WGP2 Season 2 [RP Thread]

[Maryloupe]

Max looked at th email. Then he packed his bag and booked a seat in the national airline. He then sent an email mail to Kaylan Racing.

From: maxp17@racermrl.com
To: niko@kaylanracing.tn

---

Dear sir,
I will arrive a day earlier. Thank you.
Yours,
Max Predofski

[Former Citizens of the Nimbus System]

The Divine First Builders’ Sanctuary of Spiritual Commune, Celina Community, the First City, the Nexus Wardship of Former Citizens of the Nimbus System
15th of July

Gertrude Thompson, Head Designer of the cars of Nexus Racing, trudges towards a door. Her footsteps are heavy, burdened, but this path is a familiar one and she reaches it. She is home, after all.

The door seems at once timeless and new; the wood from which it has been constructed is smooth and round, stained or faded a calm light blue, and engraved within it the image of an Imagination Orb. Gertrude smiles a reminiscent smile as she gazes upon it, then rests both of her hands on the surface, tracing the symbol. Finally, she pushes open the door.

She is greeted by a round room perhaps only fifteen metres wide, one of wooden bookshelves upon which are stacked innumerable works of philosophy, science and art and, separated from them by only a little space, two curved tables with their complement of soft-backed chairs that allow space for entry through the front door and passage to another room off the back. Above, a glass dome provides a view onto the sky - clouded in part but not grey by any means; below, the floor is of marble, smooth and polished, which gives way to a font-like structure in the room’s centre whose sloping ridges rise to a bowl holding only empty air.

A blue-robed woman, her shining eyes seeming to defy the one or two grey strands of her hair, the room’s only other empty occupant, stands from the left-hand table, a book in her hand. Her lips curve politely and then do so all the wider in recognition. “Well, who’s this now?” The woman chuckles slightly. “Welcome back, Sister Gertrude. You seek inspiration? I wouldn’t have thought that one of your talent would need it,” she adds, a teasing lilt to her voice.

Gertrude smirks, though it doesn’t quite reach her upper face. “Spare me, Andrea. Even the best of us need help sometimes.” She steps forward, wrapping the woman in a hug. “Vis doing well?”

Andrea nods, closing her eyes in wistfulness. “From what I hear - which is, of course, increasingly little - she loves university with all of her spirit.” She grins. “I also hear that she is seeing somebody by the name of ‘James’, so I suppose that not everything is perfect.” After a snort of her friend’s laughter, she continues: “But this, of course, is about you, not me or my daughter. I have an unfortunate feeling that I already know why you are here… Do you want me to listen? Is there anything that I can do to help? You’ve come at a good time; there are no more events scheduled for today.”

“You must of course, be commended for your efforts to improve safety in the World Grand Prix Championships, especially in accommodating those with an aversion to Imagination technology; nonetheless, though your own drivers’ safety was evidently a stride ahead of the rest of the field, it is unavoidable that the systems that gave you this advantage were fragile…”

“…the fact that motorsport clearly involves great risk to those involved does not make the failure to mitigate said risk any less important, as the consequences of Mr Mercer-Daly’s accident demonstrate…”

“…it is my view that the isolation of these systems is the only sensible course to prevent a capable and ambitious project from being abused…”

Gertrude rubs her forehead. “Not this time, sorry. I think that Victoria -” she looks up briefly - “oh, my colleague - was probably harder hit emotionally than me. Just gotta think things out. Could use the help.”

Andrea nods, smile turning sad, then steps back to the font, whereupon she pushes down a lever hidden in its back and then pulls it up again. With the sound of a vacuum forming, then releasing, from the top of the font rises a singular, tiny Imagination Orb. She barely has time to step back before Gertrude has stepped forward, taking the Orb in her hand and bringing it to her mouth, swallowing it in a single gulp. Nodding thankfully, she trudges towards the desks and sits - well, collapses.

She brings her hand to her chin and she searches, considering.

Nexus Racing HQ, Crossbay Circuit, Nimbus Bay, the Nexus Wardship of Former Citizens of the Nimbus System
30th of July

“Nope. Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope. I just can’t… Nope.”

“Gertrude…”

The Head Designer looks askance at Timothy Guard from beneath her eyebrows, finger pointed above the edge of Conference Room 1’s table. “Don’t you ‘Gertrude’ me! You know as well as I do that we can’t afford this right now!” She sighs. “Look, Darlington’s great. She’s a known quantity, she’s doing well, she’s fine. I think we’re all more than happy for her to stay with us if she wants to keep her contract. But surely, surely, we can do better with the other half of our line-up than the guy whose race engineer is literally the Team Principal of one of our main rivals! We need to be consolidating right now, ironing out the creases with the UHSGV-3, not watching our backs in case our technology’s being stolen from under our noses!”

Guard clasps his hands together, sitting at central, furthest point of the horseshoe shape. “I don’t deny that there is such a risk - but you know as well as I do how to minimise it. Edvin needn’t know how everything works, just what everything does. Martin has already agreed to play a supporting role should technical expertise be needed.”

“And that works in theory but in practice one slip of the tongue’s all it takes!” Gertrude shakes her head. “Look, I know I said this originally with the IASG but this is a whole level of magnitude more problematic. Surely you have to realise that.”

“I do. I simply see the advantages as well as the risks and the latter, at least in my view, far outweighs the former. The osmosis will be bidirectional; indeed, as Team Principal, we will in all likelihood learn more from his complete knowledge of TRAE than he will through his massively incomplete perspective of our team - which we can then, of course, build into our own systems.”

“Alternatively, if we wanted, we could restrict it on a contractual basis.” Auburn Steel, on the far left of the table, continues to note down proceedings on her tablet. “While we may learn of design concepts, which are no doubt valuable, we likely will not learn a thing of technical specifications. A legally-binding document would put exactly the same restrictions on him.”

Gertrude frowns. “You can’t just - he’s not suddenly going to forget everything if we ask him to! I don’t know how many unconscious inspirations we’ve taken for the Chase Cutter; what’s to say that he won’t do the same?”

“He is not TRAE’s designer; suddenly generating ideas, especially the unconventional ones that might be subconsciously adopted from the Chase Cutter, would immediately arouse suspicion. Even if he were, to do so would leave himself open to prosecution. A team leader and a team are not the same legal entity and passage of information from one to the other would constitute a breach of the contract.”

“From my own perspective, there of course is the additional advantage,” Karl Rain - sitting just to Guard’s right - adds, “of an opportunity to stabilise public opinion. Recruiting a once-opponent is, entirely out of the ordinary; as such, it will serve to aid in calming worries over Jean Mercer-Daly’s accident by demonstrating that Nexus Racing are seeking to act against the challenge, not merely ignoring it as would going about everything as we were.”

“If nothing else,” Guard concludes with a final appeal, “think of it as an opportunity to convince him over safety. This is the perfect time to push the DIADEM, to push the ISISU. Wouldn’t a direct line to a team leader help with that?”

“It would.” Gertrude looks down, frowning, fingers running across the tabletop. “And you don’t think that Laukkanen’s going to rocket straight back to the mothership when he’s done?”

“If we offer him Darlington’s contract, no, I don’t think so. You know how divergent the UHSGV is more than anyone, Gertrude - it’s half of the reason for this programme. If we train Janne well and get him used to the Chase Cutter, he will undoubtedly find it difficult to drive a ‘regular’ single-seater car afterwards. That makes staying with us the path of least resistance - quite possibly even the only viable choice - going into the WGPC.”

“Fair.” Gertrude sighs and nods reluctantly. “I still don’t agree but, well… You’ve made good points. We’ve got other things to handle; I won’t delay things longer than needed.”

“That’s good of you, Gertrude; thank you.” Auburn swipes at her tablet, smiling pleasantly at her colleague. “I’ll work on a draft contract for you to review then, Timothy.”

Nexus Racing’s Head Designer raises an eyebrow.

---

From: nrcomms@nexusracingwgpc.nim
To: e.pekka@talvelasport.co.ab

Greetings! I am pleased to be able to give you confirmation that Nexus Racing will be unconditionally offering a drive to Janne Laukkanen for the upcoming WGP2 season, as previously discussed in our emails. Please respond at your earliest convenience with a proposed and date on which to discuss a potential contract so that we may arrange time-appropriate flights for both of you.

Karl Rain, Nexus Racing Head of Communications and Public Relations

Nexus Racing HQ, Crossbay Circuit, Nimbus Bay, the Nexus Wardship of Former Citizens of the Nimbus System
28th of May

As Ryker sits down in the Nexus Racing canteen to eat, he feels a momentary gaze upon his back. Having as little mental energy as does, he does not consider it further.

[Savojarna]

Yarkovo International Circuit, Season starting press conference of SVJ Racing

On the stage of the Yarkovo International Circuit Media Centre sat five people. To the left, a young man with wild dark brown hair, similar eyes with a determined look in them, and a light stubble. He had the body of an athlete, with remarkable arms and shoulders, and a white-and-blue t-shirt with a SVJ Racing logo on it. He'd play an important role later on.
Next to him sat a face more than familiar to the more experienced motoring journalists. The flowing blonde hair and full beard of Krister Arlund was more than known, as was his strategic talent that he would bring into SVJ Racing as Head of Strategy and Race Engineering.
In the middle sat the leader of the team. Jussi Parjamäki was a household name to the Savojar journalists present, but hardly known for the internationals. He was in his fourties, still showing traces of the physique and confidence of a rallye champion. The dark blonde Finn had cut his hair a little bit longer than the military cut he had in his racing days, and brown square glasses framed his green-blue eyes, giving the leader of SVJ Racing a smart look that was complimented by the suit he wore, crowned by a little red star pin to represent SVJ Racing.
Next to him sat the man that represented SARA, the official owners of the team. The head of the racing association, Calle Jarlund, would lead the conference according to the protocol, but leave the main honours to the people who had ran the program.
Finally, a slightly older Russian sat next to him, his posture being somewhat smaller than his athlete camerades. The man had narrow shoulders and dark hair, mixed with gray hair every now and then. Dr. Pavel Suvchenko was a scholar at the National Technical University of Pawlograd promoted head of engineering and development with Savojarna's newest national sports project.

The journalists in the room fixed the five as Suvchenko got up to present the technical details of the car, which was projected onto the screens.
"The new SVJ-1 is our first project, realised with a lot of know-how from the two leading motor companies of Savojarna and my institute", Suvchenko said. "We'll begin with its hearts, the two engines. You heard right, two engines! The main power is lent to it by a 572 horsepower V8 by the Johansborg Motor Cooperative. JMC combined the engine with a smaller electric engine providing an additional 147 hp, using technology employed in their JMC S9 model. Like in the S9, the electric engines assist the car in acceleration by providing extra torque and power, and run together with the main engine in driving mode. This should give us an advantage in starting and on high-speed tracks. In case of an engine failure, it would theoretically even be possible to drive up to thirty kilometres on the electric engines alone".

