorts.

In addition, we have a number of local partners, whom we thank for their support of our team. We look forward to continued development of our strong ties with these partners.

Team Principal’s Message

Hello,

We here at TeusBank TMW Rennsport are very much looking forward to the season ahead. With two talented young drivers in Joy Wingelaar and Heinz-Otto Junker, we are looking forward to a season that should be full of excitement and promise for the future. From the moment the lights go out in Alikki-Corra, until the checkered flag waves in Gold Park, we will be working hard to make you, our fans, proud. We believe our team has a strong diversity of skills, particularly our two drivers, which will make each race exciting, and we are hoping for a memorable season.

Best wishes,
Jorn Feistel

Confirming the official team name for the season as TeusBank TMW Rennsport

[Trans-Dniesters]

To: Ryan Schumacher
From: Vasily Semyonovich Gatutin (gatutin_v_s@urga.pdn)
Subject: Re: Test session in Myrilsk

We regret to inform you that you have missed the deadline for sending your acceptance of our invitation to participate in our test. However, there may still be an opportunity for you to become part of UrGa Motorsports Division as the race to sign drivers for the coming WGP2 season is very much intense. We will reach out to you again should we need your services.

Vasily Semyonovich Gatutin

Day 1 Afternoon: One Lap Pace Test

Conditions:      	Dry
Predicted Optimal Time:	00:01:55.556
Qualifying Type:	One Shot
Nation:         	PDN
Circuit:        	Myrilsk Test Track

POS #   DRIVER                                   FASTEST LAP     GAP TO LEADER		
 1  7 ▍Batu Tüvshinbayar                     	00:01:55.656	00:00:00.000
 2 14 ▍Skiia Vialiv                          	00:01:55.711	00:00:00.055
 3 17 ▍David Clarke                          	00:01:56.899	00:00:01.243
 4 66 ▍Harry Zoomtwat                        	00:01:57.230	00:00:01.574
 5  6 ▍Jerome Mariote                        	00:01:58.778	00:00:03.123
 6 11 ▍Anola Melani                          	00:01:59.086	00:00:03.430
 7 70 ▍Astigar Armendaritze                  	00:02:01.064	00:00:05.408
 8 88 ▍Ted Pressley                          	00:02:12.655	00:00:16.999

Day 2 Morning: Race Pace and Racecraft Test

Conditions:      	Dry	
Laps:              	5	
Nation:         	PDN	
Circuit:        	Myrilsk Test Track	
Event:	UrGa Race Test	
Safety Car Deployed on Laps:		
Cars on Grid:	8

POS DRV Name                     Team	Time
  1 11 MEL Anola Melani                  ▍UrGa Motorsports Division        	00:11:44.095
  2 66 ZOO Harry Zoomtwat                ▍UrGa Motorsports Division        	00:00:10.381
  3  6 MRI Jerome Mariote                ▍UrGa Motorsports Division        	00:00:29.023
  4 17 CLA David Clarke                  ▍UrGa Motorsports Division        	00:00:37.815
  5  7 TUV Batu Tüvshinbayar             ▍UrGa Motorsports Division        	00:00:39.435
  6 14 VIA Skiia Vialiv                  ▍UrGa Motorsports Division        	00:00:40.306
  7 70 AMD Astigar Armendaritze          ▍UrGa Motorsports Division        	00:00:45.965
  8 88 PRE Ted Pressley                  ▍UrGa Motorsports Division        	00:00:51.188

After much deliberation, it has been decided that UrGa Motorsports Division will offer its second seat to Harry Zoomtwat. Skiia Vialiv and David Clarke are lined up as alternative choices should Zoomtwat decline UrGa's offer or if he chooses to drive for another team.

This is also official confirmation that Taras Matviyenko will drive for UrGa Motorsports Division.

[Sword Island]

David Clarke accepts the Grand Prix Sport Chanceux WGP2 offer

[Twicetagram and JYPe]

Valkyria: Devilish Inside
“So, I’m a PrismRiver driver now, huh?” Charyseine found himself saying time to time. He’d just signed a season-long contract with PrismRiver Racing, one of the teams participating in WGP2 IV. And they weren't just a "we gave you a seat because you didn't have any" team unlike last WGPC, they actually wanted him. Everything had passed by in a flurry ever since he sent those emails. For once, he was actually excited to drive something.

With the excitement of a race seat came worry as well. Would he underperform? He didn't want to let his team and nation down. He didn't want to be labelled as a flop when he enters the driver market next WGPC. A flop... those were the worst words that Chars would ever want to be used to describe himself. He didn't want to remember the joke of last WGPC. It was too much to handle.

"I'm a new and improved race driver now. I won't fail," he reassured himself.

As he sat on the plane to Hodori, where he'd be meeting the PrismRiver staff.

"I'm ready."

[Tumbra]

Raichovsky Circuit

The past week had been a blur. Sponsorship deal here, sponsorship deal there. Shake hands with John Ashburn. The richest man in Tumbra. There you go. There's your pay packet sorted this year, with a lot of extra money for your team. Shake hands with some banker. Another one in the bank. Punny. Smile for a food ad. Instant chicken macaroni soup, now promoted by you. Good lad. We're glad to have you on board. Have some complimentary boxes of instant macaroni and chicken soup.

Then suddenly it was time for the first test. Hug Dad. Hug Mom. Say good-bye to Paulie, tell him to take care of the car. And not to get in trouble. Say good-bye to Ian Ashburn, who must've somehow skipped training again to show up in Couno. And on the way to Togonistan. New company. New car. New everything. New team-mate.

It was all a bit much, business in Tumbra and now here, but the people in charge of Kaylan Racing Team - Ted's new employers for this season - seemed nice and helped him settle in extremely easily. Extremely friendly, to boot. After all, they were willing to overlook his poor testing results to give him a seat. Met his new team-mate. Anola Melani from Chromatika, who'd just outshone him in the VSK test. By a lot. But they were team-mates, now. So they began talking. An engineer's kid, just like him. They talked for a bit more, got to know each other. Turns out that they drove the same way - a bit more conservatively than flashily, prioritising finishing well over making rash moves. This, Ted assumed, was the natural by-product of being raised by engineers. You gain a respect for cars. Hulking monsters of masterful engineering, with an engine that could split your ear-drums. And the Kaylan engine, when they saw it being demonstrated, was certainly a powerful beast.

It certainly looked powerful. The scheme was vibrant, and fit together well. A lot of briefings. Still rushing in time for the first test. Then suddenly, it was time.

