World Grand Prix Championship Season 16: RP Thread

[WGPC]

Friday Practice

Autodromo Internazionale del Rivoli

Drivers had ninety minutes to record up to thirty laps of the track (including in and out laps to and from the pits). Only each driver's fastest time is shown in the table below.
Conditions: DRY

Pos # Driver			Team		Fastest		Behind Leader
 1 14 Sigur Bjarnason          	0:01:41.517	0:00:00.000
 2 47 Erica Okumura            	0:01:41.518	0:00:00.001
 3 50 Jang Xiaopeng            	0:01:41.594	0:00:00.077
 4 27 Gregori Krupin           	0:01:41.624	0:00:00.107
 5 71 Rustom Ibuna             	0:01:41.652	0:00:00.135
 6 52 Sayono Souzare           	0:01:41.665	0:00:00.148
 7 56 Terho Talvela            	0:01:41.667	0:00:00.150
 8 16 Alexander Lund           	0:01:41.667	0:00:00.150
 9  1 Ryker Lane               	0:01:41.675	0:00:00.158
10 23 Jasmin Kranjska          	0:01:41.684	0:00:00.167
11 51 R.L. Cruisin             	0:01:41.738	0:00:00.221
12 12 Ranveer Singh            	0:01:41.750	0:00:00.233
13 10 Jennifer Johnson         	0:01:41.750	0:00:00.233
14 55 Asao Nadakei             	0:01:41.760	0:00:00.243
15 20 Mick Schramm             	0:01:41.777	0:00:00.260
16 25 Jessica Franssen         	0:01:41.781	0:00:00.264
17  2 Jean Mercer-Daly         	0:01:41.784	0:00:00.267
18 42 Alex Dimitrianov         	0:01:41.800	0:00:00.283
19 17 Lourdina Westgrens       	0:01:41.801	0:00:00.284
20 36 Reva Izalio              	0:01:41.821	0:00:00.304
21 64 Moe Himura               	0:01:41.942	0:00:00.425
22 77 Juracai Klianiota        	0:01:42.061	0:00:00.544
23  7 Ethan Ellis              	0:01:42.357	0:00:00.840
24  5 Juliano Lemos            	0:01:42.419	0:00:00.902
25 31 Cesaro Whittaker         	0:01:42.969	0:00:01.452
26 99 Nate Jackson             	0:01:43.096	0:00:01.579

[WGPC]

Saturday Qualifying
Autodromo Internazionale del Rivoli

Drivers had seventy-five minutes to record up to ten flying laps of the track. Only the fastest lap is recorded below
Conditions: DRY

Pos # Driver			Team			Fastest
 1 47 Erica Okumura       	0:01:41.612
 2 71 Rustom Ibuna        	0:01:41.661
 3 52 Sayono Souzare      	0:01:41.692
 4 14 Sigur Bjarnason     	0:01:41.709
 5 42 Alex Dimitrianov    	0:01:41.723
 6 25 Jessica Franssen    	0:01:41.736
 7  1 Ryker Lane          	0:01:41.759
 8 17 Lourdina Westgrens  	0:01:41.765
 9 56 Terho Talvela       	0:01:41.765
10 36 Reva Izalio         	0:01:41.781
11 64 Moe Himura          	0:01:41.789
12 77 Juracai Klianiota   	0:01:41.801
13  7 Ethan Ellis         	0:01:41.806
14 99 Nate Jackson        	0:01:41.807
15 50 Jang Xiaopeng       	0:01:41.835
16 27 Gregori Krupin      	0:01:41.835
17 55 Asao Nadakei        	0:01:41.836
18 51 R.L. Cruisin        	0:01:41.883
19 23 Jasmin Kranjska     	0:01:41.918
20  2 Jean Mercer-Daly    	0:01:41.982
21 16 Alexander Lund      	0:01:41.993
22 12 Ranveer Singh       	0:01:42.017
23 10 Jennifer Johnson    	0:01:42.041
24 31 Cesaro Whittaker    	0:01:42.060
25 20 Mick Schramm        	0:01:42.514
26  5 Juliano Lemos       	0:01:43.197

Race will be scorinated after 10pm UTC tomorrow.

[Esmerel]

Val del Rivoli, Nekoni

Jean remembered the last time he was in Nekoni. ...Cat people. Then again, weirder things had existed. Apparently Ryker and the rest of the Nimbans were not even close to human nor any other Earth-like creature before suddenly arriving in this universe.

But what else happened last year? Well, Jean was driving a car so beat up that the first interaction with the gravel trap blew up the engine. Those were the days, weren’t they? Yep.

But Jean had to stop reminiscing. The next race was here. And already things were not going so well. His worst qualifying not counting Vulkanas since... well, Nekoni last year. The track felt quite good with the Chase Cutter... so what gave? No one was sure.

What was certain was that Jean had a lot of catch-up work to do. The season was half over, and a more certain, less likely to change dramatically pecking order had formed. And Jean was up near the top. You know what that means?

He could win. So why not try?

[Vangaziland]

As the racers prepared in Nekoni, preparations for the next event were already underway. Vannish officials have wanted to run a street course through Emeros for years. As VMR failed to prepare their team in time for WGPC 15, any possible Vannish race was also put on hold. This lasted throughout the WGP2, as the Emeros Street Course was still under development.

The Vannish Grand Prix arrives at a very important stage for VMR. Franssen finds herself back in the race for the Driver's Cup heading into Nekoni, standing at 5th. The team also hopes the team's info on the Emeros track might help Gregori Krupin get back on track. VMR stands at 6th in the Constructors'.

Roads which make up the track have been shut off to local transit for some time. Emeros Street Course moves through several areas of the city, ranging from homes and tall, leafy trees near the starting straight. It leads through a major shopping district and a transit hub before heading back into the residential area. Locals have made their way in and out of the track's perimeter through a handful of access points. Local commercials advertise how the local trains are an easier way to get to the shopping area.

The road will run through a mall, not literally, but under a footbridge which connects two sections of the mall together. Fans will be able to stand above the track and watch from above. The entire length of the track has been repaved with track quality tarmac. Temporary barriers with fences are being set up as the event in Nekoni prepares to take flight. Red & white markers around the turns have been put in and will remain visible even after the Vannish Grand Prix.

People are flying to Emeros from all over the Vannish Empire. People will come from as far as Wrexwic, the Tainese Isles and Barnicea (Esportivan Vangaziland). Many people will also travel from all over the Vannish Mainland. Fans will be able to watch from multiple places. The largest grandstand is on the North side of the main straightaway, among the tall trees and old homes.

Media companies are excited about covering the event. Millions are expected to tune in to watch the domestic broadcast. The event is generating lots of revenue because advertisers are competing for space.

The Vannish racers are definitely looking forward to the event. "I'm really looking forward to racing through Emeros", said Jang Xiaopeng. "Early in my drifting career, I shot a few vids in Emeros. I spent a lot of years living there. It should be quite the day on the track. Memories will be made."


NAME OF CIRCUIT: North Emeros Street Course
CITY/TOWN: Emeros
COUNTRY: Vangaziland
NAME OF GRAND PRIX: Vannish Grand Prix
QUALIFYING TYPE: (Trad / Two-Tier) Traditional
LAP RECORD: 1:45.19
LENGTH OF ONE LAP: 3.901km

The Jump
Start - Turn 4
The starting straight doesn't go for long before tossing the field into a set of switchbacks. Starting at Turn 1, the drivers pull into a residential neighborhood with old homes dating to the late 1800s. Tall oak & maple trees flank the track, just behind the temporary barriers.

The Boulevard
Turn 4 - Turn 6
There are a collection of shops, mostly family run small businesses. The drivers will pass everything from jewelry outfitters and clothing boutiques to candy, ice cream and fudge shops.

Commerce Row
Turn 6 - Turn 7
The shops turn more commercial. Some time after turn 6, the road will cut through the mall, with a walkway crossing right over the course. Advertisement banners will hang over the track, mainly for Vannish Motors, Vann-Bands, Royal Imperial Brewery and other companies who will pay top dollar. The trees fade away into a concrete jungle of office space, the banking industry and condominiums.

The Hub
Turn 7 - Turn 10
Still within the commerce zone, drivers will pass by several transportation centers. There are large bus stations near turns 8 and 10. Turn 9 bends around a train station with 1940s art deco styling.

The Parklands
Turn 10 - Turn 14
Between 10 and 11, the road will slightly dip down in elevation. The trees return as this road cuts through a large urban park. Passing 11, the road picks on more of a "Main St." feel, with residential neighborhoods visible beyond this road of small shops and services. Turn 14 is a blind corner which is tighter than it looks.

The Parkway
Turns 13 - 16
The road opens up and finds itself away from homes and businesses. This is where the street connects to a parkway, which leads to the main city Emeros, of which North Emeros is a suburb. There will be car dealerships, gas stations and other services seeming to cater to travelers. Turn 13 is called 'Lucky 13'. On that turn's outside corner is a 250 foot bronze statue of 'Lord Emerott' a figure from the 1500s, of which Emeros is named. After reaching the straightaway, the road leads back to the large, ritzy homes. More modern homes fill the row before the jagged streets of Turns 1-4.