As Suvchenko revealed what may be the most exciting engine design so far, aside from Azadeshia's completely electric EVolution car, its technical details showed up on the screen behind him. "The gearbox is mainly provided by Landsmarks Automobilen", he continued. "It is an 8-speed paddle shift, an improved version of the one in the LA Draken v3. There is a special "gear zero" that should further assist us at the start. It is a specifically shortened gear that is only accessible in the starting mode, when the car runs on electric assistance. Which brings me to a special feature: The computer".

On the table before Suvchenko, he turned over the steering wheel that showed a big display in its middle, along with few buttons. "As you can see, we developed our controls so that the drivers have to memorise as little as possible. Most of the car can be controlled with five buttons and the screen, which gives the drivers useful telemetric data during the ride. One of its features is a starting mode, which automatically shifts the gear to the 'zero gear' and uses previously collected data about the road to optimise the distribution of energy. This setting optimises the car to accelerate as fast as possible and reach 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds. As soon as the driver shifts to the first regular gear, the car automatically switches to the previously loaded setting. Compared to our attempt without the starting mode, the car thus gains 0.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, most of them off the line, and allows for a more usable first gear. During the race, the power distribution is automatically optimised on all four wheels depending on the information that the car collects".

Suvchenko continues with a few things about aerodynamics and the chassis. Once he is done, there is a long speech by Jarlund, laying out goals and landmarks for the SVJ Racing project, none of them too interesting - except maybe the announcement of "work being done towards a WGPC team from Savojarna". Following a short speech of Arlund, the man on the left gets the attention of the people. Arlund captures the audience with a simple sentence: "We have already signed our number one driver and are proud to present Roman Arjenko in the cockpit of the SVJ-01".

The room falls dark and behind him, the screens light up along with some music. Highlights and some interviews with the young Russican are shown. The Savojar Youth Championship. A WGP3-spec car in the white and blue livery of the Savojar Development Program is dueling with the flaming red and black car of the Thorsborgs Technik works team, piloted by the guest driver of the race, Sigur Bjarnason. In the final S of Yarkovo, Arjenko passed his more experienced opponent on the brake, winning the title and probably the cockpit. In the end, it shows a message of the man on the far left of the podium, spoken in Savojar Russian and subtitled in English and Savojarsk: "I am Roman Arjenko. I am the number one driver of SVJ Racing. I am here to win the WGP2. Watch out for me". The lights go back on and the room falls into a polite applause as Arjenko gets up and bows to the crowd. The floor now opens to questions.

"Is there already any knowledge about the second driver?"

Jussi answers immediately: "SVJ Racing is in contact with multiple drivers, among them development drivers that showed talent. We will hold trials and aim to fill the second seat before the final test session before the season".

"What are the project's goals for the first season?"

Calle Jarlund: "SARA is aware of the difficulties of setting up such a team, and working together with three institutions. Test runs have been promising, and we will always aim for victory. But the official goal is to establish ourselves on the circuit, aiming for a top ten place in the championship and a top four in the constructor's championship as well as pushing Roman to a next level".

"The SVJ-01 seems to be largely inferior on paper to EVolution's car. How do you intend to contend with them?"

Suvchenko answers this question: "In terms of raw power, EVolution seems to be stronger indeed. But the strength of SVJ is our high-tech control over our car. The computer system should get the optimum from our car, giving us an edge. Additionally, the SVJ-01 is overall noticeably lighter with a weight of 718 kg, without driver and fuel. This is more than some of our competitors, but we believe to have an ideal point between power and weight". Arlund adds: "The profile of SVJ should be better suited to the versatility of tracks, and we hope, of course, to attract the best drivers available and win through skill and strategy".

Following the conference, the car turns around Yarkovo for the photographers before the journalists turn to a light informal drinks-and-small-foods event; and Krister and Jussi turn to the pool of drivers trying to fill the other SVJ Racing seat.

[Vangaziland]

Jessica sat in her air conditioned office with Karli Schmitt. A large smart TV took up much of the wall alongside the table. On it, Jessica stood alongside the VM33 chassis. The light reflected off the glossy indigo, red and black paint. She had been asked to clarify an earlier statement she gave a few days ago.. In it, some may have seen her comments as attacking EVRT2 or their T4440 chassis.

"I was not criticizing the chassis or saying I don't believe the numbers", Jessica said to the camera. "I'm just looking at how it will relate to a typical motor." In her time as driver and principal, Jessica has become familiar with the basic way a WGPC engine works.

"Let's examine engines in the WGPC and similar leagues of open wheeled racers, like T1. Those engines are usually high horsepower and low torque. For example, a question I would ask is 'what RPM do the engines make 4400 lb ft at?' The reason I would ask that is because racing engines in this type of car are usually high RPM. High torque comes at low RPM. So does it make its highest torque at 4000 rpm? The max RPM for many open wheelers is somewhere around 15,000 RPM. That's way different than a street car. Street cars can make their highest torque at 4000, 5000, 6000. Not open wheeled racers. That is cutting your powerband in half, which is the actual spread of torque across the acceleration range."

Jessica went on to continue. Although there was somebody interviewing her, it was more of a statement than the typical back and forth interview. This wasn't made for any network, but for VMR's company website.

"Electric cars can make lots of horsepower", she added. "811 horsepower is a realistic figure for an open-wheeler. It's also possible to make more horsepower than that from an electric motor. Let's look at the fastest electric streetcar, the NIO EP9. It makes over 1300 horsepower. I've seen numerous reports of how much torque that vehicle makes. One says over 4000. One test shows it actually made 1092 lb ft. Another figure listed is over 1400. The real question here is at which RPM band does peak torque arrive. One said 4000 RPM. Another said up to 7500 RPM."

She paused, not really comfortable with all the numbers she had to research for this.

"What does this precedent show us? It shows that companies can claim high torque, but tests show it makes less. It also shows that the engine's max torque comes at a lower RPM than most open wheeled racers. Now, like I said. I have faith in their numbers, that their engine can make that at maximum. It's just very different from a typical WGP2 car. Having all that torque is not necessarily better. A typical engine with the usual horsepower and torque numbers will have just as good of a chance, if not better."

She moved on to speak of the VM33. "Our car is making much less torque. Even the car that won me the WGPC 16 driver's championship made less than 400 lb ft at its peak. And that doesn't mean 375 or 380. Much less than 400 lb ft. Now speaking of the WGPC and the WGP2. A spokesman for their company said they expect to do even more in the WGPC. That's a great goal, but it doesn't address the concern I brought up. The limits of the WGP2 aren't meant to just keep a company from running at their peak. They are meant to keep the playing field level. This is not the top tier. I fail to see how a car with such a quick 0-60 time and 10x the amount of torque as a winning top tier car qualifies as second level spec. Of course, our gear ratios are not tuned for 0-60. Higher end acceleration comes more into play. The figures also change based on the spacing of our gears at any given track."

With a smile, Jess added. "I chalk all this up as differences between the electric and gasoline engines. Those engines may have to work extra hard to keep up, so I promise... There will be no advantage just because of EVRT2's engines. The lack of high RPM will have an effect over the season. I don't want to hear that the T-4440 also has high RPMs, because that is simply not how engines work. I'd expect max RPM to be between 4000-7500 RPM. What I gather from the engines of their car is that it needs to make so much torque, just to keep up with a typical engine. The car will still be a threat to win races, like any other car. Torque has never been the formula for success in open wheeled racing though. I will admit that the NIO EP9 is a formidable street car and I can see how that can translate into open wheeling. Still, 4400 lb ft is closer to a diesel locomotive than a race car."

Jessica finally spoke on the VM33 and it's stats. "Vannish Motors Racing has no plans to reveal our performance stats or engine specs. I've hinted that we have under 400 lb ft of torque, made at well over 12,000 RPM. Probably closer to 15,000. Our horsepower figures are about average for the WGP2 lineup. We aren't releasing our figures because at some point it becomes a number wank. If we said we made 650 hp, another company would report that they make 711. If we said we made 720 hp, another company would report that they make 800. Then 1000, then 1200. This is tier two. No engine is at its max."

The driver seemed so caught up in the engine that the interviewer changed the subject. "What would you say about a rivalry with EVRT2?"

"This isn't about a rivalry, more like a clarification. If they'd like to see us as rivals, they can. Our company has been known for our even tempered responses, on and off the track. Well, maybe more so on the track", she said laughing. "There won't be hostility or vitriol on our part, not even to the teams which hate us. Our nation, heck.. Our company even does business in Azadeshia. We have a VMR Team Store at the Maharaja Mall in Azadeshia. My WGPC 16 car and last years winning WGP2 car are on display there right now. I think the numbers I set out today clarify what I meant. Torque numbers can vary from initial reports to tests and actual figures. I've mentioned the tradeoff between high torque and high RPM. The conclusion is that the RPM factor will cause the car to fit in right alongside the rest of the pack. The EP9 shows an electric engine is capable of making such horsepower and torque. I also still wonder if so much torque is appropriate for tier 2 racing."

Jess turned off the TV screen and turned to Karli.

"That's pretty much it, before I get into PR stuff", she told Karli. "What did you think?"

"It really got into a lot of numbers. It might be confusing. What do you mean the torque numbers changed?" Karli asked.

"Look that car up online. The torque figure is never the same. The one that mentioned more than 4000 lb ft wasn't the most reliable article. The figures I saw from tests were closer to 1000. I don't know, I'm not an engineer, but that's what I looked up. It's just like I said in the first interview. I believe the car is capable of 4400 lb ft. I'm just not sure if that's what it will actually run on race day. The EP9 proves that was fair to say."

"That's a good bit of torque", Karli said. "I didn't know such small engines could make so much torque. I think your research speaks to the fact that the T-4440's engine is feasible and describes its pros and cons."

"I'm guessing if there are two, each engine is about as powerful as a v8. I say that because I keep thinking of a huge diesel locomotive that makes 6000 lb ft of torque", replied Jess. "It has a V16. Torque is better for pulling than racing. So basically the EVRT2 could pull every WGP2 car and a literal caboose around the track at probably 80 plus mph."

Karli let out a high pitched giggle of blonde laughter. When she finally calmed down, she queried, "Any news on the driver front? Who's on your radar?"

"Well I was hoping to see more from certain drivers. I want to see how each individual is preparing. Some of the ones we're interested in seem awfully quiet right now. That's just not what we're looking for. It's early, we'll wait a few days."

"I heard Ade isn't getting any calls", Karli added. "He hasn't been the most active. But still. One would have to think he's going to have a solid season."

"A lot of teams swear they know that VMR will sign him", Jessica said. "They did the same with Jang last year. He put up over 90 points from a second driver's spot. The teams can do the math and see that, if they had signed Jang, they might have won the Constructors. MRT did without him. So even VMR can say that we may have won the Constructors' if we had Jang. Omni had him and didn't win, but Jang outscored the number 1 driver, by far. So now we're here again with Ade. Do we let him go? Right now we still kind of want to. But every day, we're becoming more likely to sign him. Especially when the names we've shown interest in have been silent."

"What will that mean for the WGPC though?" Karli looked quizzically at Jessica. After she spoke, she took a sip from a tall carboard cup of white chocolate mocha. She liked her coffee sweet and full of added flavor. Jess was more into black coffee.