Understandably it was just the start of season tests - but testing was where Ted shone. Over the next few week they'd be taking the car through its paces, a rigorous programme designed to test how well the engineers had built the car before the start of the new season. There was a quiet hubbub outside the team motorhome as Ted, helmet in hand, walked towards the garage.

There it was, the Kaylan Racing car. Ready for him. Slotting on his helmet, flashing a thumbs-up at his engineer, he settled into the seat, affixed the steering wheel. Fired up the engine, did his comms check. All clear and ready to go. He was the second driver for the team, and above all, he was a team player - but he hoped that he'd be able to drive his socks off well enough to get a few good results of his own. He couldn't let Tumbra down now. And for the first time in a while, he let out a genuine smile.

He was home.

519 words

[Featherstonehaugh Cholmondeley]

Harry Zoomtwat accepts the offer of a seat from UrGa.

[Montana Verde]

Alex Márquez accepts the offer of a seat from GPSC.

[Liventia]

CUTOFF

for Pre-season Test at Raichovsky Circuit

A reminder that in this pre-season period, the limit of 1,250 words applies between each event, meaning nations are limited to 1,250 words between this cutoff and the next.

[Liventia]

Week 1: Pre-season Test

Conditions:      	Dry
Predicted Optimal Time:	00:01:52.517
Session Length:	180 minutes
Nation:         	TWI
Circuit:        	Raichovsky Circuit

Drivers had up to 180 minutes to set a time.

Test Session 1

POS # ▍DRIVER                                                              	FASTEST LAP	GAP TO LEADER
 1 35 ▍Indra Vartak                                                        	00:01:55.073	00:00:00.000
 2 72 ▍Charyseine Valkyria                                                 	00:01:55.298	00:00:00.225
 3 79 ▍Lukas Fichter                                                       	00:01:55.308	00:00:00.235
 4 15 ▍Heinz-Otto Junker                                                   	00:01:55.320	00:00:00.247
 5 88 ▍Ted Pressley                                                        	00:01:55.344	00:00:00.271
 6 31 ▍Joy Wingelaar                                                       	00:01:55.398	00:00:00.325
 7 11 ▍Anola Melani                                                        	00:01:55.476	00:00:00.404
 8 40 ▍Adriana Kowalski Ela Lillian                                        	00:01:55.518	00:00:00.445
 9 66 ▍Harry Zoomtwat                                                      	00:01:56.120	00:00:01.047
10 91 ▍Taras Matviyenko                                                    	00:01:56.156	00:00:01.084
11 21 ▍Chiruno Hakusoe                                                     	00:01:56.227	00:00:01.154
12  4 ▍Sakinomi Rikikida                                                   	00:01:56.592	00:00:01.519
13 44 ▍Rod Gozum                                                           	00:01:57.469	00:00:02.397
14 92 ▍Alex Márquez                                                        	00:01:57.841	00:00:02.768
15 37 ▍Laura Haukanna                                                      	00:01:59.035	00:00:03.962
16 17 ▍David Clarke                                                        	00:02:03.336	00:00:08.263

Conditions:      	Dry
Predicted Optimal Time:	00:01:52.517
Session Length:	180 minutes
Nation:         	TWI
Circuit:        	Raichovsky Circuit

Drivers had up to 180 minutes to set a time.

Test Session 2

POS # ▍DRIVER                                                              	FASTEST LAP	GAP TO LEADER
 1 79 ▍Lukas Fichter                                                       	00:01:55.431	00:00:00.000
 2 66 ▍Harry Zoomtwat                                                      	00:01:55.440	00:00:00.009
 3 21 ▍Chiruno Hakusoe                                                     	00:01:55.697	00:00:00.266
 4 91 ▍Taras Matviyenko                                                    	00:01:55.858	00:00:00.427
 5  4 ▍Sakinomi Rikikida                                                   	00:01:55.912	00:00:00.481
 6 31 ▍Joy Wingelaar                                                       	00:01:56.118	00:00:00.687
 7 40 ▍Adriana Kowalski Ela Lillian                                        	00:01:56.211	00:00:00.781
 8 44 ▍Rod Gozum                                                           	00:01:56.307	00:00:00.877
 9 88 ▍Ted Pressley                                                        	00:01:56.464	00:00:01.033
10 35 ▍Indra Vartak                                                        	00:01:56.556	00:00:01.125
11 92 ▍Alex Márquez                                                        	00:01:56.960	00:00:01.529
12 15 ▍Heinz-Otto Junker                                                   	00:01:57.066	00:00:01.635
13 11 ▍Anola Melani                                                        	00:01:57.912	00:00:02.481
14 37 ▍Laura Haukanna                                                      	00:01:58.082	00:00:02.651
15 72 ▍Charyseine Valkyria                                                 	00:01:58.413	00:00:02.982
16 17 ▍David Clarke                                                        	00:02:01.204	00:00:05.773

[Aboveland]

Pysyväräntä, Aboveland

Janne wades from one end of the tub to the other, sinking his face up to the bottom of his eyes into the water, as the steam evaporating from its surface wisps into the air. As he reaches the opposite end, he nestles his head under Sami's, who takes his hand closest to him to caress his cheek.

"I'm going to miss you," mutters Janne, through a small pout. Sami takes his other hand and searches for Janne's, interlocking fingers, and rests his own head on his boyfriend's; though Sami had always been the lesser mellow of the two, and though it had taken Janne some time to get him to loosen up, it had become a habit of his to seek out Janne's hands in an unspoken act of love--an important detail, as Janne is the one to say the 'I love you''s and Sami the one to reply with the 'me too''s. For someone so sensitive and loveful as Janne, Sami's lack of emotional expression at first had been almost a hurdle which he had to get over in the early stages of the relationship, but just as he had learned to adapt and recognize Sami's subtleties, the other had also had his outer shell give way to reveal a surprisingly gooey interior.

"Me too," Sami replies, almost whispering, and kissing Janne's head. "I read the headline, like, yesterday: Janne Laukkanen Confirms WGP2 Season 4 Drive With Nexus Racing."

"Mhm. The team has been awfully quiet though. I think we might miss the first pre-season test, but it's whatever. I already got some mileage in the TMW test."

"I saw!" exclaims Sami, excitedly. "I was proud to see that."

Janne nods. "I'm better now. In a better... headspace, you know?" Sami's left thumb digs playfully at his cheek, and he giggles, resting his chin on his shoulder and looking up at his ocean blue eyes. "You want me to say it just so you can roll your eyes and call me cringy," teases Janne, inching closer to Sami's face.

