World Grand Prix Championship Season 16: RP Thread

[West-East Timor]

NBS Omnidirectional West-East Timor Grand Prix
Official Guide

What is this?

This is the official guide to the 1st NBS Omnidirectional West-East Timor Grand Prix. It was probably handed to you by a person, most likely an attractive young woman in WGPC clothes, who didn't even ask you if you want it. You either have thrown it away, packed it away and never seen it again, or are actually reading it, which, if you are reading this, is certainly the case. This guide is supposed to give information. Some of that might be more or less interesting, or maybe it might also seem like it was made for people who never even heard of the WGPC. But, most people who are given one probably will have heard of the WGPC, either because they are a WGPC fan, or an average West-East Timorian. Almost all West-East Timorians know about the WGPC. Probably. And nobody non-West-East Timorian who never heard of the WGPC will travel to another country to visit an event they never heard about. Probably. Anyways:

The Location

Isnalkorvburg



Isnalkorvburg (Obviously marked by the blue arrow in the map of West-East Timor (made clear by the West-East Timorian flag in the right bottom corner of the map), which can be found right above), slightly bigger than Baranburg, is West-East Timor's third biggest city, after the capital, New Dili, and Jalpenju on Jalpenju Island. It is located on Isnalkorvburg Island, the biggest of the eleven islands with significant population, except the Mainland, of course. Isnalkorvburg also is the capital of Isnalkorvburg Islands District, spanning Isnalkorvburg Island, the islands of Eilin and Weisl, and other, smaller, surrounding isles. So, the entire region of the East Islands. It also is considered one of the most modern West-East Timorian cities besides New Dili, Baranburg and Osin, which does mean something in a generally modern (except Jalpenju maybe) nation like West-East Timor. If you do not count Weisl as a city (which you shouldn't, because it is not city), Isnalkorvburg also is the northernmost city in the Omnidirectional Republic. Many important West-East Timorians were born in Isnalkorvburg, most notably in regard of the WGPC, racing driver Mick Schramm, multiple times Formula WET1 champion, and currently racing for West-East Timorian team Omni Racing in WGPC. Which is, the event you probably are visiting if you own this guide.

The Circuit



Length: 4.698 km
Turns: 16
Lap Record: 1:15.034 (Michael Proose, Formula WET1)

Isnalkorburg Circuit (or Isnalkorvburgring) is located just outside of the city of Isnalkorvburg. After New Dili unexpectedly withdrawing from hosting the event just before the start of the season,it will be the venue for the first ever West-East Timorian WGPC race, the NBS Omnidirectional West-East Timor Grand Prix. The first track in this location was build only shortly after the first version of the New Dili Circuit in what today is the center of New Dili, making Isnalkorburg Circuit one of the oldest race tracks in West-East Timor. The circuit has been modernized again and again every few years, making it known as the most modern race track in all of Omnidirectional Timor today.

A lap around the circuit starts with the challenging chicane, going first right and then left. After a short straight the cars reach a sharp right turn (the "Kinn", after the shape of this part of the track resembling a face with a remarkable chin and nose, and German being the language commonly spoken on Isnalkorvburg Island) followed by a light left turn and a short straight. After the short straight and the beginning of sector two, they enter another left turn followed immediately by a right turn (the "Nase", for the same naming conventions). Following the "Nase", it goes up a straight known as the "Stirn" (the forehead) before going through the long turn 6 and onto the longest straight of the circuit. After a hairpin you get onto the, a bit shorter, back straight before entering yet another hairpin. After that follows the section known as the V (due to its shape, obviously), a slight right turn followed by a long straight, a bit sharper left corner, another long straight and a light right turn. After that cars immediately enter the E, which comprises of a hairpin, a straight, a sharp left turn, a long straight, a right turn, another long straight, a sharp right turn, and finally a hairpin, leading back onto the start-finish straight.

Schedule

Beside the main event, the WGPC, there will also be two other series racig in Isnalkorvburg this weekend, to keep the visitors entertained between WGPC events. One of them is Formula WET3, the national Formula series below Formula WET1, Formula WET2, and a possible national WGP3 series which might be planned for the future, but in any case does not exist yet. The other series is the WETTCC, the West-East Timorian Touring Car Championship

Friday

9:00: WETTCC: Free Practice
10:00: Formula WET3: Free Practice
11:00: WGPC: Pit Walk (for people who bought slightly more expensive tickets)
12:00: WGPC: Free Practice
14:00: WETTCC: Qualifying 1
15:00: Formula WET3: Qualifying
16:00: Formula WET3: Sprint Race

Saturday

10:00: WETTCC: Qualifying 2
12:00: WETTCC: Race 1
13:00: WGPC: Pit Walk (for people who bought slightly more expensive tickets)
14:00: WGPC: Qualifying
16:30: Formula WET3: Race

Sunday

11:00: WETTCC: Race 2
13:00: WGPC: Pre-Race Ceremony
13:20: WGPC: Pits Open
13:25: WGPC: Start Grid Walk (for VIPs or people who bought ridiculously expensive tickets)
13:40: WGPC: Pits Close
13:45: WGPC: National Anthem
13:50: WGPC: End Grid Walk
13:57: WGPC: Warm-Up Lap
14:00: WGPC: Race
Whenever The Race Ends: WGPC: Podium Ceremony

That is all. Thank you for reading this. Or not.
-The employee responsible for writing things which are handed out to people.

[WGPC]

CUT OFF for Practice and Qualifying in West-East Timor.

[WGPC]

Friday Practice
Isknalkorvburg Circuit

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 20 Mick Schramm             	0:01:15.016	0:00:00.000
 2 50 Jang Xiaopeng            	0:01:15.019	0:00:00.003
 3 56 Terho Talvela            	0:01:15.034	0:00:00.018
 4 25 Jessica Franssen         	0:01:15.038	0:00:00.022
 5 23 Jasmin Kranjska          	0:01:15.056	0:00:00.040
 6  1 Ryker Lane               	0:01:15.057	0:00:00.040
 7 27 Gregori Krupin           	0:01:15.073	0:00:00.057
 8  2 Jean Mercer-Daly         	0:01:15.193	0:00:00.177
 9 16 Alexander Lund           	0:01:15.207	0:00:00.190
10  8 Sebastian Vacantson      	0:01:15.273	0:00:00.257
11 51 R.L. Cruisin             	0:01:15.295	0:00:00.279
12 42 Alex Dimitrianov         	0:01:15.316	0:00:00.300
13 77 Juracai Klianiota        	0:01:15.320	0:00:00.304
14 99 Nate Jackson             	0:01:15.323	0:00:00.307
15 22 Kyoko Fujisaki           	0:01:15.324	0:00:00.308
16 14 Sigur Bjarnason          	0:01:15.340	0:00:00.324
17 47 Erica Okumura            	0:01:15.345	0:00:00.328
18 64 Moe Himura               	0:01:15.365	0:00:00.349
19 10 Jennifer Johnson         	0:01:15.380	0:00:00.364
20 71 Rustom Ibuna             	0:01:15.399	0:00:00.382
21 55 Asao Nadakei             	0:01:15.452	0:00:00.436
22 11 Luc Kennedy              	0:01:15.483	0:00:00.467
23  5 Juliano Lemos            	0:01:15.500	0:00:00.484
24 17 Lourdina Westgrens       	0:01:15.610	0:00:00.594
25 52 Sayono Souzare           	0:01:15.614	0:00:00.598
26 31 Cesaro Whittaker         	0:01:16.081	0:00:01.065

Qualifying Results Imminent

[WGPC]

Saturday Qualifying
Isknalkorvburg Circuit

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

Pos # Driver			Team		Fastest Lap
 1 50 Jang Xiaopeng       	0:01:17.156
 2  2 Jean Mercer-Daly    	0:01:17.188
 3 56 Terho Talvela       	0:01:17.191
 4 25 Jessica Franssen    	0:01:17.235
 5 22 Kyoko Fujisaki      	0:01:17.239
 6 20 Mick Schramm        	0:01:17.239
 7 16 Alexander Lund      	0:01:17.243
 8 27 Gregori Krupin      	0:01:17.253
 9  1 Ryker Lane          	0:01:17.282
10 23 Jasmin Kranjska     	0:01:17.322
11  8 Sebastian Vacantson 	0:01:17.333
12 10 Jennifer Johnson    	0:01:17.352
13 52 Sayono Souzare      	0:01:17.371
14 99 Nate Jackson        	0:01:17.393
15 51 R.L. Cruisin        	0:01:17.475
16 14 Sigur Bjarnason     	0:01:17.476
17 31 Cesaro Whittaker    	0:01:17.492
18 47 Erica Okumura       	0:01:17.503
19 55 Asao Nadakei        	0:01:17.544
20 17 Lourdina Westgrens  	0:01:17.555
21  5 Juliano Lemos       	0:01:17.701
22 11 Luc Kennedy         	0:01:17.725
23 42 Alex Dimitrianov    	0:01:17.936
24 77 Juracai Klianiota   	0:01:17.949
25 71 Rustom Ibuna        	0:01:18.668
26 64 Moe Himura          	0:01:19.116

[West-East Timor]

Isnalkorburg Circuit
Isnalkorvburg
West-East Timor

Mick had arrived at the Circuit, and was walking through the paddock toward the Omni garage. He had walked through this paddock countless times, as a spector and as a participant. He also must have raced countless races on this track. It may be modernized a lot, which may involve slight changes, but still he felt like this practice session was kind of unnessecary for him. He knew the track by heart, there was no need to practice it. And yet, he was looking forward to it. Just driving a WGPC car in front of his home crowd was rather exciting.

He arrived in the garage and realized something about his car: a Washomor logo on the bargeboards.



"Right. Washomor are officially sponsoring us from now on for the last three races, right?", he asked Max.

"Yeah, they are. I have to say it's astonishing they're not making a public announcement about it or something."

"Well, I'm happy about that."

"Yeah, me too if I think about it."

"I'm also happy how small and barely noticable it is. I'm not sure if I really want a washing machine door company on my car..."

"You had a cheese company on your car most of the time in Formula WET1. Their logo even was cheese..."

"Well yeah, but that is cheese. Everybody loves cheese. Well, except people with lactose intolerance I guess, but you can't please everyone. Nobody, however cares about washing machines. Or even less, washing machine doors."

"I mean there probably is somebody who collects washing machine doors..."

"People collect everything, that's nothing special."

"True, but still some, few, people will appreciate washing machine doors."

"I still don't think I want to advertise washing machine doors."

"Well, as you said, it's barely noticable."

"Luckily."

"Anyways. We should talk about the race, I think."

"We probably should."

"The track will be the smallest problem this weekend I assume."

"It most likely will, yes. There is no track I know better than this one."

"We can't find any problems with the car, so let's hope everything goes well there too."

"About handling and stuff, I can of course only tell you after practice. But I think the car should be good here."

"I hope so at least. This our chance for a good result."

"I'll do my best."

"You always say that."

"Well yeah... Yeah I do."