[Savojarna]

Saturday morning wasn't a day when Savojarna's sports authorities were typically working. However, Kimmo Tarvelainen and Lena Holmström had made an exception for this particular one and assembled in their shared SARA office to oversee the development of their most important man, Sigur Bjarnason. The team that was in charge of the WGPC program was anxious for the qualifying in Nekoni. Their man had managed to do very well at the training, but the struggle had always come with the races. Recently, the reliability of both the driver and his MRT weren't the greatest, and they had heard from Arlund that things weren't all that rosy before the race. In the middle of Sigur's first lap, the telephone in the office rang. Odd enough for a saturday morning, Kimmo thought. "Lena? Turn down the TV. It's the big dogs", he announced as he read the number before picking up the phone.

"Tarvelainen of the SARA here, who..." - "What the hell have you idiots done this time?!". The voice of Jabor Barishkov didn't sound particularly friendly. It hardly ever did, as it happens when one puts Leninists in second place to anyone, Kimmo thought. He decided not to be too shaken by SSA's second-in-command in terms of communications. Heading the WGPC programme meant a lot of external contacts, and he had long gotten used to Barishkov never being happy with anything.

"Good morning to you too, Mr. Vice Chief of Communications", he answered friendly, using Barishkov's most hated greeting. He couldn't get mad at being addressed with his proper title, but the Russian hated the reminder that he was not the actual chief of anything. "I don't know, what have we done? Nothing out of the ordinary recently, as far as I know".

"Why do I get complaints by my men then? You remember a certain Mr. Kjurman, do you?". Clearly, Barishkov was still enraged. "I do. You appointed him not only over your head, but also against my and Lena's explicit suggestion. We talk as little to him as possible though. I'm sure he isn't complaining about that, is he?". Probably, Kimmo should have been hiding his sarcasm towards the choleric man on the other end of the phone, but with the support of SARA's leadership, it was hard to resist the temptation to provoke Barishkov even further. Lena was also attempting to hold back her laugh, imagining the red face of the fat man in his chair.

Triumphantly, Barishkov toned down his yelling a bit though. "Against your will, yes. But we are the communications office, not you, okay? So you also DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO FIRE MY OWN EMPLOYEES!", it sounded out of the phone. The SSA man had returned to shouting, and Kimmo was even more confused than before. "What are you talking about? I have not fired anyone. Mr. Kjurman would probably just laugh in my face if I tried. May I go back to doing my actual work now, please?"

If Barishkov was set back by the response, he didn't show it at all, even though he had to know that SARA could indeed not fire anyone appointed by the SSA. "He was fired over our heads, and you guys don't like him. Isn't that enough? I don't know what you did, but someone must have fired him, and you don't go over our heads on anything in this goddamn program. Especially not if it's about communications! You just got all high and mighty on your 3 million Kronor or something? In all the Gods' names, you will immediately retract your firing or I'll go to the head office!". By now, Kimmo had to lay down the phone to avoid breaking into laughter. Barishkov's rant was increasingly absurd. Finally, the man's shouting stopped.

"Mr. Barishkov. I will not retract anything because I have not issued anything", Kimmo explained calmly, as if he was talking to a child - doubtlessly enraging Barishkov even more - "I am not the only one in charge of anything, okay? Who replaced Kjurman in the first place?". Finally, the bureaucrat at the other end of the phone seemed to actually think for a moment. "Lara Kasparova. Mattijanan. A 23 year old. As if this was some joke or something! Are you even taking this serious?!"

For a moment, Tarvelainen considered saying the truth, as far as this call was concerned - "no" - but he quickly collected himself before Barishkov would actually find a way of getting rid of him. "Okay. So someone replaced Kjurman with a young Mattijanan over your head. I think you can agree that I wouldn't do this, I don't even have Mattijanans in my office. I never heard of a Lara Kasparova either. Sounds like an MRT employee to me. Can I now go back to work?", he asked a little more annoyed by the call. "I will find out. Have a nice day". The call found a very abrupt end before Kimmo had any time to say goodbye to Barishkov as well. Not that he really wanted to, either. He felt mainly sorry for the poor soul at MRT that would pick up the phone and have the joy of talking to Jabor Barishkov.

As he turned his eyes back on the TV, he saw Sigur on top of the ranking. It may only be practice, but if that wasn't a good start, he wouldn't know what was. Lena was still laughing at Barishkov's anger, and quickly Kimmo found himself joining her. Apparently, the WGPC program was still on track - and neither of them could avoid the thought that maybe, getting rid of Kjurman wasn't entirely unconnected to that.

[Mattijana]

The circuit in Nekoni was a much friendlier one for MRT compared to the last two in Aboveland and Lisander. It was relatively quick, but it flowed much more nicely and the middle sector was twisty, but a joy to drive.
The car had taken to it much better as well. Sigur had come top in practice with Rusty a solid 5th as he tried to rekindle the form fire. Qualifying had also been succesful. Although the Polaris team, in particular Sigur's rival Okumura looked strong, the two green and yellow cars had gone into second and fourth and would be set for an excellent points haul even if they could only hold their position.

Once again however, the focus at the top of the MRT tree was less on events on the track and more on happenings off the asphalt.

"How did Lara get on?" Johan Struna asked Maria Jamasova as the pair discussed the qualifying results and looked ahead to their race strategy.

"She held her own by the sounds of it. There weren't any crazy questions coming at her, some of the Savojar media worrying about how our results had tailed off was the toughest thing by the sounds of it, but she had a nice start. Attention has gone downhill with the results, especially from the foreign media. Suits us anyway, we can get on with things without having to direct a cameraman away from the rear end every five minutes."

"Good good. It's just I saw the guy from Savojarna still hanging around...by the coffee machine of course... I just thought we'd got rid of him."

"Well yes, that's the problem. I've told him we've got someone else to do whatever he was doing, doesn't make much difference to him obviously, but we can't actually get rid of him."

Johan was normally a fairly relaxed character, but he looked closer to a spontaneous combustion than normal.

"Why on earth not? He's just draining the budget, not just in damned expresso capsules either."

"Well apart from beverages, he's actually not because he's not our employee. Therefore we can't sack him. We can do all we can to stop him doing anything, but we can't send him packing."

"Who can we call to get him out then?"

"Organisation called the SSA. They handle most of the sports scene in Savojarna. Their communications department should be able to help us out."

"Hmmm. Here probably isn't the best place to call from. Get one of the guys from the office to get onto them. ASAP."

"I already have. Dani or one of the other senior office guys can do the honours. Hopefully he'll be gone by Vangaziland."

---

Danil Cesarović, in contrast to his 23 year old colleague Lara, had been with the team for around 15 years. In that time, he had risen to a communications post in MRT's Kopylov office that involved the majority of connections with foreign offices. It had been him that had made the final contract negotiations with both that season's drivers.

His task today was a more awkward one. Instead of trying to make connections between two nations, he was going to be telling the SSA to get rid of the man they had sent over with perfectly good intentions because he wasn't good enough. He felt like someone sending back a birthday present purely for the reason that they didn't like it.

He was about to pick up the phone and dial the number for the SSA comms office he'd been given by Maria when it started to ring. Probably just the guys in Nekoni checking up on something before the race or another obscure Mattijanan tyre manufacturer asking about sponsorship.

It was neither. It was a man from the SSA and the thick Savojar accent on the other end of the phone was in no mood for small talk.

[Former Citizens of the Nimbus System]

Gran Premio di Nekoni
Qualifying

Coalescence slowly, slowly, slowly stalks around the unnamed corner to which has been given the designation ‘Twelve’. At this point previously, Ryker would be lamenting this slowness, lamenting the speed and grace which he is currently unable to unleash. He, however, is not; instead the Nimban focusses, for he has learned that the approaching exit is a vital one. And now…

The turn straightens. We strike.

The power of Imagination flows into the UHSGV-2, accelerating it into and around 13 and 14, climbing at an ever-increasing pace towards the hill’s crest.

Now, to the next arc. Glide through, straighten out and turn, clip the outside… And sweep in! Little shallower now -

Cresting the hill in Turn 16, the remainder of the lap spreads before Ryker Lane. It is a view that he has seen often now, one of a track that he is prepared for. The rightness of the moment resonates within the Nimban racing driver and it infuses him utterly. It’s not like the euphoria of yesterday; what it is is significantly more fulfilling, as if his emotion knows that it is deserved.

Truly, he thinks and feels.

Down Coalescence swings into 17, barely a slight adjustment - and then almost drifts through 18 in a motion worthy of his ancestors, the Imagikinetic convertor propelling the UHSGV-2 onto the short straight with unparalleled speed.

Into 19, a touch on the brakes, hug the inside and now. The two, the one and the many, swing to the inside once again, coiling like an asp in the moment before the kill. Don’t push it, don’t push it, not just yet…

Now!

Asp uncoils; into the home straight car and driver go with calculating, clinical, beauteous power behind them.

“And that, Ryker, is good enough for seventh place. You’ve won from far worse on far better tracks - well done. You’ll be in a position to challenge MRT tomorrow.”