Sami holds back a chortle, pulling back slightly from Janne. "Not at all!"

"Well it's thanks to you, boy" he says, teasingly, lunging towards his lips. Sami, the first time, stays still, but the second time receives, and the third time initiates. They carry on for a little while, kissing softly, before Janne pulls back, sits up and holds Sami's head on both his palms.

"I love you," he breathes, his eyes glistening in the slightly overcast light of the March noon, a few drops of water, not yet tears, running down the sides of his eyes.

Sami kisses his forehead, then his lips. "Me too." He grins gently, while Janne's hands descend from his face to his chest, and stop as they enter the water.

"Sauna?" asks Janne, hiding a mischievous grin. Sami doesn't reply with words.

[Nykipiflugpuu]

Fichter Off on the Right Foot

---

Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis, represented by their sole signed driver, Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnlander Lukas Fichter, amazed in their first international appearance against a large portion of the WGP2 Season 4's competitors. Participating in the first two pre-season testing sessions of the year in Raichovskiy, Twicetagria, Fichter steered Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis' season 4 challenger, Æ-1NP, around the 17-turn circuit to third, then first, place in the two 180 minute sessions.

The objectives for Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis in their first official test had both been to prove the Ælund Racing chassis' competitiveness and to assess the level of integration achieved between the car and its powertrain, the spec, Preston Autos sourced V6 engine. Despite initial well kept reservations from the chassis manufacturers regarding the packaging of the engine and necessary cooling systems into a vehicle modeled after no engine in particular, owing to the period in which the spec engine was chosen, Fichter ran a total of 102 laps across both sessions to ensure Æ-1NP was working as intended. No reliability issues were reported by team principal Kaidi-Enni Saino Iakkyy, and an aerodynamic assessment of the vehicle using special purpose paint ensured the aerodynamic work of Ælund Racing had been successful.

Most importantly, perhaps, was the livery reveal for Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis' #79 car. Nearly sponsorless, the Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnlander's season 4 challenger bears the logo of Überbankenkraftzeitschutzenphalen and not much else, save for a self-congratulatory message in Nykipish by order of the Nykipiflugpuu Tourism and Sporting Board (NTSB) on the tail.

Having fielded a single car come the first pre-season testing event, Nykipflugpuun Noortekoondis offers the number two seat to Batu Tüvshinbayar. Should they decline, the seat will be offered to Jama'obo Pegasii.

[TJUN-ia]

Shinebaishin, CEA Zone, TJUN-ia
Home of Batu Tüvshinbayar

He sat all alone with his laptop on his lap, his eyes akin to stars in the night sky. Batu Tüvshinbayar looked at the messages that were displayed on his screen, swarmed by a multitude of emails with lesser importance to him at this present moment in time, and reflected on everything that had come before this point, all the good and the bad and everything in between. The first WGP2 Official test was on the TV and, pretty soon, Batu would be joining them out there.

In the end, things turned right around in Filindostan. No one, not even he, could explain why, but the Grand Prix Layout had somehow made him better than before and the energy he had in Jakulta flipped in moments. He actually felt confident in the car he was driving, a WGP3 car no less, and would take pole for the race by one of the highest margins you could ever see in a racing series, with 4 drivers within literal atoms of each other out there on the timing sheet. That earned him 10 more points, plus 2 more for being 4th best on 5-lap pace, and suddenly, he was in contention for winning the day overall. The race itself was OK at best as some of the grid were certainly better overall and overtook him with relative ease, but he still finished well in 5th and with Edward Rousseau not scoring, that was enough for Batu to go from getting nothing in Practice 1 to winning the day overall by only 2 points. He din;t know how he did that but my goodness, he was surely going to take it.

After that, he had little to no time to actually sit down and think as up next was a test over in Trans-Dniesters for the immortalised UrGa, the team that Lane Carter started with last season in this series. He was the best driver out in Myrilsk at one-lap pace but in the little 5-lap race pace test, he was certainly hounded by some pretty fast drivers and had to settle for 5th overall, ending his chances of that seat pretty much as quickly as possible.

But the main reason he was in this dazzled state was the emails he had in front of him right now. Two teams were now looking at getting him in their cars. He thought that ETBA would be the only ones that were sending him an offer (they even offered him a place in their Driver Academy) but now, at the last second, here comes Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis from out of the blue. Sakinomi Rikikida, the winner of the day in Aboveland, had decided to go for VSK instead, meaning the team now had to go down the list to find a drive to pair with Lukas Fitcher in the red and blue car. Now, from out of nowhere, Batu had a decision to make: either go with the team that is heavily linked to Badai Agin or go with the team that is a potential springboard to Tropicorp Racing Ælund themselves, the defending Constructors Champions of WGPC.

He had earnt his way with ETBA, but the prospect of maybe racing for fucking TRÆ one day is an opportunity not many would shut down. The flag of Nykipiflugpuu spoke to him somehow and in the end, he had to go with his heart in matters like this.

Batu Tüvshinbayar, Mongolian and TJUN-ian by blood, will accept the offer from Nykipflugpuun Noortekoondis.

[Togonistan]

Kaylan Racing Team Official WGP2 Announcement
Castovanni Conference Centre
Tushlark, Togonistan

Castovanni Conference Centre is a venue located in Castovanni District, 10 minute walk away from the heart of Tushlark city centre. The large conference hall, able to house 7000 spectators in total, is the heart of city's cultural activity. Not only is it place for business conferences, the centre has also been a host to a number of music concerts as well as some international TV shows. Tonight, however, both media as well as all the big names in Togonistani motorsports scene had set their feet to Castovanni Conference Centre to witness Kaylan Racing Team announce their driver line-up, as well as finally reveal their car for the upcoming WGP2 season.

Once all the photographers had set up their equipment, representatives of team's sponsors had taken their seats in the front row and some fans who had managed to somehow sneak in taken their seats in the back rows to open up some bottles of Tushlarkian Vodka, lights went off and all the attention got focused on the stage. First, short greeting clips from the team's two major sponsors for the season - Tushlarkian Beverages and Ashburn Industries - were played on big LCD screen at the back of the stage.

''Good evening everyone! Tushlarkian Beverages is happy to greet Kaylan on the WGP2 grid once again. We have really enjoyed the cooperation we've had for the past two years with Kaylan and will continue to support the largest Togonistani team for the upcoming season through our ZX-Flow Energy Drink brand. More power to you, and keep going with the flow!''