"Anyways, get ready for practice I guess..."

[Vangaziland]

The #50 car rolled into the paddock from a speed limited run down the pit lane. Jang had just finished his qualifying run. By the time he lifted the safety device and wheel over his head, he had already heard he'd put up the fastest time so far. There were still some cars running, so nothing was certain. Vannish cameras captured Jang being pushed into the paddock from the lane and watched him as he got help getting out of the car.

Vannish reporters were salivating at the bits to talk to their two drivers. Jessica was still on the track by the time Xiaopeng was presentable enough to stand in front of the cameras. As he approached them, he spread his arms wide. "Welcome to my weekend, here in my second home." The Asian Vangazi appeared to be holding back a smile as he exaggerated a welcome to a sideline journalist he'd gotten to know over the season.

"Well! Mr. Jang. You certainly appear to be settling in well", said the female reporter. "First you reveal Lydia Brown to us. You close on a home. Now you take pole at the NBS Omnidirectional West-East Timor Grand Prix. What's in store for you this weekend?"

The driver stifled a laugh to himself before answering. "This weekend isn't just about me. The Omni team behind the Fifty car is made up of many locals. Some of them know this track better than anybody else in the world. So this weekend is about them and what we all put into the car. Thanks to Washomor, we'll be bringing the best machine for the track here on Sunday."

"Xiaopeng, what makes you enjoy your second home in Omnidirectional Timor so much?"

"The weather. The people. I enjoy the culture and being involved with motorsports makes me likeable enough. I don't have to deal with the sort of drama I would in say.. Emeros. So it's a real laid back place to live."

"You welcomed us to your week. Do you stand by that claim?"

"Yes. On behalf of the locals I work with every week. On behalf of the lady who means something special to me. And on my own accord. Welcome."

"So, Xiaopeng. You say that now, but you haven't yet committed to Omni beyond this season, yet. Shouldn't you pick one or the other?"

Jang started to stammer, but found a sudden confidence. "No. Because it's just too early to know what's happening next season. But I do know that a part of me will always be here. So we've put a really good car together, here at Omni Racing. The Fifty car's goal is to bring a win home for our team at Omni Racing."

That interview continued as Jessica Franssen in the indigo and red finally pulled into the pits. Analysts broadcasting the session held out hope she might have put up a faster lap than her cross country rival. Instead, her fastest lap would hold 4th. It was a great result in a track that would take a lot of fighting on her part to bring success.

Some time after she pulled into the pits and freshened herself up, the cameras met with her for a quick interview. The same reporter found her, not long after finishing her time with Jang.

"How do you feel about Jang welcoming everybody here to 'his track?'

"Xiaopeng is joking. I know he doesn't race for a home team advantage. He made his name without racing on a single hometown track in the WGP2. I think he's just trying to stir up attention."

The journalist laughed for a second as she thought of the goofy expression on the Vangazi male's face at points during his interview. "Have you talked to your rival about this track? Has he shared anything with you?"

"Yes. Some things have been shared." Jessica shot a devious, devilish look into the camera. "Some numbers may have come up. But I don't think it's anything worth causing any worry. What's important is that we work together as drivers for each other. As people."

"But wait, is that controversial? What has he shared with you?"

"We just talked like two drivers would. We see things in a similar way. I mean, this is the sort of track where you will have to run from segment to segment. Visuals aren't always going to be the best. It'll be fast paced and hectic. The best thing to do will be to run and learn as things go. All the tactics and stuff will fall to the wayside when rubber hits tarmac."

"And you think Vannish Motors Racing is ready for this weekend? What will be your strategy against the home team and their experience?"

"Our team puts in a great deal of preparation for each track. I do a lot on my own part to visualize each track and run mental laps through it nightly on the week leading up to a race. Jang really helped me get a wonderful mental picture of this track. So I know my lines."

"It showed during your strong qualifying run", said the journalist. "How do you plan to deal with the pressure of holding onto the top spot in the standings? So many of the closest cars on the field will start alongside you."

"It will be stessful, but there comes a time to ball up that stress and throw it in the trash. I'm ready for any outcome. I'm ready to fight back if things don't work out well. I have a realistic outlook. We'll do what we have to do. The Dragon chassis has had her quirks. She's been in top form and it's that form that Gregori and I hope to ride.... Like a wave."

Jessica also continued her interview, mostly schmoozing with the reporter and making quips here and there. Both Vannish drivers were seeming confident. Jang didn't seem to have much pressure. He knew the sets of circumstances that could see him at the top of the standings. He also knew the chances for that were rare. So he was just racing free for the moment. He was racing for a nation's adoration.

For the past few months, Jang Xiaopeng had tried to make himself a local. Now Jessica Franssen hoped to take a race Jang wanted to win for his effort at the Vannish Grand Prix. There were times Jessica laughed to herself when she thought about it happening. She even cackled a few times, alone in her hotel room.

Both the #25 and the #50 looked strong. Now both cars and drivers would have to prove their endurance and reliability. They also knew good and well the rest of the field was looking just as fast, if not faster. It would be a great race for the fans, with the race really recieving a prime time location on the schedule.

The Vannish drivers were just playing up to the cameras and expressing their eccentric personalities. There was a silly, jocular nature in the way both drivers seemed to play during their interviews. They would later watch and mentally exchange high fives, seeing they both played a similar strategy.

Jess kind of threw Jang under the bus by revealing that he shared potentially useful information about the track. Jang would just have to outrun her and earn his keep. If he won the race in the process, it could only help his team and the locals who worked hard on the #50 car.

[West-East Timor]

Isnalkorvburg Circuit
Isnalkorvburg
West-East Timor
Post-Qualifying

"Sixth", Mick said, looking at on eof the monitors in the garage.

"Not too bad."

"Could be better. But it's okay I think."

"Jang's on pole at least..."

"I'm not sure why I couldn't do better. Just bad luck I assume. I was faster in practice, but that's clear because the weather was better."

"I still feel like we can get a good result this weekend."

"I do too. After all, I'm at home on this track."

"You could say that I guess, yeah."

"Maybe I can get on the podium tomorrow. Or even win. It would be great, here, in front of my home crowd. But I don't think I will. I've been missing luck all season long. I don't know why I should have more of it now."

"Come on, you know that track better than any of the other drives. They have never driven on this track before. You have driven lots and lots of races here. That's a big advantage. I say you'll do it tomorrow."

"Whenever I say that I think I can win, my race ends up horrible. So I'm not gonna say anything else about possible results tomorrow."

"Okay... Do you want to talk about anything else?"

"I can't think of anything. Do you?"

"Hmm. It seems Jang got himself a West-East Timorian girlfriend..."

"Yeah, I heard it. Lydia Brown... Interesting."

"Interesting indeed."

"I think he also bought a house in Weramiil."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I kinda like that he seems to enjoy West-East Timor."

"Do you think he'll stay with us next year?"

"To be honest, I hope so. He's a good driver with a great personality. But he can do whatever he wants of course. And it's not my decision anyways."

"Don't you have something to say about it though?"

"Well yeah, before this season it was Linus, Nick, and me deciding these things together. However, Linus always has the last word. It's his decision, in the end. We are just important team members or something. Giving advise, stating our opinion, to help him decide. A good thing to do I think. And, not only because it gives me some influence."

"Sure."

"Anyways, I think I'll go now... See you tomorrow."

Mick went out of the garage, and felt his phone vibrate. Apparently Linus had set up an interview with some TV broadcaster in the evening. Mick found interviews annoying, but he knew he had to do them anyways, so there was no use in complaining about it.

[Aboveland]

Wednesday
Lintulahti International Circuit
Lintulahti, Aboveland

"Isn't she beautiful?" says Aada, tarp in hand. Terho's jaw drops, resting on his neck brace.

Nanna²'s deep blue glistens under the studio-like paddock lights, her curves pure, her lines polished. The 56 on her nose glows red, the paintjob flowing seamlessly towards the rear. Terho inches closer to run his fingers along her sidepods, down to the floor, and back up the rear wing. This was an exponential difference to his first machine. The last time he'd had two cars was last year, with Anna², but this was the first time he could feel the difference from the outside.

"How'd you guys get her ready?" he asks, amazed.

"We've pulled out the spare chassis," Aada begins. "Nanna was a writeoff after Esmerel, her and all the vital bits like the engine and gearbox and stuff. We've essentially built the car from scratch all over again, or rather, assembled a new specimen."

"Wow..." Terho mutters, still at a loss for words.

"Since we've had to start all over again, essentially, we took a few liberties. Revised spark plugs and valves, a small tweak to the rear suspension geometry and all those chassis balance improvements we settled on earlier have made their way into Nanna². Maybe if we'd started off with this car we'd be tearing it up with MRT at the top of the constructors' championship."

"Is it like next year's car then?"

"Not at all. That one's gonna have a bigger array of improvements. Consider this one AGP-001.5"

Terho nods. He turns back toward the car, his eyes wide with awe. He wouldn't have imagined to see a car for him ready in time for the next race, let alone see himself in the TRÆ paddock itself.

"So what now?" he asks. Aada chucks him his helmet and HANS device.

"Get dressed, boy. "

Saturday
Isnalkorvburg Circuit
Isnalkorvburg, West-East Timor

It came as a great surprise to the team, and perhaps to the entire WGPC array, that he'd been so competitive just a week after the biggest accident of his career. His major issues had subdued by Friday practice, and while some braking zones and faster corners such as turn 6 had challenged his strength, straining his neck and releasing short pangs of pain in the back of his head, his fastest laps had come at times where he was completely overcome by adrenaline, oblivious to the issues he dismissed as "minor annoyances". It was particularly exciting for the team and the championship battle that Terho had bettered Franssen in both practice and qualifying, and to see that he'd topped the times ahead of his main challengers in practice. His objectives for the weekend were clear: finish ahead of Franssen and, if possible, of Jean.

Terho rolls into the paddock at Isnalkorvburg, a grin unalterable from his face. He climbs out of the car, high-fives Edvin, and takes off his helmet before pulling off his brace. He massages the sides of his meaty trunk like neck and sits back down on a plushy seat, just in front of Nanna²'s nose. He stares at the bugs smudged across the wing, entranced by the absolute beauty of the machine. Nanna² was certainly on another level compared to Nanna. Back at Lintulahti, after countless tries and errors, his driving mostly hampered by his fresh injuries blurring his vision and stiffening his neck, he'd eventually set a time as fast as his qualifying lap. Injured, and with a brand new car, it was a spectacular result. Coming into West-East Timor, his expectations for the weekend were measured. He'd complained of neck pain during the flight and intermittently blurry eyesight, but on the whole he felt no lasting effects from his whiplash or his possible concussion. Regardless, his massive accident had been extremely dangerous, and he'd been lucky to get out alive.

He straps on his neck brace once more and leans back into his chair, rubbing his eyes and pressing down on his shut eyelids, chortling. He couldn't believe he really had a fighting chance for the championship this late in the season and at his current state. He thinks about his week, going from his perseverance despite the horrendous stiffness in his neck and pounding pain sweeping down from his temples to behind his ears in Lintulahti to a third place in qualifying and a complete lack of serious annoyances during his timed laps, and smiles. And then, he remembers Jean.