"We'd hope to sign a big name driver. Again, the company hopes to go international. They'd hope to sign one of the star names. That could be hard to do with the whole 'first driver, second driver thing'. There is also still talk of giving Krupin another shot, though he's said he's not sure if he's coming back."

"I talked to Ade on the phone", Karli said. "He says teams don't seem to know he exists."

"They're probably sure VMR will sign him. At this point its not a guarantee. The last time I spoke to him, he said he was looking for the hungriest team to join. He wants a co-driver just as dedicated as he's come to expect. To be honest, he could do better at reaching out to a team. I guess he's just hoping to be courted, like we are. Probably foolish of us. We just want something active, not reactive."

The two soon left the meeting room and went to watch the engineers working on the car. They were conducting an engine test in one of the bays below. Reliability was one of the team's goals. They did not want a repeat of the problems that plagued the VM222, causing multiple DNFs for both WGPC cars. The company has worked overtime on the new engine and chassis. The first preseason test is rapidly approaching.

[West-East Timor]

Katoa Racing Headquarters, Baranburg, West-East Timor

Parvin Langer, main designer Erik Keen, the race engineers Kamil Waller and Santiago Darzi, as well as Nick Newman had met at the Katoa Racing Headquarters in Baranburg.

"So", Langer started, "welcome, uh, here. I have gathered you here to catch up with recent developments and hear your opinions on certain matters. First, how is the car doing."

"The car is finished, of course", Keen said.

"Sure, but, can it win?"

"You know that these things are impossible to say before the season even started. All we can do for now is comparing to what we know about the other teams's cars."

"Well, the EVolution car has made quite some headlines. It seems to be impressive. 811 hp... but electric."

"Because electric. Electric cars can be fast. And these 811 hp are what they claim, nobody knows if it's true. It probably is, I don't see why they should be lying. However, I am not more worried about them than about any other team. I ensure you, they won't be unbeatable and dominating the entire season."

"If you say so."

"All I can tell you is that we have built the best car we can under all regulations. We have a highly skilled team, you could say, the best engineers West-East Timore has to offer. The car won't disappoint you."

"You seem quite confident about that."

"Perhaps I am."

"Well if that's the case... let's get to some other. We most likely won't have any financial issues..."

...thanks to me", Nick Newman said.

"Thanks to Mr. Newman."

"Always glad to support West-East Timorian sports teams in international competitions. Which I do a lot. Maybe too much. But continue."

"Yes. Well. Drivers. We still need our second driver. I had planned to invite some drivers to a test, to see who handles our car best. Any suggestions?"

"Of course", Waller said. "My top candidate would be Ade Imoju, from Vangaziland."

"I think VMR are going to sign him, no? They also signed two Vannish drivers last year, I somehow expect them to do it again."

"That are merely rumours. Popular ones, certainly. But rumours nevertheless. We should just invite him, and see what he has to say."

"Alright then. Anyone else?"

"I think we should give Dom Falepeau a chance. He might have been not the best last season, but I still think he's a decent driver who might bring us some points."

"I'm a bit sceptic about Falepeau... but let's give him a chance at a test, shall we?"

"I would also suggest Jason Masami. He seems promising, however the... politics of his country might be a... minor issue, but... we can still invite him."

"I was thinking about Jannik Markner as well. Sure, having two West-East Timorian drivers is not necessarly my plan, but..."

"He's a decent driver for sure. I'd really like to see him drive our car if I'm honest. Let's invite him."

"Anyone else? Nothing? Alright, if there are no further issues to be discuseed, I shall now go and send out these invitations."

They all left the meeting room, and Langer went to his office and began typing invitations.

From: langer.parvin@wetmail.wet
To: Ade Imoju, Dom Falepeau, Jason Masami, Jannik Markner
Subject: Katoa Racing Test Invitation

Dear driver,

I would like to invite you to test the new Omni Katoa Racing car at Pänkili Circuit, Pänkili, West-East Timor, on Saturday, August 4th. All drivers who are invited to this test are considered as a possible driver for Omni Katoa Racing for the upcoming WGP2 season.

Sincerely,
Parvin Langer, Team Principal, Omni Katoa Racing

[Esmerel]

Vauxhall, Rosetta, Esmerel
Wednesday, 2018/01/08

After many, many hours of waiting, a white 2017 Obey 9F Cabrio pulled into the terminal at Alexander Arrios International Airport.

"You're late."

"You should thank me for arriving at all. Why come to the airport anyways?"

"Rebecca, time is of utmost importance. We need to get to the Wardship 2 days ago, and the fastest way there is via Strovoz International Airport. The fastest way there is a flight. Get out of the car. Plane's leaving in 20 minutes."

"Talia, can you settle down a little?"

"I will once we're on the plane. Come on!"

---

"Well, now we're on the plane. Feel better?"

"I... yes, thank you for asking. So, about the details. Nexus has decided that they're happy with you and wish for you to remain with them for another year."

"An obvious yes. You told them that already, right?"

"I do believe so. Now, about your new teammate. They're thinking about signing Janne Laukkanen, of Aboveland, to drive alongside you."

"Never heard of them."

"You never hear of anything. Anyways, Laukkanen is very good with his technique, as well as his reliability. He isn't as good as you are with raw speed, though, which is why they're looking at signing him. Good balance of drivers."

"I must say that you aren't wrong. The car is nice, right? And I guess we can stop worrying about the tyres, since very team is using Petrovi. Even footing."

"As last year's car was, it's mostly a prototype for the UHSGV-3, which, whenever it's ready, will be used in WGPC17. I do hope that a bit more effort was put into the car for the second tier competition. That's important too."

"I mean, they put in effort last year, right? I did win a race."

"It was at the track you had driven several times already, and so had Nexus. Home field advantage affected a lot of results back then, at least according to the analysts."

"True. But, in the end, we won't be backing down at any point. Right?"

"That is correct, Rebecca. Now, if I believe correctly, we'll be arriving at SZIA in about 20 minutes. Nexus should be there for pickup."

"I'd assume they're already there, if not for the last few hours."

"Or days. Next summer, try not to get lost in America."

"I wasn't lost."

"Well, don't be 30 hours from home the moment negotiations begin next time."

"Alright. That's fair."

[Lisander]

Superia Juniors Base, Brax.

Lemos almost threw the notebook at the wall when he saw the news. Laukkanen invited by Nexus. And the list of available drivers was shrinking...

"Fuck! That way I can't get anything!!! LAB is breaking my legs with all these assessments and analyzes, once more. It's no use taking a vacation and clearing my mind when I have this kind of dweebs as work partners!"

Lemos picked up his cell phone on the glass table, where the Bitten Heroes logo could be seen. He opened the messaging app, took a deep breath, and began to rattle with the device.

"Again, Ader ... WE TOOK TOO LONG! This is the same LAB's mistake, AGAIN AND AGAIN! We can not take too long to offer the contracts! It was like that with WET, it was like Terfel, it was like that with Lourdina! And we ended up burning two talents! I can't go on like this. If we do nothing, once again we have to take someone out of the Alpha League! We can not have an immature driver again! We lost Santos, our passport to a team without language barrier, and now we probably lost Laukkanen too. Sometimes I think why I still turn back to LAB? You always screw up, damn it!"

Some clicks here and there and the voice message was sent to LAB President, Damian Ader. Lemos put the cellphone on the desk again, and went to the fridge to get a bottle of water. He needed to find a way to turn the tables, or who knows what he would have to face during the season. It was only a month before his birthday, at the end of August. He would be twenty-six already. He was beginning to feel old. When he returned to the sofa, he noticed that voicemail had been answered with another voice message. Clicked and listened:

"Because we have the government support is a nice answer..." the man at the other side of the line stopped and sighed in the microphone, making an unpleasant noise. "Ok, Juliano. Go ahead. I already knew you would say that. We take too much time to analyze resources, and part of this is my fault, indeed. Go ahead and make your offer. It's hard now. It's against one of the bigger ones. Probably too late now, but we have nothing to lose. We came in and kicked the door. We got the sponsorships we could, we did not even have the car ready until three weeks ago. If TRÆ comes, bro ... It's going to be huge! But will be entirely in your hands. If not, You don't need to do nothing, just wait and I'll find a decent partner for you. Go ahead, do what you need."


Lemos went back to the notebook and opened the email. After a few minutes, there was his ultimate attempt to get a driver. If that did not work out, he wouldn't probably rely on Ader and LAB for anything in life. Nevermore.

From: lemos@bittenheroes.ls
To: talvelat@trae.co.ab
cc: e.pekka@talvelasport.co.ab, Janne Laukkanen
Subject: Maybe is not the best proposal, but is worth a shot.

Mr. Talvela (and Mrs. Laukkanen, Mr. Pekkanen),

On behalf of Superia Junior Team and Lisander Autosports Board, I was awarded Carte Blanche to offer you this proposal, much possibly the only one that will be made by me.

Our team is interested in count with your experience, all of you three, with Janne Laukkanen as driver. On my own behalf, I may also offer the first seat, there's no problem to me being second. It is no secret the admiration and respect I cherish for the history of Talvela, so it is no less obvious the interest in having his successor in the WGPC running by my side. Our car, I believe, is not inferior to the "favorite" VMR and Nexus ones. Our specs have already been made public. Anyway, our base is open for TRÆ, to make any possible modifications in the car, in case of joining us. This freedom we can offer is our differential.

Superia Juniors is the de facto Junior team for Bitten Heroes. In fact, Superia Juniors has been established to provide the foundations for a new Bitten Heroes(due to some judicial and commercial issues, the name is still under the control of Maud Formula Team). Our team is also glad to accept any sponsor that Laukkanen may bring, and add it to our livery. We have no secrecy, it makes no sense to hide anything if we are building a new structure, where there is nothing to hide.

I'll be waiting a response. If accepting, please send in your terms to negotiate.

Best Regards,

Juliano Lemos
Bitten Heroes Grand Prix Engineering, Lead Driver

When the e-mail was finally sent, Lemos plugged the notebook into the power cord and went to the balcony. It was not so cold that it needed a blanket, and the breeze was gentle, so he lay on the Hammock bed he had brought from Cap Navarre. He would not go home that night. He needed to air the ideas. Apparently it would not be an easy season once again.

[Togonistan]

02.08.2018 1:12 pm
Hwoarang Racing Circuit
Hwoarang, Togonistan

Weather in Hwoarang was hot and humid, with temperatures reaching a little bit above 30 degrees celsius. Jared Toelau was leaning against the wall of pit garage number 12, eagerly waiting for Predofski's arrival. Tanielu Felafa had personally went to the airport the day before to greet the young Maryloupin. They had housed him in one of Kaylan Racing's sleeping quarters at their main building, as Felafa had thought it might be good for Max to blend in a bit with the team instead of housing him in a hotel, away from all the inside stuff. This morning had started for them with a breakfast and a house tour in the HQ, before getting into a car around midday to start their journey to Hwoarang, which was about one hour drive away from the team's HQ in Tushlark.