''Ashburn Industries has always been on lookout for promising teams and drivers to help them gain greater heights. The work Kaylan has done over the years in developing young talent and helping them become Force for the Future is something that perfectly fits with our brand vision. We are honoured to support Kaylan for the upcoming WGP2 season. #forthefuture''

After the sponsor messages, a video montage accompanied by a music track from Togonistani band RamRod was played, showing Kaylan's previous appearances in various categories of motorsport such as WGP2, WGP3, domestic stock car racing and rallycross competitions. Once the montage ended, the stage went dark again for a few moments, before background music started playing and lights started flashing.

''Allow us to introduce Kaylan Racing Team's first driver for the upcoming season of WGP2! Ladies and gentlemen, Anola Melani!''

A round of applause from the audience, as large number 11 along with driver's name was displayed on the background screen. Anola Melani stepped onto the stage.

''Allow us to introduce you our second driver for the upcoming season! Ladies and gentlemen, Ted Pressley!''

Another round of applause, as Ted Pressley entered the stage, with his name and car number being displayed as well.

Once the two drivers had taken their spots on the stage, car engines could be heard revving over the music. Some smoke appeared on the stage.

''And now, the moment you've all be waiting for! Allow us to introduce you the brand-new Kaylan T-170.''

More applauding, as well as some cheering from the audience was heard, as two Kaylan T-170's appeared through smoke and were pushed onto the stage by a group of mechanics.

Both cars had a mechanic behind the wheel, who guided the cars behind drivers, with the latter taking in their spots to pose in front of their vehicle.


#11 Anola Melani


#88 Ted Pressley

''And last, but by no means least, allow us to introduce the new team principal of Kaylan Racing Team's WGP2 branch. Xander Mahakipare!''

Xander walked through the smoke and entered the stage, taking his spot in middle between the two drivers. He crossed his arms and looked around, blinded by the flashes coming from photographers taking their pictures. Not only was it a big moment for the drivers, but also for Xander himself. Now was his time. Now, it was time to show what he was truly made of.

[Vilita and Turori]

Quiet Paddock at First WGP2 Test Session

Raichovskiy Circuit, Raichovskiy, Twicetagria :: Despite boasting one of the largest potential grid sizes in recent World Grand Prix history, just 16 cars took to the track for the first Pre-Season test session of the World Grand Prix Two circuit in Raichovskiy, Twicetagria. Due to the nature of the World Grand Prix 2 Circuit, there would be great turnover in both teams and drivers from the previously completed World Grand Prix 2 Season 3 and as such, many teams were still working out contract details with their drivers by the time the track opened in Twicetagria. Three teams, however, did not show to the track at all including MontagneF1, the Bitte Heroes Academy-MW Racing Team and - perhaps most surprisingly - Nexus Racing.

With a lack of cars on the track so came a lack of drivers with both Vilita & Turori Motorsports and Vilaye Energy Drink backed drivers Skiia Vialiv and Jama'obo Pegasii among those missing from track day. Despite the absence of the duo from the track, however, the cars that most experts projected the duo to be driving were on track and were being piloted by someone else instead.

Vialiv was once thought to have already secured a spot on the Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis team as part of the Vilaye Energy Drink brands relationship with Tropicorp Racing Aelund and the fact that Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis has been seen by some as a potential driver development stepping stone for the back-to-back World Grand Prix Constructors Champions. Instead, however, Lukas Fichter was behind the wheel of the Red #79 machine with Vialiv not at the track at all in Twicetagria. Since the test, Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis have announced the signing of Jaguar Batu Tüvshinbayar stunning experts who had penciled Vialiv in for one of the two seats.

It wasn't just Vialiv's absence that surprised experts however as many assumed that Jama'obo Pegasii would take the rare combination of a Fully Funded, experienced AND successful driver to virtually any seat on offer for the World Grand Prix 2 campaign. While the world was presumed to be Pegasii's oyster, it was believed that the relationship would best be established with TMW Racing who were looking for a primary sponsor for the season. Instead of signing Pegasii and renaming the team TMW Vilaye EnergySport, however, Heinz-Otto Junker and Joy Wingelaar were offered drivers with the Siovanija and Teusland based team picking up local sponsorship to become the TeusBank TMW Rennsport entry.

With Jama'obo Pegasii being the highest placed returning driver from Season 3 of the World Grand Prix 2 circuit and having the full backing of the Vilisorma Beverage Company, the fact that no deal has yet been announced for the experienced driver and former World Grand Prix 2 race winner has continued to baffle media experts. The extent of the uncertainty surrounding the scenario of both Pegasii and Vialiv, however, has been met with some interesting theories. In particular - the absence of certain teams and drivers at the first test session at the Racihovskiy Circuit. Perhaps one of the most wild rumors out there is that the Vilisorma Beverage Company in concert with Vilita & Turori Motorsports and Team Tropicorp have acquired a team charter for the upcoming season and intend to compete as an independent entry with both Vialiv and Pegasii driving for the team. In fact, on the surface, such a claim seems well grounded as Team Tropicorp were regular participants in the World Grand Prix 2 circuit but backed out of the competition during the current campaign due to the lack of a mature trainee Cocoabo driver to develop. There had been rumors that the Vilisorma Beverage Company would lease out the Team Tropicorp chassis and equipment through Vilita and Turori Motorsports to form the Vilaye EnergySport team. When that deal did not materialize the focus shifted on partnership scenarios but perhaps another team slot was still on offer?

Of the three teams that did not appear in Twicetagria one stood out for their complete lack of representation: Nexus Racing. Could one of the largest energy drink suppliers in the region be looking to take a big swing and takeover the famed Nexus Racing slot for the upcomign World Grand Prix 2 season? With Togonistan's Kaylan Racing Team having recently unveiled a partnership with the ZX-Flow Energy Drink brand it seems plausible that the Vilisorma Beverage Company intends to respond by raising their own profile in the series and nothing would be higher profile than to overtake a team such as Nexus Racing for the compaign.

If that rumor wasn't wild enough, however, another one straight from the Vilitan Cove region has suggested that the Vilisorma Beverage Company have pulled its drivers from the World Grand Prix 2 negotiations completely and were instead focused on setting up a competing open-wheel circuit within Atlantian Oceania that would be backed and supported by their Vilaye Energy Drink brands.

Of course, as these potential stories either develop or debunk themselves we will continue to follow right here at Vilita & Turori Racer, your primary source for Racing News from within the Vilitan Cove and throughout the multiverse.