Jean Mercer-Daly. What a lovely chap.

Without pausing to ponder it too long, Terho springs up from the seat and strolls to the Nexus paddock, where he finds the Esmerelian chatting idly with someone he's not exactly sure who it is. He waits for a pause to approach him properly, one hand stroking his own neck from behind, the other stretched out to tap him on the shoulder. He turns around, his unmistakable fearsome look of determination obvious despite his recently more amicable stance.

"First off, thanks," Terho says, smiling. "I was speechless when I read your e-mail; I guess we're on first name terms now."

Realizing he hadn't thrown too strong of a conversation starter, Terho pauses to wait for an answer.

[Vangaziland]

Mid Saturday Morning, West-East Timor

There had been a lot of talk about West-East Timor in Vangaziland because of Jang Xiaopeng and his racing career there. News, PR and marketing built into a hype which made the NBS Omnidirectional West-East Timor Grand Prix one of the more promoted races in Vangaziland. This was true at least in regards to travel destinations. Wealthy Vannish race fans wanted to see this land one of their favorite drivers enjoyed.

This news reached as high as the Imperial Royal family. Prince Fritjof Vang of the Empire of Vangaziland will be attending events throughout the race weekend. Prince Fritjof is a former soldier, who competed in an Olympic sailing event. He made recent news with a purchase of an Indian soccer team, FC Bakati North. He has investments in Vannish Motors and is a fan of the Racing division.

"I look forward to events throughout the weekend", Prince Fritz said about his weekend in West-East Timor. The interview came from the stands during WETTCC qualifying. "I've always been a fan of touring cars. It'll be great to see some different makes and models than what I'd see in Vangaziland."

He was asked if he plans to sit at a favorite part of the track or if he plans to move around.

"I'll definitely check out the track from different angles. I won't just sit at the finish line, though I'm sure I will for one of these races. There are a lot of options to see some cool racing. The segment between 12 and 16 stands out. So does the long stretch leading up to 7."

"Will you be doing the pit walk or the grid walk? Do you hope to talk to the drivers?"

"I don't want to make a huge scene. I will do the grid walk before the race though. I'll stop by Xiaopeng and Jessica. It'll be great to get a look behind the scenes before the race. NBS has sponsored a well run event."

Late Saturday Afternoon, Hotel Suite

Jessica had been watching an F1 report when they cut to their celebrity segment. It showed an interview filmed earlier in the morning. Jessica watched it with an anxious interest. Prince Fritz was here in West-East Timor! And he was going to be moving through on the grid walk. Nervously, she fumbled for her phone.

As she dialed, the sound of her fast paced heartbeat thumped in her ear.

Jenna picked up with a quick greeting. Jessica exchanged a similar one before adding, "Have you heard Prince Fritz plans to walk through on the grid walk?"

"What?" Jenna was out on the town, but was staying in the same hotel for the weekend. She was still acting as a special assistant to the team principal and sshadowing for a future role in team management. She had the coin to buy the team, it was a matter of learning how to be a successful manager in tier one racing.

"This interview was on, and you know those events that are set? Fritz is walking through on one. He said he wants to meet me. Well, Jang and I."

"Wow! We'll have to get the paddock inspection level ready. At least that walk through is a quick event. He's cool with me", said Jenna, the Baroness. "But I know a lot of people are going to get nervous."

"Well, you've been around. And you're not like some scary Royal."

Jenna laughed. "Well they might see Fritz as a scary Royal. He might ask me to try to work something out to get behind the paddock gate or something. For the race."

Jessica replied in a nervous tone. "Don't! If I wreck and have to sit in the paddock it will be too awkward. Jen, don't!"

The baroness laughed. She had a penchant for teasing others. "I'll use safety as an excuse to why he can't. Unless he asks the league instead, you should be safe. I got your back. What's wrong? You seem like you have a crush on him or something."

"Used to", Jess admitted. "Look, just. We have to get this meet and greet done and then I have to get back on track."

"Just focus on the track. He's not going to do anything but say hi. He probably wants an autograph, so have one of those ready."

"I'm so nervous", said Jessica. Jenna knew she was half exaggerating, but it was a game they sometimes played. Jenna had called whining like this before. "Did you see Jang's new girl?"

"She's pretty", Jenna said. "She seems too nice for him. Some street racer? For her? Pssssh!"

Jessica laughed in reply. "He never told me about her, so I know he didn't tell you. They've been dating for weeks. Maybe months, right?"

"He doesn't want her to know how we treat him like a little brother." The baroness paused. "I guess it's kind of mean, but its totally a joke. He gets that, right? I want to meet her!"

Jess just laughed. She knew Jenna teased Jang way too much for him to have given either of them early news. Now Jess would have to distance herself from Jenna just enough to get to know Lydia. She would have to start right away, by being nice to Xiaopeng. She made a mental note to smile at him and wish him good luck before the next race. Then she wouldn't ask about Lydia for awhile and Jang would hopefully think she was just being nice.

Of course, Jang knew both of them would be chompin' at the bits to meet her once she was introduced to the public eye. She would be in the stands, sitting right at the start/finish line. Now, as this phone conversation went on, Xiaopeng and Lydia were watching the Formula WET3 race taking place on the circuit. They sat in the grandstand between the V shape of turns 9, 10 and 11.

The local event had turned into a motorsports festival. There were other prominent Vangazi in town, mixing with the crowd in bold red and indigo colors. Many of them carried signs and flags, knowing the Vannish media was watching.

As Jess thought more about having the heir to the throne meeting her and watching her race, she was filled with a sense of pride. She would try to live up to his expectations. She felt a higher sense of concentration and focus seem to click, as her new motivation seemed to open new ways of thinking. She was no longer nervous, but motivated. Fritz was here.

The two continued to joke and gossip over the phone. They were both really looking forward to the next day's race. After Jess hung up the phone, she began her nightly meditation. The first thing she had to do was control her breathing and push away all distractions.

Soon she was mentally transported to the track at Isnalkorvburg and inside of her driver's cabin. She felt more awake and alert than normal, the sudden news jarring her awake. Eventually her laps drifted into a sleepy, mellow haze before she laid down and set off to sleep.

[Esmerel]

Isnalkorvburgring, Isnalkorvburg, West-East Timor
Saturday, 12 May 2018

"Oh! Well then... Realistically, Terho, I didn't think you'd arrive. Glad you have, though. Hope you're holding up well, too." Jean was feeling solid after such a good qualifying run. Then he recalls he's talking to the driver who posted a time only three thousandths shorter. It was almost as if Terho never had an accident, despite the fact that he was standing right in front of Jean with a near-equivalent of a HANS device strapped to his neck. "Yeah, I'd agree we've well put the past behind us. No more pure hatred for each other. Just respect. Rivalry, but respect. Might take a few more weeks before the rest of the Esmerelian public gets it, though. Many of them are very similar to worker drones. It's weird like that."

The two of them continued talking for a while.

"You remember your age/birthday? Mine's 9th May 1982. Which means I'm 36. Though only chronologically; thanks to Esmerelian advancements in medical science my body is biologically closer to age 25. It's also the reason you're even here- sorry if I'm bragging- but technically without Esmerelian science you'd probably have to sit out for the rest of the season. Heh. Makes my job harder having you here... but it's more fun. And besides, I think I've still got many more seasons in me. Plenty of time to solidify myself in the record books.

"Hmm... You know what? I think everything's going to be just as it was before you crashed. There's still championships to decide, after all."

[West-East Timor]

Isnalkorvburg
West-East Timor

Mick had arrived at the film studio the interview was taking place. apparently, it simply was a talk show where a guy called Brynjar Beringer was interviewing several people. He entered, stated why he was there, and was lead behind a big room, with a stage on which there were two chairs, on one was sitting a moderator Mick guessed had to be Brynjar Beringer, and a West-East Timorian 7ball player whose name Mick didn't remember. The room had enough space to have a medium audience, apparently watching a talk show live, in it. Why somebody would want to see just a talk show, but then also live, was something Mick never understood. He assumed they had to be payed or something.

"That was Timo Mirniki, ladies and gentlemen", Beringer said. "Thank you for this interesting interview, Mr. Mirniki, and have a good evening."

The 7ball player left the stage.

"The next guest to todays sports-centered show: Mick Schramm!"

Mick assumed he had to go unto the stage now, and so he did just that.

"Mick Schramm, ladies and gentlemen", the moderator said again, as if he hadn't already announced that, indeed, he would be interviewing Mick Schramm now. "Please, Mr. Schramm, have a seat."

Mick sat down on the chair opposite to Beringer, who turned to the audience.

"As you all know, the first ever West-East Timorian Grand Prix is taking place this weekend, here, in Isnalkorvburg, making Mr. Schramm sort of the most anticipated guest in my show today. Welcome to the Brynjar Beringer show, Mr. Schramm!"

"It's... an honour."

"So, tell us, are you excited for the race tomorrow?"

"Well, it is, of course, the first ever WGPC race here, in West-East Timor, and then also in my hometown, Isnalkorvburg, so... that is, surely, something special. And, that of course is giving me some extra motivation to get a good result in the race, and, make my fans proud."

"Talking about good results, in qualifying today, you have qualified yourself for the sixth grid position in the race tomorrow, would you call that a good result?"

"Generally, P6 is quite a good result, after all, it means that 20 cars are slower than you. The only thing that, for me, makes it feel like it might nort be that a good result is that I know that I can do better here. I know this track better than any other WGPC driver, maybe better than anybody else in the world, and I know that with that it should have been possible for me to start on pole tomorrow. The car is capable of that, as Jang demonstrated. The changing weather conditions kinda messed it up for me, I'd say."

"With Jang you mean Jang Xiaopeng, your Vangazi teammate, I assume?"

"Of course, who else?"

"Alright, so, let's talk about Jang a bit maybe. Do you feel like he might be, kind of, stealing your show? He buys a home in Weramiil, gets himself Lydia Brown as his girlfriend, calls West-East Timor his 'second home' and similar things, and then also takes pole here!"

"What? Oh no, absolutely not. I like it that he seems to enjoy West-East Timor. And you see, if I can't win, then I prefer Jang to."

"So what do you think of Jang then?"

"I like him. He's a good driver, a good teammate... I have nothing to criticize about him, really."

"So, does Omni plan to keep him next year?"

"I would certainly like to keep him as a teammate. Jang himself seems to wantto keep all options open for him, what I can understand. But I think he has shown that he is an exceptional driver, certainly worth keeping in our team, but in the end, that is not my decision, but Linus' decision. And I have no idea what Linus has planned for next year."

"Watching the qualifying today, I noticed that Omni seems to have a new sponsor, on the bargeboards of your cars. Washomor, I think?"

"Yeah, Washomor."

"What exactly do they do?"

"You must have seen their ad with me on it somewhere?"