However, things had not been so much fun for Jared, who had been at Hwoarang since the early morning with his team of engineers to set up their test car for Predofski. He looked at his watch for the third time in the past 10 minutes and sighed, when just a moment later, a car decorated in Kaylan Racing Team's colors turned into the backyard. It stopped, and Tanielu stepped out with Predofski as Jared went to greet them.

''Greetings Mr. Predofski, Mr. Felafa,'' said Jared as he shook hands with the arrivals. ''Hi Jared, is the car ready for Mr. Predofski?'' asked Tanielu, as he started moving towards the garage. ''Yup, she's all set and ready to drive,'' Jared replied.

The trio entered garage and were greeted by a small group of mechanics and other pit lane people. In the middle of them, Kaylan Racing's WGP2 test car was parked, ready to be driven by Predofski. The car had the usual Kaylan color scheme of orange, green and black, but there were no sponsorship logos nor any other markings on it. Jared coughed and started speaking again:''Mr. Predofski, allow me to present you, this is our official test car. It runs the exact same setup as the cars we will be using for our upcoming WGP2 season. Please, feel free to take a look at it.'' Felafa, having given a few moments for Predofski to take a closer look at the vehicle, said: ''Mr. Predofski, I really don't want to rush you but we are a bit tight on schedule right now, so when you're ready, feel free to go and suit yourself up. We'd like to start with formation laps as soon as the clock hits half.'' Felafa pointed at the little door at the back of the garage, which led to team's changing room.


As few minutes had passed and the team had helped Max take a seat in the car, Jared leaned towards him: ''Alright, listen up. You'll have 10 laps around the circuit to get used to the car and the track. During these laps, you can pit in any time you wish to let us make any modifications to the car's settings, whether it be to tweak downforce, change tyres or anything else. After that, you'll have 15 flying laps to give your best. Our test driver managed to record his best lap time of 1:43.107, we're expecting you to do better than that. Good luck.'' Jared pat on Max's helmet a few times as a sign of good luck before sending him out of the pits. Now it was all up to Predofski to show them his best. Felafa and Toelau kept a close eye on him through the monitors in pit garage, making a few comments about his driving style here and there. Eventually, having gone through all the formation laps as well as recorded ones, the screen displayed following lap times:

Lap 1: 1:21.255
Lap 2: 1:25.385
Lap 3: 1:19.182
Lap 4: 1:21.855
Lap 5: 1:24.559
Lap 6: 1:21.427
Lap 7: 1:22.443
Lap 8: 1:22.368
Lap 9: 1:20.530
Lap 10: 1:19.367
Lap 11: 1:24.158
Lap 12: 1:27.352
Lap 13: 1:25.071
Lap 14: 1:20.558
Lap 15: 1:27.072

''You know what,'' Felafa said, ''I think we got the man we need right there. Some of these lap times are quite impressive, and I certainly believe there is room for improvement. What you think, Jared?'' Jared Toelau scratched his head, before replying: ''Yeah, his best lap was about a second slower than Jannik Markner during last year's Hwoarang GP qualification, and considering he just had 10 laps to warm himself up, I believe it is a decent result indeed.''

As Predofski returned to the pits and got out of the car, Tanielu Felafa took out his tablet which he carried with him pretty much every time he left the office. Felafa walked to Max. ''Well, that was some great driving you did out there. I don't say this often but, honestly, I see some potential in you. It's too early to make any conclusions based on a single test drive, but who knows, maybe you're a future WGPC material. Anyways, we would like to give you a chance.'' He smiled and, having swiped his finger on the tablet screen a few times, gave it to Predofski. ''Take your time to read through it, and tell me what you think.'' On the screen, there was a contract offer to Max Predofski to be Driver #1 for Kaylan Racing Team during WGP2 Season 2.

[Esmerel]

ESSC NEWS

OBEY CONFIRMS WGP2 DRIVER LINEUP

Written by Sarah Farland, 2018/02/08

As the race to claim drivers in the upcoming WGP2 season continues, more teams are making their respective statements on who would be driving in their cars.

Well, just now, Obey has released a press statement concerning their driver lineup.

Obey is proud to announce the signing of Ekaterina Julic as First Driver and Jason Masami as Second Driver for Brutus Obey Sport GP.

Along with the press statement, Obey released images of the team's cars- critics and fans were very quick to point out the noticeable additions in color, as well as general improvements in quality. Whether the car will actually be fast out on track is so far, another question entirely, but Obey has at least acknowledged that. "Yes, we cannot confirm if it is the best car on the grid, but we can say it is a vast improvement on last year's car," they have said.






Pre-season testing in Eastfield Lodge begins on August 8. Further news will continue to be released by ESSC. Follow us on social media to get the updates as soon as they release.

[Main Nation Ministry]

Chapter 2: Crooked Road Ahead

Jason Masami opened his motel door to get some fresh air, where the sounds of small kids in the pool were starting to annoy him. The sun was shining directly onto his face, as some readings from the Universalized Occult of the Many Moons has sorta gotten some hope into him. He needed to stay optimistic after all. While hauling his bags to the motel office to check out, he calls for an electric cab to take him to the airfield, as he needed to get there early, as the security tends to be a bit of a hassle. No criticism towards the Leader, that is which Jason Masami made sure to think into his mind.

After getting his bags through security, where an officer searched the interior of his bags and had him go through some detectors. Getting on his plane, he proceeded to have myself be in ease, as the plane took off. "So let's see.. It's going to be tomorrow, so I need to get my phone ready." Jason thought, as he was checking his phone, which was in airplane mode. "Actually, what's on The Truth News? Been a while." Jason pulled up an online news app, which a headline was booming on his screen. "Tremain Spoonts Arrested On Suspicion For Emblezzing". The headline was screaming at him to get his attention. Jason Masami didn't follow up on Tremain Spoonts, though he did know he was part of the Pro-Flesh party after the Rot Virus got out. Even after the Rot Virus was taken care of, some candidates were lingering that started to disappear from the public.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we will now pass through a rift in the multiverse. We remind you brace for turbulence." the pilot said through the intercom, as the plane began to shake while traveling at a speed that many would consider impossible. However, this was completely normal when it comes to traveling through the multi-verse. After exiting the rift, Jason peered out of his window to see Esmerel. He got to admit, it looked like a peaceful coastal region. After the plane touched down, he switched his phone back from airplane mode and started to head off through the jet bridge.

[Aboveland]

Runs are good. They weren't, however, always held in high regard. In Janne's school years, before homeschooling and crosskart became his priority over his regular life of tedium, he detested running. It was tiring, and meaningless, and gave him too much time to think. His peers loved a good run, loved to one-up each other over who could reach the finish first, who was the strongest, wildest, quickest, bestest runner of them all. A senseless competition to Janne, who was always out of breath, never in the mood for one last hustle; much more at ease sitting on the sidelines, picking at the blades of grass beneath his feet, often alone before recess reunited him with his girlfriends, occasionally with another similarly calm-minded soul such as his own, with which he could discuss rallies and racing idols and what he was planning on doing on the weekends.

On the days where his non-running buddy was gone, though, recess couldn't come soon enough. The strain on his breathing was only part of the reason for the runs taking their toll: Janne just couldn't cope with loneliness. It wouldn't take too long of an awkward silence with his inner voice for it to start wildly flying about. Intrusive thoughts flooded his mind, asking questions he'd never know the answers to, teasing things he couldn't have imagined, discovering long lost garments buried under mountains of fluff and guff he'd accumulated, usually voluntarily, which evoked feelings he didn't desire. Runs were too silent and monotonous to for Janne, the unstable red giant of his imagination caving in on itself far more catastrophically than he could imagine. Runs, and walks, and saunas, and meditation rooms, and all the sinister ghouls they displayed, Janne's fear of the silence was too great.

But today, his run was pleasant. The suave beats flowing through his earbuds were enough to just rustle his mind, keeping it tranquil and focused, the skim of his soles on the concrete rhythmic, the bob of the cable around his neck steady, the warm summer breeze running gentle drips of sweat down his forehead. This run, like his last few runs, was astonishingly relaxing, his head focused on making it around the last bend before the sidewalk stretch back to his flat.

Yet an unexpected, shrill notification twang ruptures his nirvana, and Janne stumbles for a couple more steps before regaining his composure. He isn't annoyed, though, as the twang is particular to his inbox, and the only current use for his e-mail inbox is for racing related matters. He walks clumsily, aching dully from the jog, towards the first bench in his sight, parked before the panoramic view of the bay, the sunset cutting through distant birches to grace his face.

He pulls up his email to three messages from Edvin, two forwards and a regular message, subject line reading " Contract Negotiation". The body emphasized brevity over flamboyance, the gist clear: come to Lintulahti, we'll have dinner and talk about the contract, don't come in your lousy off-day streetwear, we're going someplace nice. 'Okay, lovely;' Janne locks his phone, pushing on his knees to his feet, walking down the hallway to the front door of his apartment complex, ready to take the elevator to his room for a snappy shower, the flutter of his heart filling the silence of the walk home in his head, his ideas a jumble of happy, hopeful thoughts.

***

The restaurant was almost comically dim, the menus backlit against the silly, exaggerated penumbra. Once the hushed complaints over the ambiance de merde circulated profusely over the table for three, and the men had ordered their meals, did the racing talk begin.

“Right, so,” Terho began, behaving much more professionally, and characteristically, than last time they’d met. “Edvin and I were originally worried at the lack of external interest in you, I must admit, but the last few teams in coming out with their plans for the year were quite excited to have you as an option. Obviously, we have Nexus Racing as our priority; they were kind enough to support a campaign with you from the very start, and regardless of how you feel about their cars packed with unfathomable amounts of technology and driver aids we can’t begin to comprehend, or their debutant, flunked WGP2 campaign, they’re a valuable choice. As a TRÆ sponsored driver, however, we kinda want to learn something from the teams you drive with, and though Nexus is a model squadron, we’re not too sure they’d be willing to spill the beans on anything at all we could adopt, team structure-wise. The biggest thing they’ve got going for them is how amazing Nimbans are, extremely easy going and peaceful, particularly intelligent, and always up to a challenge.”

“From the outside, at least,” Edvin adds. “Not that they’re not, just saying it’s what we,” he continues, waving a finger between him and Terho, “think as third parties”.

“The other two options are SVJ Racing, from Savojarna, and Superia Junior Team. The Savojars are lovely people, and we could really learn something for TRÆ, but like their Lisanderian counterparts they’re a debuting team without the Nimban edge. Their car isn’t as balanced, either.”

“When it comes to Superia, well…” Terho leans in over the glass chalices between him and his apprentice, whispering in an even lower tone than before, Edvin popping an ear in with a raised eyebrow in concern. “I feel for Juliano Lemos. He’s taken the step down after a torrid WGPC season in a car from a team riddled with debt and legal troubles and the like. I’m hoping they can surprise the field this year, but I doubt it.” He leans back away to conclude. “Their spectacular WGPC15 season could still be a dormant silver lining in their team, and we could potentially come away with some valuable tips for next year, but it’s the most unlikely, outlandish choice.”