Ryker allows the smile back onto his face. “Thanks, Martin. I didn’t need it, but thanks.” The Nimban releases a breath before checking his HUD. Well, that’s time… Seems that I was last out. He winces slightly. I do not like that front four. Sure, all of them were always to do well here but even so, I’ll need to attack tomorrow if I’m going to prevent them from taking too much ground in the Championships. Still, Franssen’s in front of me; she won’t be as hard a target.

Though - hmm…

Post-Qualifying

Ryker walks up to the VMR garage. He sights the cars inside, the twin Dragons, being attended to by their legions of mechanics, bustling like impetuous, shadowy ghost samurai around - well, around dragons. Well, there’s a simile that no-one without an understanding of Nimban history would understand… Lane chuckles to himself. They are dedicated, though. With eyebrows raised, he adds to himself, In fact, they look as dedicated as our own team. Huh. Well, good for them.

Admiring his rivals isn’t what he’s here for, though, and so Ryker decides to utilise his time-honoured technique for inviting the attention of who he wants to see: standing around ever so slightly awkwardly, perhaps leaning from side to side to peek through the crowds inside the garage in an attempt to catch sight of said person and waiting for them to come to him.

[Nekoni]

Wednesday morning

A beautiful, cloudless day. In a stark contrast to the rest of the season, it seemed that this weekend would be completely dry. Temperatures in the low 20s, wind no more than a light cool breeze, it was going to be nice to have a weekend where rain strategy wasn't a thing. However, the Polaris team couldn't wait until Friday to get on the track. As they were a media company-backed venture, and they were on home soil, they had nowhere to hide from the demands of higher-ups. That was why the two drivers and Mayari were at Rivoli on bleeding-edge sports bikes, pedalling up the steep incline from turn 6 back to turn 4.

"Is there any reason we had to do this? I'd have much rather done an indoor photoshoot, it'd be quicker, wouldn't it?" Erica Okumura complained. She hadn't been on a bike in years, and wasn't really enjoying it.
"I don't make the rules, and NEXPRO's a bike company. It's easy enough, do a couple laps here, get photographed a few times, sorted," replied Mayari. "Of course, you slow down and fall, you might get ran over by the camera van behind us."

The three eventually reached the top of the hill, and Alex signaled to stop. "Look out here. Take as long as you need." She pointed past the runoff area, beyond the Armco and tires to the forests outside. The view was phenomenal. Miles upon miles of green fields, emerald forests, a small rocky outcrop towards the west. In the distance, one could make out a glistening river, leading into the sea, as bright a blue as could be. I could easily watercolour this, Erica thought. I'd spent hours on this...if I wasn't shithouse at painting.

"Great, in't it? Amazing view, yes? You could put it on a postcard. Now you've seen it for yourself, you don't need to be distracted by it this weekend." She turned back to the van full of the media pricks with cameras. "One more lap, yeah? Don't want to use up all our energy before the race has even bloody started!"

---

Saturday

True to the weatherman's word, the rain had indeed stayed away, as it had the day before. As ever with the home round, Polaris were expected to do well, and going by the Friday's performance, they had. Sayono had somehow gotten her head in the game, remembered her practice sessions on the circuit and notched up a very impressive sixth. Erica had failed to finish first, however, she was within a thousandth of a second of Bjarnasson, who seemed to be her rival at this point. Whether he'd practiced beforehand or he pulled something special out of the bag two days early, Erica knew that she had to beat him today.

"Right, I know how it is to have your nation's expectations thrust upon you, Erica," Alex began in the paddock. "However, as bad as it gets...and trust me, I'd know, when you're there, they're all cheering you on." She continued, talking about the magical SFeG season with their first arrival coming shortly after their big comeback under Minna. How the opening laps had her on the ropes, yet the crowd's support drove her to take Lund on the final lap and bring home victory. How sweet it is to have the Nekoni faithful scream your name. She also talked about how she hoped Sayono still had her cat ears, and Sayono blushed like a strawberry. One quick shout of "Forza Polaris!" later, and it was time to go on the track.

They didn't need a chant. They didn't need luck. Erica was on fire out there. It was nearly formulaic, with Erica cleanly securing her first pole within the first three laps. "Jesus, even I never got pole at NIC!" exclaimed Alexandra, even though she kind of knew that her talent was better than her. However, as amazing as the pole was, the big story was Sayono Souzare. Out of nothing, she was able to string together a fantastic run, and sandwiched herself right between the two MRTs in third place, directly behind Erica.

Even though she managed to get her's and the team's first pole, Erica wasn't going to rest on her laurels. She knew that she would still need a hot start to maintain the lead off the line. Although she knew the track better than nearly everyone, it was still a demanding drive, and she needed a strong result here to shake off her first retirement at Aboveland. In her trailer, she continued to study the track, just as Alexandra told her that she did during her win at NIC. She could never be too careful.

But as today was concerned? Today was perfect. All she and the team needed to do was to translate it into a win. Easier said than done, but with the home crowd advantage, it was theirs for the taking.

[Vangaziland]

Post Qualifying

Jess was in the back of the VMR paddock with a few of the crew. She finished her qualifying run some time ago. The group was sharing a few jokes and winding down after a track session with up and down implications for the team. Jess pulled a spot she could be effective form at 6th. Her teammate's woes seemed to continue with a start at 16th.

Just a few moments earlier, she had spoken to Gregori. "I know. Another rough time", she told him. "The team is still behind you. It's all a learning experience."

She could tell the result weighed heavy on him and she just wanted to remind him that the team wasn't putting pressure on him. The team's principal, Vanessa Hattieson, knew she was hiring a driver in his first year. The company also knew their chassis was almost an experimental prototype in nature. The team had remained supportive of Krupin from the season's start.

"Let the team carry that pressure", Jess told Gregori. "Don't let it build up inside. Besides, you ran fast at practice. Aim for the lead lap and try to crack the top 10." The team's executives knew Gregori was working hard to succeed.

The topic soon changed back to hanging out once they got back to Vangaziland. "Yeah! We should meet up at Emeros. There are a bunch of places."

A few minutes after their conversation, one of the engineers turned to Jess and said, "Hey. Isn't that Ryker Lane hanging out by the door?"

Jess and the others turned to look. They were surprised to catch him in the colors of Nexus racing. "Let's go say hi." The group stood. Jess walked in the lead, with three of her crew behind her in a line. She smiled her infamous wide grin as she approached the Nimban.

"Fancy meeting you here", she said to Ryker. "How did you like that qual sesh?" She used a shorthand slang term for qualifying she picked up from Jenna Vandersen.

"We put up similar times", she said as Lane spoke. Jess was starting 6th and Ryker was 7th. She was surprised to see him here and was caught off guard. His appearance seemed to boost her adrenaline response, as she was caught off guard. The others kept up a mostly stoic appearance, but there were hints of smirks on most of their faces.

"How is your teammate?" Jess figured she'd make small talk. She was curious about what went on behind the walls at Nexus. She shifted her eight from foot to foot, bouncing from side to side as they spoke.

"What brings you to the Vannish paddock?"

[Krainin]

Bringing the latest news updates around Krainin 24/7

Jennifer Johnson's Slump In WGPC Might Be Ending
By: Tony Jackson

Jennifer Johnson at Isocima
International, 2017.

Jennifer Johnson, daughter of four-time Krainin F1 champion, David Johnson, has recently joined an international racing league, the World Grand Prix Championship (WGPC). Johnson had early success in the first race, Dashoze Circuit in Hodori, leading a big portion of the race before having an engine blow out. Since that race she's had four DNF's in six races. Jennifer got to the point where she wasn't her happy everyday self. She had a breakthrough at Circuit Grandeville in Lisander. She qualified 3rd and ended up finishing the race in 5th on the lead lap, her best finish. She said in a tweet after the race; "I'm feeling optimistic after the 5th place finish at Circuit Grandeville in Lisander #confidence."

[Former Citizens of the Nimbus System]

Gran Premio di Nekoni
Post-Qualifying

Ryker smiles with a self-assured air as a certain Vangazi approaches, her teammates moving to join her. Still don’t know how that works.

I am good at it, though.

“Fancy meeting you here,” comes the inevitable greeting. “How did you like that qual sesh?”

“Totes legit, am I right?” The Nimban gives a laugh. “Sorry. Seriously, though, it was fine. We weren’t expecting greatness here, so anywhere in the top ten is a bonus - good damage limitation.”

“We’ve put up similar times,” Franssen notes. The Vannish racer seems keen to talk, even eager. Hopefully, that will make her more amenable to his proposal.

“We have.” Not like that’s the entire reason I’m here…

Ryker considers what to say next - and struggles to find anything beyond blurting out what he wanted to say from the very beginning in a blunt non sequitur, so he is relieved when the other participant in the conversation changes topic. “How is your teammate?”

“I’m sure that Jean’s still optimistic, despite where he’s starting. He can really turn on the confidence when he needs to, even if that can manifest as arrogance sometimes.” Ryker quickly takes a glance behind the group. “Speaking of teammates… Say hi to Gregori for me. It’s good that he’s back on his feet.” Learning of the crash after the Abovian Grand Prix had marred the double podium a little.