"Ahhh, yeah, I remember, the one where you are holding open the door of a washing machine?"

"Yeah, exactly that one."

"So, they make washing machines?"

"Yep. And washing machine doors."

"An interesting sponsor for sure."

"For sure."

"So... how did you get that sponsor."

"You'll have to ask Linus that, he made the deal."

"You have to know something about that deal."

"Well, I think it's purpose is to take some weight off Nick Newman's shoulders in regards to financing the team."

"Wait, so Nick Newman doesn't have enough money?"

"Oh, he sure has more than enough money. But, somehow Linus thought we need another, inependent sponsor. I really don't know much more."

"Alright then, so, the obvious last question, what about the race tomorrow?"

"I'll try to get the best result I can, as always. That's something I seem to often fail to do, but, who knows? Maybe I'll have some good luck for once. Probably not. But I can hope."

"Well the, thank you for this interesting interview, and, good luck tomorrow! I'm sure many people here in the audience will also be visiting the race tomorrow, and so will I, and those who don't will surely watch it on TV, and mI'm also sure they will all be rooting for you! make them proud!"

"Well, I'll try."

"Thank you for coming to my show, and have a good evening! That was Mick Schramm, ladies and gentlemen!"

[Aboveland]

Jean jumped into the conversation enthusiastically, his entire face smiling in surprise. He'd definitely changed. It was a little tough to hear him over the whirring noises the Chase Cutter and co. made, just a few meters away, but it wasn't impossible.

"It's nice to have a friendly rivalry. In fact, I owe it all to us really that I'm here today. Whether you're getting on my nerves or spurring me on you give me the drive to beat someone. I like what we've ended up being! It'd be hilarious for the journalists to realize we're on good terms. Also, about the Esmerelian fans, no hard feelings, but it was pretty scary to hear. I don't really remember much after the impact but the roar of the crowds kinda came back to me at some moments."

"You're really 36? I'm just 26, so I guess that might have helped with the recovery, but yeah, your medical services are amazing. The nurse looked to be holding a bit of a grudge towards me, especially when she realized who I was. As for the injuries, well, they were pretty extensive. I've surprised myself being here, really. I feel quite fine so far, just a little stiff in the neck sometimes, but I don't think it'll bother me during the race, so sorry for that! Technically, sitting out for the rest of the season would be the healthiest thing for me, but I'm not dropping out with three races to go and 10 points down to the title."

"I've got no doubt you're gonna get into some record book! Good luck out there tomorrow; hopefully I can beat you to the books again!"

Terho playfully smirked at the Esmerelian, shook his hand, and parted ways back to the TRÆ paddock, fulfilled, with a peppy stride.

[Vangaziland]

The meeting between Jessica Franssen, Jang Xiaopeng and Fritz Vang would occur quickly and end suddenly. It started awkwardly for Jessica, who tripped on the walk up to meet him. She didn't fall or anything, her stride was just broken as her feet bumped into each other. She got distracted when she noticed him turn his head and smile at her.

But it didn't take her long to recover. She didn't even change her facial expression, which was already in a warm half smile. Jang had beat Jessica to the punch and already stood laughing and sharing jokes with the Prince. When Jessica got there, the group formed together for a picture. Prince Fritz stood in the middle. Jess was to his right, Jang stood to his left. None of them smiled for the picture, giving looks of intimidation/determination.

As soon as the picture was taken they broke into smiles and laughs which photographers captured unofficially. The picture would be great for national PR. Jang represented an Asian population that only totaled 3% in the Vannish Mainland. Jessica represented the blood of the old Vann tribes. Then you had Prince Fritz who represented bloodlines including the original Royal Houses joined of the European Vanns and the African Gazi.

Her nation's multiculturalism was lost on Jessica for the moment. She was just trying to get through the interview without looking like she had a crush on the Prince. She failed. The cameras would capture the way her features softened whenever he addressed her. However, this was such a flash in the pan moment before the race, people would probably not notice. Even the Vannish broadcasts didn't plan to push that angle.

Some blogger out there would at least meme it once.

Jessica felt a chill shiver down her spine when Prince Fritz turned to her and said, "Win this one for me." He didn't say 'for Vangaziland'. He didn't include Jang. It was something she had to brush aside. At least for now. She had to stick with this Hectare Yulssen relationship for a few more months. Maybe give him one more shot to win a Championship, so she can be there for the press.

There was a part of her that was scared of the Prince. She didn't want to like him. She didn't want it to be possible. Meanwhile, Xiaopeng was being buddy, buddy with him. The Omni driver threw his arm around Prince Vang after a few back and forth jokes because of the Imperial Royal's VMR jacket. Fritz threw a jab into the driver's stomach hard enough to make Jang flinch.

They both laughed as Jessica stood back and nervously shook her head, arms crossed. She took a moment to speak to Jang in front of the company. "Xiao, why are you making a scene? You're calling this your home track now?"

"For the crew. Between them, they have crewed hundreds of laps on this track. The car is running well for it. I dunno. I trust my lines, you know how that is. So let's see what happens. Best of luck to you."

"Same", Jess replied. "Good luck."

Fritz patted them both on the back before saying, "Stay safe out there. Do us proud." Jess could feel her heartbeat race as the Prince seemed to double down on only wishing Jessica the victory. It was almost bold of him to sport the VMR jacket for the photo, even though he had stock in the parent company.

It was just a quick, awkward moment just prior to the race, courtesy of the race weekend's event planners. Both drivers returned to their cars, expecting to step into their cars at any moment.

[West-East Timor]

Isnalkorvburg Circuit
Isnalkorvburg
West-East Timor

Mick was sitting in the paddock club, watching the WETTCC race that was taking place before his race. Something he noticed was Timo Beniani participating in it. He knew Timo Beniani was the first West-East Timorian racing driver to participate in an international racing event, some rallye championship some years back. Mick didn't know he was driving touring car races now.

Anyways the race was over now. Beniani, being on P2, had dropped out a few laps to the end because of an engine failure, and a WETtech car had won. Mick stood up and went down to the garage. The crews were working on the cars.

"Your car should be almost ready...", Max said when he saw Mick.

Mick heard music from outside, presumably part of the show before the race.

"I'm sure everything is working great?"

"Of course it is. We could find no problems at all."

"That's good to know. Now we just have to hope nothing will go wrong during the race..."

"Don't we always hope that?"

"We do... and things go wrong more often than I'd like them too."

The music stopped. Mick went out of the garage, and was standing in the pitlane looking up to the crowd that had already gathered on the grandstand. He had never seen that many West-East Timorian flags with his name on them at a WGPC race. But, that was expected. When they saw him, the audience started to cheer. Mick waved them, and went back into the garage.

"Everything is ready. Pits should be open now. Get ready."

Mick put on his gloves and helmet, and stepped into the car. Max gave him the signal to drive out, Mick drove some installation laps, and then let his crew push him to his grid position, where he got out of the car again. Due to the grid walk, the start finish straight was quite busy. Mick looked around

"Who's that guy Jang and Franssen are with over there? He seems important."

"I think that's the... king? No the prince... or something of Vangaziland."

"West-East Timor seems to be popular in Vangaziland..."

"Why? Just that prince visiting the race doesn't..."

"Look", Mick said, pointing at the grandstand. "See how many Vangazi flags are there? About half as many as West-East Timorian flags. Way more than any other non-Omnidirectional Timorian flag."

"Hmm. Must be because of Jang."

"Probably."

Some reporters with microphones and a camera team approached him, asking the ever-repeating question what he expects to accomplish in the race.

"I don't have any expectations in particular. I'll just ry my best, and, well, enjoy my home race."

"What is your strategy for today?"

"Our strategy? Well, racing. No, we'll just stopped as probably everyo ne else does. Maybe we'll be in a situation where we can gain some positions by startegic decision, but, we'll have to wait and see what the race has to offer for that. I don't really know what else I'm supposed to tell you."

Just when the reporters left, the other elected leader of West-East Timor, Timo Brandon, approached him.

"Timo Beniani, Timo Mirniki, Timo Jänkirinäää, Timo Brandon... why is that name so popular here?", Mick asked himself before having to talk with Brandon.

"Mick Schramm!", Brandon said.

"Timo Brandon, right? What an honour to meet you."

"Oh, the honour is mine."

They shook hands.

"What is someone like you doing here? Don't you have to lead a country or something? Appearing at events usually is Nick's part..."

"Oh, I'm a big racing fan, you know. I couldn't miss the first ever West-East Timorian Grand Prix."

"Well then, that's something I can understand."

The pit walk was almost over, and Timo Brandon left again. He wished Mick good luck for the race, and said he was hoping for him to win the race.

Mick watched all the people leave the track. It was interesting to see that many celebrities at one place. Sure, that also is the case at many other races, but he usually doesn't know most of these. When they all had disappeared, Mick put on his helmet again, got back into the car, and waited for the warm-up lap to start.

[WGPC]

CUT OFF

[WGPC]

Raceday
Isknalkorvburg Circuit

Conditions: DRY
Laps: 65

Start  |  Pos. After 16 laps  |  Pos. After 32 laps  |  Pos. After 48 laps
 1 JNG | 1 JNG Aft. 16 laps   | 1 JNG Aft. 32 laps   | 1 JNG  Aft. 48 laps
 2 JMD | 2 FUJ +25.654sec     | 2 TAL +48.728sec     | 2 FRS +32.481sec
 3 TAL | 3 KRA +32.322sec     | 3 JAC +48.741sec     | 3 FUJ +38.238sec
 4 FRS | 4 SCH +37.574sec     | 4 SZR +52.923sec     | 4 JAC +45.746sec
 5 FUJ | 5 TAL +37.805sec     | 5 FRS +53.069sec     | 5 KRA +54.993sec
 6 SCH | 6 FRS +45.907sec     | 6 FUJ +60.181sec     | 6 TAL +57.852sec
 7 LUN | 7 KRU +49.669sec     | 7 SCH +70.908sec     | 7 SZR +61.947sec
 8 KRU | 8 BJA +51.827sec     | 8 NDK +71.412sec     | 8 LAN +66.344sec
 9 LAN | 9 JMD +52.38sec      | 9 JMD +75.135sec     | 9 OKU +66.674sec
10 KRA |10 NDK +60.292sec     |10 KRA +75.998sec     |10 BJA +72.276sec
11 VAC |11 SZR +61.645sec     |11 LAN Laps Down: 1   |11 KRU +73.666sec
12 JOH |12 LAN +64.792sec     |12 BJA Laps Down: 1   |12 JMD +73.915sec
13 SZR |13 JAC +71.5sec       |13 KRU Laps Down: 1   |13 NDK Laps Down: 1
14 JAC |14 OKU +74.878sec     |14 OKU Laps Down: 1   |14 SCH Laps Down: 1
15 CRU |15 LUN Laps Down: 1   |15 WTK Laps Down: 1   |15 CRU Laps Down: 1
16 BJA |16 LEM Laps Down: 1   |16 JOH Laps Down: 1   |16 JOH Laps Down: 1
17 WTK |17 WTK Laps Down: 1   |17 CRU Laps Down: 1   |17 DIM Laps Down: 1
18 OKU |18 CRU Laps Down: 1   |18 DIM Laps Down: 1   |18 WTK Laps Down: 1
19 NDK |19 KLI Laps Down: 1   |19 LUN Laps Down: 1   |19 LEM Laps Down: 1
20 WES |20 DIM Laps Down: 1   |20 KLI Laps Down: 1   |20 VAC Laps Down: 1
21 LEM |21 VAC Laps Down: 1   |21 LEM Laps Down: 1   |21 KLI Laps Down: 2
22 KEN |22 JOH Laps Down: 1   |22 VAC Laps Down: 1   |22 HIM Laps Down: 2
23 DIM |23 KEN Laps Down: 1   |23 HIM Laps Down: 1   |23 KEN Laps Down: 2
24 KLI |24 HIM Laps Down: 1   |24 KEN Laps Down: 1   |24 IBU Laps Down: 2
25 IBU |25 IBU Laps Down: 1   |25 IBU Laps Down: 2   |25 LUN Ret. Lap 43
26 HIM |26 WES Ret. Lap 1     |26 WES Ret. Lap 1     |26 WES Ret. Lap 1

