WGP2 Season 2 [RP Thread]

[Vangaziland]

Ade Imoju crossed his arms as he leaned against the paddock wall. In front of him was the busy scene around his chassis. The last minute checks had been completed. One of the engineers hopped into the seat, quickly putting the chassis into neutral. Ade could have jumped into the seat to help the team move the car. The truth was that the engineer who hopped inside lived to do that every week. He knew he would never likely get to race.

As the car was quietly wheeled out of the bay, Ade turned to one of the Timorian engineers he'd become aquainted with. "How are you liking Vangaziland?" Ade turned to face the large open door while he asked the question. The Omni car was definitely agreeable to the eyes. It's belnd of red orange and black became a familiar mainstay on the circuit.

Ade knew his team was in it. Here he was, right at the brink. With time winding down, Ade decided to call his mentor. Jang Xiaopeng drove for Omni during WGPC 16. He had made a life in West-East Timor, even buying a home. There were rumors that his home was already up for sale. He planned to take the woman he met locally and return back to Vangaziland. Selling a home wasn't an immediate process. He'd likely have two places for some time.

Luckily, a WGPC contract should help that. There was even talk that Xiaopeng might race stock cars at NSSCRA. Sponsorship money was certainly 'across the Sea.' The phrase could be used to describe the difference between NSSCRA and the WGP2, since both are currently being managed by two Esportivan nations seperated only by the Hollander Sea.

Ade had time for one quick phone call. After a few more words with the engineer, he hustled back to the locker room. it took him a moment to dig out his phone and call. "Yo, Xiaopeng", Ade said after he heard someone pick up.

"What's up Ade? You at the track?" Xiaopeng sounded a little sleepy. He had tickets for qualifying but was running late.

"Yeah", Ade replied. "I don't have a ton of time. Things are about to kick off."

"Best of luck to you", Jang told the WGP2 driver. "I really think you have a better chance of taking this than Karli. Stay true in your qual runs. Balance your style out."

"It's going to take quite the push for us to do well this weekend. It's not as simple as some make it out to be", Ade said with a sigh.

"Just find your calm", Jang said through a bit of a deep breath. He was driving and had Ade on speakerphone. He had to make an aggressive driving maneuver and he had to strain to talk through it. "Don't worry about the pressure or inter-team politics. Just run your race."

"I know what you mean." Ade nodded and scratched his head as he thought of how far he had come. There were only two races left in the season. He would be glad for the break once things ended. For now, he was ready to push.

An engineer found Ade and motioned for him to head back out to the car. "Say, Jang. I gotta go", Ade said. "Talk to you later man."

"Stay frosty", Jang told him. The two hung up the phone. It would be a quick walk back out to the paddock for Ade. The black driver would soon finish suiting up, getting his gloves and helmet on and ready. The final countdown to qualifying had begun.

[Mattijana]

Mind your Ps and Qs, there's only a few left. This is your cutoff for the practice and qualifying of the penultimate race weekend.

[Mattijana]

Week 11: Practice

Conditions:      	Dry	
Lap Record:      	1:45.130	
Qualifying Type: TRAD		
Nation:         	VNG	
Circuit:        	North Emeros Street Course

POS # DRIVER                   TEAM                	FASTEST LAP	
 1 19 Dom Falepeau                MRT2                        	00:01:56.815	00:00:00.000
 2 15 Rebecca Darlington          Nexus Racing                	00:01:56.820	00:00:00.005
 3 25 Timo Jänkirinää             Omni-Katoa Racing           	00:01:56.822	00:00:00.007
 4 48 Tyra Tabuso                 Ibuna-Gambal Racing         	00:01:56.823	00:00:00.008
 5 12 Ade Imoju                   Omni-Katoa Racing           	00:01:56.831	00:00:00.016
 6  3 Darius Castellammare        Superia Junior Team         	00:01:56.831	00:00:00.016
 7  9 Jannik Markner              Vannish Motors Racing       	00:01:56.832	00:00:00.017
 8  2 Juliano Lemos               Superia Junior Team       	00:01:56.845	00:00:00.030
 9 18 Isaia Fanene                Kaylan Racing               	00:01:56.859	00:00:00.044
10 17 Max Prefodski               Kaylan Racing               	00:01:56.915	00:00:00.100
11 37 Jama'obo Pegasii            SVJ Racing                  	00:01:56.935	00:00:00.120
12 24 Ekatarina Julic             Brutus Obey Sport GP        	00:01:56.967	00:00:00.152
13 16 Janne Laukkanen             Nexus Racing                	00:01:57.029	00:00:00.214
14 75 Roman Arjenko               SVJ Racing                  	00:01:57.082	00:00:00.267
15 44 Laurencia Lynds             SinVal                      	00:01:57.092	00:00:00.278
16 60 Chiemi Hino                 Ibuna-Gambal Racing         	00:01:57.155	00:00:00.340
17 33 Karli Schmitt               Vannish Motors Racing       	00:01:57.229	00:00:00.414
18  5 Jason Masami                Brutus Obey Sport GP        	00:01:57.241	00:00:00.426
19 14 Miguel Santos               EVolution Racing            	00:01:57.274	00:00:00.459
20 23 Cocoabo #23                 VTM Tropicorp Engineering   	00:01:57.313	00:00:00.498
21 10 Erik DeForest               Pompeii Motorsports         	00:01:57.364	00:00:00.549
22 63 Dahlia Dahl                 Pompeii Motorsports         	00:01:57.409	00:00:00.594
23 97 Edward Baker                VTM Tropicorp Engineering   	00:01:57.466	00:00:00.651

[Mattijana]

Week 11: Qualifying

Conditions:      	Dry	
Lap Record:      	1:45.130	
Qualifying Type:	TRAD	
Nation:         	VNG	
Circuit:        	North Emeros Street Course