Jessica nods in understanding - though she also bounces on the balls of her feet from side to side, full of excitable energy. “So… What brings you to the Vannish paddock?”

Here we go - don’t mess this up. “Right. We’re going to be starting close to each other tomorrow.” He clasps his hands together in a manner that he’s seen Guard do a few times. “Neither of us want Polaris or MRT where they are. I thought that we could, well, try to coordinate our attacks at the start, that’s all.”

[Vilita and Turori]

Gran Premio di Nekoni, Autodromo Internazionale del Rivoli, Val del Rivoli, Nekoni :: Another qualifying session in the books and another disappointing showing for Vilita and Turori's only two active Grand Prix drivers, Juracai Klianiota and R.L. Cruisin. For Cruisin, the World Grand Prix Championships all time starts leader who has yet to score a point during the 16th Grand Prix Championships season, there was reason to be optimistic heading into qualifying after a 12th place showing in the Friday practice session. However, on qualifying day the #51 MSA-SinVal machine was not up to snuff a full tenth of a second outside the top 10 in the eighteenth position. It would seem that the experienced Cruisin was able to squeeze out everything the car had on offer, however, as teammate Cesaro Whittaker was the slowest of all drivers who did not have issues during the session and will place 24th out of the 26 drivers on the grid, not a sign of optimism for an improved performance on race day from the MSA-SinVal team.

There is perhaps some light at the end of the tunnel for Juracai Klianiota and the #77 Tropicorp Racing Aelund team as Klianiota's qualifying time was very similar to that of the Drivers Championship leader, Klianiota's Abovian teammate #56 Terho Talvela. With Talvela placed 9th, the WGPC Eelandii machine of Reva Izalio in 10th and Klianiota in 12th it is feasible that the Tropicorp drivers could work together cutting through the field on their way to points paying positions or perhaps even a podium finish.

However, it was not teammate Juracai Klianiota that Terho Talvela was spotted socializing with after the qualifying session. Instead, it was someone with a little more star power - former Grand Prix driver and WGPC Eelandii Motorworks principal iBen Toralmintii. The two were teammates at Vilita and Turori Motorsports when Talvela won the Drivers Championship during World Grand Prix Championships Season 14. The partnership was said to be more productive than the current relationship between Talvela and Klianiota and some had even earlier rumored that Toralmintii could be in line to replace Klianiota at Tropicorp Racing Aelund if the rookie driver's performances didn't improve. Those rumors started to fly again when Toralmintii and Talvela were seen chatting after the qualifying session - though it is possible the two were just discussing the race start with Toralmintii's WGPC Eelandii Motorworks driver Reva Izalio scheduled to start alongside Talvela at the Gran Premio di Nekoni.

Eitherway, Juracai Klianiota knows the pressure is on to perform as the TRAE team sit 20 points behind MRT in the Constructors Title chase and no one is going to put the blame on the leader of the Drivers Championship standings as the reason why the Constructors Title would be lost. Klianiota took on an Isolation policy on Saturday night. No news, no devices, no socializing. Just Focus.

[WGPC]

CUT OFF

[WGPC]

Raceday
Autodromo Internazionale del Rivoli

Conditions: DRY
Laps: 47

Start  |  Pos. After 11 laps  |  Pos. After 23 laps  |  Pos. After 35 laps
 1 OKU | 1 IBU Aft. 11 laps   | 1 SZR Aft. 23 laps   | 1 SZR  Aft. 35 laps
 2 IBU | 2 OKU +12.524sec     | 2 IBU +12.615sec     | 2 IBU +5.131sec
 3 SZR | 3 SZR +12.955sec     | 3 BJA +46.884sec     | 3 BJA +14.772sec
 4 BJA | 4 BJA +14.698sec     | 4 DIM +49.123sec     | 4 LAN +17.792sec
 5 DIM | 5 WES +32.561sec     | 5 LAN +51.835sec     | 5 FRS +25.991sec
 6 FRS | 6 FRS +44.385sec     | 6 OKU +55.532sec     | 6 OKU +37.179sec
 7 LAN | 7 HIM +48.197sec     | 7 FRS +58.808sec     | 7 HIM +39.279sec
 8 WES | 8 DIM +50.947sec     | 8 HIM +61.59sec      | 8 DIM +46.404sec
 9 TAL | 9 LAN +58.124sec     | 9 KLI +66.168sec     | 9 KLI +54.538sec
10 IZA |10 KLI +61.458sec     |10 WES +74.231sec     |10 JAC +60.166sec
11 HIM |11 IZA +70.173sec     |11 IZA +80.184sec     |11 IZA +60.756sec
12 KLI |12 JNG +80.135sec     |12 JNG +88.028sec     |12 KRU +62.267sec
13 ELI |13 TAL +93.37sec      |13 JAC +92.546sec     |13 TAL +73.936sec
14 JAC |14 KRU +94.516sec     |14 KRU +97.852sec     |14 JNG +76.061sec
15 JNG |15 JAC +99.27sec      |15 TAL +98.663sec     |15 KRA +104.937sec
16 KRU |16 KRA Laps Down: 1   |16 NDK Laps Down: 1   |16 NDK Laps Down: 1
17 NDK |17 NDK Laps Down: 1   |17 CRU Laps Down: 1   |17 CRU Laps Down: 1
18 CRU |18 LUN Laps Down: 1   |18 LUN Laps Down: 1   |18 LUN Laps Down: 1
19 KRA |19 CRU Laps Down: 1   |19 KRA Laps Down: 1   |19 RVR Laps Down: 1
20 JMD |20 RVR Laps Down: 1   |20 RVR Laps Down: 1   |20 WTK Laps Down: 1
21 LUN |21 WTK Laps Down: 1   |21 WTK Laps Down: 1   |21 JOH Laps Down: 1
22 RVR |22 LEM Laps Down: 1   |22 JOH Laps Down: 1   |22 LEM Laps Down: 1
23 JOH |23 SCH Laps Down: 1   |23 SCH Laps Down: 1   |23 SCH Laps Down: 1
24 WTK |24 JOH Laps Down: 1   |24 LEM Laps Down: 1   |24 WES Ret. Lap 28
25 SCH |25 JMD Ret. Lap 4     |25 JMD Ret. Lap 4     |25 JMD Ret. Lap 4
26 LEM |26 ELI Ret. Lap 2     |26 ELI Ret. Lap 2     |26 ELI Ret. Lap 2

Pos # Driver               	Team	Race Time	Behind Preceding car	Points
 1 14 Sigur Bjarnason        	1:23:21.547	0:00:00.000	25
 2 25 Jessica Franssen       	1:23:29.328	0:00:07.782	18
 3 52 Sayono Souzare         	1:23:29.742	0:00:00.413	14
 4 64 Moe Himura             	1:23:31.334	0:00:01.592	10
 5 71 Rustom Ibuna           	1:23:42.587	0:00:11.254	8
 6 42 Alex Dimitrianov       	1:23:46.461	0:00:03.874	6
 7 47 Erica Okumura          	1:23:48.222	0:00:01.762	4
 8 77 Juracai Klianiota      	1:24:05.282	0:00:17.059	3
 9 27 Gregori Krupin         	1:24:07.341	0:00:02.059	2
10 99 Nate Jackson           	1:24:12.769	0:00:05.428	1
11 56 Terho Talvela          	1:24:21.877	0:00:09.108	
12 36 Reva Izalio            	1:24:25.889	0:00:04.012	
13 50 Jang Xiaopeng          	1:24:36.898	0:00:11.009	
14  1 Ryker Lane             	1:25:02.524	0:00:25.627	
15 55 Asao Nadakei           	Laps Down: 1	0:00:18.282	
16 51 R.L. Cruisin           	Laps Down: 1	0:00:02.706	
17 10 Jennifer Johnson       	Laps Down: 1	0:00:24.849	
18 16 Alexander Lund         	Laps Down: 1	0:00:04.277	
19 31 Cesaro Whittaker       	Laps Down: 1	0:00:02.960	
20 23 Jasmin Kranjska        	Laps Down: 1	0:00:34.280	
21  5 Juliano Lemos          	Laps Down: 1	0:00:00.247	
22 20 Mick Schramm           	Laps Down: 1	0:00:06.461	
23 12 Ranveer Singh          	Ret. Lap 45

DF 17 Lourdina Westgrens     	Ret. Lap 28
DF  2 Jean Mercer-Daly       	Ret. Lap 4
DF  7 Ethan Ellis            	Ret. Lap 2