Janne needed but a moment to think it through. Edvin quickly passed him his phone, showing Nimban messages from months earlier, predictably influencing the youngster’s decision. Despite the biased nudge, the team seemed a very good candidate, and from Janne’s own time at the WGPC circus, he could recall being as impressed by the whole atmosphere around the Nexus paddock. He’d heard the car was stunning to drive, knew how advanced the machines were, and greatly appreciated the very early interest the team had shown. To him, the decision was almost a no brainer.

Go ahead and ring up Nexus Racing. Tell them Janne signs for them as their number 2.

[Maryloupe]

2nd August 2018, 2:34 p.m.
Hwoarang Racing Circuit, Hwoarang, Togonistan

Max was in Togonistan. He stayed in the team HQ for one day. It was awesome.The next day, he woke up and ate a hearty breakfast. He then went for a HQ house tour. Then Mr Felafa then rushed him into his car.
“Quick. We mustn’t be late,” he said. When they reached the circuit, he was introduced to some people working for Kaylan Racing Team. He then was rushed to the garage where he popped into the car. Then he set off.
On his first lap, he was nervous. Would he be accepted? After the first lap, Mr Toelau, supposedly the engineer, said through the radio,”Good job. That was a decent lap.
On the fourth lap, Max’s hand felt a tad slippery. Nonetheless, he still completed the lap, which was his fastest.
After he had completed all the laps, Mr Felafa handed him a tablet. A new contract.
"Yes. I accept," Max said. He'd never had a chance to speak. so he took this time to do it.
MAX SIGNS CONTRACT TO BE 1ST DRIVER OF KAYLAN RACING




P.S.:DO NOT LOOK AT THE SPOILER

You failed. This is Max drinking cofee by the way.

[North Prarie]

(Blue=Rob, Gold=Sam)


"DAMNIT, SAM!"

"Oh, no"

"You haven't heard the news, have you? Janne Laukannen and Rebecca Darlington both signed for Nexus."

"Nexus? My god."

"This is what happens when you're slow off your ass. The good teams swipe up the drivers we've already offered trials to. And that's the other thing. Why in the hell would you offer them a TRIAL? Pick one and get it over with. "

"So, I assume i'm supposed to find drivers now?"

"Damn right you're supposed to find drivers now. Get typing."

Luckily, Sam still had scouting reports from the scouts based in the countries who were sending drivers, watching every driver race in a corner bleacher seat. He picked one, and sent out this email......

To: Ade Imoju
From: Sam Ashton (samashton@pompeii.com)

Hey Ade.

I'm Sam Ashton, Head of Recruiting Operations for Pompeii Motorsports, a new WGP2 team this season out of North Prarie. We'd like to offer you the #2 spot for this season, with an option to extend into our debut WGPC season as well. If you accept, we'll fly you out to our headquarters in Highland, North Prarie, where you can sign the contract, meet your teammate and pit crew, and have a few test runs in our car.
I wish you luck for this season, whether you sign with us or not.
Best,
Sam

If this driver didn't go, my god, Pompeii would have a rough time on their hands...

[Vangaziland]

Ade Imoju was told Jessica Franssen mentioned him in a press release. The preseason had been quiet for him up until two hours after that speech. It was almost sounding like Vannish Motors was getting ready to sign him. Jessica seemed to want to anyway. Before she did, two messages came in. A third would reach him some time later. He hadn't responded right away to the offer from Katoa or the mysterious second team before the third offer from Pompeii Motorsports arrived in his inbox.

"This is more like it", Ade said to himself. "I could make something happen for any of these teams. Decisions, decisions."

From: 2ndPlaceGT2@vandersend.vng
To: langer.parvin@wetmail.wet
Subject: Test Accepted

Thank you very much for your offer of a test drive at Pänkili Circuit. It would be an honor and a pleasure to attend the event. I look forward to learning how the car drives and am strongly considering driving for your team. In the time since you sent this message, two other teams have shown interest. I will have to let them know that I am considering your offer first for the simple fact that you reached out first. Both teams also seem to have potential for success and the choice is very difficult. I respect your program highly and believe we can accomplish great things together.

I also understand the predecessor to your company in Omni Racing has worked with one of my countrymen on the WGPC level. I'd be glad to follow his lead and see what I can do in your machine. He had a great season running with your company and had a shot at the driver's title. I think your car would suit me well.

Feel free to choose whichever driver you feel suits your car the best. If I do not find a drive at Katoa, there will be other seats for me. If that happens to be me, then I will give you the first shot at signing me. Thanks for the opportunity.

-Ade Imoju

The driver hit send. He had talked to the second team over the phone and told them about the email from Katoa. Ade wouldn't mind driving for the second team either. He knew they were a company with a great chance to quickly become one of the field's favorites. He knew they had smart management and could put together a great driver roster. He was grateful for their offer. Ade told the company about the test drive and the fact that he'd listen to the first offer out of respect. The second email came in soon after the first too. Ade was keeping a low profile on that company's name to provide them with tactical anonymity.

Since Ade was still technically on VMR's roster as a GT2 driver, he had connections to Vannish Motors. He would mention the second company to VMR executives. Something may happen in the WGPC because of this, though its too early to say. Of course, running with Katoa after Jang ran with Omni might strengthen ties between those two companies. With Jang Xiaopeng having Omni experience himself, it may be hard for him to move if another Vangazi runs for the same team in the WGP2.

Rumor had it VMR had an invite pending for Jannik Markner, also of West-East Timor.

Now Ade began to compose an email to the third company, Pompeii Motorsports.

From: 2ndPlaceGT2@vandermail.vng
To: samashton@pompeii.com

Thank you, especially for the offer of good luck. I wish you the best of luck as well. I see your team as one that will prove to be hard working over these next few months. I am considering a drive for your team, but you must know that two other teams have shown interest in me. I am going by a first come, first served basis as I believe it is the fair way to go. There is a chance the first team could sign one who tests faster. The second team may not wait on me and sign another quickly to fill the roster. In that case, I would be available.

This doesn't reflect the respect and trust I have in your team's ability to do well. It's just the way the batting order has lined up based on approach. Making the decision to deal with the first team first is not easy, as I wish I could drive for all three interested teams. Any driver out there would be wise to seek a drive with Pompeii. Perhaps the stars will align to send me there.

Thanks again for the offer and kind words.

-Ade Imoju

The GT2 driver had a sudden thought though. Even as he literally wrote the messages he didn't realize something until now. It looked like Katoa wanted to offer him a number two spot. He took out his phone and began texting the number of the official of the second mystery team.

10:17 AM: Hey, was that offer for a #1 driver's spot? If so I may have to strongly consider going with your team as an option. It would be a better opportunity and would be a reasonable decision. I've spoken to you about wanting to respect the first come, first serve policy of the first team's offer. In the end, I may have to go with the better situation. Best of luck to your team with staffing and eventually, racing. Maybe we can work something out. -Ade

Now Ade was really in the mood for cars and racing. Turning in his desk back to his computer, he pulled up the website to a Vannish car magazine. The first article that popped up made his jaw drop.

First Spy Shots of the Next Vannish Supercar


For those not in 'the know' of the car business, companies often camouflage new car models as they make their first test runs. A new car was spotted at the Vannish Motors test track earlier this week. This led Vannish Motors to release two shots of the car, badged in a black and white wrap. The company apparently has a sense of humor and went with a knit print for the black and white covering. The print does do an effective job at breaking up some of the cars angles and details. Vannish Motors likely wanted official photos of the car to hit the public, rather than the slapdash shots around the track.

The headlights are completely covered in black plastic. This leads me to speculate that more is going on under the covers. Are there multiple bulbs inside? LED lights? Are there even more interesting features? Only time will tell.

This new car, codenamed the GTX, looks smaller and lighter than the Ghost supercar. The reporter who saw the GTX testing on the track reported hearing a loud blow off valve. Many car analysts have speculated that this might be a twin turbo. Could VMR WGP2's move to a V8 have something to do with a new production twin-turbo V8? Sources say 'yes'.

"The GTX represents an exciting time for Vannish Motors", said Vanessa Hattieson, CEO. "This is the first supercar designed after our recent success in international motorsports. Knowledge from rallysports, stock cars, touring GT and open wheeled racing has been poured into this vehicle. We are looking at a new way to build a vehicle like the Ghost, while staying true to our original vision."

Vannish Motors is likely to announce the new vehicle within the next few months. The GTX is the top tier spec of the vehicle. Reports state a lower priced version of the coupe will be revealed first. It should be priced in the 80K - 110K range. The GT spec trim, shown in testing, will probably be upwards of 150K. It isn't certain exactly how close the pricing will compare to the 250K+ Ghost. This means days are likely limited for the track-raced Vannish supercar.

Expect Vannish Motors to start pushing the new car through the WGP2, with the first non-camoflauged photos set to reveal any day now.

One of VMR's GT2 drivers in Hodori spoke on test driving the new car. "It's quick like the Ghost, but its much more nimble." Kev Schorebrook was driver #3 on the VMR car that didn't have the success of Imoju and Schmitt. Kev also drove one of VMR's sponsored cars in the latest season of NSSCRA. "The sound of the turbocharger is really exciting. The motor revs high and is a blast around the track. Again, it is in the handling department where we really see improvements though. I am really excited about the release, myself. The car will be fun to drive on Vangaziland's fast highways."

A buzz has begun generating around the new vehicle. The company kept the program cloaked in secrecy, not even mentioning it during the WGPC. Last year, Vannish Motors also used the WGP2 to reveal the Hammerhead muscle car. Expect the GTX's V8 to be smaller and more efficient than the bruising engine of the shark.

Any guesses on the GTX's official name? Email your idea to editor@imperialcarandtrack.vng. If you're right, you may win a free subscription.

Happy Motoring!

[Lisander]

"What do you think?" Ader pointed to the image on the screen.

"You know Lemos will be pissed at you, do not you?" Meline Agrakian's voice sounded suspicious. "In addition to not being able to bring the driver he wanted, are you going to do public tests? Will you allow drivers to come and meet the car? Drivers who can eventually go to other teams? "

"Yeah, I know it's risky. But look who's talking, are not you the expert on leaving him pissed off? All those seasons on F3, Maud Vs. Camden ... "Damian Ader was relentless, playing the full weight of that conversation in the rivalry that Lemos and Agrakian had held for so long, from Kart to F3. Which did not make any sense.

"That was another time. When we competed against each other. Our collision routes eventually converge. I'm seriously watching this WGPC spot. And he's at WGPC. He has a place on any team he wants. He has prestige. The mess of LAB is complicating his life. And that's one more of LAB's mess. Do you really have a driver?" She glared at the older man with an inquiring look.

"Well ... I think I should even start refining the names. Who do you think I can count on? Jama'obo Pegasi? Laurence Lynds? "

"He would be good as he has experience at WGPC. Lynds would also be a great choice, thinking about his balance, but maybe he already signed with SinVal. Have you thought about Asaka Wongshi? It is a balanced type of driver, so Superia can finish in the middle of the table. You have to admit, with just that planning you don't go far ... It would be almost better you give up now, take this car to another team and take whatever you can for the return of Bitten Heroes. Have you thought about joining Pompeii?"