Pos # Driver               Team			Race Time	Behind Preceding car	Points
 1 50 Jang Xiaopeng          	1:25:13.775	0:00:00.000
 2 22 Kyoko Fujisaki         	1:25:47.006	0:00:33.231
 3 23 Jasmin Kranjska        	1:25:51.415	0:00:04.409
 4 25 Jessica Franssen       	1:26:01.148	0:00:09.734
 5 52 Sayono Souzare         	1:26:07.988	0:00:06.840
 6  1 Ryker Lane             	1:26:23.079	0:00:15.091
 7 27 Gregori Krupin         	1:26:26.645	0:00:03.566
 8 56 Terho Talvela          	Laps Down: 1	0:00:25.807
 9 14 Sigur Bjarnason        	Laps Down: 1	0:00:02.109
10 51 R.L. Cruisin           	Laps Down: 1	0:00:01.821
11 47 Erica Okumura          	Laps Down: 1	0:00:00.503
12 20 Mick Schramm           	Laps Down: 1	0:00:00.304
13 42 Alex Dimitrianov       	Laps Down: 1	0:00:25.515
14 10 Jennifer Johnson       	Laps Down: 1	0:00:11.678
15 31 Cesaro Whittaker       	Laps Down: 1	0:00:00.244
16 77 Juracai Klianiota      	Laps Down: 2	0:00:19.895
17  5 Juliano Lemos          	Laps Down: 2	0:00:02.580
18  8     Sebastian Vacantson    	Laps Down: 2	0:00:13.108
19 64 Moe Himura             	Laps Down: 2	0:00:06.428
20 71 Rustom Ibuna           	Laps Down: 2	0:00:06.716
21 11     Luc Kennedy            	Laps Down: 2	0:00:20.434
DF 99 Nate Jackson           	Ret. Lap 57
DF  2 Jean Mercer-Daly       	Ret. Lap 53	
DF 55 Asao Nadakei           	Ret. Lap 53	
DF 16 Alexander Lund         	Ret. Lap 43	
DF 17 Lourdina Westgrens     	Ret. Lap 1

Current Drivers' Championship Standings

Pos	#	Name			Team			Pts	Wins
1	25	Jessica Franssen	VMR			105	2
2	50	Jang Xiaopeng		Omni Racing		91	2
3	2	Jean Mercer-Daly	Nexus Racing		84	2
3	56	Terho Talvela		TRAE			84	1
5	71	Rustom Ibuna		MRT			78	1
6	14	Sigur Bjarnason		MRT			77	2
7	47	Erica Okumura		Polaris			58	1
8	23	Jasmin Kranjska		Kissan Motorsport	57	0
9	42	Alex Dimitrianov	McPahan			56	0
10	20	Mick Schramm		Omni Racing		55	0

11	64	Moe Himura		Arada			47	1
12	1	Ryker Lane		Nexus Racing		46	0
13	16	Alexander Lund		McPahan			37	0
14	52	Sayono Souzare		Polaris			33	0
14	77	Juracai Klianiota	TRAE			33	0
16	27	Gregori Krupin		VMR			32	0
17	22	Kyoko Fujisaki		Kissan Motorsport	27	0
18	55	Asao Nadakei		Arada			18	0
19	10	Jennifer Johnson	WGPC Eelandii		16	0
20	51	R.L. Cruisin		MSA-SinVal		15	0
21	12	Ranveer Singh		TIF 13			12	0
22	99	Nate Jackson		TIF 13			9	0
23	17	Lourdina Westgrens	Bitten Heroes		8	0
24	31	Cesaro Whittaker	MSA-SinVal		5	0
25	5	Juliano Lemos		Bitten Heroes		4	0
25	8	Sebastian Vacantson	WGPC Eelandii		4	0
27	36	Reva Izalio		WGPC Eelandii		1	0
28	11	Luc Kennedy		TIF 13			0	0
28	7	Ethan Ellis		Kissan Motorsport	0	0

Current Constructors' Championship Standings

Pos	Team			Points
1	MRT			155
2	Omni Racing		146
3	VMR			137
4	Nexus Racing		130
5	TRAE			117
6	McPahan			93
7	Polaris			91
8	Kissan Motorsport	84

9	Arada			65
10	WGPC Eelandii		21
10	TIF 13			21
12	MSA-SinVal		20
13	Bitten Heroes		12

[Mattijana]

After Qualifying, Forest Cross Raceway.

The MRT garage was a tense place after qualifying. Sigur Bjarnason had come in in 16th and based on the radio communications so far, he was not happy with it.

Lara Kasparova looked on as the green and yellow MRT pulled into the garage. Her newfound role accompanying the Savojar for his interviews had in general been smooth and very enjoyable, but she got the impression today's session was going to be a long one.

The steering wheel looked like it was about to go cartwheeling into the corner of the garage along with another chunk of the MRT budget, but Sigur held himself back. The headrest wasn't so lucky, a sweep of the driver's foot sending the carbon fibre clattering to the floor.

Although the chances of any subsequent conversation being awkward were high but she hadn't expected Sigur to march clean out of the back of the garage without a word to her. She thought about chasing after him, but decided to leave the task of diffusing him to the Savojarnan race engineer. She'd catch up once he had hopefully calmed down a little bit.

Unfortunately, that didn't seem to have happened. Jogging out the back of the MRT garage, she saw Krister standing in the middle of the paddock with no sight of Sigur.

"Where's he gone?" She asked, a tinge of panic creeping into the 23 year old's voice.

"Nobody knows." Said Krister. "He's gone cycling sometimes after qualifying sessions, but normally after we've done the car feedback and media rounds. It's very unusual for him to go this early, it's been unusual all round mind you."

Lara let out a sigh. Her mousey-brown hair blew sideways across her face in the Esmerelian breeze just to add to the stressed-out feel of things.

Esmerelian breeze sounded like a cracking name for an air freshener...

The North-Easterner swept a couple of strands out of her eyeline. "I guess we'll just have to hang around and wait for him to come back. Bloody worrying though. We don't know where he's going, what he's doing or when he plans on coming back."

Krister took his turn to sigh. "I guess the coffee machine at the motorhome'll get some good use again."

Lara let out a nervous laugh. "I think I could do with something a little stronger than an expresso.

Fortunately, by the time Sigur had returned, Lara hadn't worked out where Johan Struna hid his stash of Marelika. She let Krister do the awkward introductory lecture before seeing the chance to regain the composure she had let slip in her earlier fluster. Having been brought back to earth by his race engineer, Sigur looked completely diffused. She couldn't help but let out a chuckle and slipped in a cheeky comment about Sigur's cycling gear to press home the team's moral advantage. Quite where he'd found the time to slip on a pair of padded shorts and jersey at the expense of his flameproof overalls she was yet to work out.

20 minutes later, the Savojar was back at the rear-end of the MRT garage and seemed to have regained most of his composure during his time spent in the showers.

"What's the damage report?" He asked more smoothly than anything he had mustered since the end of qualifying.

"Could be worse," replied Lara. "The Savojarnan and Mattijanan media are wondering where you've been, but I can smooth that over by saying it took us longer than usual to go through the data and feeback from the session..."

"Savojar," said the Savojar with the wry smile of someone who wasn't correcting their nation's denonym for the first time.

"Ah yes, sorry," replied the not-Mattijar with a small grimace. "The Esmerelian media aren't too happy with what you said about their multi-million NS$ circuit, but we can stay out of their way for now. We're in a rush after all."

"Why so?" Queried Sigur with the undertones of someone who knew full-well why they were delayed.

Lara chuckled. "The driver briefing won't take care of itself you know, especially after we took so long getting feedback from the car, which I think, by the way, is being economical with the truth rather than an outright lie."

"I guess you'd rather we didn't mention any cycle trips into the woods," he said grimly.

"Absolutely not. As much as we like to pretend our drivers do other things, doing them minutes after a stressful qualifying session is not something we normally promote. Be nice to the media, be as upbeat as possible and focus on tomorrow."

With that advice delivered, the pair rounded the corner into the media paddock. A number of green-coated people perked up in the corner, presumably from MFO, whilst some other media representatives were also lining the barriers around the rectangular area. Some of the locals seemed the most keen to burgle an interview with Lara politely turning them away with the 'tight for time excuse' already well-rehearsed.

With Sigur safely delivered to his own nation's TV and radio interviewers, Lara took a step back and recorded his words from a distance. After a disappointing session from the junior engineer's perspective, the events of the last hour had certainly spiced up her life.

She still hadn't gotton to know the rookie Savojar driver as much as she would have liked and with only a couple of races to go and MRT occupied with the serious business of trying to win a constructor's championship, she doubted she would. Maybe there would be time after the end of the season to relax and hopefully celebrate and maybe Sigur would be around at the team next season, but she had enjoyed her half-season bonus job and working with the Savojar had been enjoyable, if eventful.

There were rumours the team would try and hold onto one or both of their drivers into next season and that Sigur was best-placed to hold his spot, but who knew what the future would hold. It was the WGPC after all and there would be new drivers, probably some new teams and a whole load of changes next year.

It was sure to be exciting.

[North Prarie]

To: Ravi Randando (rrandando@tifracing.co.nk)
From: Jeff Canayis (jeffcanayis@risingstarsagencies.tsp)
CC: Luc Kennedy (luckennedy@tifracing.iri.tsp), Nate Jackson (natejackson@tifracing.co.nk)

Hiya guys,
Luc just wants y'all to know that he does not intend to race for TIF next year. He thinks he can race with bigger teams, and doesn't think that TIF will get him anywhere in his career.
I know you guys will all understand.
Jeff

"Hey Luc, I sent the email."

"Good. I didn't want them to expect me next year. I'm not racing end-grid again."

"So, who are you interested in?'