Drivers' Championship Current Standings

Pos	#	Name			Team			Pts	Wins
1	14	Sigur Bjarnason		MRT			74	2
2	25	Jessica Franssen	VMR			65	1
3	56	Terho Talvela		TRAE			61	1
4	2	Jean Mercer-Daly	Nexus Racing		56	1
5	47	Erica Okumura		Polaris			55	1
6	71	Rustom Ibuna		MRT			54	1
7	64	Moe Himura		Arada			41	1
8	42	Alex Dimitrianov	McPahan			38	0
9	20	Mick Schramm		Omni Racing		37	0
10	1	Ryker Lane		Nexus Racing		36	0
11	50	Jang Xiaopeng		Omni Racing		31	0
12	52	Sayono Souzare		Polaris			25	0
13	16	Alexander Lund		McPahan			24	0
14	23	Jasmin Kranjska		Kissan Motorsport	23	0
15	55	Asao Nadakei		Arada			18	0
16	10	Jennifer Johnson	WGPC Eelandii		16	0
17	77	Juracai Klianiota	TRAE			15	0
18	27	Gregori Krupin		VMR			12	0
18	12	Ranveer Singh		TIF 13			12	0
20	22	Kyoko Fujisaki		Kissan Motorsport	9	0
21	17	Lourdina Westgrens	Bitten Heroes		8	0
21	99	Nate Jackson		TIF 13			8	0
23	31	Cesaro Whittaker	MSA-SinVal		5	0
24	5	Juliano Lemos		Bitten Heroes		4	0
25	36	Reva Izalio		WGPC Eelandii		1	0
26	51	R.L. Cruisin		MSA-SinVal		0	0
26	7	Ethan Ellis		Kissan Motorsport	0	0

Constructors' Championship Current Standings

Pos	Team			Points
1	MRT			128
2	Nexus Racing		92
3	Polaris			80
4	VMR			77
5	TRAE			76
6	Omni Racing		68
7	McPahan			62
8	Arada			59
9	Kissan Motorsport	32
10	TIF 13			20
11	WGPC Eelandii		17
12	Bitten Heroes		12
13	MSA-SinVal		5

The World Grand Prix Committee announces with great sadness that Karditani driver Reva Izalio has decided to part ways with WGPC Eelandii, citing an aggravation of a pre-existing injury that has rendered the driver unable to comfortably compete. WGPC Eelandii will now accept offers in Roleplay form to become the new #2 driver a WGPC Eelandii.

The deadline for applications is next Friday afternoon (2018 - 04 - 19th).

Scorination of the practice and qualifying for the next Grand Prix will be on Saturday evening.

[West-East Timor]

Autodromo Internazionale del Rivoli

"That was... awful. Once again", Mick said while getting out of the car.

"I have no idea what's wrong, I just can't seem to be fast enough..."

"You see, Jang is not much faster... maybe it's a problem with the car. However, I don't know what that should be."

"Have you checked if everything is as it should be?"

"We have. Several times. And we are clueless as to why we are way worse than at the start of the season..."

"Maybe we've just had a lot of bad luck..."

"Let's hope so."

"Races are pretty boring like this... I indeed hope so."

"I'd say we probably all hope so."

"What if someone is, like, I don't know, sabotaging the car..."

"Mick, please."

"What? It's not impossible..."

"We would realize that. Especially over several races."

"Hmm... well, that makes sense I guess. Also, weren't we supposed to have the Washomor sponsorship by now? Not that I want that, but..."

"Apparently there have been some problems. I don't know what it is. But we'll probably only be officially sponsored by them later in the season..."

"Eh, that's probably good I guess."

[Mattijana]

MRT Head Office, Kopylov InternazionRing, Mattijana

Danil Cesarovic had been talking to the man from Savojarna for only a few seconds, but he knew immediately the conversation was going to be excruciating. The man on the other end of the phone did not have the harsher, but at least understandable tones of Sigur Bjarnason, but a thick, heavy and much less comprehendible Russian Accent made even broader by the fact that the man was extremely irate.

"MRT head office, how can I help?" He greeted cheerily.

"You can help me by telling me why the hell you people think you have the cheek to put one of my employees out of a job without even talking to me or anyone else from my office, organisation or even my goddamned country!"

If that had been written down on paper, it would probably have an exclamation mark after it... and be in capital letters.

Danil hadn't expected such a strong reply to come from the other end, wherever that may be. Something told him a sponsorship offer was not going to come flooding down the line.

"Umm, right. Can you tell me who that particular employee is?"

The reply was once again a scathing one. It was also accompanied by a richly sarcastic chuckle.

"You mean you've sacked so many people you've lost track of who they are? Thomas Kjurman, from the Savojar Sports Authority. The people you might have had the decency to talk to before you got rid of him."

"Ok. As a matter of fact Mr er..."

"Barishkov. Jabor Barishkov, from the communications office of the SSA." The man could even channel near-maximum disgruntlement into his introduction."

"Ah Mr Barishkov. As a matter of fact we were just..."

"Spit it out then!"

Danil sighed. "We were just about to contact your office regarding his role with the team."

Another sarastic laugh crackled its way over from Rushmore.

"Is that how you people work, shoot first, ask questions later? Vraki!"

Danil's knowledge of Russian barely stretched past 'nyet', but he could guess that Vraki wasn't a compliment.

"We haven't actually fired anyone Mr Barishkov. I was going to call you because we'd rather Mr Kjurman wasn't with the team at the moment, but no-one needs to lose their job."

"If you say no-one needs to lose their job, then why is my employee sitting around drinking coffee whilst his job is being done by some untrained student who was probably still in nappies whilst Thomas was proudly working for his country! Tell me."

After the rude awakening from the Russian, Danil was starting to regain his composure.

"Let me read you the report from Maria Jamasova. She's our deputy team principal and she's..."

"YES yes yes. I don't have all day you know."

"The reason we want him out is because Maria believes her cat could do a better job, let alone one of our brightest and most personable team members. The report says he does nothing but leach off the team coffee machine and when he does make an attempt to engage with the press, he does nothing but quote your rulebook rather than actively deciding which press organisations would be worth talking to and which ones are best to avoid. Hopefully that provides you with more of an insight into why we felt the need to introduce a replacement."

Danil initially though twice about using the cat line, but there was something about Jabor Barishkov that made him want to throw out every line he had in fromt of him.

"Mr Kjurman's only discernible purpose appears to be as an obstruction to those trying to give Sigur the best possible chance of winning the championship and to Sigur building a relationship with the world's media."

Whilst reading this out, Danil could hear huffs and puffs coming down the other end of the phone. The question now was whether Barishkov would try and blow the house down.

[Vangaziland]

Jessica Franssen and Riker Lane started 6th and 7th respectively. The two had spoken before the race about coordinating their efforts. Jess didn't commit to anything, but did agree that they should try to work together to move through such a top-heavy starting field. With so many competitive racers inside of the top 10, the Autodromo Internazionale del Rivoli was set to become a classic race.

Two teams looked extra strong at the start of the event. Polaris secured spots 1 and 3 with Okumura and Souzare respectively. MRT also did well at qualifying with Ibuna in 2nd and Bjarnason in 4th. Both teams excelled in practice also. Sigur even put up the fastest time. This was probably what propelled Ryker Lane to approach the VMR paddock.

But it was a great sign. It couldn't hurt to have an ally of sorts on the field.

Jess thought about it as she crossed under the waving green flag of the race's start. She was acting principal of VMR when the WGP2 team conducted a trial run with an imagikinetic safety device. It was a significant collaboration for the Vangazi, but Hattieson backed off from the technology in the WGPC. This may be Vanessa's only season as VMR principal. With VMR being a factory team, the principal is also the head of VMR's motorsports division.

Vanessa was seen as the best corporate executive to help VMR start its WGPC program. She was more of a behind the scenes, organizational person. Her track experience was limited mostly to sports car programs like the Ghost GT-10. It was why she let Franssen fill in as a principal for the WGP2.

Jessica's #25 car moved ahead a bit quicker than Ryker Lane in the #1 in the early laps. She figured the best way to collaborate would be to run the best line she could. If Lane could draft off her, he may pull through the field and challenge what looked like the fastest cars on the track.

Two things happened which kept Lane just off Franssen's line. Dimitrianov started one spot ahead of Jess. When she passed him on lap 10, he fell between her and Lane. Moe Himura was also on an early tear, moving from 11th to 7th by lap 11.

Jess had fallen back by the halfway mark. By this time, Lane had passed her. The VM-222 Dragon chassis favored acceleration over cornering. This meant Jess made up the most time on the long straights seperated by the chicane. She had just the right blend of technical skill and a dash of aggresiveness to really get the most out of certain corners. The car was also dug in for the wide, sweeping Turn 3.

The #25 car was almost a minute off the leader near the halfway mark. She didn't just get passed by a few drivers. She had lost ground overall and needed to do something. Vanessa came over the headset. "We've gotta start pushing now." It was a little earlier than the team had planned, but track-data analysis showed it was now or never.

The car came into the pits for a quick stop. From here, the car should be able to make it. It was a push that went by in a blur for Jess. As she continued to play catch up with the leader, she found herself behind Ryker Lane with a few lapped cars in between. The Nimban was putting up quite good times. It was a struggle to catch up with him, but she finally moved around the slower cars.

Jess passed Ryker on lap 38 as turn 3 straightened out on the way to turn 4. Coming out of 3's apex, the Dragon could be heard shifting a bit sooner than the Nimban machine. It gave Jess a jump as she ran a tight line throughout the wide sweep of turn 3. The gearbox made the exhaust spit and pop with each shift as Jess managed to sneak past Ryker's guard on the inside.

Jess put together a fast stretch for the last half of the race. As Jess moved up the field, the MRT cars were working on chasing the lead as well. "Keep pushing! You're running faster than the crowd", Hattieson said over the team radio. "We might challenge the leader if we get enough time."