---

VILITA & TURORI RACER ✓

@VTRacer

What's going on in the world of #WGP2 and where are @pegasii37 and @skiia? - Our Story Here -

wc1000

[The Licentian Isles]

Joy had found herself very busy since accepting the offer from TMW. Even though the official WGP2 tests were still to come, there was plenty to be done in Teusland. Between testing the car, and getting used to working with Kaspar, her new race engineer. She was finishing up another session around the Stelburgring, and pulled into the garage.

“How was that Kasper?”

She looked over as she got out of the car and pulled her helmet off, seeing Kasper hold a thumbs up in her direction. She nodded, and walked towards the back of the garage to get some water. No matter the temperature, she always got out of the car feeling warm, maybe it was the pressure.

She took a look back at the machine that she would be driving for this season. She was getting used to the livery; black and gold, with far more sponsors than she was used to in karting. There were a few Licentian brands on there too, but it didn’t make the concept any more strange to her. At the end of the day, there would be a lot to get used to across the course of this season.

There was a lot of stuff just dumped in the room she was using to rest between sessions. She didn’t know if she had to share this with her teammate Heinz-Otto, but in the meantime she would spread herself out. Looking over towards one pile of stuff, she saw her phone buzzing on a bench.

Her father had incredible timing.

“Hi Dad.”

“Joy, how is it going?”

“Just got off the track, still going well. Kind of curious as to how things will go once we get to Twicetagria but there we go.”

“That’s actually what I wanted to ask you about.” Oh god. What was he going to do now?

“Go on.”

“Can I come along to the tests? I want to be there to support you, you know that.”

“It’s a test Dad, nothing will really happen.”

“Well then I get to see the car before the others! Come on, do you not want me there?”

“Of course I want you there Dad, I just don’t know if you can be. This isn’t karting on the Isles anymore, they might not allow you in, I don’t know.”

“Then ask them, what harm will it be?”

“Alright then, I will.”

“Okay, good. Message me when you know.”

“I will, bye Dad.”

Oh dear. She didn’t know how to address this one. Her father Petrus was a harmless supporter who just wanted to cheer on his daughter, but she didn’t know how that would be dealt with outside the Isles. What would they think of this loud Licentian cheering on his daughter loudly from the garage while they’re meant to be working?

She saw Jorn, the team principal, walking past the door. Well, no time like the present.

“Hi Jorn, just wanted to ask you something quickly. My father is keen to join us in the garage for the tests, and probably for the races too. How would the team feel about that? Obviously don’t want it to be an issue, so don’t worry if not.”

---

Cyan-and-Gold Observer

Licentian Sponsors Announced for Teusbank TMW Rennsport

After Joy Wingelaar was confirmed as the first Licentian driver to compete in an international open-wheel racing series since Lukas Forbes, many had wondered whether Licentian companies would sponsor her new team, officially known as Teusbank TMW Rennsport, but more commonly known as TMW. The answer to that question was confirmed today, with three companies from the Isles confirming that they would be sponsoring the Teus team this season, just after testing began in Twicetagria.

Barton Software, the most prominent software company in the Licentian Isles, have announced that they will be a Global Partner of TMW this season, joining Bergsteiger, AirRepublika, and Regional Transport Corporation. Barton have been known for years for their sponsorship of Colesham Athletic, most prominently owning the name rights for the club’s stadium, the Barton Software Arena. The CEO, Daniel Barton Jr, has long expressed his interests in motorsports, and now with Wingelaar’s entry into the sport has taken the opportunity to back the TMW team that she will be driving with this season.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to support a young Licentian talent in Joy Wingelaar,” said Barton at a press conference at the company’s head office in Colesham. “It also gives us the opportunity to expand our operations across the multiverse with our advertising on the gorgeous TMW car, which is very good for the Barton brand.”

Two Licentian companies will also be joining TMW as Supporting Partners for this season in WGP2. RenewTec, the renewable power infrastructure company based in Saltburn, Montfort Parish, will be visible on TMW cars this season as well as continuing their sponsorship of the Licentian Premier League. They will be joined by Levering, the St Bart’s-based delivery company who have expanded across the Isles and are hoping to expand further into Esportiva in the coming years.

Wingelaar will be taking the second seat at TMW this season after her successes in Licentian karting in recent years. Her technical style will contrast with that of her teammate, the Teus driver Heinz-Otto Junker, who impressed in the national championship of Siovanija and Teusland last season. The two drivers, and their team, will be hoping for success starting in the first race on the streets of Alikki-Corra in Vilita and Turori.

[Nykipiflugpuu]

Kaidi's phone clatters off the coffee table in her Twicetagrian hotel room, ringing to the tune of her favorite song. Unfazed, holding a full, cap-less black coffee in one hand, she lurches at the floor, the balance on her occupied hand remarkable. With incredible precision, she ducks and answers her phone sliding her finger across the screen in a single movement.

"Oyy," she greets.

"Kaidi!" barks a voice loud enough to sound like a speakerphone call through the earpiece. The next few words are garbled gibberish as the volume decreases, so she picks the phone up and taps the speaker button.

"Again," she says nonchalantly, sipping her scalding, burnt coffee--just the way she likes it: like Edvin's tone.

"We had an agreement in place in exchange for having to charge the entry fee to the fucking test," Edvin groans. "And now you have got me into trouble because the other half of my team was already counting on a Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis seat, and you went and did whatever the fuck you wanted to do."

Kaidi pushes her glasses up her nose with her middle finger, and clears her throat. "Yes," she replies, nodding to herself. "You are right."

A silence fills both rooms, the one in Raichovskiy and the one in Lintulahti.

"But, this is my team," she continues. "I thank you very much for all the assistance, but I am the team principal."

"But you screwed me--us--over," Edvin pleads. "It's simply unfair without prior notice."

"What can you do now?" Kaidi asks, dead serious, despite the irony in her question. Edvin goes quiet.

"Well... nothing," he admits. "But now, you tell me, what the hell is this team good for me now? What's my gain? Because the agreement was for me to use this thing as my own development program, not for you and your dic--" He stops abruptly, clears his throat, and finds another word to use, in case the call is being recorded. "Your boss to do whatever. If I'd agreed to that I'd have left you lot to sort yourselves out and run a shoebox with training wheels in this shit. So, again, what is my gain?"

Kaidi takes little time to ponder her response, prepared as the Abovian went on. "If we do well you have the team's success to advertise your own services." Edvin stammers, as if about to interrupt, but Kaidi resumes speaking with a sterner tone to stop his advance. "And I didn't sign two drivers on my own. Fichter was both our ideas. And also," she stops to sip on her coffee, "Batu is excellent. And if you still consider us as your development platform, you have two drivers signed up to drive a car made according to your own design philosophy who you could easily channel into your team next year."