POS # DRIVER                   TEAM                	FASTEST LAP	
 1  9 Jannik Markner              Vannish Motors Racing       	00:01:57.402	00:00:00.000
 2 15 Rebecca Darlington          Nexus Racing                	00:01:57.403	00:00:00.002
 3 12 Ade Imoju                   Omni-Katoa Racing           	00:01:57.406	00:00:00.004
 4 33 Karli Schmitt               Vannish Motors Racing       	00:01:57.413	00:00:00.011
 5 19 Dom Falepeau                MRT2                        	00:01:57.418	00:00:00.016
 6 44 Laurencia Lynds             SinVal                      	00:01:57.426	00:00:00.024
 7 17 Max Prefodski               Kaylan Racing               	00:01:57.429	00:00:00.027
 8 14 Miguel Santos               EVolution               	00:01:57.431	00:00:00.029
 9  3 Darius Castellammare        Superia Junior Team         	00:01:57.446	00:00:00.044
10  2 Juliano Lemos               Superia Junior Team         	00:01:57.458	00:00:00.056
11 16 Janne Laukkanen             Nexus Racing                	00:01:57.459	00:00:00.057
12 25 Timo Jänkirinää             Omni-Katoa Racing           	00:01:57.471	00:00:00.069
13 75 Roman Arjenko               SVJ Racing                  	00:01:57.481	00:00:00.079
14 48 Tyra Tabuso                 Ibuna-Gambal Racing         	00:01:57.513	00:00:00.111
15 10 Erik DeForest               Pompeii Motorsports         	00:01:57.531	00:00:00.129
16 18 Isaia Fanene                Kaylan Racing               	00:01:57.564	00:00:00.162
17 37 Jama'obo Pegasii            SVJ Racing                  	00:01:57.622	00:00:00.220
18 23 Cocoabo #23                 VTM Tropicorp Engineering   	00:01:57.731	00:00:00.329
19 60 Chiemi Hino                 Ibuna-Gambal Racing         	00:01:57.932	00:00:00.530
20  5 Jason Masami                Brutus Obey Sport GP        	00:01:57.932	00:00:00.530
21 97 Edward Baker                VTM Tropicorp Engineering   	00:01:57.934	00:00:00.532
22 63 Dahlia Dahl                 Pompeii Motorsports         	00:01:58.621	00:00:01.219
23 24 Ekatarina Julic             Brutus Obey Sport GP        	00:02:00.212	00:00:02.810

[Lisander]

Sunday Morning
Emeros, Vangaziland

"I still can't believe. How can that scrub be right in my front? Where our tweaks were so wrong? Behind Kaylan and MRT, I understand. Don is a great driver and if MRT had another driver, we would be lower in the table. Kaylan also presents a nice work usually. But I can't believe why is the Evolution car right in my front. Our times hadn't lowered for the Qualifiers. I can't understand..." - Lemos was kind of upset with that result. The entire week working in the car wasn't enough?

"It was only our time. All the teams lost some time. It must be something related to the track if affected every car. The track is dry but the temperature dropped because of the hour. Is hard to keep the heat when we don't have a time for artificially heat the tyres, like in a traditional qualification." - Lanza, as usual, kept an eye in every single factor.

"Should we go with super-softs tomorrow?" - Darius was somewhat interested in the pre-racing meeting, a thing hard to believe.

"Let me see the chance of rain... Just five per cent. We're going with supersofts. We're going for two pits, refueling to the mouth in the first one so you'll be lighter in the end. This circuit is a fast one, so you should keep in mind the battle for position won't be easy." - Lanza advice and race planning were always right to the point. "Are you ready? I've nothing more to say."

"Oh, wait. I almost forgot. I have a thing for you, Lemos. You are talking about the energy drink. It occurred to me that I had touched the subject while talking to my sponsors, and they showed me a cool product they are testing. I brought some cans for you to try. They said if they interested, they could get in touch."

Castellammare opened the bag and picked up a small pack of four cans. "DHMO+" could be read in the pack.

"Oh, thanks... So, it's like DHMO, but an energy drink? What was DHMO?"

"Dihydrogen Monoxide. It's a chemical name for water. Sounds like a nice placebo, indeed."

Lemos picked it and started to read:

DHMO+

A new energy drink from YKR Group. It comes in the following flavours:
DHMO +: The original can is blue;
DHMO+ Amazon Force: With Guaranine, It tastes like the Latin Energy Bomb "Guaraná", and the amazonic green gives the color to the can;
DHMO+ Ice Coffee: the brown can have extra caffeine and coffee taste.
DHMO+ Red Fruits: a blend of Strawberries, Raspberries and Cranberries. It's the pinkish red can.

"I liked the Guarana one, I suggest you try first. The blue one is the plain energy drink, exactly like yours. Put them on the minibar. You can still enjoy it before the race."

[Vangaziland]

Karli was nervous after qualifying. She tried brushing her worries off at the fair. In the end, it seemed to work. Jang and Jenna were the type of people that could cheer anyone up. Karli showed up to the track feeling rejuvenated. She knew the media would be looking for her after the qualification run.

The blonde driver made a rare avoidance of the media after the practice session. Her publicist gave an excuse that Karli was feeling under the weather. It should also help give Karli a cushion if she underperformed. Karli was likely to avoid using it as an excuse. Still, papers would say she was sick.

Karli didn't want to talk to the media after the practice. She was burnt out from the cameras. The HGTC GT2 did not have such a prominent spotlight in the media, Vannish or international. The Vannish media doesn't just wait for one press conference. They approach Karli as soon as she takes her helmet off. She'd really like time to prepare herself, but this was the reality of a racer's life. If it made her a bit more gritty, so be it.

As her car left the pits on the warmup lap, Karli realized that these were the times when stars were made. There was a good chance that a future champion could gain a championship edge. Although many people wanted to move the Vannish Grand Prix to a dedicated circuit in Esportivan Vangaziland, Vannish purists want to keep the course on the Mainland. It would simplify things for the league if the race moved to Esportiva. The same could be said for NSSCRA.

For Karli, the only thing that mattered was what she did on the track. Her plan was to make sure not to get stuck behind any of the slower cars. Traffic on the circuit could ruin lap times. The car just felt more settled, compared to practice. Maybe it was actually Karli who was more composed.

She ran aggressive lines through turns 3-7 and 13-15. The time she made up here eventually led to a top 5 lap. She took the tighter turns quite well, much better than the practice run. She didn't see Ade for most of the session, but he managed to qualify just ahead of her.

It led to her sitting at 4th. Ade Imoju was 3rd. Jannik Markner won the pole. It was a session that seemed to take some of the pressure off of Vannish Motors. Karli Schmitt seemed to disagree with that sentiment. "Now there's just more for all of us to lose", she said. "I think it's motivating. We ran well today. The Vannish Motors crew set up a great car."

Karli was asked what the key to success might be for any team. "It will come down to the gear ratios. We have some sharp turns and high speed corners. There aren't many long straights, so it's clear that different kinds of settings will be used."

The driver was also asked how she felt about the previous night's fair. "It was a great way to share our culture with the multiverse", she said. It was clear the night refreshed her. Now it was time for her to perform. It would not be easy. The crowd of drivers was more hungry than ever. She would try to get lots of rest before race day. She had to balance preparation with staying fresh.

[Former Citizens of the Nimbus System]

North Emeros Street Course, Emeros, Vangaziland
10th of November; Post-Qualifying

“Yes! Yes, Rebecca, P2, fantastic!”