"Well, I like TRAE a lot. But I if I can't get there, I'd settle for Bitten Heroes or Polaris. And of course that Pompeii Motorsports team, should the rumors become true."

"Any drivers you want to race with?"

"Yep. JMD or Terho Talvela."

"Well, if you want that, you might want to up your results. I know the orange and black don't get you much grid points, put you gotta up your game. Be the racer you were with Miesi, except on the international stage."

"Yeah, I gotcha. I will remind you though, I was 11th in Mattijana until NJ hit me."

"I understand. I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks."

To: Terho Talvela (talvelat@trae.co.ab)
From: Jeff Canayis (jeffcanayis@risingstarsagencies.tsp)

Hi Terho,
I'm the agent for Luc Kennedy, current #2 driver at TIF. He has fondly expressed his interest to drive with you, and with that drive for TRAE. He thinks that it is the best fit for him, and that he would thrive under your mentorship. We understand that his results are less then satisfactory, but he has won multiple NPGP championships as driver and team for Miesi Motorworks. He has great potential, and is only 20 years old. We think that TRAE would love to have th most up-and-coming driver in their colors nest year.
To a lesser extent: I have talked with some executives at Pompeii Motors, the largest Prariean car company and largest car company in the South Pacific. They want to have a Pompeii Motorports team in the WGPC next season, and want you and JMD to be on it. Think of how good of a team that would be. I'll keep you posted on that, and may give your email to the execs should you want it.
Anyways, I hope that you can meet Luc and I at the paddocks or at dinner or something in Turori.
Best,
Jeff Canayis
Rising Stars Agencies

[Esmerel]

Isnalkorvburgring, Isnalkorvburg, West-East Timor
Sunday, 13 May 2018

Oh, what humor this was.

Just a week after a driver had undergone a massive accident, another one had occurred. It was Jean.

The race hadn't been going well anyways, what with him dropping 7 positions in 16 laps and never looking back ahead. And then Jean took the kink at turn 6 just a bit too early. Even with the car's steering assists, he was guaranteed to collide with the inside of the turn. His right front was about to impact the wall, but then the Imagikinetic barrier kicked in. Saved the tyre, but didn't defy the laws of physics. Transcendence began a massive flip coming out of the turn, coming to rest about 150m down the road. Jean was completely fine, and so was Transcendence. The barriers and shocksuit had done their job. They had also left the car upside-down. While the crowd in West-East Timor was cheering for the fact that Jean was OK (miraculously, not for the fact he had crashed) it was still yet another reminder that Jean's job was dangerous.

"Jean," began Darrell, "you OK out there?"

"Yep, and the car's actually undamaged too. But it's upside down, and I was already too far from the points. We should call it a day and work on the next race."

"I get that."

---

Jean spent the rest of his afternoon thinking (again) about what was next. Two races left, and he needed to make up 21 points against both Vannish drivers, one of whom was just as good as him, if not even better. One of the tracks coming up he was the defending race winner- the other he hadn't finished. So the numbers were poor. Pretty poor. Although, given he has gained the max 75 points in 3 races before, he could make another comeback. There wasn't anything stopping him, so why not?

Well, the rain would stop him. Please don't rain, OK?

[Sorlovia]

Kamensk, Sorlovia

Seventh place wasn't bad. It wasn't the podium finish that he'd quietly hoped for bit was still a good result given the bad streak that had plagued him for a great number of races. It came as more proof that his unfortunate string of bad results and underperforming had come to an end. At least it was only one down on his sixth place finish on the Forest Cross Circuit. The Isknalkorvburg Circuit had proved to be more challenging that he thought but he was pleased with seventh place. As was his habit he'd celebrated the result after the race with a drink with Natalia at a local diner. He refused to let himself brood on what had kept him from getting a higher placing and had instead expressed his gratitude for seventh place. Every little victory needed to be celebrated and he was determined to continue doing so.

Gregori had opted to return home to Sorlovia after the race for a bit of relaxation before he went into another round of intense training. Sorlovians as a people tended to become homesick when they had been away from Sorlovia for an extended period of time. They possessed a sort of primal link to the land that had birthed them and most felt a periodic need to return at some point to reconnect with their heritage and history. Gregori was no different. He was, after all, a proud Sorlovian with a few national tendencies. He wore the Sorlovian flag on his racing jumpsuit as a matter of national pride and tirelessly worked to retain his accent during his time overseas. It would not be watered down in the way that a native accent sometimes was.

"It feels good to be back home," he thought to himself as he breathed in his native air "It just feels right somehow."

He'd travelled to the city of Kamensk in eastern Sorlovia near the border with Nurovo. Kamensk was a city that was rapidly becoming 'international' to the immense satisfaction of its residents. It had its own international airport, a large shopping center, sporting facilities and an arts precinct. It was the first city in Sorlovia to succeed in finally shedding the last remnants of its communist past. The dull grey buildings had been replaced with new and more colourful apartment buildings and commercial areas. Its transport infrastructure was the talk of the nation and its civil economy seemed to improving ahead of those of other cities across Sorlovia. It was a shining example of what a Sorlovian city could be.

Gregori's flight had touched down at Kamensk International Airport and he'd spent his time deftly evading the local press. He'd taken a taxi to the five star Borisov Hotel where he'd rested up before venturing out into the city to reconnect with his people and his culture. That had entailed a few shots of vodka and a bout of energetic moves on the dance floor. He could worry about the next race and practice later. Now was the time to relax and unwind. After all, stress was a killer.

However, before he embarked on his partying he sent Jess a quick email;

Hi Jess,

I'd like to congratulate you on taking out fourth place. You drove like the pro you are and showed some impressive skill out there. I tried to keep up with you for awhile but you were too quick for me haha. That was an interesting and challenging race wasn't it? It seems every certain throws a whole new range of things at us which he then have to compensate for.

Anyway, I hope you're taking time to unwind and let off some stuff. I've already learnt that it really is quite important in our industry. Everyone needs a bit of R&R sometimes!

Cheers,
Gregori

[Vangaziland]

Raceday

On the previous race week, Jang hit a figurative wall and fell back into 5th place. His team set out with the goal of managing the NBS Omnidirectional Grand Prix better. They had the information to tailor the car, now it came down to execution. Winning would be a tough prospect. Quite a few teams had their eye on victory. One of which was Jessica Franssen, Gregori Krupin and Vannish Motors Racing.

Franssen would start fourth behind frenemies Jean Mercer-Daly and Terho Talvela. All three drivers represented a serious threat to win in Isknalkorvburg. Terho was coming off of a terrible crash and a tough injury. JMD was doing well, earning a victory in the same race. Mercer-Daly had done a great job of being a class act after the wreck. They both had a tough rivalry that brought them close together. The on track incident would surely be fresh in the minds of both drivers as the race went underway.

Jang sprinted forward, but tucked behind the quicker car of Jean Mercer-Daly to start to race. It only took a few laps for Xiaopeng to bring the #50 into the lead. Both cars were close coming out of turn 12. There was acceleration through the first part of 12, before it became a coast. It also cut hard into a left hand kink before it hit the straightaway. The Omni car out-handled the Nexus machine here and gained enough ground to leave the corner quicker. From there, Xiaopeng set off on establishing his lines.

At that moment, Jessica was getting passed by Kyoko Fujisaki. "KISMO is running fast", Jess called up over the team radio. She tried keeping up with Fujisaki's lines, but the red and gray car soon disappeared up the line.

Jang's lines took him deeper into the lead. The settings put up by the team were phenomenal. His car was dialed into the track, with just the right amount of downforce to make the car feel the right balance between oversteer and understeer. The car was not loose or tight, but rode the track just right. The Omni car was also quick enough to keep most others off its pace.

This caused him to build up a substantial lead. Flags from both West-East Timor and Vangaziland waved as they cheered for the Omni car. Jang brought things in on lap 32. There hadn't been any incidents that would have provided for an earlier pit stop, except way back on lap 1. He planned on a two stop strategy with the sort of lead he was building. After a quick change of the tires, he was back on the track. Jessica would follow his lead and pit on the same lap. She was far back enough where she wasn't in a spot to run in at him for the lead. Instead she thought of the long slog.

Jess found herself in 5th. After putting on fresh tires, her car saw success that took her as high as 2nd. Her car seemed to also have great settings for the track. Reliable lines brought her close to 30 seconds behind Xiaopeng. This lasted until things began to switch up on laps 53 and 57.

Jang maintained his hold on the lead throughout it all and even came out with fresh tires. Jessica would fall back as far as 6th. Before the checkered flag would fall, Jess would fight her way to 4th and hold it. She cheered over the radio, once when she crossed and once again when Gregori crossed at 7th. He had fallen back as far as 11th in that last session. He fought through the late quarter to pull points the team badly needed.

Xiaopeng had done it. He had won the race from the pole in a convincing fashion. He lived up to his bold proclamations. This is the second time he's shown he can win a race from the front line. He won the Vannish Grand Prix from a P2 start.

He was joined on the podium by the two Kissan drivers. It was a bittersweet moment for Jang not being there with his teammate. One could tell by the slightly forlorn look that lingered on his face for a moment, but only just. He was soon back to spraying champagne over Fujisaki and Kranjska.

He spoke of winning the race, without his teammate at his side at a trackside interview. "It's unfortunate that Mick didn't do well today. This is a tough week for Omni, on that side of things. I'm glad I could bring the team as many points as I possibly could. Omni moves into second in the Constructor's. We're in a good place to make a run at both cups over these next two races."

Much like Jang interrupted one of her recent interviews, she used his victory to return the favor. "Don't you do it, Jang. Don't you Jenna Vandersen me." She shook her fist. Vandersen was Jang's teammate in the WGP2 at Vannish Motors. Xiaopeng made a late season run that brought his team both cups. He stood in a position to fight for winning both cups once again.

The two Vannish drivers sat at 1 and 2 in the standings. With two races left, both drivers will have to fight to keep their position. Both drivers have been prone to bad luck which has seen them fail to complete races, or to spin late in races to fall back. Both drivers have also shown a good bit of consistency to get to this point. They will have to show up two more times, battling each other in the process.

Jessica was asked in a trackside interview what she thought about Xiaopeng.

"He's very sneaky", she said, tongue-in-cheek. Her eyes narrowed dramatically as she spoke. "He came out of nowhere and he's trying to pull what he pulled in the WGP2. We have to look out for this guy. This villain."

"But Jess, he won that series under your watch as principal."

"We don't mention that", she replied, voice still scratchy and eyes still low in character. Afterwards she jumped upwards and seemed to reset into her normal self. The trackside reporter asked her how she felt about finishing 4th.

"First of all, shouts to Gregori for finishing 7th. Those points are a big boost. Similar to last week where we were in reverse spots. But see, that's what its about. That constant grind of points. 4th is a good deal of points. So I see this like a victory, in a way", Jess said. "Let's see what we can do over the final raceweeks."