Edvin, wide eyed at Kaidi's sudden leap in richness of language, is briefly speechless. Before replying, he remembers the last time a Vilita and Turorian was shoehorned into one of his projects: the Novikov Racing car was a bit of a dog, but it had become a race winning machine... with Juracai 'one hit wonder' Klianiota at the wheel. He supposes that, had Vialiv turned out to be another Klianiota, it wouldn't have been his problem to deal with, but it wouldn't have been wise to force an acrimonious relationship on her business partner--even though she'd taken that task up herself by betraying their agreement. He doesn't stop to say anything else beyond "Okay, bye," and falls hard on his chair.

As he strokes his chin, he ponders how he could possibly remedy the situation with the Vilita and Turorians.

[Aboveland]

As he strokes his chin, he ponders how he could possibly remedy the situation with the Vilita and Turorians.

Iskajärvi, Aboveland

Now, Janne's phone rattles against his ceramic counter. His ringtonestartles him, more because he's not used to receiving calls than the ringtone itself, but also because he'd been waiting anxiously all day for the call from Nexus to leave immediately for Filindostan. He fumbles with the curtain and opens his eyes a crack, despite the risk posed by his soapy head, but as he reaches out to clutch the device he sees the caller ID. Edvin Pekkanen...? Why?

He ignores the call, though he speeds up to attend to whatever the issue may be.

By the time he reaches for his phone to answer the call, Edvin had tried four times. Now somewhat dry, he reaches for his phone and immediately puts it on speaker, hurrying out of the steamy bathroom before he replies to Edvin's initial "Janne? Hello?"

"Yes," he replies, almost panting. There's little time for pleasantries between them; the TRÆ-Laukkanen split had been a short, yet wildly confusing, ordeal. "What is it?"

Edvin takes a moment to reply. "How... how much... power do you have at Nexus Racing?"

Janne shakes his head, rolling his eyes. Sounds like he's tiptoeing around a favor.

"Not much," he replies ultimately. "Why?"

"I need to find a seat for Jama'obo Pegasii; our agreement with the Nykipiks fell through suddenly and I feel I ought to make something up to the Vilita and Turorians. I wouldn't want to jeopardize our joint WGPC project because of a stupid WGP2 side gig."

Janne frowns. Edvin can hardly hide his nerves. He sounds as flustered as ever. Janne shrugs, breathing in through his teeth. His contract with Nexus, after all, had been a three year deal... and season 4 would be the last of those three years. If he decided to try helping Edvin out, maybe he'd be able to get back into the TRÆ sphere for next year--that is, if he even decided to drop out of Nexus at all.

But it seemed too big of a change to start working towards without further thought, and regardless, he wouldn't be able to--and wouldn't want to--prod Nexus Racing to make a decision other than whatever they'd have lined up. Thus, his answer to Edvin's request wasn't tough to settle on in the end.

"I can't help you, Edvin," he sighs, swinging his hand around as if he could see his gestures. He adds a little bit of sugar to his reply. "I'd love to, but I just don't have that possibility. Good luck, though."

"Alright, thanks," replies a defeated, and somewhat wavery, Edvin, hanging up without a goodbye.

Lintulahti, Aboveland

In a last ditch attempt, Edvin pulls up his tablet:

From: Edvin Pekkanen (epekka@aelund.co.ab)
To: Equipo Telebuenas-BA, Bitten Heroes Academy-MW Racing, Fireline Motorsports, Grand Prix Sport Chanceux, UrGa Motorsports Division, PrismRiver Racing, MontagneF1, National Armament Corporation Racing

To whom it may concern,

On behalf of Ælund Racing, it has come to my attention that Vilitan drivers Jama'obo Pegasii and Skiia Vialiv are without seats in the fourth season of WPG2. After a deal with my own stakeholders in the Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis project fell through unexpectedly, I come to you to offer technical and, if needed, financial assistance in exchange for the securing of one of the two Vilitan drivers' services for this season of grand prix racing.

Ælund Racing is Tropcorp Racing Ælund's chassis design and manufacturing wing, and in this season of WGP2, as the powertrain development has taken the back seat with the introduction of a spec unit from Preston Autos, our expertise is invaluable to your projects. Pegasii and Vialiv come from Vilita and Turori, considered a staple of multiversal motorsport competition. In the case of the former, Pegasii is a proven race winner, and with regards to both drivers, their sponsorship packages offered for the season will surely become a valuable asset to your WGP2 campaigns. Had I not run into a misunderstanding with my business partner, I would have taken one of these drivers up myself.

Best wishes,

Edvin Pekkanen, Tropicorp Racing Ælund Team Principal and Nykipiflugpuun Noortekoondis logistics and development partner

He taps send with a violent jab, unsure of what he's just written, whether it'll work at all, or even if the Vilita and Turorians will appreciate the effort or take it as further offense.

[Filindostan]

ETBA offers the second seat to Edward Rousseau and Luc Deschamps. The first one to accept the offer will get the drive.

[PotatoFarmers]

A brave start, but the results weren't as great as he thought.

First, it was the Pryfors Bilar-Viska/Air Kalactin WGP2 Driver Tests. There was a three day race trial there, 10 laps of different layouts for each day in Pryfors Bilar (PB) Raceway, Pryfurium, Diarcesia. Even though the lap timings were pretty nice (with Kole getting on the podium twice throughout the three days), the team declined an offer at the onset, choosing instead to go with Indra Vartak as their second driver spot.

At the VSK tryouts, it was a great disaster. Despite having great practice, the qualification results wasn't as great as practice, and Kole was outside top 10 for all 3 rounds. With Equipo Telebuenas BA team, there was absolutely no reprive other, as Kole once again went below expectations and did really badly. It wasn't like outright terrible, but way below histh expectations and way below what he set herself to do from the onset. Then came the Grand Prix Sport Chanceux trials. Kole told himself that there was no expectations, and he should just go there and do his very best. Inconsistency ultimately costed him a good starting position with an absolute flop in Practice 3, and ultimately, placing 7th out of 11th on the final grid was something that he considered really lucky.

After 2 weeks of back-to-back trials, with nothing to show for it, you can expect Kole to be feeling depair. With the first official pre-season test weekend incoming, and no offers to come, Kole returned to Poafmersia, and hanging out with his friends over the weekend, he was drinking lots of liquor in the bar.