"You must be kidding. Besides this, no other suggestions?"

"Oh... Now you want to hear me? I have plenty of. Send emails. For all remaining drivers, if necessary. Put everyone against everyone. But do not screw it up again with a public test."

Well, if I have no other choice...

From: president@autosports.ls
To: Laurencia Lynds, Jannik Markner, Jama'obo Pegasi, Edward Baker, Asaka Wongshi
Subject: Final chance to join WGP2!

Greetings!

You have been regarded as a good driver by our team. We'd like to count on you for a Test in Superia Juniors' KS-02, in next July 5, at LAB Racing Park, Lisander.

Please answer this e-mail as quickly as you can, confirming your presence for us to manage hotels, flights and meals. Also, would be nice if any sponsorships you eventually can bring would be disclosed. We would be delighted to display it in our livery.

Waiting for a response, and sending best regards.

Damian Ader
Lisander Autosports Board

"Ready. But what if you do not get any answers?" Meline asked.

"Then I send an email to WGPO, registering you as the second driver."

"Now it's you who must be kidding."

[West-East Timor]

Weshaka, West-East Timor

Jannik was sitting at home, and checking his e-mails. He had received a new offer to a test drive, from Superia, alongside withe test offer by Katoa which he had yet to answer.

The rumours about VMR being interested in him were still going around. If these rumours should turn out to be true, it would be his primary choice. VMR are a title winning team in both WGP2 and WGPC, and driving for them might be the best chance he could ever get. However, there was no offer from them yet.

Superia was an... interesting team. They had ties to Bitten Heroes in WGPC, which might be a good opportunity for him. As well, he would have the chance to compete agains Juliano Lemos in an equal car, although Lemos' last season in WGPC was rather mediocre. Nevertheless, he'd take a seat at Superia over no seat at all any time.

Superia wanted sponsorships. Bernd Neumayer owned a company or two as far as Jannik was concerned, and he could surely convince him to sponsor him if necessary. That would have to be discussed later though.

He decided to write to Superia that he accepts the test offer.

From: jannikmarkner09@wetmail.wet
To: president@autosports.ls
Subject: RE: Final chance to join WGP2!

Dear Mr. Ader,

Thank you for your invitation. I wish to let you know that I will gladly accept it.

Should you decide to offer me a seat at your team, and should I decide to accept it, I might be able to bring in a sponsorship, however, this is no certainty yet.

Again, thank you for the invitation.

Best regards,
Jannik Markner

He hit sent, and looked for the e-mail Katoa had sent them.

He doubted Katoa would sign him. They already had confirmed Timo Jänkirinää as a driver, and he didn't think they'd want to sign two West-East Timorian drivers, which would be a decision he could understand.

Nevertheless, he decided to accept the test offer. Even if they won't sign him, it would still be interesting just to drive the car.

From: jannikmarkner09@wetmail.wet
To: langer.parvin@wetmail.wet
Subject: RE: Katoa Racing Test Invitation

Dear Mr. Langer,

I wish to let you know that I accept your offer to drive your car at a test at Pänkili Circuit.

Best regards,
Jannik Markner

[Vangaziland]

Jessica sat at her desk. Her work week had flown by. The team had been very busy with the car and events around the track. She even watched a new production car run tests at the South Stead facility. With time running out, she was ready to make an offer. She had eyed the field carefully. There were a lot of talented drivers.

Nexus seemed to have the most interesting line up of the season, so far. It appeared drivers from Aboveland and Esmerel were getting together.

"Oh, you sly sneaky foxes", she had said when she first noticed this. A grin spread from ear to ear as she imagined what the conversations were like behind the scenes. The move would make Terho Talvela and Jean Mercer-Daly proud. The entire motorsports world would be glad to see these two drivers working together, from the nations of such famous rivals. For Vannish Motors Racing, it was clear what this was. A coup. Nexus has convinced two very promising drivers to make a push for a constructors' title.

She had to hand it to Nexus. The move was clearly pre-planned. It was also likely a sign of things to come when the WGPC began anew. This was something which would have an impact on her own season. It was a good move for those two.

That meant that pressure was on for whoever signed with VMR. Speaking of which, she pulled up her email box. Time was of the essence. She couldn't afford to have her top prospect snatched away by another team.

From: jfran@vannishmotors.vng
To: jannikmarkner09@wetmail.wet
Subject: VMR Spot Available

Greetings,
As acting principal of the WGP2 team, I've had my eye on you as a driver from day one. Perhaps I have faith in your ability to stick through a season, even in case of adversity. It is that quality why I am offering you the second driver's spot on Vannish Motors Racing's WGP2 team. You will join a long list of talented drivers and expert staff. Our company is dedicated to motorsports excellence. I have faith that you share this spirit of competition and sportsmanship.

These are not easy times. Many talented drivers have already been signed. We see several teams with a strong case of fire in their eyes and bellies. They are out for blood. It may be ours they seek. Yours too, if you join us. We believe you have what it takes to help quell this rebellion and bring the titles home. The indigo and red will be your team, just as much as it was for Jang Xiaopeng, Gregori Krupin and even myself. Jessica Franssen.

I invite you out to South Stead, Vangaziland. You'll get to run laps around our track, meet with staff and share your concerns. There are no other drivers coming to this session. In fact, you may accept our offer in your reply to this message. The track session is for orientation purposes only. We hope to have you signed upon arrival.

Tell us of any help you might need to ensure your season is a success. You are invited to fly out at your earliest convenience. I look forward to working with you and helping to advance your career to the next level.

Best of luck this season,
Jessica J. Franssen

"There", she said after she hit send. Her fingers excitedly drummed a rapid beat on the desk. The thumping turned into a slam as she slapped her palm against the exotic wood of her desk. "I need some coffee now." In a blur, she got up and rushed over to the coffee pot. No! She'd go to the espresso machine.

"Karli?! I sent the email", she yelled as she galavanted down the hall.

[Togonistan]

03.08.2018 10:00 am
Lufa Drive 118
Tushlark, Togonistan

It was a late morning in Togonistan. Dom Falepeau opened his eyes as the sun was peeking in through the window, interrupting his sleep. Dom sighed and got himself up. With eyes still half closed, he walked to the kitchen and turned on his coffee machine. It was his first time during the whole week when he got the chance to wake up in his own bed, as he had recently been traveling around a lot. Dom looked at the counter top, which had a huge pile on it. It was the contents of Dom's physical mail box, which he had emptied last night and thrown to the first free space he found. He picked up a magazine that was on top of the pile and looked at it's first page.

On the front page, there was a picture of himself posing topless. It was a physical copy of that gossip magazine he had given an interview to about a week ago. Definitely a good stunt to improve his marketability, if only people would've paid that much respect to his driving as they did to his looks and relationship statuses. Dom threw the magazine away and picked up another piece of paper from the pile. This time, it was a letter from Menseke Epula, a manager running a TTRL team. Dom read through it quickly and nod. Yeah, looks like Epula would like to see him driving for his team the next season. Lovely. He did need a team, as his last year's contract with Junixwagen had ended, so he was basically a free agent again. Dom browsed through the rest of the pile quickly, but it seemed like everything else in there was nothing but advertisements and other useless stuff. Dom sighed and threw it all into a trashcan, after which he took his mug and filled it with some fresh coffee.

Having taken his mug with him, Dom moved to the living room and opened up his laptop in order to quickly check his e-mails. Big was his surprise as he saw a test invitation from Omni Katoa Racing, a team participating in this season's WGP2. Well, he did have a valid WGP2 driver's license still, so it probably wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. Dom put his mug away and typed a quick response:

From: dom.falepeau1@acemail.tn
To: langer.parvin@wetmail.wet
Topic: RE: Katoa Racing Test Invitation

Greetings

I'd be glad to test out your this season's WGP2 car.

All the best,
Dom Falepeau.

Dom took a look at the rest of his e-mails, but found nothing interesting. Yet, a moment later, his phone displayed a pop-up indicating he had received a message. He took his phone from the table and checked it out. It was from his agent.

Hey Dom,

Kaylan contacted me, they want you to test out a car they'll be using for WGP2 this season.

- Jax

Kaylan? Dom scratched his head. He had not represented the team for the past one and a half year, but they still seemed to try keeping some ties with him. Kaylan's WGP2 car? Were they really considering to offer him a driver spot? Dom took a deep breath and shook his head. Three opportunities to sign a team for the season, two of them from WGP2. Looks like the tides had just turned in his favor.

[West-East Timor]

Weshaka, West-East Timor

After he had replied to the Superia and Katoa e-mails, Jannik went out to some new pizzeria that had opened in weshaka which people were praising to be fantastic. When he arrived, a small group of people recognized him, and he agreed to take some pictures and give them an autograph.

He then sat down, and ordered a drink and a pizza. He was dissapointed by how mediocre the pizza was, in fact, and checked his phone when he was finished. To his surprise, he had gotten another e-mail, this time by... Jessica Franssen? Indeed, she was inviting him to Vangaziland to drive the VMR car.

"We hope to have you signed upon arrival...", he thought. "They... actually do want to sign me? F*ck yeah!"

He decided to go home, turn on his pc, and write his reply there, to not make any unnecessary typos.

From: jannikmarkner09@wetmail.wet
To: jfran@vannishmotors.vng
Subject: RE: VMR Spot Available

Greetings,

I wish to thank you for your invitation. I feel most honoured to be presented with the opportunity to drive for your team, and thus will gladly accept it.
I can ensure you that I will give all I can in every single race of the season, and you will not be dissapointed of me.

I would have the time to fly over to South Stead tomorrow already, if this is possible for you. I'm looking forward to driving your car and working with you and your team, in South STead and during the entire season.

Best regards,
Jannik Markner

Nervously, Jannik sent the reply. He still could not fully believe that he would get to drive for VMR, the championship defending team after all.

He remembered the Katoa and Superia tests he accepted to attend, and thought he should probably let them know that he will most likely not do so.

From: jannikmarkner09@wetmail.wet
To: langer.parvin@wetmail.wet, president@autosports.ls

Greetings,

As you know, I had accepted to attend the test drive you had offered me. Due to recent events, I am afraid I will not be able to attend that test.

Regards,
Jannik Markner

[Mattijana]

MRT HQ, Kopylov InternazionRing, Kranjagrad

Maria Jamasova could still taste the champagne.

Never had she celebrated a 7th place so much, but when Rustom Ibuna crossed the line in Audioslavia to secure MRT their maiden constructor's championship, she couldn't help but join the masses of team staff crammed up against the pit wall to see the Filindostani home.
The night after had been spent letting all the tension of a tough season's work loose. She had much fuzzier memories of after dark than during the day, but what she could recall had been quite enjoyable.
Now she was back in the office in Stavbe (building) 2 wrapping up some the season's admin. It was tedious work, but at least sending letters of congratulations to staff was better than having to sum up a difficult season.
She had just pinged an email to junior engineer-turned PR lady Lara Kasparova when the phone in front of her rang. It was an annoying earworm of a ringtone and if Maria had had the time or the patience to work out how the battered handset worked, she would have changed it. At least it made her answer more quickly.
A glance down at the screen told her that the number came from Petrovijanka. It was likely from the depths of the cold stone building the team owned in the capital. She picked up the phone.