She let Jess know who was in the top 4. As the final few laps approached, Jess found herself passing car after car. It was a hell of a late run. So much time had been made up from the halfway mark. In the past, Jess has either stayed in the top 3 for awhile, held between 4th and 7th, or just plain DNF'd this season. Even with her two DNFs, one was a race where she stuck in the top 3. She has made early pushes before, but this race represented one of her strongest efforts to turn a race around after the midpoint.

She put up aggressive times without spinning out. Vanessa and the engineers had excitement in their voices as they read off the leader's times to Jess. By the time the checkered flag waved, she was only 7 seconds behind the leader. It was a solid lead, but after being a minute down, a win seemed like it could be only a matter of time.

Time turned out to be in Bjarnason's favor. He put his own late run up to keep the lead, winning in an impressive fashion. The Dragon let out it's high-pitched cries as it crossed the checkered flag. This would give Jessica two podium finishes in a row and four top 5 finishes in a row. The reporters asked her about her streak.

"This is a season", Jess said. "It'll have ups and downs. There are sure to be more 'downs' in store for VMR, but we hope to have even more 'ups'. The best part of where we stand is that we've proven the car can be competitive."

She was asked about her teammate. "He did well to climb from 16th to 9th. Two points don't sound exciting, but two points can be the difference between a top 5 team spot and a top 6 or even 7 spot." VMR currently stood in 4th over Tropicorp-Ælund by a single point. This wasn't about a rivalry from VMR's standpoint, as the particular team didn't matter. The Vangazi just wanted to accrue as many points as they could. Jess had said this was a test season. Now that she was doing better, the test was in a different phase.

Jess was also asked about the Vannish Grand Prix. "That's going to be so unique. I love Emeros and have always wanted to run a course through a busy metro area. It'll also be a great moment for the Empire, as Vangaziland welcomes the world to our capital."

After her time with the media, she finally felt ready to collapse. She was drained from the physical and mental effort she just went through. The car made one hell of a run under her guiding hand. The Vannish fan base would be buzzing. There was a lot for the talk shows, blogs and podcasts to discuss. Excitement was building for the fans which had faith in VMR's season even when Jess didn't.

Of course, there was still room for a ton to go wrong. Jess kept fairly reserved, though she couldn't help the adrenaline release after last week. The Van-Bands sunglasses kept her eyes hidden throughout her interviews, as usual. This time she wore an indigo pair with copper-orange lenses.

[Vilita and Turori]

Gran Premio di Nekoni, Autodromo Internazionale del Rivoli, Val del Rivoli, Nekoni :: With the exception of a late race charge by MRT's Sigur Bjarnason the Gran Premio di Nekoni ended up a bit of a lacklustre affair with Sayono Souzare's late race slip up causing perhaps the only moment of excitement at the front of the field for the fans.

Deeper in the pack there were a few developing storylines that would impact the Vilita and Turori contingent. For Tropicorp Racing Aelund driver Juracai Klianiota it was a solid, comfortable race that saw the Vilita and Turori driver improve four places from their starting position to finish in the 8th position, inside the points and notching off a Top 10 finish. It was a rare showing where Klianiota out-paced their teammate and title contender Terho Talvela who narrowly missed out on points finishing 11th. Despite securing a couple of points on the day, it was overall a bad day for Klianiota's team Tropicorp Racing Aelund. With Talvela outside the points and MRT putting two drivers in the top 5, the TRAE team dropped from being one win away from leading the Constructors Championship Standings to now falling back to fifth place in the Constructors Title chase, a full 52 points back meaning that even if Klianiota and Talvela finish 1-2 in the next race they would be unable to get back into the thick of the battle.

With the top 10 finish while scoring points and out-pacing Talvela on the day, Juracai Klianiota may have earned a temporary reprieve from the swirl surrounding their potential ousting from the second drivers seat at Tropicorp Racing Aelund. With Talvela's former teammate and World Grand Prix veteran iBen Toralmintii seen hanging around the paddock despite his duties with the WGPC Eelandii Motorworks team, some unfounded rumor mills had spun up suggesting that Toralmintii was in the market for a drive.

After the Gran Premio di Nekoni, however, it now seems there might be a different seat that Toralmintii could end up in before the season is out.

At the conclusion of the Gran Premio the #36 driver, Karditan's Reva Izalio, had to be helped out of the cockpit of the #36 WGPC Eelandii machine apparently having aggravated a pre-existing injury. It was not clear whether Izalio has been suffering from symptoms for some time or if evasive maneuvers required to avoid an early race incident were responsible for the Karditani's discomfort. Either way, having earned just a single points through the first ten race weekends of the season, there wasn't much left for Izalio to fight for over the remainder of the season that would warrant pushing though the pain and risking further injury. It almost appeared that the decision had already been made that it would be Izalio's last race in the pilot seat of the Eelandii machine as there wasn't much discussion about it between Izalio and team principle iBen Toralmintii.

Now it is Toralmintii that may be left with the task of finding a replacement driver for the vacant WGPC Eelandii Motorworks ride. Toralmintii, a veteran of 47 Grands Prix, may have the easiest time looking no further than themselves for the seat as the WGPC is in the middle of its Esportivan swing. Teams will not be returning to their home bases from Nekoni and instead headed straight to Vangaziland for the Vannish Grand Prix with Friday practice just days away.

When asked about the possibility of returning behind the wheel for WGPC Eelandii, Toralmintii held his cards close to his chest.

"That's really a decision the sanctioning body is going to make" is all that Toralmintii would directly comment on the matter, potentially hinting at one of two things.

Firstly, Toralmintii's role as Team Principle of the WGPC Eelandii Motorworks team has been focused on Engineering and Driver Development, and less on the day-to-day operations side of general management. Toralmintii has been tutoring drivers Jennifer Johnson and Reva Izalio - but he wasn't the one that first tapped them on the shoulder and offered them the drive, and wouldn't be expected to in this case either.

#7/67/71/77 - (2.5/5.5)

Nationstates Grand Prix IV - Reserve Driver
NSSCRA Season 4 - Driver - Vilita & Turori Motorsports
WGPC 11 - 18th Place (5 Points) - WGPC Motorsport Works Driver
WGPC 12 - 19th Place (4 Points) - WGPC Motorsport Works Driver
Super Formula Championship 1 - 1st Place (52 Points) Vilita & Turori Motorsports
Super Formula Championship 2 - 1st Place (77 Points) Vilita & Turori Motorsports
WGPC 14 - 2nd Place (128 Points) - Vilita & Turori Motorsports
WGPC 15 - 12th Place (35 Points) - WGPC Eelandii Motorworks
NSSCRA Season 6 - Single Race Driver
WGPC 16 - WGPC Eelandii Team Principle

Secondly, having unofficially retired from Grand Prix driving at the end of World Grand Prix Championships season 15, it is unknown whether Toralmintii ever filed the paperwork to renew his Grand Prix License. While certainly having qualified for renewal on merit - the Grand Prix Veteran having contested all twelve Grands Prix during WGPC Season 15 driving for the very same WGPC Eelandii team - even coming away with a stunning Podium Finish narrowly being beaten to the checkered flag by Juliano Lemos in what would have been a remarkable victory, Toralmintii's skill behind the wheel was never at question. Whether any slots remain for a driver from the Island Emirate of Turori would, however, be up for debate.

Toralmintii has certainly not fully retired and likely carries his fire suit and helmet with him to the track each and every week. That was proven earlier this season when Toralmintii hopped in one of Vilita and Turori Motorsports NSSCRA Stock Car machines for a showcase during the WGPC's mid-season test weekend at the Vilitan Mountain Challenge Course in Rockii Coast, Vilita.

Toralmintii would later contest a round of the NSSCRA Season 6 campaign at the Vilitan Mountain Challenge Course during a gap in the WGPC schedule, placing 23rd in the event. Toralmintii had actually gotten one of their first international breaks in the Stock Car circuit before making the full-time switch to open wheel racing as a Works driver during WGPC Season 11. After having to fight tooth and nail for every position and accruing just 9 points over two seasons as a WGPC Motorworks driver, Toralmintii left the WGPC circuit to perfect his skill in the Nationstates Super Formula Championship series.

Toralmintii put together strong finishes to keep in the title race down to the final race where the Turorian claimed his first Super Formula victory along with the season Championship. Due to the great success, Toralmintii returned for a second season of Super Formula action and started things off the same way winning the opening round before a runner up finish at his home track in Turori. Posting another consistent and smooth season, Toralmintii had all but defended the title heading into the final round but left nothing to chance, claiming their third career Super Formula race victory and second series championship.

Building on the momentum gained as back-to-back Nationstates Super Formula Champion, Toralmintii and the Vilita and Turori Motorsports team made a triumphant return to the World Grand Prix Championship scene during WGPC Season 14 putting up the single most dominating performance by any constructor in a single World Grand Prix Championship season with Toralmintii finishing narrowly behind debutant teammate Terho Talvela for the drivers championship and Vilita and Turori Motorsports claiming the Constructors title by a gap of 143 points to the second placed MRT team; also marking just the second time in WGPC history that two drivers from the same team finished 1-2 in the drivers standing after Team Rolatia did so during WGPC season 2 with drivers Thomas Ragji and William Sralt.