Xiaopeng also remained optimistic. "I think we can beat Vannish Motors in this late stretch. Our car is similar. I have an aggressive streak that I hope will give us the edge. The team shows us they can put together a strong car. We're a two win car now. Jessica and myself will surely race to try and become the season's first three win car. But a lot of other drivers stand to put up good runs, as well."

Jess had more questions to face once inside of a press conference, before heading back to the paddock.

Monday
It was later the next night that Jess saw a message on her phone. She wasn't sure when it was sent, since she hadn't checked it in some time. It was from Gregori. She quickly tapped out a reply. She was in the middle of making dinner when she decided to check her phone.

Gregori!

Yeah that was a fun race. Tough course too. You ran some good laps and a tough race. Those points add up. Think of it like this. The points between our finishes over the last two races, equal two 3rd place finishes. So it's like we both earned a third place finish as a team. That's not bad.

Omni had a strong week, but we can deal with that.

I'm taking a bit of time to unwind. I flew back to the office in Vangaziland. So you know how that is, lots of reviewing during the day, but the evenings are relaxed. I heard you were going back to Sorlovia. Enjoy your time there. I'll have to visit it sometime. It sounds like an interesting country.

Are you looking forward to the next race? Turori has a lot of culture. It should make for a nice place to visit.

Here's to a great last 2 races!
Jess

[Aboveland]

Nanna² sputtered off the line, jerking back and forth violently before finally getting up to speed, Terho's neck agonizing once more. What had been a non-issue all weekend was now coming back to bite him in the ass. Great.

Having nearly stalled off the line, Terho frantically radioed the team as he exited turn two, painful concern oozing from his lips.

"Agh," he grunted, "something's acting up guys! My neck is shot again, fuck!"

"Stay calm Terho," Edvin replied. "Tell us if it repeats itself."

Nanna² powered on past turn three, ninth, and Terho began stretching his neck under his brace to ease the dull pain radiating up the back of his head. Just a silly start mistake, is all, he told himself.

Into turn four, he braked hard and early to avoid colliding with the two drivers ahead, downshifting from sixth to second in a plume of smoke. His rev counter began to languish, his speed too low for his gear, prompting him to drop one more before the exit. As he tapped into first gear, the car jerked back harshly once again, his rear wheels locking, his head banging forwards, and the cars behind abandoning their battle to gain on the stricken Abovian. Desperate, he floored the throttle, the stop-starts fading away, and he shifted into second to get away into turn five.

Yet again, Nanna² bit back with fury, kicking his back into his seat and making full use of his crash helmet's protection. His neck, protected by the brace, shot backwards rapidly. The dull cervical pain he'd felt at the start was becoming shrill and distracting, his eyesight beginning to fade. His right foot limped off the accelerator, losing him two more places, before his vision focused again. The bottom of his skull began aching again, a fact he hid from the team lest they force him to retire.

"Terho," Edvin began again, as he progressed down the track, chasing 10th. "We've found an issue with first gear and the clutch. It's likely a manufacturing defect in the new car, so keep out of those situations. Try keeping the revs up too in case it stutters again." The instructions clear, Terho pressed on. Gradually, his pain and stiffness began to fade before stabilizing, and his eyesight was no longer cause for too much concern. With a determined, focused, adrenaline-fueled drive, by the first quarter of the race he'd reached fifth, continuing to climb up the order entangled in gargantuan battles.

By lap 30, he'd whittled his way through the charging pack ahead, slipping past the fiery West-East Timorian ahead of him and pressuring the two KISMOs in front to reach second place. Jang Xiaopeng, unfazed by neither dirty air nor pesky opponents, had already stretched his lead to over 40 seconds; Terho, comfortably behind, was stretching his gap behind, and started to relax his sweat-drenched nerves. Terho rocketed down the pit straight, Nanna² barreling down the asphalt, as lap 31 began. Just before the braking zone, he glanced at the time interval behind, which nearly read five seconds.

His lapse in concentration, however, proved fatal.

Terho glanced back at the road ahead, his eyes lazily drifting away from the LCD, his vision refocusing with an almost imperceptible delay. His field of view lagged before coming into focus, by which time his throttle was still wide open as the 150 meter marker blurred past. His chest burned in terror, as if he'd been impaled across the heart with a smoldering iron stake, and he pounded the brakes, his stiff neck lurching forwards, cramping into rigidity.

His left hand's fingers frantically tapped down the gears.

8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Nanna² jittered violently, tumble-drying her subordinate. Her rear wheels locked and kicked out to the left, Terho countersteering instantly to point in the right direction for turn two, his eyes closed, his body transferring the information automatically to his arms; his neck was hard as stone, his eyes pointed every direction but forwards. The car limped past the apex at turn one, coasting in first, the gap behind narrowing to just two seconds. Dazed and still in a blur, Terho powered on through the track at backmarker speed until his eyesight adjusted enough to see.

Nate Jackson had caught up now, a pest in his rear-view mirrors, as both drivers shot down to turn 6. They both swapped second place smoothly in the run up to lap 32, and as they crossed the line Terho was positioned nicely around the outside line to take turn one behind Jackson, down his inside, and exit out to his right. Terho kept his throttle pinned, committed to braking after Jackson, but the Kalactinian's late braking surprised him. He slammed on the brakes once again, this time weary of dropping to first gear, yet the precaution wasn't enough to keep himself steady. His neck now felt like it tore, his temples pounding like tribal drums, his vision blurring and deviating one more time. Terho grunted in disdain, and radioed the team he'd take it easy from then on.

The result of his incomplete recovery, together with the ferocious new Nanna triggering his symptoms once again, and even more heavily, meant Terho lulled to eighth place by the end of the race, within the grasp of the Sajovar. What was a race in which a podium was not only necessary, but possible, ended in relative disaster. As soon as the race finished, the Abovian pleaded for an urgent medical check-up, as he stumbled sloppily around the paddock. He'd have to let Juracai fine tune the setups in Tropicorp's home Turori track in time for the next weekend.

[Vilita and Turori]

Event Guide :: Grand Prix of Turori

The area now known as Eelandii was purpose-built ahead of the Turorian hosted World Cup 63 Finals as a center of sport and congregation point for fans, players and media alike. Eelandii itself is not a town or a city but a purpose-designated area located midway between the Turorian capital of Almintora and the populous city of Cednia, home of Turori's most successful domestic club Cednia Beach AFC. Initially consisting of just Eel's park - itself a state of the art sporting complex for football and athletics, the campus at Eelandii was expanded to include the offices of the Football Association of Turori and a permanent training facility for the Turori National Team. Shortly after the World Cup 63 Finals, it was announced that Eelandii would be further expanded with a Grand Prix race course using the already existing central loop and large strip.

The Eelandii Grand Prix Circuit was completed in time to host a testing session on the World Grand Prix 12 schedule. The 3.23 mile course was built in the shadows of Eels Park and, originally as one of the less regularly used of the sport facilities in Eelandii, relies on the infrastructure throughout Eelandii for its support. While the Eelandii Grand Prix Circuit was not utilized during the first International Super Formula Championship, it hosted its first proper race weekend during the second International Super Formula Championship hosting the Super Formula Round Turori in a resounding success.

The first ever Grand Prix of Turori was finally hosted during the 13th World Grand Prix Championships. The pole was won by Moisés Delgado of HonsoNyrota at a speed of 1:22.649 and the race was won by McPahan's Alexander Lund with R.L. Cruisin finishing just behind in the runner-up spot for Frontiere Racing.

The Eelandii Grand Prix Circuit was relegated to a test even for the WGPC's 14th season but returned as a race day for the 15th WGPC campaign and once again, it was a near miss for a local driver as iBen Toralmintii, after stunning the field by putting the WGPC Eelandii Motorworks machine on pole position, came home in second place behind Juliano Lemos in the Bitten Heroes machine. Both Cruisin and iBen Toralmintii's WGPC Eelandii team will be hoping to do one better during this seasons Turorian Grand Prix.

While the Eelandii campus is more than sufficiently designed to host multiple team sporting events on a single day, the Layout and size of the Grand Prix circuit that cuts through the center of some of Eelandii's key locations including overflow and parking facilities could complicate use of Eelandii team sport facilities during the Grand Prix of Turori, necessitating the Turori National Team's departure from the facility until the conclusion of the Grand Prix of Turori festivities.

---

:: Tiones Lumber Lumberjack Challenge ::

The Tiones Lumber corporation has a long history of aligning itself with sporting events in Vilita & Turori, from being the long time shirt sponsors of the Vilitan Stellar Division's Yeaddin Owls AFC, to their sponsorships in motorsports, the name "Tiones" is always on the forefront. Competitors and fans alike reap the benefits of Tiones Lumber involvement in sporting events with their finances sometimes allowing a team to compete or an event to proceed and their famous Lumberjack Competition displays always a hit with the fans.

The largest Tiones Lumberjack Challenge to date has taken place at the Vilitan Mountain Challenge Course in Rockii Coast, Vilita ahead of the Vilitan Grand Prix race during WGPC 14. However, with the Grand Prix of Turori taking the place of the Vilitan Grand Prix for the 16th World Grand Prix championships season, Tiones Lumber has an even bigger event planned. Instead of just having one or two concurrent 'zones' that fans can test their lumberjack mettle in, there will be five distinct zones where fans will be able to participate in various activities. There will be four 'competitive' zones where participants will be timed and scored for their execution - whether they are truly competitive or not - with each days top times earning a prize and the best scores of the race weekend crowned champions. The fifth zone will be deemed a 'family zone' with events and challenges more suited for children to participate in.

The Five zones will be as follows:


COMPETITIVE ZONES ::
Note, All competitive events will explicitly require a waiver and release of all liability against Tiones Lumber signed by the participant

Zone 1: Chopping & Cutting

There will be 3 distinct events available in Zone 1, the Standing Chop, the Firewood Split and the Saw-Through Cut.

Standing Chop: Tool: Standard Axe :: In the Standing Chop Challenge, competitors can be scored in two different categories: Time and Number of Chops. A single 12 inch diameter log will be stood vertically and the competitior will be tasked with chopping through until the log is severed. Competitive times are expected to be under 20 seconds.All contestants are required to wear chainmail protection from the waste down to protect against injury from errant chops.

Firewood Split: Tool: Standard Axe :: Like the Standing Chop, there are two separate criteria used to grade the Firewood Split. Contestants will have 45 seconds to split. as many firewood segments as they can. The first 10 segments will be pre-staged and the contestant will be timed in completion of the first 10 succesful splits. Should they have time remaining on the clock after the 10th split they will be tasked with resetting and further chopping segments until time runs out. Winners will be declared both on speed and number of splits made. All contestants are required to wear chainmail protection from the waste down to protect against injury from errant chops.

Saw-Through Cut: Tool: One-man Bucking Saw :: Contestants will saw through an elevated, horizontal log with a 20 inch diameter using a one-man bucking saw. Competitive times are expected to be below 15 seconds.

Zone 2: Climbing

The Climbing zone will see three identical Climbing Challenge stations to allow multiple contestants to attempt the event at the same time.