"Hey Kole, I don't really understand why you are feeling that dejected over these stack of rejects," started a friend.
Kole stared at him, face filled with utter disbelief. "You mean you have never heard about the results of all those trials? I should be in Raichovsky Circuit right now, driving a race car and trying myself out if I passed all those driving tests. Yet all I get is that teams after teams have tell me that I am absolutely no suited to drive, with absolutely 0 consistency and lacking in technique."
"No...I mean, you have went down there and tried it. You are the first guy to attempt..."
"STOP IT!" Kole stood up. Thankfully, the group of friends were in a private room, and other than a waiter who opened the door to look at what was going on, there was absolutely no other people who heard him. "You are just trying to pour salt to the wound, all of you right?"

---

Seeing Kole absolutely burning the weekend away, Kyler knows that as Kole's brother and personal manager, he needs to do something. This wasn't the Kole he knew, the Kole who came up with the real absurd idea of attempting to be the first Poafmer to be in motorsports as a full-time athelete. This is definitely not the person he knows. As much as Kole has times where he is struggling and experiencing difficulties in life, Kole has never when so low and felt so depressed. As his older brother, Kyler knows pretty much that the series of failures have hit him too hard. Not to mention the negative comments that the family has been facing ever since Kole's aspiration to drive in the WGP2 came out in the news. The family has been called "dreamers", "wasting money on something impossible", while Kole has been accussed of "trying to gain media attention" and the action of going for WGP2 driver trials is "just a publicity stunt". All the shockingly rude comments, something that is extremely abnormal in Poafmersia, but have ultimately bubbled out of the surface. Kole has just been absorbing all of these comments and made no reaction to them. Until now.

Kyler thought for a long while about what he should do to get his brother out of his sorrows. After discussing with Jessica, his wife, he decided to come up with yet another long email, and sent it to all teams.

To: All teams in WGP2
From: Kyler Sanderia
Subject: Opportunities for Kole Sanderia

---

Dear Sirs/Madam,

I am Kyler Sanderia, the brother of Kole Sanderia, and his personal assistant. I am writing this email to seek opportunities for Kole to be able to get involved in motor racing, whether it is being a reserve driver for the team, or join your driver academy designed for interested drivers.

For the people unfamiliar with Kole, Kole is 21 this year. He has been the 3-time karting champion here in Poafmersia, having started professional karting ever since he was 16 years old. He is known to be a particularly technical driver, being extremely masterful with the more technical karting races here in Poafmersia, and is widely considered to be the best that Poafmersia has ever seen over the past decade. Poafmersia, however, has little to no interest for motorsports, and as such, Kole is attempting to be the first person who would fly the country's flag in a WGP2 or a WGPC race one day.

I understand that your team may have previously conducted selection trials, or have succesfully selected team drivers. I am not here to request that you reconsider Kole, should your team have other options in mind. We are here to just express interest in any opportunities that would give Kole some experience here in motor sports, and hopefully, be able to edge clsoer towards being a full-time driver for your team. We would be glad if you have any reserve driver spots that you are willing to give Kole. If you have any other opportunities, such as racing for a reserve team in a WGP3 race, or join your team's driver academy, we would also be happy to consider that offer.

Thank you for your time, and all the best for the upcoming season.

Best Regards,

Kyler Sanderia

And...sent. Now all Kyler has to do is to pray for a miracle. To give Kole some opportunity that he really needs.

[Auruna]

Raichovsky Circuit
Pre-season Test
After the reveal, Laura couldn't wait to get in and drive the car. Looking forward to the first test, especially since her siblings are coming along to keep them company. Which also reminded her, she didn't have the time to talk to her teammate, Indra Vartak. Maybe there could be some time available at the tests. She didn't really expect the more compact schedule of a WGP2 driver, Kinu Luminna at WGPC didn't look like he was busy at all. She'll get used to it eventually, she though to herself. She knew that it wasn't going to be easy but the Viska influence was calming her down, it was refreshing.

The came the tests at Raichovsky Circuit, finally she gets to drive. Hopping into her car just after the session starts, the mechanics prepared it well since the Viska mechanics have previous experience in WGP2 so that's a good sign. "Radio check." Her race engineer says. What a familiar voice through the radio.

"Radio's good, hevä hevä." Laura responds, readied inside the car, waiting for the session to start.

"Alright, nice, just wait for a moment, the session is about to start so stay comfy there and you'll get to have a go around the track."

Then the session starts, a few went out, then upon getting the signal from Artur, Laura's race engineer signals her to go out. Upon leaving the garage, she switches to her "on-track" mode as she calls it. Focused even in pre-season testing. She does a few laps to familiarise herself with the car more but problems arose regarding the gearbox. "Oh, problem with the gearbox." She says over the radio, audibly annoyed.

"Alright, back to the pits Laura. Gearbox failure confirmed." Her engineer tells her.

After that message, she lets out a few Aurun expletives off-radio. "Argh, vittän gearbox, tu küj! Tu küj! Vittän helvettä." She sighs as she calms down, entering the pit lane then into the PB-Viska garage. She gets out of her car and lets the mechanics work on the problem, telling the engineers and Artur about it as well. Then Laura goes to the back, to see Juno and Kata watching the session, with Kata munching on some taikävhänbrot and mimikuura/kuurami. Juno notices and walks up to her then asks. "Ine, mitä kähtäini?"

"Nairuppemea kaissa autoni."

"Aw, nie hevä. Mennä tahaan naata siejä tu."

"Hevä Juno, aikenna."

"Sis, what happened?"

"Problem with the car."

"Aw, not good. We wanted to see you out there more."

"It's alright Juno, there's more time later."

Later, at the second session of the test, another gearbox failure for Laura after 15 laps. Safe to say that it's not her day today. She'll just wait out the remainder of the test, watching others rack up laps for their teams. Then she watches Indra getting a lot of laps with the car, getting more data. She couldn't do anything about the gearbox problems of her car but there's still time at the next test. For now, she can't wait to talk to Indra once he returns to the garage.

---

VSK's test is going well for them, the rotaries are working without fault to the surprise of some and they had to run a plain car for the tests as their livery hadn't been finalised yet which may take a while. Raiko is happy at the team anyways, being one of the few who had two drivers at the first test with both being talented, great testing mileage, and the sound. As both cars go past the pit wall, the high-revving rotaries are doing their work.

And Orel breathes a sigh of relief as no issues were reported.

The two drivers were let loose on track for both sessions, posting faster and faster lap times as they get familiar with the car. Their fastest times so far are a 1:55.697 for Hakusoe and a 1:55.912 for Rikikida and the two teammates are close together in lap times. Martjen looks at the timing sheets, seeing what he likes from both drivers - consistency with the VSK car, happy with their performance so far. Meanwhile, the more technical-minded Orel is waiting for their feedback, where to improve upon setup and such. Then Raiko is observing the team, at the garage, the pit wall, and the drivers on track. Applying what he learned from Viska but changing it a bit to fit VSK better.