Valen Song wears a huge grin as he delivers the message to his charge through Nexus Racing’s Imagination-based communication system, leaning back with arms crossed and watching his monitor on the wall of Nexus Racing’s garage. Behind him, the team at large clasp hands, high-five, embrace and slap each other on the back in a joyous release of tension. Here they are, on Vannish Motors Racing’s home turf, and they have placed a car on the grid’s front row alongside theirs under the control of a driver who has delivered consistently throughout the weekend so far.

This bodes well for the race.

This bodes well for Mattijana.

Valen looks towards Timothy Guard along the seats, who looks to him with a gentle smile. The race engineer gestures to the screen. “That’s why she’s on this team. She can challenge the Spectres tomorrow, I’m sure she can – the results in practice show it.”

Guard nods. “I agree; we must leverage that. A victory would not only cement our Constructors’ Championship challenge; Karl has also been informing me regarding the public situation, following the hearing, and a positive finish would certainly serve to bring attention back to the racing… How do you feel about Darlington’s tyre saving ability?”

“Confident,” Valen responds immediately – and then, trying to calm himself a little, considers. He nods to himself, then firmly to Timothy. “Confident. There are only three main areas of stress – Turns 1 to 3, 7 and 13. Everything else is smooth as anything, even if this is a street circuit. That will help; Rebecca will be more than able to handle the demanding sections, I’m sure of it.”

Timothy nods in answer, closing his eyes. “She will likely lead from Markner into the third corner. Even with Psy-Ki, our acceleration from the line outstrips theirs. Given her defence in Lisander and that VMR has been far less consistent than us in terms of pace as of yet, I would think that we can rely on her defensive capabilities… That will allow Laukkanen a free run.” He nods again, this time in confirmation. “Two stops for Janne, one for Rebecca. Ideally, Janne will have closed up to the back of the VMRs and be challenging them by the race’s end. We will, theoretically, have them caught in a pincer. Mmm. That will be the first plan to undergo computational analysis.” He smiles. “Thank you, Valen.”

Song raises his hand to his forehead in a mock salute as the Project Manager turns and heads towards the portal room – just as a certain Chase Cutter is drawn back into the garage. He stands himself, barely keeping his stride to a jog over towards the car.

The first thing that Rebecca is confronted with as she leaves it is one Valen Song, excitable, wide smile on his face and hand extended to be clasped.

[Main Nation Ministry]

The Truth News: Live
Sports with John Faustman

John: "Good evening, Main Nation Ministry. This is John Faustman with your local sports coverage about all of your favorite athletes within the Ministry of Sports. Our current top story is some interviews that we have conducted for WGP2. Our first interview has happened in the Camden Automobile Museum in the Lisanderian city of Sirenia where our on-field reporter have managed to come across Darius Castellammare, a driver in the WGP2, for an exclusive interview among others."

---

At Camden Automobile Museum

(Note: While the interviewer were asking questions, an individual from behind holds up optional commands to recommend what the interviewee should say. This does not appear on camera, however.)

A drawn visual of Darius Castellamare

Reporter: "I'm currently live from the Camden Automobile Musuem, where I have one of the drivers from Superia Juniors, a team in the WGP2, Darius Castellammare here with me. Now, Darius. How do you feel right now currently in this week of the Grand Prix?"
Darius: "I feel so excited since I'm the dark horse in the drivers' championship. I'm probably the oldest in the grid, and when I won the last race, in Nekoni, I jumped up four positions and entered the top 3. I'm also driving for a team that had a lot of problems in pre-season. Problems with cars, drivers and even a major shareholder dropping off... So what I made, joining Superia Juniors on the rocks, and winning more than a half of their points, sounds impressive, at least to me.
Also, I feel confident. The win in Nekoni was great to my morale. Reinforced the fact that I'm currently the best in this nation, even on Superia Juniors retreaded car. If I fail, I'm not the only one to blame, because I've already proved my force. I'm already contracted to the next WGPC season."
Reporter: "What's your opinion on your own team?"
Darius: "I suppose you're not talking about Team DC3 for Lisanderian Moto2, this one is mine in fact, but about Superia Junior Team. There's not much to say about Superia Juniors, indeed. I never felt this team like mine. Sounds harsh, but I'm not that into the decisions of Lemos and Lanza to the fullest. We're friends, and I keep talking and suggesting about stuff, but when it comes to the management, I'm only driving and working on my own car, the #3."
Reporter: "What makes the car that you drive in the race unique? Also, do you happen to be involved in several sponsorships?"
Darius: "What makes the car I drive unique? Well... I cannot tell Superia Junior's secrets since I'm bound by a contract to not revealing that. Yet, I can say the car #3 is the best of the two cars of the team since my mechanic team is the same team for a long time. They already know my preferences and driving style, so they work like magic... What was the other question? Ahh, sponsorships? Other than Camden Automobile, my long-time employer, I'm receiving bonuses from Bitten Heroes and from DHMO. I love their branding strategy, because DHMO is water as much as H²O, but sounds very 'edgy'. Sounds like some powerful water, filled with healthy substances".
Reporter: "Alright, last question. What's your opinion on Jason Masami or the Leader back in Main Nation Ministry. You can give your opinion on either or both. Your choice."
Darius: "Masami is a great guy. We had some contact on the paddocks. As far as I noticed, he is a hard-working guy with a great future ahead of him. But... If I may be honest, I think he deserves more attention, possibly a better team and more sponsors for next seasons. He is the by far the best driver of his current team and if my math isn't wrong, he still has a chance to surprise in the final races. A win in North Emeros could skyrocket him to the top of the table. If he keeps the good work, and if he gets the right support, he'll be driving for titles very soon."
Reporter: "Thank you for your time, Mr. Castellammare. The Truth News is happy to conduct this interview with you."

---

John: "Now our next top story is happening in the Victory Square Football Stadium, where it is reported that a sapient octopus and hive mind has claimed territory at the Wolf's Bar and Grill found on the second floor overlooking the field. A task force has been dispatched after there has been some multiple causalities, where a bio hazard unit has been called also. After a lengthy stand-off, the octopus was captured, where he is to be sent off for interrogation for the safety of the nation. This has delayed the training of our football team, who were having plans on practicing on the field. Now we- Oh hold on!

We are getting reports that some of our journalists have managed to interpret Jason Masami near his reported hotel. We are now patching in the live footage for you viewers to experience."

---

Live at Vangaziland
Reporter: "I'm live at Vangaziland, where the qualifying run had just ended for this week. Currently, we are at a stakeout in front of the reported hotel that Masami is sleeping at. Now, it was reported that he is currently back to his hotel, as we speak. Now, we-"
Cameraman: "Isn't that him over there?"
Reporter: "There he is. Come here!"