"Ah Maria, Johan here from the Petrovijanka Office, how are you."

Johan Struna was the MRT team principal. What he was doing in the Petrovijanka office was anyone's guess given he spent half his time complaining about it.

"Hi Johan. I've just about recovered I think. The flight home was a struggle."

"Good good. I've just been at a meeting with Julian and the sports ministry lot and we've got an idea that might interest you..."

"I was wondering what you were doing down there. You hate that place. Do spill the beans."

"You're telling me. The place gives me shivers. Anyway, back to the point. The WGP2 gets going soon and I'm busy, so we thought that you would be the perfect person to take charge of a Mattijanan team."

"Sounds like I'm going to be busy. What's it called?"

"MRT2" replied Johan, knowing full well the response that was coming.

Maria sighed. "Top marks for imagination there. Couldn't you bigwigs come up with something better?"

"No" said Johan. "We thought our time would be better spent working out the technical details than coming up with a totally arbitrary group of letters."

"Have we not got PR people to do the naming for us? Surely we didn't burn up all our winnings on that one night?"

"Apparently not. Anyway, you going for it?"

"Absolutely, yeah. " Maria smiled. "Have we got drivers lined up?"

"Not yet. We thought we'd leave it up to you once we know more about the car style. There's a young Mattijanan called Ekatarina Julic that you might be interested in. She's a promising talent. Anyway, I'll send you more details from the meeting soon."

Maria had one last question.

"What are you doing if you're busy?"

"Ah, I thought you'd ask. I'm helping run the thing."

"God help us" she said jovially. "I'll speak to you soon."

---

Ekatarina Julic, meanwhile, had other ideas.

Of course she had grown up in Mattijana all her life and been a part of the MRT talent-spotting programme for a chunky proportion of it. Yes she would have the chance to race at a level much higher than anything she could get in her home country. Yes she should be grateful.

Yet Ekatarina Julic was not a driver that gelled particularly well with the precise, technical approach of MRT. She was a racer, she wanted to have to drag the car around each bend by the scruff of its neck and she wanted to be sitting in front of an engine that made her feel like she was going to be hurled out of her seat. The MRT, or indeed the MRT2, was not going to do that. Besides, it was the team's first season and they would be without much of the WGPC title-winning team. If she was going to make real waves, she thought, she would have to go elsewhere.

That was why, when a message from Esmerel's Brutus-Obey Sport arrived, she took an immediate interest.

The car had struggled the season before, but early reports from abroad suggested it was a massive improvement. They would be a solid choice and a more speed-focused outfit than MRT.

She went for it.

---

Although the news made life for Ekatarina very happy, for Maria and MRT, it was an annoying complication.
"That's a blow" said the team principal, delivering the understatement of the century.

Back up options were few and far between. The more established WGP2 teams had been quick to make signings and the new teams were left to scrap amongst the leftovers. Of course some of those leftovers might be very good talents.

"Dom Falepeau looks tidy. He looks to have outgrown his domestic series, not that it's the most developed... Good PR too, although gossip magazines aren't quite our thing. Don't let him anywhere near the purple printers."

The purple printers was the (polite) name for MattiGoss, the nation's main goss rag. It had been consistently rated the nation's second-least favourite publication for as long as anyone could remember, but seemed to survive on people reading it out of irony and adverts for hair extensions.

Of course, with it being MRT, things had been a little more thought-out. A team of scouts had been out to look at potential drivers as part of the WGPC team's network even before the plans for a foray into WGP2 had been conceived. Amongst back up options should Julic go elsewhere, Falepeau had come out well.

"I guess the best we can do is drop him a message." Maria continued.

To: Dom Falepeau, dom.falepeau1@acemail.tn
From: Maria Jamasova, mariajamasova@mrt.co.mj

Dear Mr Falepeau,

As part of our search for drivers for the upcoming WGP2 season, we would like to offer you the position of number 1 driver. Details of your prospective contract are enclosed.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Maria Jamasova, MRT2 team principal.

[Krainin]

Elker Parkway

Edward Baker is standing on a platform overlooking the track. He leans on a bar and looks at the track. In the distance, he hears the engines of the F1 cars. He sighs as he hears footsteps coming up the stairs behind him. He looks back to see his friend, Michael Everson.

"Hey, Ed. What are you doing up here?" asked Michael.

"Oh, you know. Looking out at the track, wishing I could race," says Ed as he motions towards the track. He stands up and walks towards Michael and leans on the bars facing towards the track. Michael leans on the bar next to him.

"Yea. I know how you feel. Get's harder and harder to get a ride."

"That's true. I just raced my final race of the season last week. I managed to get a 24th."

"Not bad, Ed, considering that you were racing for the worst team."

"Yea. Swine Racing is pretty bad." Edward chuckles. He gets up and walks towards the other side of the box. An F1 car passes by. He looks back at Michael. "Maybe I should just retire."

"What are you talking about, Ed?"

"Michael. It's obvious I'm not going to get a ride this season. Hell, I might not get a ride next season. I should just retire rather than getting my hopes up for nothing."

"Hey, Hey. I know it's hard. Now look, I wanted to talk to you about something. It's not concrete and you might not even get in it, but it's worth the shot."

"What is it?"

"It's an international racing league called the World Grand Prix Two or WGP2. It's drivers from multiple nations racing at tracks from select countries."

"That sounds pretty cool."

"Thought you would say that. I took the liberty in filling out your form, so your technically apart of it now."

"Why would you do that without my permission."

"I thought you would want to have some fun."

"Yea. Might as well.

To: president@autosports.ls
From: bakeredwards1976@islesmail.tki

Dear Mr. Adder,

I would gladly come to Lisander to take a test run for your number two seat. I currently don't have any sponsors and I probably won't be able to get any before the season starts. I hope this doesn't hinder my chances of getting the seat.

Sincerely,
Edward Baker

[West-East Timor]

Pänkili Circuit, Pänkili, West-East Timor

Parvin Langer had gathered the three drivers, Ade Imoju, Dom Falepeau, and Jason Masami, in the garage. Timo Jänkirinää, Erik Keen, Kamil Waller and Santiago Darzi were with them.

"Welcome, everyone, to Pänkili Circuit", he said.

"I'm Parvin Langer, team principal of Omni Katoa Racing, and these gentlemen are Erik Keen, our lead designer, Kamil Waller and Santiago Darzi, our race engineers, and Timo Jänkirinää, possibly your future teammate."

"I'm glad that you all could attend, even Mr. Masami, despite already being signed at Obey. Alright, let's not talk too much, shall we? We have three identical cars here, all three Omi Katoa K01, which our team will be using in the upcoming season of WGP2. We would like to see you drive in these. We will time your laps, but it won't matter too much. You can drive however much you like, and you can request any changes to the car you like."

He paused, thinking about what else there was to say.

"Mr. Imoju, Mr. Falepeau, of course one of you will most likely get an offer to join us at Omni Katoa for the season. Should our first choice decline the offer, for whatever reasons, the other one of you will get it. I think you all are very talented drivers, and I'm really looking forward to see you drive our cars."

The drivers were now allowed to drive their laps around Pänkili Circuit.

When they were finished, Parvin showed them the times without any further comments.

Best Times
 1 12 Ade Imoju           Omni Katoa Racing     	0:01:44.525	0:00:00.000
 2  5 Jason Masami        Omni Katoa Racing     	0:01:44.535	0:00:00.010
 3 19 Dom Falepeau        Omni Katoa Racing     	0:01:44.694	0:00:00.169

After they were offered some food, the drivers were allowed to leave, and Parvin, Timo, Erik, Kamil and Santiago sat together to discuss whom to sign. They came to a decision rather quickly, and Parvin sent an e-mail later that day.

From: langer.parvin@wetmail.wet
To: Ade Imoju
Subject: Contract Offer

Dear Mr. Imoju,

I would like to offer you a seat at Omni Katoa Racing, for the second season of WGP2.

You would have to drive one season for Omni Katoa Racing. We promise to treat you and your teammate, Timo Jänkirinää, equal with no de facto difference between first and second driver.

I think that you are a highly talented driver, and can greatly help us in our hunt for both the constructor's and driver's title, and I would like to see you in our car this season. Please reply to this message whether you accept the offer. I'm looking forward to hopefully work together with you, and wish you the best of luck this season, no matter what you decide for.

Sincerely,
Parvin Langer
Team Principal Omni Katoa Racing

[Vangaziland]

Timeline: The Day Before The Omni Test

Jessica reached for her phone when a notification arrived. It was Jannik. Not only did he agree to come out for a drive. He also committed to the team. This was good news. Jannik Markner had established himself as a competitive driver in the first season of the WGP2. Jessica sat around the conference room with Karli Schmitt and an engineer named Derrick Patterson.

"I just got word from Jannik", Jess said excitedly. "He committed."

"So that means Vannish Motors has signed Jannik Markner as driver number 2. We just need to mark the papers.", Derrick replied. "I tell you what, Jess. You pulled off a good signing."

"I remember watching the WGP2 last year", Karli added. "Do you remember how Jannik was one point behind first place going into the last race?"

"Of course we remember", Jessica said while laughing. "I was kind of like... The team principal. Our drivers had a big last race. Jannik ended up fifth behind Jenna Vandersen. If there were another two races, who knows if we would have beaten him."

"I heard Omni Katoa is interested in Ade", Karli said about her friend. "Jannik's success speaks highly of last year's Omni car. Ade may have found himself a good ride."

"Yeah, Jang also got ninety-something points in the WGPC for Omni. They make a good car. They're the opposite of us though", Derrick said. "Omni may be the most underrated team on the grid. They aren't media hounds like VMR. If anybody finishes 5th at Vannish Motors, the Vannish Press throws them a party."

Jessica laughed. "Ah, the Vannish press. The Friend of the People."

"One in the same", Karli replied. She looked over at Jessica's staring at her phone. Teasingly, she said, "It's rude to text while having a conversation." It was clearly tongue-in-cheek.

"Um, excuse me", Jessica replied in a feisty tone. "I'm conducting business."

Jessica was sending an unofficial email leaking the team's new signing to one of Vangaziland's infamous sports gossip journalists. It wasn't time to make an official statement, since the papers hadn't been signed. But it was definitely time to start building the hype. Jannik's reply was still a commitment. The magazines would be going crazy.

The Vannish media would get to work right away, reminding the Vannish populace on just how good Jannik was last year. The first article would be up within the hour. They would talk about who Jannik was in the past. They might even look up old quotes of his to give the readers a better picture of him. The people of the Vannish Empire would soon be acquainted with the name Markner.

"I think Jannik seems hungry this year", Derrick said. "I bet he'd like another shot at the title here."

"We'll do all we can to help him win that", said Jessica, now teasing Karli for her 'rude texting' comment.