But things turned sour for Vilita & Turori Motorsports and Toralmintii during the offseason as Talvela and the funding from Abovian sponsors Nortec and Arctic Air sought glitz and glamour at the MRT race team sacrificing technical performance and results in the process. Having to get more hands on running the rebranded WGPC Eelandii team to keep things afloat during WGPC Season 15 set Toralmintii up for the transition to the Team Principle role this season overseeing the development of new drivers.

However, Toralmintii might also be interested in another solution for who to fill in the drivers seat for the remaining Grands Prix on the season 16 schedule - a solution which he himself took advantage of most recently in the NSSCRA Season race in Rockii Coast, Vilita. A rotating scheme that would see an up-and coming driver from the host country of that weeks Grand Prix given an opportunity to show their abilities behind the wheel of a full-power World Grand Prix machine. Such a system might give a fan favorite such as Jannik Markner a chance to impress the home crowds at the NBS Omnidirectional WET GP or WGP2 runner-up Cocoabo #23 an opportunity to breakdown new barriers at the upper echelon of Motorsport when the WGPC circuit rolls into Turori for the penultimate round of competition.

One way or the other, iBen Toralmintii will be in the paddock at the Vannish Grand Prix. The only unknown is whether the veteran Turorian will be scrambling to try to advise a late-arriving unfamiliar driver all the nuances of the WGPC Eelandii machine, or, will they take the simple solution and have Toralmintii himself strap on the gloves and return to the seat of the very machine he drove for the entirety of the WGPC 15 campaign...

[Vangaziland]

The week leading up to the Vannish Grand Prix was a weeklong party in Vangaziland. With Vannish Motors being a factory team, even partially owned by the state, it was easy for the company to utilize connections to build the fan experience. Two Vannish airlines offered discounts on flights into Vangaziland. One of the cheapest ways to get to the race may be to transfer to VannAir in Imondria, if leaving from Esportiva. Emeros is actually north of the Esportivan region, about 10 hours away from Imondria in Barnicea (aka Esportivan Vangaziland).

Hotels also offered discounts to any travelers with a pass to any of the weekend's events. Humboltson Hotels is a VMR partner currently sponsoring a Vannish racer in the most recent NSSCRA season. They are having an 80 dollar special for their four star hotel in North Emeros. It's located pretty close to the street course. There are also less expensive motels outside of the downtown district, which fans can commute from.

Emeros has a thorough public transportation system. Bus & train maps are clearly posted along with schedules. Tourists will also find leaving Emeros and exploring the Vannish mainland a simple affair. The best way to take a trip might be by train. The train would cut through the scenic Vannish taiga forest, which lays between it's populated metro areas. Domestic flights are also an option.

On the Thursday before the Vannish Grand Prix, the '1st Annual Motorsports Music Festival' was held. Jessica Franssen and Gregori Krupin were invited to make an appearance, along with Jang Xiaopeng. International drivers and team crew were also welcome. All WGPC drivers, crew members and staff were allowed free access and a pass to a special team section.

Memories of the last race in Nekoni were already falling to the wayside by the start of the concert. Thousands of fans showed up with the anticipation of the weekend's events fresh in their mind. Many people wore race inspired clothing. There were fans of multiple teams, wearing licensed clothing and gear for teams ranging from McPahan to Bitten Heroes. Alex Dimitrianov still had a surprising amount of Vannish fans from the time MRT was Vangaziland's most popular team. Alex no longer drove for the season's top team, so Vannish McPahan fans followed him.

Of course, there were still fair weather MRT fans who claim they like the team because Jess used to drive for it and they stuck by the team since. They had watched MRT for 2 WGPC seasons before VMR finally entered the 16th edition. Many referred to them as fair weather fans, slightly in jest, because MRT was doing so well. Their fandom was likely as true as those of any other team, despite the teasing from other Vangazi. After all, MRT had been one of the most dynamic teams of the past few years. Vangazi could appreciate that as much as they could enjoy rooting for an underdog.

The music festival started with rock bands from 4-6pm, rap from 6-8pm and trance/edm from 8:30 to 10:30. The concert was held between turns 6 and 7, in a region known as The Boulevard. A cross street ran behind the row of shops, tracing the curve of the road which was now completely sealed off and barrier-ed as the track. This was where the festival was held, as this street also became blocked off for the foot festival.

The local shops didn't mind having their district flooded with race fans and tourists. Many of the shops would garner extra business. There were ice cream shops, taverns, and places to grab a bite. Several recreational cannabis outlets were also nearby, ranging from coffee shops to recreational stores. People from overbearing countries would find they could walk the streets in peace, smoking a 'green cigar' without having any dramatic results. Vangaziland was a country with a lot of personal freedoms.

Local police were in force. For all the liberties Vangaziland provided, they were quick to clamp down on certain behaviors. This would not be a good place to start a brawl. Emeros PD had the kind of cops who would not be kind to tourists who caused trouble in the city. This was a militant land, where up to a few years ago, men AND women had to complete time as a military conscript.

Things had gone smoothly leading up to the start of the event. There had been a few incidents, but all was about as well as could be expected for a crowded public event. The time between the race at Nekoni and the Vannish weekend seemed to stall for the excited Vannish fans. Talk of a Vannish street race had been in the works since WGPC 14. The city had finally finished the course, the track's surface and perimeter ready to go. It took lots of planning and coordination to get to this point.

The spotlight was on Vangaziland's city as the weekend drew ever more near.

'Nightowl' of the band Space Ogres was the headline act for the rock segment of the show.

[North Prarie]

Luc Kennedy was just walking in downtown Cobblestone Lake City when he got a call from his agent, Jeff Canayis.

"Hey, Jeff. What's up"

"Luc, you won't believe what i'm about to tell you"

"Okay, what?"

"WGPC Eelandii lost a driver due to injury. They have a spot open. They're looking for drivers."

"Holy crap, are you serious?"

"Dead serious. Listen, I got an application in for you, and booked a flight out to Vangaziland. I'm trying to schedule a practice."

"Is Miesi OK with this?"

"Hey, you're a free agent! Anyone can sign you, and that includes WGPC teams!"

"Okay, cool."

"Awesome. Okay, book a Ryder to CLC International. I sent you the tickets on my phone. It's a hop on Prariean to Stonebridge, and then a long-haul to Northwest Kalactin. There, you get on a Atlantian Oceania Interregional Airways flight to Starblaydia, then Vangaziland. 4 flights in total. You got Business Class the whole way."

"Oh wow, okay."

"So get to the Airport!"

"Thanks Jeff! Bye!"

---

Official Application for the Open Eelandii #2 slot.
Driver: Luc Kennedy
Agent: Jeff Canayis

Just like many things, in North Prarie we may not be big names on the international stage, but we always do it well. Same deal with racing. In North Prarie, we have a small Grand Prix tour. But that doesn't mean we aren't good at it. A perfect example is my client, Luc Kennedy. Luc is a 20-year old up-and-coming star, and has experience in big races. Luc is currently ranked #2 on the North Prariean standings, but the #1, Jon Mauer, is aging and should retire in a few years time. That makes Luc the de-facto #1. Last season, he raced for Miesi Motorworks, and won them the Prarie Grand Cup after all-star 1st place finishes at the Durham Grand Prix, CLC Grand Prix, and Tourloon. An aggressive driver, Luc gauntlets by the competition on the corners and then overtakes on the straightaways.
Luc and I both think that the replacement of Luc Kennedy in place of Reva Izalio will greatly improve WGPC Eelandii's chances. Even though it is Luc's debut on the international stage, I think it will be a great rookie season. If it is successful: Luc will gladly race for Eelandii in multiple seasons to come. We greatly hope you will take Luc and I into consideration. If you make the correct choice, you will have races of success for Eelandii.

---

OOC: V&T, if you accept this application, I promise I will consistently RP.
I wanted to do WGPC, but my team application got in too late and I wasn't even put on the reserves. I've been watching the WGPC for a while now and have been thinking how much fun it would be to RP for this. This opening was the perfect opportunity.

[Vangaziland]

It was the Wednesday leading up to the Vannish Grand Prix. Omni driver Jang Xiaopeng was hanging out in a tavern with two of his pit staff. The sun had already set on their day of travel and exploration in the city of Emeros. They made their way towards the track and rang along a side street which ran parallel to a segment of the curvy track.

Jang carried a small shopping bag with him. He took the two crewmembers to the shopping district known as the Boulevard. He ended up buying a new fitted baseball cap and a sweatshirt to match. Both featured the logo and colors of the IBC's Vangaziland Royals. The indigo cap with red markings sat low over his eyes as he took a drink. He'd ordered a screwdriver, a drink mixed with orange juice. The acidic taste of the orange juice cut the cocktail's bite.

Joining him at the table were Walther Rosenstock and Detlef Schaefer. Walt was the lollipop man, the one who held the sign to identify Jang's paddock. Detlef was one of the team's front wing men. Detlef and Walter were both from West-East Timor. Both crewmen were drinking different imported beers. Neither of the trio were drinking too heavily. It was a relaxing night out with friends and co-workers. There was no brawl. Most people in the establishment were acting responsibly, except for a table of college kids celebrating a birthday. Still, their only crime was being a little too loud and planning to stay up late the night before a big exam.