Masami: "Woah! Calm down! Why are there a camera pointed at me?"
Reporter: "I'm now live at Vangaziland, where I have gotten Mr. Jason Masami to do an interview with me. Now, Masami. What are your current thoughts for this week? How do you feel?"
Masami: "Say something interesting? I don't- Oh. Well, things have been good so far. I might possibly attempt to get the winner's podium this week. Depends on the weather conditions."
Reporter: "What is your opinion on your own racing team?"
Masami: "They are alright. Even though, I originally had other plans, I think they are a good start for me."
Reporter: "What makes the car that you drive in the race unique? Also, do you happen to be involved in several sponsorships?"
Masami: "Well, you see my car is probably fast enough due to it's horsepower. There is even enough space inside to-"
Reporter: "Ahem!"
Masami: "Am I really being- Oh yeah, the sponsorships! I'm actually in a sponsorship with the people who are currently running the Azerty Comics. They said they will make a special issue with me being the main character."
Reporter: "Alright, last question. What's your opinion on the Leader back in Main Nation Ministry?"
Masami: "Well, the Leader. The Leader is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful person I've ever known in my life."
Reporter: "Thank you for your time and good luck for this race. Back to you, John!"

[Togonistan]

North Emeros, Vangaziland
Few hours after qualification

Despite being a lower tier series of the WGPC, when it came to Togonistani motorsport fans, WGP2 was actually the most talked about championship these days. Mostly due to the simple fact that there were no Togonistani drivers participating in the top tier as of yet. Of course, it also meant that several Togonistani fans had taken the hassle to travel all the way to North Emeros, to witness the race weekend themselves. It had become somewhat of a tradition that such kind of trips were often not taken on by the individuals alone, but rather organized by unofficial WGP2 fan clubs. Fans would travel together to the city, book an accommodation in the same housing facility, and attend the racing events together. One of the reasons being that it was somewhat cheaper in the long term, but the other reason was also the fact that it was much more interesting to take on these trips in a group along with other motorsport enthusiasts.

A group consisting of around 30 Togonistani fans had arrived together to North Emeros. They had spectated the qualification and were thrilled by the atmosphere in the circuit. After that, the group decided to separate and hit the town in smaller cliques, with a plan to meet up again later in their hotel. Some of them went on to sightseeing, others decided to take a look at the famous Vangazi clubs. One smaller group however had decided to spend their evening in a nice and cosy coffee shop located not too far from the race track. Upon entering, they asked for a table for four and landed there, with some of them ordering a joint, while the others decided to stick to a regular cup of coffee.

This small clique consisted of four individuals, all of whom were with a somewhat different background. While the use of recreational drugs wad nothing uncommon in their native Togonistan, the concept of coffee shops was still a somewhat exotic experience for most of them. Normally, one could buy small packs of pre-rolled marijuana joints in pretty much every supermarket back in their homeland. But to actually sit down and have a joint served to them in such a fashionable way, it was an experience on it's own.

One of the fans was called Marvo, a balding, slightly overweight Togoni man in his early fifties. During the weekdays, Marvo was a simple family guy working as an accountant in Incendia, a medium-sized city located in northernmost island of Togonistani archipelago. During weekends, however, he sometimes was able to let loose and focus on his passion of motorsports. Marvo, wearing Kaylan's shirt which was part of the team's official fan merchandise along with a cap, lit up his joint and blew a few smoke rings to the air, before he started speaking: ''You know guys, I actually believe Castellammare has got what it takes to win this season. Yes, he might not be the favorite, and Superia might not be the best team in the championship, but I just have some weird instinct. I believe he can pull it off.''

''You really think so?'' asked Luca, ''What I think is that Darius is just a mediocre driver who gets lucky every once in a while. If I would have to bet on anyone, I'd pick Laukkanen. Just look at Nexus's car, it is some kind of a space-age monstrocity. I wouldn't be surprised if Laukkanen is actually sleeping during the races, and the car drives by itself without Janne having to do anything.'' Luca was a 24-year old darker-skinned Togoni originating from Ramona, an industrial city located in Northern Togonistan. Unlike Marvo, Luca was flying the colors of MRT2, indicating his support to Dom Falepeau rather than the Togonistani-based Kaylan team.

''Technology doesn't always determine the outcome though,'' Marvo argued, ''a good driver with great spirit can outplay anyone, even if he is driving a rudimentary car.''

Molly, a young 18-year originating from a rich family in Tushlark started giggling. Unlike Marvo and Luca, Molly was not a native Togoni but a descendant of white colonial settlers. She was wearing designer jeans along with a leather jacket and a pair of oversized sunglasses. Perfect match to the description of a stereotypical Togonistani millenial kid. Under her jacket, she had a T-shirt with Kaylan's logo printed on it. ''What you think about Cocoabo tho? I mean, it is so cute watching him every time enter that car of his. And that long beak, it is soooo cutesy.''

''Cocoabo is definitely a strong contender. I don't understand how he can even drive though, but there is a lot of weird stuff I simply do not get.'' Luca replied.

''I don't think there is a clear favorite to be honest. I just high-key want to see Kaylan's colors in the podium before the season ends. I wouldn't mind Falepeau winning either though.'' Joakim entered the discussion. Joakim, unlike the others, was actually not from Togonistan. He was from Kalmarlund, another nation located in Novapax. Joakim was a student in Castovanni University, and had used the chance offered by Molly to go and visit North Emeros with the group. Joakim was wearing a casual blue hoodie with a pair of saggy jeans. He took a sip from his cup, before asking: ''How did you like today's qualification though?''

''I think Falepeau did alright. It is getting strange though how the guy always gets top notch results in practice sessions, but when it is time to race, he just sinks lower and lower and lower.''

''Falepeau still has all the chances to win tomorrow. The track here is rather technical, which should fit his style. There's just hoping that he does not screw up, or let anyone else screw it up for him.'' Luca said.

[Vangaziland]

There were several grandstands set up on either side of the street along the front stretch. In many places, tall oak and wispy pine trees competed for space with the seating areas. Behind the grandstands were old homes. The stands were set up along green space that separates the homes from the main road. Most of these homes are from the 1800s. Some are older. There is a stretch of newer homes.

Right on the line, inside of the track's course, sat a newly constructed luxury box. It was a modular room which was set up before and after every North Emeros street race. It was a fairly large space for the limited amount of guests that would watch the race here. Tickets for the box were quite expensive. Only those with lots of extra funds would think of watching the race here. There were cheaper options to sit on the finish line across the track on the outside line.

Two guests who decided to make use of the VIP area were two Imperial Royals. This was the term used to describe a member of one of Vangaziland's Royal Houses. Their role was largely ceremonial, though many did play a role while working with local government. They also held a responsibility to invest. Even by purchasing these expensive tickets, they were doing their part to stimulate the economy by spending. In addition to personal investments and growth, spending big is important for the Royals.