"I have high hopes for this team." Raiko says based on the current performance in the tests. "Two great drivers and a lovely engine." He adds.

"Still wanting to beat Viska?" Orel asks.

"Of course!" Raiko responds enthusiastically. "That's why we're here! Trying to beat each other in racing. That's what I love to see."

"Heh, yeah. Expected that response from you." Orel pauses for a few seconds. "Do you remember where Viska finished in the previous WGP2?"

"Second in the constructors' championship."

"Think we can beat that?"

"Yes, but if we can't, then beating their junior team here is another goal in mind."

"Right, keep it up mate."

[Tumbra]

The morning session had been particularly fruitful - with large aero rakes fitted to the side of the car, and a pitot tube affixed to the nose, Ted gingerly tiptoed out of the team's garage with the sun in his eyes once again. He squinted, but got the car prepared for the run-out. Surrounding him were a few other cars - only 16 of them had turned up at the first testing session.

"You ready? Alright. We're going for about twelve to fifteen laps on this session. Qualifying pace, if you can. Take the first few to familiarise yourself with this track. I think you'll like it. Sweeping corners, left to right. Just be careful on turn ten - don't bother hitting that apex, try to hug the outside line on that corner - which will be the turn 9 apex - and get ready to swing it in for turn 11. Just something we're trying out, and if it doesn't work we'll hit the turn 10 apex as per normal," came the voice of his race engineer, Simon. The two of them had hit it off pretty well, and they'd already formed a fast friendship.

"Roger."

"Update us if anything happens. Don't ride the kerbs too hard, those vanes are expensive. Track's pretty warm, so put your tyre skills to good use. Have fun out there."

Simon was right - Ted did enjoy his first laps on track. It was a glorious day, with lots of sunshine, and it was looking conducive for a good, long run, one which Ted could really stretch his legs on. But of course, they had to start with the basics, and installation laps came first. Fourteen laps later, and a lot of stress on his front left (seriously, that turn 8-9-10 stretch was killer on the front left) they'd gotten the basic data they needed. And it was promising.

A few tweaks here and there, and it was out for some hotlaps. This was where he could truly stretch his legs, do some fast times.

And post a fast time he did. A 1:57:017, which was enough to place him near the top. Of course, he'd fall lower. But near the end of the session, with the track having evolved, and a bit of flow-vis slapped onto the car, he was told to let her rip. And just before lunch, with the wind in his favour and the set-up just the way he liked it, he pulled out a 1:55:344 before lunch - which put him fifth, and left him feeling extremely ecstatic. After a disappointing showing in the early tests with just about every team, he'd suddenly pulled a 5th place out of the bag.

Lunch was a tad awkward - while he'd tried to get closer to most of the team, his natural awkwardness was still letting him down. Thankfully, Simon was on hand to lighten the atmosphere. Apart from the short chat he'd had with Melani when he first arrived at the Kaylan HQ, however, he still hadn't had much of a chance to talk to the Chromatik. She, as all women were to Ted, a bit of an enigma. She was fast - that one VSK test had proven that - and from what little he knew about her, very similar to him. No matter, he thought at the back of his mind. It was a long season yet.

The post-lunch session would be, for Ted, focused on longer runs - which meant just trying to be as consistent as possible throughout the afternoon sessions. 84 laps later, the second session ended with Ted in 9th, a second slower than his opening session run. No matter, however - the team had their own programme, and Ted was determined to push the car as far as possible throughout the precious days of testing, and to grab as much data for his team.

It was, after all, the least he owed them. Early results were promising, but there was still a fair-ways to go before the first race in Vilita and Turori. But the T-170 was one mighty beast, one that he was already on the way to riding successfully, and hopefully by the end he'd have a decent handle on the car to support the team on track.

710 words.

[Ethane]

Edward Rousseau accepts the offer for the second seat from ETBA.

[Togonistan]

First WGP2 Pre-season test
Raichovsky Circuit
Twicetagria

First official pre-season test. First time the new T-170's were going to hit the track under the eyes of the wider public. Xander was standing in Kaylan pit garage, arms crossed, headphones on, eyes nailed to the screens. ''Engine temperatures under control, battery charge optimal, all the systems are up and running. No issues so far,'' Manu, one of team engineers, reported as he kept track on data from both cars out on the circuit. Xander, happy to hear it, nod to Manu as a response. While it was important for drivers to gain some much needed track time before the season starts, as well as for teams to gather data from their driving, it was also important to avoid suffering any sort of mechanical failures. First public test was where the wider public would get their first look at different teams machinery, and Xander couldn't think of anything that would bring more negative attention to a team than everyone seeing their car die down during first day out on track.

Luckily, Kaylan's reserve driver Darian Vilau had done a great job in helping them throughout the development of new car and the T-170 had already gone through some extensive testing beforehand, making Xander relatively confident. Another boost of it would come once the morning session ended, with Ted and Anola driving 5th and 7th time respectively. Of course, that was no indication about where any of the teams truly stand, but for Kaylan, everything had gone according to plan so far.

While the first session was mostly aimed at letting the drivers get to know the track and do some flying laps, Xander had decided to shift the focus more on race simulations for the afternoon, in order for the team to gain more data about tyre wear and fuel consumption. With some teams and drivers seemingly going for a glory run, Kaylan kept their focus throughout the session and by the end, the two cars finished 9th and 13th in timing tables.

After the session ended and drivers had returned to the pits, Xander had a few words for the team: ''Okay, listen up! That's the end of first day. Team communications... top notch! Cars... in one piece! Decent performance from our drivers, feedback was more than adequate. So far, good work team! There's still a long way to go and a lot of work to do, but after today, I believe we are on the right track.''

[Sierra Grand]

Saint Croata, MontagneF1 HQ
6:00 AM


Robert Pontame bursts in the office of pit chief Jack Rolenhoff brandishing his email and saying "Huzzah!". "Woah holy merde, what's going on?" asks Rolenhoff. Pontame replies "We have an email asking us if we want to secure some drivers". "Say sure, as long as the stats aren't bad." immediately replies the Chief.

To: epekka@aelund.co.ab
From: robertpon@montagnef1.sig

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We are happy to offer one or if no other applicants two of our seats to your drivers. Please get back in touch

Sincerely,
Robert Pontame
Director of MontagneF1