The topic of the WGPC season came up many times, between conversations of their thoughts on the city and the Vannish people. Visitiors to Vangaziland would realize how muticultural Vangaziland is. 47% of the population is Black/Mixed. 45% is Caucasian. This goes back to a peaceful merger, with no history of slavery or racial malace, which started in the early 1500s and is still taking place today.

One conversation that would end up sticking in Jang's mind would be about the future of the season. "What have the engineers been putting out? I missed the last meeting." Xiaopeng often tries to sit in on the engineer's meetings but he had another team commitment.

"We talked about the car mostly and how we can get back to our early season form", said Walt. "We also got into a little speculation."

"About what", asked Xiaopeng.

"The future track layouts and how they might affect each team", replied Detlef. "Long story short, many of the races ahead will have a bias towards more aggresive drivers. The lead engineer seemed to like our balance, though neither you or Schramm are heavily aggressive. Not like some of the others."

Walter chimed in. "Take this late stretch by Franssen. Our engineer isn't sure that's sustainable. I mean she has the skill and puts in a such a performance week after week. The tracks just don't favor her style as much as the one's shes done well on."

"The team talked about VMR for awhile", said Detlef. "Jess made a great case study. She still has some aggression now and is balanced. But the record is what it is, showing that she was less likely to succeed on such tracks. Plus her car has had a tough time on the aggressive tracks. Don't tell anyone from VMR." He knew Xiaopeng had a lot of friends on the other team and didn't want him to blurt this out to them. "We think the computer problems occur when Jess starts pushing the car too hard in aggressive situations."

"The Dragon has a glass jaw", said Jang with proper comedic timing and delievery. The others had a quick laugh at the local team. It was all in good spirits, perhaps literally if referring to the drinks they were currently imbibing.

"So Omni is not out. We've rated you and Mick as balanced with enough aggression to make another big splash or two", Walter said before finishing his pint.

"Driver points are still close. MRT has a strong lead in the Constructors', but their team is notoriously technical. Of course our little analysis doesn't guarantee or even point to success or failure for any team." Detlef spoke while clenching his glass of beer. "There are so many variables. Anything can happen."

"Just about", added Walt.

The conversation went on well into the night. By 11pm, the group had gone back to their individual hotel rooms. Most fell asleep by midnight.

[Aboveland]

Terho picked at the grains on his tyres with his fingernail, flapping the loose, molten bits of rubber around, his head down in defeat. Nekoni, as terrified as he was of its mozzarella-rolling cat people, was a crucial race for his championship bid. He'd done relatively okay in practice and qualifying, starting the race in ninth and well ahead of his teammate. And yet, as if a cloud of misfortune had blanketed the circuit, neither him nor the Chase Cutters delivered their nail biting battles in the autodrome, instead languishing outside the points and letting the Savojar get his way, again. It was amazing how the tables had turned: from two straight podiums and entirely outclassing his direly in danger teammate to losing out to the rookie in another weekend. Terho's face in his hands, he had no explanation for what had gone wrong.

iBen Toralmintii, again scuttling around the TRÆ paddock rather than his own team's, noticed the downbeat Abovian grasping at the strips of hair flowing over his eyes. As a former teammate now turned rival team boss and friend, he approached him to offer words of consolation, stretching out a hand to pat his shoulder.

"Hey, Terho," iBen said.

His mentor's voice mellowed Terho's expression. He swiped the hair from his eyes and replied. "Hi," he said, dryly. "This kinda sucks, doesn't it?"

"You tell me!" iBen said, chuckling. He lowered his voice to continue. "If you'd finished ahead of him I'd have put money on myself returning!"

Terho chuckled back. A return to action from iBen and another pairing of the two drivers was certainly very appealing. If Juracai didn't pick up the pace more consistently, it could very well be a reality. The thought of rejoining his mentor in his own team seemed like a fairy-tale situation.

"Edvin's told me it's a stop start thing with Juracai," Terho said. "He's not too good in one race, he tries to get rid of him, and then he goes and actually gets decent points. He did well today anyway." The thought of having finished outside the points hit Terho again, making him scrunch up his eyebrows.

"Hey, come on," iBen said, encouragingly. "It's just one shit race. You're a very talented driver, Terho. And sure, Vangaziland is gonna be another tough track, and the Savojarnan-"

"Savojar," Terho interjected.

"The Savojar," iBen corrected, narrowing his eyes, "will probably get another decent points haul. But the team is definitely strong, the car is definitely strong, and you're still in the thick of the championship battle. I promise a top 10 is gonna be enough to keep fighting. If you stay hunched like a miserable stray dog and weep over a bad race your championship bid is over. You're just stumbling, not falling yet. I'm keen on that late season resurgence your team hyped up a few weeks ago." iBen winks, and Terho smiles again. He owed his rookie season championship victory to his loyal teacher, and his words had no substitute. A call from further down the paddock summoned iBen back to his own garage area, yet in his wake he left a now content Abovian. iBen was right, it had been just a shitty race. Time to get over it and show the rest of the grid what he was really made of, once again.

Edvin, in the background, revealed himself when a mechanic moved from his line of sight to Terho, his smile perking his glasses upward just a bit. Neither Abovian spoke a word, but their thoughts were in sync. Vangaziland wouldn't knock them down.

[Krainin]

Post Race

Jennifer and Josh are sitting in their shop in Krainin. Jennifer is looking at a tv that is showing the results of the race at 'Autodromo Internazionale del Rivoli'. Josh is laying on a couch looking at his phone. The hosts of the show are listing the drivers and talking about them. Jennifer was idly watching until her name was mentioned.

"Krainin's very own, Jennifer Johnson, finishes 17th, one lap down," the female host says.

"Yea, Jennifer. Other than her four DNF's, that is her worst finish so far in WGPC," the male host says.

"Well, technically the race at Rykinsvik City Circuit over a month ago was worse because she finished that race four laps down rather than one."

"Yea, you got a point. Honestly, this season kinda reminds me of her fathers' rookie season back in '87."

"He had nine DNF's in twenty races."

"And he only finished on the lead lap four times."

"Yep. Alright time to go the next driver." Jennifer turns down the tv. She looks over at Josh who was a face full of phone. Jennifer chuckles silently.

"You having fun there, Josh?"

"Huh? You said something." Josh asks as he glances up from his phone.

"Idiot," Jennifer says as she scoffs.

"Hey, Hey. What is your problem?"

"Nothing," she says as she sits in a chair nearby.

"Is it your finish in the race?" Josh asks as she kneels next to her.

"No that's fine. It's about my father."

"Whats going on?"

"My mother said that his back has gotten worse."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's alright. There's nothing you can do about it. Sorry for snapping at you."

"I understand. Now let's go meet Billy."

"Alright, let's go."

[WGPC]

CUT OFF for Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying

[WGPC]

Friday Practice
North Emeros Street Course

Drivers had ninety minutes to record up to thirty laps of the track (including in and out laps to and from the pits). Only each driver's fastest time is shown in the table below.
Conditions: DRY

Pos # Driver			Team		Fastest		Behind Leader
 1 50 Jang Xiaopeng            	0:01:45.133	0:00:00.000
 2 25 Jessica Franssen         	0:01:45.149	0:00:00.015
 3 27 Gregori Krupin           	0:01:45.230	0:00:00.096
 4 14 Sigur Bjarnason          	0:01:45.245	0:00:00.112
 5 20 Mick Schramm             	0:01:45.337	0:00:00.204
 6 42 Alex Dimitrianov         	0:01:45.356	0:00:00.223
 7 16 Alexander Lund           	0:01:45.406	0:00:00.272
 8 47 Erica Okumura            	0:01:45.436	0:00:00.303
 9 10 Jennifer Johnson         	0:01:45.440	0:00:00.307
10  1 Ryker Lane               	0:01:45.494	0:00:00.361
11  5 Juliano Lemos            	0:01:45.506	0:00:00.373
12 71 Rustom Ibuna             	0:01:45.532	0:00:00.399
13  7 Ethan Ellis              	0:01:45.546	0:00:00.413
14 31 Cesaro Whittaker         	0:01:45.556	0:00:00.423
15  2 Jean Mercer-Daly         	0:01:45.579	0:00:00.446
16 56 Terho Talvela            	0:01:45.596	0:00:00.462
17 12 Ranveer Singh            	0:01:45.638	0:00:00.504
18 52 Sayono Souzare           	0:01:45.641	0:00:00.508
19 64 Moe Himura               	0:01:45.676	0:00:00.543
20 17 Lourdina Westgrens       	0:01:45.679	0:00:00.546
21 55 Asao Nadakei             	0:01:45.702	0:00:00.569
22 51 R.L. Cruisin             	0:01:45.723	0:00:00.589
23 77 Juracai Klianiota        	0:01:45.741	0:00:00.608
24 23 Jasmin Kranjska          	0:01:45.848	0:00:00.715
25 99 Nate Jackson             	0:01:45.899	0:00:00.766