It helped that Vannish Motors was partially government owned. The two royal guests also had partial ownership in the company. One of them was known well. She was former WGP2 driver Jenna Vandersen. She had a run leading the WGP2 before eventually falling to 4th. Her performance helped bring VMR a constructor's title. When considering some drivers who bought their way onto a team, Jenna did exceptionally well. Compare Jenna to T1 driver Vance Stoll, whose parents bought him a seat on the team Williamson. Stoll can't win a race if his career depends on it. Vandersen proved to be a terror on the track.

Jenna and Jess Franssen are great friends who bonded that season. They've been working together while Jess has been training with stock cars. Jenna has also had a ton of time in VMR's stock car simulator room. She was just glad to still be around motorsports.

The other royal was known more for being an avid sports fan. Prince Fritjof Vang was the son of the Vannish Emperor and the future figurehead of the nation. He spent much of his younger life as a military officer. 'Fritz' still maintained a military role in a special reserve unit. He may be looking to invest more in motorsports in the future. One day, he may try to intercept a license from Vannish Motors to fund a team. That would depend on a certain kind of league where Prince Vang could sneak past VMR. There's an idea that he may finance a car for HGTC GT2.

Joining them were other movers and shakers. A few high profile internationals may also have had access to the box. The front of the area had a large open window that gave the guests an open air view of the race. Powerful heaters blew warmth out in front of the window. It was here that Prince Fritz and Baroness Vandersen stood talking.

"I tell you", Fritz started. "Even though the Mainland is a few hours North of the Esportivan region... I just think it's great that our history always ran on Esportivan time." The prince was speaking of how Vangaziland's isolated northern landmass was in the same time zone. A separate colony was formed within the lush seas and continents of Esportiva.

"It really is a small world", Jenna replied. "I remember reading about the first Vann ships to sail that far South. They were really surprised with what they saw."

Fritjof looked out across the track. The cars were lined up in the pits. Any moment now, they would set off. The race was such a living, breathing experieince. It had a start and an endng, like any life. It was loud, with cars seeming to breathe and roar. Oil, gas and rubber were consumed.

"This is going to be quite the race", Fritz said. To Jenna it may have seemed to come out of nowhere. She didn't know about his sudden moment of reflection over the nature of racing. "I can tell something dramatic will happen. There is so much at stake."

"It's really exciting", Jenna replied. "I'm glad for Jannik. He deserves to finally earn pole position. This could be his race. That could be a major thing."

"There's too much to hope for", Fritz said with a slight laugh. He stared up at the sky."I'm just expecting the worst. It can definitely go either way. It's best to just enjoy the atmosphere. The champagne. The roar of the engines. It'll be a great night."

The race was being held later in the day, an hour before sunset. It should hopefully last throughout the golden hour and into the darkness of night for some time. Event planners wanted to make sure the Vannish track had lots of personality. The city threw a ton of events and promotions designed to get tourists and visiting drivers welcomed to Emeros.

Soon it would be time to culminate the event. Only time would tell who walks away with the golden hen.

[Mattijana]

Cutoff! It's raceday in Vangaziland.

[Mattijana]

Week 11: Race

Conditions:      	Cloudy		
Laps:              	52		
Nation:         	VNG		
Circuit:        	North Emeros Street Course		
Virtual Safety Car			
Deployed on Laps:	9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 36, 37, 38, 39		
Cars on Grid:	23		
		

[pre]Start	First Quarter	Halfway	Third Quarter	POS DRV Name                     Team	Time
 1 MAR	 1 SCH +0	 1 SCH +0	 1 SCH +0	  1 SCH Karli Schmitt               Vannish Motors Racing       	01:51:44.758
 2 DAR	 2 IMO +21.159	 2 IMO +26.25	 2 MAR +42.517	  2 LEM Juliano Lemos               Superia Junior Team         	00:00:23.390
 3 IMO	 3 DAR +32.319	 3 LEM +40.215	 3 IMO +44.456	  3 IMO Ade Imoju                   Omni-Katoa Racing           	00:00:33.739
 4 SCH	 4 LYN +39.819	 4 MAR +58.137	 4 LEM +64.948	  4 DAR Rebecca Darlington          Nexus Racing                	00:00:36.056
 5 FAL	 5 PRE +44.358	 5 DAR +58.738	 5 DAR +64.984	  5 MAR Jannik Markner              Vannish Motors Racing       	00:00:43.136
 6 LYN	 6 MAR +51.16	 6 PRE +74.692	 6 LYN +95.51	  6 DEF Erik DeForest               Pompeii Motorsports         	00:01:08.490
 7 PRE	 7 LEM +58.631	 7 LYN +75.179	 7 CAS +95.575	  7 CAS Darius Castellammare        Superia Junior Team         	00:01:10.260
 8 MIG	 8 MIG +61.917	 8 CAS +79.666	 8 LAU +101.005	  8 LAU Janne Laukkanen             Nexus Racing                	00:01:30.741
 9 CAS	 9 FAN +67.011	 9 ARJ +89.102	 9 TAB +101.468	  9 PEG Jama'obo Pegasii            SVJ Racing                  	00:01:36.858
10 LEM	10 DEF +72.329	10 LAU +89.724	10 ARJ +102.876	 10 LYN Laurencia Lynds             SinVal                      	00:01:43.890
11 LAU	11 LAU +75.346	11 TAB +94.285	11 BAK +107.274	 11 TAB Tyra Tabuso                 Ibuna-Gambal Racing         	00:01:50.512
12 TJK	12 CAS +78.766	12 HIN +100.398	12 PEG +115.673	 12 ARJ Roman Arjenko               SVJ Racing                  	00:01:59.359
13 ARJ	13 TJK +82.226	13 PEG +Laps: 1	13 PRE +Laps: 1	 13 BAK Edward Baker                VTM Tropicorp Engineering   	00:02:07.731
14 TAB	14 TAB +84.197	14 BAK +Laps: 1	14 HIN +Laps: 1	 14 JUL Ekatarina Julic             Brutus Obey Sport GP        	Laps Down: 1
15 DEF	15 HIN +88.698	15 TJK +Laps: 1	15 JUL +Laps: 1	 15 PRE Max Prefodski               Kaylan Racing               	Laps Down: 1
16 FAN	16 BAK +89.81	16 JSM +Laps: 1	16 DEF +Laps: 1	 16 JSM Jason Masami                Brutus Obey Sport GP        	Laps Down: 1
17 PEG	17 ARJ +91.316	17 JUL +Laps: 1	17 JSM +Laps: 1	 17 DHL Dahlia Dahl                 Pompeii Motorsports         	Laps Down: 1
18 C23	18 PEG +97.891	18 DEF +Laps: 1	18 DHL +Laps: 1	 DNF HIN Chiemi Hino                Ibuna-Gambal Racing         	Ret. lap 40
19 HIN	19 JSM +107.798	19 DHL +Laps: 1		         DNF C23 Cocoabo #23                VTM Tropicorp Engineering        	Ret. lap 11
20 JSM	20 JUL +Laps: 1	20  +Laps: 2		         DNF FAL Dom Falepeau               MRT2                          	Ret. lap 9
21 BAK	21 DHL +Laps: 1	21  +Laps: 3	                 DNF FAN Isaia Fanene               Kaylan Racing               	Ret. lap 24
22 DHL	22  +Laps: 1		         	         DNF MIG Miguel Santos              EVolution Racing            	Ret. lap 19
23 JUL	23  +Laps: 1			                 DNF TJK Timo Jänkirinää            Omni-Katoa Racing           	Ret. lap 30