The event consists of a 20 meter tall vertical log which the contestant must after starting from a position with both feet on the ground, climb and bypass the 18 meter mark. Contestants will have spurred climbers on their feet and steel-cored climbing ropes. Several safety precautions are taken in the event. A support pole next to the designated climbing log will support a belay rope system managed by event staff. Time will stop once the contestant reaches the 18 meter mark on the vertical log and the contestant will not be timed on the way back from the top of the climbing log to return to the ground. Competitive times are expected to be below 13 seconds.

Zone 3: Log Rolling

A new addition, the Log Rolling competition will take place in water. Multiple floating logs will stretch from one end of the log pool to the other with a dry dock on either side. Contestants will be timed on crossing the pool twice - or from the starting dock to the opposite dock, then back to the starting dock. If the competitor falls into the water they are permitted one attempt to re-mount the log and continue their run. If the contestant should fall a second time their run will be ended and they will be given credit for the number of total logs they have traversed.

Zone 4: Team Events

Team Saw-Through Cut: Tool: Two-man Bucking Saw :: Contestants will saw through an elevated, horizontal log with a 20 inch diameter using a two-man bucking saw. Competitive times are expected to be below 7 seconds.

Team Log Rolling: Multiple floating logs will stretch from one end of the log pool to the other with a dry dock on either side. Contestants will be timed on crossing the pool twice. Two team members will start on opposite sides of the pool and will have to traverse from their starting dock to the opposite dock and back resulting in two 'passes' where teammates will have to bypass each other on the same log. Contestants must bypass each other on the logs and can not use the docks or the water to complete a bypass. If the competitor falls into the water they are permitted one attempt to re-mount the log and continue their run. If a team suffers a total of three combined falls their run will be ended and they will be given credit for the number of total logs the least advanced competitior has traversed. Time will be stopped once the second of the two team competitors has returned to their starting dock.

NON-COMPETITIVE ZONES ::

Zone 5: Family Zone

The non-competitive family zone will feature learning zones where Firewood Splitting techniques will be taught; three single-log rolling pools including one with a picture zone where the log can be locked into place for an individual or family to pose for photos, two 7 meter climbing logs, a firewood stacking challenge area and a special tree planting zone that teaches youngsters and parents alike the value of Tiones Lumber's Renewable Lumber Operations.

Tiones Lumber is also inviting all WGPC drivers to try their hand at the various Lumberjack events in a special reserved timeslot after the Friday Practice session.

[Vangaziland]

VMR's success could be chalked up to several factors. One of which has been analysis. The #25 car has been consistently fast, since the first midseason break. Krupin's #27 has been gaining steam of late and shows promise for success in these final two races. The engineers have put together a fast car for a wide range of courses that took the cars around the world.

Where some teams seemed to focus on winning on their home turf, Vannish Motors Racing appears to have a more inclusive strategy. Jessica had a meeting and dinner with high level corporate sponsors soon after the race at West-East Timor. She spoke of this saying, "Our team's job is to put the best car together each week that will represent our company. My job is to prepare for each course and execute in the car. We had early struggles that set us back. We've still wrangled the lead and look to keep building, through information gained by a turn-by-turn analysis of each remaining track."

Jessica didn't get into the technical details, but did give a slight example on what aspects of the course at Eelandii they were looking at. "This next course may be one of the most balanced courses on the schedule. We're really going to see which styles stand out. Our team will study all of this. Technical drivers versus aggressive drivers. Quicker cars versus better handling cars. If things lean towards one way or another, that's something our team will look at in future development."

She once again brought things back to the car they have set for the upcoming race. "We like the settings we have for the next track. It should be a more open track than the point to point darting we saw last race. It's a little more predictable, since we see similar features around the track. For example, look at turns 1 and 2. We see that feature two other times on the field. What our car does in that space between the 90 degree turns will be important. We need to make the car feel light and balanced enough to sit just perfectly, even when coasting or in braking zones. That way it feels planted when we accelerate out of the apex."

It was clear that balance was going to be important for the race week's course. Analysts had pegged Jessica as a technical driver. It was lesser known that she was more aggressive than the highest rated technical drivers. It was her balance between the two aspects that she believed brought her success. The Dragon chassis was quick, but it wasn't the best handling car. Jess had the skill to make it handle with the best. She had a great relationship with her engineers. She gave such detailed information after each track session. This was especially important after practice sessions.

Even when team members seemed to be hanging out, they were talking shop. Some of the pub-side conversations that took place after the Vannish Grand Prix helped Jessica win the following race at Kopylov.

Another car with a similar strategy of analysis would be Jang Xiaopeng and the #50 car. His success at Isknalkorvburg came because of a thorough analysis of the track, led mostly by locals familiar with the course. The focus on building the right car with the right intel and preparation brought the victory. That was a formula Xiaopeng learned at Vannish Motors in the WGP2. He spent the season as Jessica Franssen's protégé during her acting principal role.

Jess doubled down on her claim that Jang was an antagonist. It was clearly in jest, with her seeming to hope for fun drama across the paddock. "Don't worry", she told supporters at the dinner. "We won't let the villain from North Emeros sneak away with the title. There are a few things we see that might help us compensate for his late season burst of success."

She did admit that he put together a good late stretch. The investors then shared a meal with the driver and one of the engineers. It was a quick, informal get together turned into a meeting with a catered meal. The food was good though, with the choice between a spicy, baked chicken entree and steak. There were a few laughs and a lot of technical talk. Everyone seemed to have advice or a suggestion for Jess. Maybe some of it would come in handy.

Race Week

Jessica was watching streaming episodes of the newest season of Nuhotep when she reached for her phone. She had been thinking of trying something, but had to fight her fears. A lumberjack competition had played on her mind since she read about it on some lumber company's website.

For a few moments she mentally examined the events. The tower sounded terrifying. But maybe, like a roller coaster, it would end up fun. She wouldn't mind trying to chop wood. She fancied herself the camping type. Running over a set of logs sounded dramatic enough. She was a little cautious when she read the word 'saw'. She had a fear of sharp points.

She quickly tapped out a message to her teammate, mug of Gazilian coffee in hand.

Hey Gregori,

So. Have you heard about the lumberjack competition taking place at Vilita? It sounds like it could be fun. They reserved a spot for drivers. I think I'm going to give it a shot. I'm kind of scared of heights, but there is some tower. I dunno. You get to play with an axe. Maybe I'll see you there.

Good luck in qual!
-Jess

[Mattijana]

The Day After the WET Grand Prix, Isknalkorvburg

Isknalkorvburg sounded like one of those places out of a Dansk thriller. The kind with lots of murders and a moody detective with personal problems, alcoholism and a Vitamin D deficiency. The kind where black estate cars were swallowed up by holes in frozen lakes and where if it were real, a tiny iced-up village in the middle of nowhere would have the highest homicide rate in the country.

A village in a Dansk thriller had to be a long way north, nearly unpronounceable and good at rally driving. Isknalkorvburg ticked those boxes, even if it wasn't a small village, but the third-biggest city in West-East Timor.

In fact it was the city where Jasmin Kranjska currently stood, waiting for the flight that would take her back to Aji No Moto to prepare for the next race in Turori. Turori also sounded like somewhere out of a Dansk thriller and Jasmina had been disappointed to find out that it was actually a tropical island.

In fact Jasmina liked a good Dansk thriller. The plots were usually well-thought out, the characters multi-layered and extensively developed and a good murder mystery couldn't be turned down. She had brought a book with her too, 'The Smorgasbord.' Jasmina didn't know what that meant either, but was hoping to get through a fair chunk on the flight.

Most of the other Mattijanans in the WGPc didn't share her taste. Those from the north, including Maria Jamasova, Lara Kasparova and Alex Dimitrianov knew what life was really like in the North-East and laughed at the sheer ludicracy of the books.

Isknalkorvburg had been disappointingly big, bustling and modern, but the race had gone beyond her expectations. Starting 10th on the grid, she had managed to get through the race on a one-stop, one fewer than everyone else. That dragged her up the order and she managed to keep the onrushing Jess Franssen a comfortable distance behind to hold on for the podium. It had been a great day for KISMO too with Kyoko Fujisaki coming home second, just out of reach of the Mattijanan.

Her third podium of the season moved her to 8th in the standings, still with a mathematical chance, albeit an unrealistic one, of winning the championship. Considering she had joined the season halfway through, that wasn't bad. A sort of mini Jess Franssen season. Maybe there was still time to get up into the top 4, but it would be a stretch.

Looking back at the 14th season, MRT's first in the WGPC, Franssen's achievement seemed all the more remarkable. Drafted in as a replacement for the woeful Oisinistani driver Oliver Bachmann, a whole seven races into the season, she had claimed, including wins in Barunia, Krytenia and Audioslavia. All of her 82 points came in just 6 races and in a car that had languished in the lower-mid table for the first half of the season.

In her 8 races, Jasmina had accumulated 57 points. Not quite on Franssen's level, but a very impressive showing nonetheless. That too as her car had been at a similar standard to a WGPC 14 spec MRT car.

Jess meanwhile had muscled her way into a 14 point lead at the top of the pile, showing what she could do with more time and a good car. Jasmina hoped her promising mid-season arrival would not be the only thing she had in common with the prospective world champion.

With Jasmina's and KISMO's chances of winning their respective championships not over, but very unlikely, thoughts were beginning to turn to next season. Who Jasmina would drive for, if everyone, was still very up in the air. MRT would of course be interested having left her out of their lineup at the start of the season, but with rumours they would be trying to retain Sigur Bjarnason, there would only be one free spot to fill at the team.

KISMO might also be sniffing around as well. Whilst Jasmina was determined to fight for the best seat she could get, it was another option.

Jasmina's first sport had been skeleton. She had raced up around the tracks of the ZentraleAlpe, the far-north and the area West of Kopylov for around 4 years on the junior and senior circuits in Mattijana and had shown considerable promise in her hunt for a call-up to the Mattijanan national side.
However disaster struck one day at a race. Emerging from a 270° degree corner under intense G-force, she took a tap on the exit, throwing her into a skid. That was a fairly commonplace thing in the sport, but this time, her trailing foot crunched into the wall. Jasmina finished the run, but it became clear upon reaching the bottom that the impact had done some serious damage.

A serious fracture to the ankle joint and an hour and a half of surgery later, her skeleton career was all but over. Rehab from the surgery was initially fast, but in a sport where a fast start is more of a necessity than a bonus, she never managed to regain the flexibility and the speed required. It was a big blow.

With her livelihood and future now in tatters, she had to find something else to do. That came in the form of junior series racing in Mattijana with a talent ID programme for MRT. Her fast reaction speed, reflexes and excellent feel for a fast-moving projectile made her an ideal candidate and she made fast progress, winning the MattiFormal series, the premier open wheel championship in Mattijana, just 3 years after beginning the programme.

That saw her promoted to unofficial MRT reserve driver and despite being left out of the main lineup for a couple of years, she now had her chance to shine.

With adversity firmly in her mirrors, now was the time for her to grasp an opportunity or two.

On to Turori.