"Hey", cried the blonde Karli. "What about me?"

"Do what you have to do", Jessica said while restraining a laugh. "We'll support both of you, of course. Get to know him. Feed off his energy. Push each other to succeed. Remember, at VMR its not a race between drivers. You're running together against the pack. Stay on each others' heels. There won't be a driver order. But to run your fastest, you will end up against one another."

"It happens", Karli replied. "we're both going to want to win every race, but I see what you mean. It's not about who does better in the car."

"The only thing is that you both are fairly aggressive drivers", said Derrick as he jumped in. "You'll have to work extra hard for the technical tracks. Even at North Emeros. It won't be an easy season."

----------

Meanwhile, in West-East Timor. Jang Xiaopeng famously bought a home in West-East Timor towards the end of his WGPC campaign. It was here that he currently hung out with Ade Imoju. Where as Jessica was set to mentor Karli Schmitt and Jannik Markner, Jang was going to hang around and mentor Ade.

Both formerly ran for VMR. Ade helped bring a GT2 car to 2nd place, losing 1st by the smallest of margins. Jang helped bring VMR WGP2 to success. He could help Ade blend in to West-East Timor and get used to life there. With it being a land of islands, it was quite different from Vangaziland. Each island seemed to have its own culture.

"It's not official yet for me at Omni Katoa", Ade said. "I still have to run a test session. Competitively."

"Yeah", said Jang. The Tainese-Vangazi driver cut his teeth in the drift scene. He also filmed videos of illegal street racing. It's a little known fact that he spent a few months in jail and paid huge fines for some of his early work. It was after that which he got offers to start driving open-wheeled cars in Vangaziland's lowest tier of development leagues. He showed a knack which advanced him into a drive in Vangaziland's T2, a spec below T1. Success there got him a spot at the WGP2. "Who are you racing against?"

"Dom Falepeau is one", Ade replied. "I'll be glad to meet the guy. It's good to see another brother running in the WGP2. He seems like a good role model and such."

Jang feigned jealousy, though he really was a little envious. "Hey, I thought I was your brother. I'm always left out, man."

Ade laughed. "You are, but he's my brother. There's only one spot at Omni Katoa, but I'm sure he'll end up with a good seat somewhere."

"Teams are hurting for drivers", said Jang. "I think the big names from Esmerel and Aboveland signing early put a lot of teams into emergency mode. I know Jess was looking at Markner. Not sure where they are with that. There's talk that if Jannik signs with them and you sign for Omni, there will be some sort of alliance. Not sure what that could entail, but it'd be good PR."

"There are a few good teams he can sign for. MRT2 looks promising. You have to hand it to MRT, they're an exciting team. First Jessica dropped a season worth of points in 6 races. Now they win the Constructors after a blazing early start. You know, there are still tons of MRT fans in Vangaziland who liked the team after Jessica's spell. Especially since VMR wasn't in WGPC 15."

"There are always those kinds of people who support outsider teams just to be special", said Ade with a chuckle. "Like the people who live in Emeros but call themselves Blue Coast fans. Traitors." Ade knew Jang was born in Emeros.

"Well, those are the same people who become Omni fans. There are plenty of those in Vangaziland too", said Jang. "There are even Juliano Lemos fans in Vangaziland. And don't get me started about the Vannish Cocoabo Crew."

Ade covered his eyes. "Oh my gosh, number twenty three is coming back to race again? He's going to be serious competition."

"He almost took my driver's cup", Jang said before laughing. "You've got your work cut out for you."

"If a team is in a gambling mood, they'd sign the bird. I'm pretty sure he'll stick with his nation's team though. Still, if I were certain teams, I'd be wheeling and dealing for the bird. I haven't heard much from that side of the world, but they've shown racing excellence." Ade leaned back in his reclining chair. The two sat around Xiaopeng's pool in the backyard of his island home. Jang considered this spot a little slice of paradise. It made Ade excited for the start of the season. He could see himself living on one of these islands.

"This is going to be an exciting season", Jang said before grabbing a tall, chilly glass of iced tea.

------

The Following Day

Ade had flown into the circuit's town hours after hanging out with Xiaopeng. He spent the night at a rather nice hotel and woke up to a hearty breakfast. He knew he had to be on his A-game. A private car took him to the track, where he was excited to meet the other drivers.

A few hours after his arrival, Ade was behind the wheel of the K01. It only took a few laps for him to determine that this car suited him. Much like a Vannish Motors car, its engine had a high pitched wail on acceleration. It was a machine that was easy for the driver to form a bond with.

The handling felt very responsive. Ade had only driven open-wheeled cars a few times. Just like Karli, he was impressed with the responsiveness of the WGP2 car. It felt alive. Compared to a GT2 car, he felt like the machine was an extension of his body. While sitting in an open cabin, it felt more like he was flying than driving. Not flying in an aircraft, but literally flying across the track. The brightly colored chassis was his wingspan.

The car flew down the track. Ade quickly learned the limits of the car and trusted the braking zones. He showed some of the same skill he showed while racing in Hodori. Soon the session was over. Ade clapped his hands once and cheered once he saw the track times. He had won by the slightest of margins. It was a formality he had to accomplish. His style matched the car.

He returned to the hotel with high hopes. The email came through later, while he was eating leftover Timorian take out food. It was the offer he was waiting for. He quickly grabbed his phone to reply.

From: 2ndPlaceGT2@vandersend.vng
To: langer.parvin@wetmail.wet
Subject: Re: Contract Offer

Greetings,

Omni Katoa is a team I feel is poised to make serious noise in international motorsports. Your drivers have shown success in last year's WGP2 and earlier this year in the WGPC. It would be an honor to join the talented roster. I have faith in the team and the car. Timo is a talented driver who can really make headway in the WGP2.

Therefore, I accept your offer and commit to drive for Omni Katoa Racing. You can expect my full participation. Furthermore, I thank you for reaching out to me. I feel I may have slipped under the radar of other teams. Your team seems like the right place for me, on and off the track. Jang Xiaopeng hopes to work with me and the team as an advisor. In truth, my signing will likely have an impact on him possibly re-signing with Omni for another WGPC season.

I look forward to running track time in earnest for the team. The first practice session is not very far away. I've been preparing and expect a solid start to the season. I'm still in town and can swing by to sign the paperwork at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
Ade Imoju

[Togonistan]

35,000 ft. above sea level
Somewhere between WET and Togonistan

Dom Falepeau was on his flight back home from Omni Katoa Racing test. As he was sitting in the business class, a flight attendant came to him, asking if he would like some champagne. ''No thanks, I'm good,'' said Dom and smiled to her, before looking at his laptop again. Since there wasn't much to do during the flight, Dom had been watching a movie for the past few hours. It was called ''Girls On The Pitch,'' a sports comedy starring actress Stacy Lekker. While definitely not a blockbuster, the movie itself was rather humorous and Dom smirked quite a bit. However, as the time went on, the movie eventually ended, leaving him with nothing to do again. Having looked out of the window for a few minutes, he eventually decided to check his e-mails. As the internet access on the flight was terribly slow, he nodded his head, waiting for the page to load. Eventually, he saw multiple messages in his mailbox.

First of all, there was another test invitation, this time from SVJ. However, another message caught Dom's attention even more. A contract offer from MRT2? To be driver #1 for their team? Dom read through the mail, which made him raise his eyebrows. An actual contract offer. No testings, nothing, they offered him a seat right away. Sounded too good to be true. Dom had to take a few moments to think about it, but eventually, he sent a response.

From: dom.falepeau1@acemail.tn
To: mariajamasova@mrt.co.mj

Topic: RE: Contract Proposal

Greetings

First of all, thank you for the offer. Having read through the details and given a few thoughts about it, I would be glad to accept your offer as #1 Driver for MRT2. I'm looking forward to start our cooperation as soon as possible.

All the best,
Dom Falepeau

Dom laid his head back and closed his eyes. There it was, a seat basically secured for the upcoming season. With a strong feeling of relief, Dom fell asleep.

[Vilita and Turori]

Tropicorp Engineering Design & Administration Center, Tropicoast, Tropicorp :: Just as the season before, VTM Tropicorp Engineering principal Gary Cook got a late start in his hunt for drivers for his Tropicorp Engineering machines after the company was non-commital about whether it would give preference to local drivers. Of course, the team expected Cocoabo #23 to return after finishing Runner-Up in the drivers standings during the inaugural WGP2 season but the Vilita & Turorian drivers Jama'obo Pegasii's personal services deal with Vilaye Energy Drink would wreak havoc on the nice clean Tropicorp sponsored paint schemes already adorning the sides of the Tropicorp Engineering machines.

Cook flirted with the idea of setting up a test session to welcome prospective drives to the Eelandii Grand Prix Circuit in Turori to get an idea of who would be a best fit for their ride. He also considered a test session at the Lonngeylin Bull Ring in Vilita just for the hell of it - but in the end decide to see what drivers would bring the most skill to the table first.

During the offseason the scientists, researchers and conservationists had been working alongside the Cocoabo Preservation Society in the Cocoabo Forest for the Cocoabo Park Enrichment and Enhancement Project (CocoPEEP) to fine tune the skills of the Fast Cocoabo. Cocoabo #23, the pride of the Racing Flock would pilot the first of two seats in VTM Tropicorp Engineerings WGP2 fleet for the upcoming pre-season test at Mount Salt Raceway in Eastfield Lodge. Perhaps it was somewhat fitting that the second WGP2 season would start off where the previous season had ended in Mount Salt.

There wouldn't be much adaption time on the cards for the team to settle in as there would be just one local race on the entire WGP2 schedule - the Cocoabo Preservation Grand Prix in the Cocoabo Forest on the second full race weekend of the season. If VTM Tropicorp Engineering is going to place two cars on the podium at its home track then they will need a strong performance out of Cocoabo #23 in the Mount Salt test session and will need to get their second driver signed, fitted for a seat and on the track as soon as possible.



With Juracai Klianiota having promoted to the WGPC for the current racing season, there will be no back-to-back winner coming out of the opening event of the second WGP2 season as it was Klianiota who took home the checkers in the final race of the inaugural WGP2 campaign - wheeling the Novikov Racing machine to the top of the podium ahead of the top-2 drivers in the final standings - Vanderson and FaSt Cocoabo. Klianiota's graduation left room for a second Vilita & Turori liscensed driver which surprisingly went to the wheel-rounded Jama'obo Pegasii.

Pegasii brings sponsorship from the Vilisorma Beverage Company with them to whatever team picks up the driver who most recently contested the 6th NSSCRA season for Vilita & Turori Motorsports as a mid-season add after charters opened up in the NSSCRA due to the military obligations of the drivers from Jebslund. Pegasii impressed with a Top 5 run in Vangaziland, experience that may prove valuable when the WGP2 circuit heads to Vangaziland later in the season.

Pegasii also has experience in Formula Hodori and as a test driver for Vilita and Turori Motorsports open-wheel experimental programs including the E-GP style machines. The funded driver's first taste of action this offseason would come at the Superia Juniors' KS-02 test event at LAB Racing Park in Lisander