[Lisander]

There were five trophies on the bench. Two of them were larger, and each of them had a slightly smaller pair, placed next to it. Smaller than the two largest, but larger than the two smaller, the fifth was in the center. They were respectively the trophies of the WGP2 Round of Aels, of the Secondario Premio of Nekoni and the second prize od WGP2 Round of Vangaziland. TV5 Sports employees made the final adjustments to the structure while John Haines, Lisander's most famous motorsports commentator, checked their papers in the chair behind the bench. In the clock, nine-twenty-nine at night.

"Thirty seconds to get on the air, guys! Prepare for the opening!"

The production assistant put the water glasses on the small tables next to the chairs for the evening's visitors and quickly left the camera's reach.

"Opening sounds ok, entering live in six, five, four ..."

Haines took a sip of water.

"... two, one, we're live!"

"Good evening, and welcome to another "Racing Nights with John Haines, here on TV5 Sports 2"! Tonight, our commentator team gets a break, and we'll get three guys who have taken on a huge challenge and are making a great campaign on WGP2, and they are the owners of these trophies here on my left. " - The audience applauds and the camera moves away from Haines and focuses on the trophies while the evening guests are introduced. "Juliano Lemos, Darius Castellammare and Andrea Lanza!"

The two riders and the Superia Junior Team Principal get up from their seats in the front row of the audience, greet the host of the show and sit in the chairs prepared for them.

"I want to say that it is a pleasure to receive you, whom I consider my friends, here in my program, once again. It is the first time, however, that the three of them come together as part of this project that is Superia Juniors. We'll talk a lot about WGP2, WGPC and also about the LAB elections, this event that has mobilized all of us that are part of the motorsport community... To begin with, let's talk to the guy who went to the podium last Sunday. What's the feeling, Juliano?"

"After everything that has happened in the last ten months, since I came back from Hodori, I feel that this second place in Vangaziland was what I needed to finish this troubled period of my personal and professional life. Now, with the WGP2 season ending, I will enjoy this good moment and rest."

"And how is the new Bitten Heroes? What can you tell us?"

"I believe that everything that had to be said, for now, has already been said, John. Bitten Heroes is taking the path that privateers need to take, gathering partners and sponsors. We have, for example, Megara, the best financial consultancy in the country, which helped us to get out of an extremely uncomfortable situation we were. May Jah bless Sabine Valerian. Due to her advice, I am proud to say that we have very honest and public contracts with both Dunneot and Camden, and we want to achieve even more. We want all the best for when we get back to WGPC in a season."

"Putting a team on the WGPC is a considerable investment." Looking at the builders' championship, you can see that all of the teams ahead of Superia Juniors on the table are Factory Teams. There are some people that believe Privateers and Customers always, I said always, in one hundred per cent of cases, are prejudiced when facing Factory Teams. Do you believe in it?" Haines asked, then took a sip of his water mug.

"Bitten Heroes and Superia Juniors, even being privateers, have the difference of being the only team using these engines. We do not have to share with any other team, which is not the case in WGP3. To WGPC, we had Camden engines branded X-PRO because there were people from various sectors and brands working on them ... This time, and Darius can confirm this, the Engines are 200% Camden, 100% manufacturing and 100% maintenance. All engineers who work in the engine came from Camden. Also, MaxxFuels, our fuel supplier, has been working together with Camden for years... So I think it can be said that Superia Juniors has a heart of Pegasus. I am not saying there's no difference between Factory and Privateer. It may happen, of course, but if the relationship between the team and the engine supplier is good, then I believe it is more difficult of this happening. I do not believe, for example, that Darius' results are better than mine because Camden would have prepared a better engine, nothing like that. We have different driving styles, and I've had a lot more work all year, with all the appointments outside the cockpit. This is perfectly normal. "

"In the way you say, it looks like Superia Juniors also has a thing about Factory Team ... It's interesting if we see that way. Look, you've been talking a lot about appointments out of the cockpit. Are they becoming more important than the driver work? "

"To a certain extent yes. After the failure that was the last season of the WGPC, I was ready for a sabbatical season. I would spent the following eighteen months standing, only living on investments and driving occasionally. But I had that idea of not letting it end. I had that feeling in my mind. "The failure of Bitten Heroes was the failure of national motorsports", in some way. I felt that if it stopped like that, no one else was going to take lisanderian motorsports to the international scene. And that's why I got the money I had invested and bought the Bitten Heroes team from Natássia. A closed gates sale, a value enough for her to pay the personal debts that she made in favour of the team, and a fair percentage of profit. I realized that she could not get rid of certain things. And I was feeling I should keep it. We made a big 'garage sale' online. From racing cars to staplers and paper pads. Twenty-four million Lis reverted to the team count. Should I tell him what you, John Haines, bought?" Lemos showed a grin.

"I bought BH's main transporter for Haines Racing WGP3, the biggest of the trucks, and I also bought one of Project Aurora, the first test car from Bitten Heroes as well as extra parts and workshop material. Were for the kick-off for my own team, an old dream of mine. That 'luxury garage sale' was designed just to create the National Series, wasn't it?"

"If we were to sell them, they could even go back to racing. We had sixteen cars on the Brax Centre, built or needing finish parts. Our loyal team of mechanics inspected all the vehicles and I tested them, one by one. Fourteen of them was sold and I expect to see the ten in open-class racing. One of the KS-01, that had been purchased from Team Ignis, was shipped to Camden and was completely disassembled to be used as a basis for working on KS-02. The last one was the car of my first win at WGPC, and this one obviously was not going to be sold, it's in my office, and I do not even tell you the work to move him to the third floor."

"What about Superia Juniors? At WGP2 there are fewer stages, fewer trips, but even not counting that, you had a very troubled start, did not you?"

"Everybody knows that, too. I and the current president of the LAB, our primary supporter in the early stages of the season, were friends until he tried to interfere more than necessary." We contacted several drivers, but the president kept asking for more and more time for a definition that never happened. Fortunately, Camden was able to support us, sending his most valuable driver, Darius. Look at what he gave us, several trophies and points enough to help us pass the mark of a hundred points. A hundred points are a million lis (about NSD 1.8m) from the Ministry for Sport to the team. For a team that was being internally boycotted, we did very well. Imagine when we have a real Motorsport partner president?" "Lemos looked at Lanza to his right. - "but I'll leave the campaign to himself. Next block it's time to ask him about it."

"We can see that your love of motorsports is remarkable, but you are known to be fickle and anxious. With that in mind, answer quickly this last question before we go to the break. Will Heroes and their teams enter how many competitions for the next season? "

"All possible, except the WGPC."

"You heard the man, people, let's go to the break!" - the camera zooms out and blurs while the commercials start.

Yet in the desk, Haines speaks to the guests:
"Darius, do you prefer to be the next to speak or do you want to let Lanza speak on the next block?"

"Actually, I want to hear Lanza, too, about these issues of the LAB election. I think this has to be clearly stated, not at the end of the interview, when people are turning off the TV and going to sleep... "

"Could it be, Andrea?" The Host asked the Team Principal, and was immediately answered:

"For me, yes. Let's talk about it at the return of the commercial break."

[Vangaziland]

Racing | Track Life | Off Grid | Fast Women

Classic Vannish Race At The Capitol

The WGP2 at North Emeros turned out to be another dream-like race for Vannish Motors Racing. It started with Jannik Markner on pole position. The crowd had to be excited to see the Timorian starting with such good position. There was a hope he could score seriously needed points late in the season. Both Vannish cars have had ups and downs throughout the season. With Karli not far behind in 4th, VMR hoped to finish the season off with a strong two race stretch.

Karli spoke about keeping her hopes grounded even moments before the race. "A high starting position and a home track advantage don't guarantee anything. I still have to get in the car and fight for it."

The early formation tucked behind each other in order. The Vannish course was fast, but it seemed to take a few laps before the drivers could make a big move. There was no long first straight. This kept the order together. The chance for cars to jump ahead in the initial run was limited. Spectators lined both sides of the street course. Since this was not an official raceway, all seating was limited to temporary setups. There were even places where people simply stood and gathered along the tall, chain-link fences.

As Jannik led the first few laps, cheers erupted for him. The Vannish crowd wanted to show their appreciation for everything Jannik had done throughout the season. The sounds of the crowd were extra loud since the safety boundary was relatively close to the fencing. The voices would project level with the track.

Early in the race, the grid was still together. This made it easier to cheer for Jannik as he approached, since time displays showed he was leading the pack. Roaring cheers preceded the flashing red lights of the PsyKi & turbo boosted V8. It was a cloudy day in Vangaziland. This blocked the golden hour effect even planners hoped for. There was still a slight orange glow behind the clouds.The positive effect was that it boosted the 'night race' effect. It was because of the dark atmosphere that the red glow underneath each VMR machine glowed bright from the start.

A leaked report showed that the Nimbans thought their chassis would be quicker than VMR's. The first rule of Vannish Motors Racing's acceleration is the 'gear ratio'. The quickness of the chassis varies based on the track. Making an assumption that one chassis is faster may be based on a different setting.

VMR had great data on gear ratios, extrapolating information from Franssen's initially strong WGPC 16 performance at the track. This made both indigo and red chassis formidably quick. The closest thing to a long straight was the wide curve made between turns 3-7. The exit from turn 3 was hard to get an aggressive passing angle from though. Even technique would have a hard time getting a car a passing angle from such a slow turn.

This meant a car had to really be faster to pass along this stretch. The car ahead was set to get a better start on the fast segment. It was in the second half of the course where timely moves could be made. Karli had one trick up her sleeve. Since the course was fairly wide, Karli took a different line than the car ahead of her. It was lap 5 and Castellammare was in her sights. She cut the apex at a different angle, putting the tires in a position of slightly better grip.

A red blaze of light flashed with a crimson eruption as the car exited the turn. The engine howled and popped with each gear shift. Soon the indigo and red Spartan design sped past the smart chasiss of the Superia Juniors car. The next turn was coming up soon, but the track was wide enough to let drivers run on the outside and still get back on line.

Karli was quick enough to tuck ahead of Darius just in time. It was an aggressive move on a technical track. It was the effort she and her team had put into preparation which helped her run so well. The car was at peak proficiency. Schmitt was at the apex of her driving skill. She was making the most of her balance between technique and aggression. A large crowd was gathered there at the bus station. Enormous roars bellowed from the crowd, cheering at the dramatic moment they just witnessed.

The engine noise fought back against the sound of their reaction, Vannish and Nimban machines glowed in the darkened sky. Ahead of Karli now was the ruddy car of Omni Katoa. Both teams had a lot at stake. Ade Imoju had just as much of a home field advantage as Karli. He knew the track well.

It was ironic that Karli and Ade drove the same car in a Hodorian GT2 league. Now they were competing on Mainland soil.

Karli passed Imoju with a better line around turn 6. She had a faster entry, as she had a slightly better technique than Imoju. Ade was just a touch sloppy on his exit. This gave Karli the room she needed to pass. The indigo and red cut ahead of the Omni just as the field of cars ran under the mall's overpass. A land bridge connected two sides of the mall that stretched over the road. Signs and billboards from Vannish sponsors hung in conspicuous ways from the green glass structure.

Karli tucked ahead of Ade just in time for the slow turn 7. She ran the segment a little faster than Jannik Markner. He had done well to hold first. As Schmitt approached Markner, Jessica Franssen came over the team headset. "No team orders. Race for it." Both VMR drivers responded with quick acknowledgements. The eerie tune of the living, breathing Vannish engines could be heard in the background of the driver's transmissions.

The two Vannish Motors cars made their way across the winding track. The group made their way past the classic art deco bus station and down the winding street of North Emeros. This was the capital of an entire Empire. The Mainland. The crowd was already treated to the sight of two Imperial machines running 1st and 2nd. The red flashes lit brilliantly in the drab sky. The sun was getting closer to setting. Dark clouds blotted the sky, making dusk even darker.

Each engine yelled and snorted in ways that made it sound like they were fighting with each other. Their gear ratios and acceleration were so similar that they sounded like echoes of each other. Karli knew she would have to do something aggressive. Karli started her move on turn 13, under the watchful eyes of Lord Emerott's towering statue. The park around the sharp turn erupted in cheers when they saw the both VMR cars. The machines responded by snorting with gear shift pops and flashing red bursts of 'far out' technology.

The two cars fought on the run to the next turn. Then things opened up on the way to 15 and 16. Karli got a slightly better exit. Her line had been faster throughout the race to get her to this point. The car was dialed in and so was she.

After the race, Karli mentioned that, "I felt a buzz surrounding me, almost like static energy. It almost felt like it guided me on the perfect line."

As they ran along the residential neighborhood, Karli made her move. She was so aggressive in her approach, that they would either wreck or she would get by. There was certainly a chance for a dual VMR DNF. Those odds had been avoided in North Emeros. One race still remains. Karli must still show she can beat the odds with one more performance.

Her car soon started pulling away from Jannik. She got ahead before there was too much slow traffic. The car's pace and her expert line helped her make up time on the pack. The crowd continued to cheer as her lead began to build.

"The car is almost loose, but stable", Schmitt said about the handling. "Light but planted." Since she didn't have to battle for position, Karli was able to save her tires. She would need one stop after her aggressive start. She eventually settled into a pace. Her pit was timed with the Fanene event on lap 24. This meant her tires were fairly worn by the end.

"I just went with it", Karli said. Her lead was cut in half between segments 3 and 4 as late tire issues slowed her just slightly. Franssen had calculated the odds and knew they should be able to make it. They could have stopped if they needed to, but chose to avoid that route.

As mentioned numerous times before, this type of race is often seen as boring by certain racing purists. They like to see more movement between the top three cars. Races like this are a reality of motorsports. The home crowd sure seemed entertained with this result.

On the last lap of the race, a set of grandstands erupted in an old Vannish gridiron song.

'We'll fight, we'll fight,
Run-run-run through the night.
We are Vangazi, Fill enemies with fright'

As Karli drove along the last lap's different segments, she would occasionally pump her fist. Words would not be able to appropriately describe the enthusiasm in the home town crowd's responding cheers. Not only did they erupt for Karli. Jannik and Ade also received warm cheers. The loud Vannish fans motivated international fans to cheer for their drivers as well. Any team which had a large fanbase travel to Vangaziland also received large cheers on the final lap. Vannish fans even joined in for some of the international drivers.

After the race, cameras followed Karli all the way up to the pit ceremony. Vangaziland had prepared pyrotechnics for the event that a Vannish driver won. As the Vannish National Anthem was played, indigo and red fireworks shot up high in the night sky. Their concussive explosions rocked the city like artillery blasts. Sparklers flew above the podium, located in front of a historic street corner.

The crowd even erupted in cheers for Juliano Lemos when the anthem of Lisander was played.

This event was likely to go down as one of the classic Vannish races of all time. Karli Schmitt did what Jessica Franssen almost did during WGPC 16. In that race, Franssen ran at the top throughout much of the race only to spin out. Jang Xiaopeng won the event for Omni during the WGPC.

Both Vangazi would reach the podium during the WGP2 at North Emeros. Markner rounded out the top 5. Karli and Ade sprayed each other with bottles of champagne, laughing at the spectacle of what just happened. Soon they went into the usual line of questions with the media. Both drivers were over the moon. They each liked their chances for the next race.

"It would be amazing to win a cup or two", Karli said. "I'm in this for the experience though. Look at where we all stand. We are the world of international morotsports. There are some places in the world that can only watch and read about what we do as racers. All I want to do is put on a show." She laughed as she tossed her golden hair aside. "I think we've done that. Anything else is extra."

A scene by the Vannish paddock showed Jessica Franssen embracing both Jannik and Karli in a group hug. The scene under the glowing night lights was the final cap on an eventful night.

---

Imperial Motorsports Magazine - pgs 17-20 - Manny Torvold

---

[Lisander]

"We are back to the second block of Racing Nights, Today in a special edition with members of Superia Junior Team, the team representing Lisander in WGP2. We have already talked, in the first block, with the owner and first driver of the team, Juliano Lemos. So if you're just coming in now and missed the first block, go to our website as soon as the program is over! The interviews will soon be available there at tv5.ls/motorsports"- while Haines was talking, the link appeared on the LCD screen behind him and also on the devices where the show was being watched.

"Well, let's move on and now the answers will be from Superia Juniors Team Principal and Candidate for the Presidency of the Lisander Autosports Board, Andrea Lanza." - The crowd applauds. "Lanza, I'm glad to welcome you here, you know the admiration I have for you, and my happiness to be able to say that I was the commentator who announced your two titles at F3, eleven and twelve years ago, respectively. How is it to look back and see your fantastic career?

"I like to see how things happen in cycles. I remember that my last year of F3 before I left the Maud Team to dedicate myself to finishing my engineering college. It was the first year of Darius. My two titles at F3 were the consecration of a wonderful career and I'm glad to see this consecration being repeated now, but for him... I feel proud to be part of it."

"But you're only 43. Don't you think about returning to races, as a driver?"

"As I went into Poli Soria at age 36, along with boys half my age, I wasn't in a position to join rugby, football, basketball or any other team, so I haven't played sports there. I ended up giving less to my body, and my physique now approaches more of a normal man. I no longer fit satisfactorily in a Formula car cockpit. But if you see a good opportunity, in an official championship, sanctioned by the LAB, maybe of touring or grand touring cars, I can think about participating."

"I do not see how you would be a bad pilot. If even a Cocoabo can drive a car, a veteran like you would do very well, in my opinion... But since you spoke in LAB-sanctioned Championships, let's get down to the subject of the week. Elections in LAB. You present yourself, in your campaign advertising, as an experienced manager. Two seasons on WGPC, one on WGP2, one on Formula Hodori. But at the same time, you want to represent an evolution. You want more professionalism, less dependence on certain regulations, and especially, more opportunities. More people on the tracks. How will this be reflected in actions?"

"I decided that I would not make campaign promises, I can not just say that I'm going to set up, for example, a championship of high-end electric cars running through the main streets of Soria. maybe let us put up two teams in the WGPC? Probably, but you can not just do it in a snap. A thing that's been asking me a lot is if I'm going to create a Superbike category. How's Athena going? — Lanza interrupted his speech and looked at each of the three comrades on the scene, before looking to the camera. — "Can you see it at home? I'm surrounded by people in love with Superbikes here, I know everyone around this table would be interested in a Superbike championship, so if I say I will, I'll win three votes, but if the Board does not approve, it won't happen. I promise to do nothing, I have said before and I repeat, I am listening to the requests, verifying whether it is feasible or not, what I can say is my will, and it is my intention to start preparing a new category immediately after assuming the presidency If it's going to be Superbike or Demolition Derby, I can say nothing certain. It will depend on the Board, you'll really have to wait."

"Athena is doing well, she's training in her Superbike... But back to you. How's your relationship with Damian Ader, the current president of the LAB?"

"Unlike Lemos, I'm not in bad terms with him. I've been a supporter of his decisions regarding LAB when I think they are wise. I've never made opposition by pranks, and I'll never make it. Of course, I disagreed earlier and still disagree respectfully with the many positions he advocates. His outbreak in Yarkovo made me take a critical stance. I understand he was under pressure. But we were all trying to hold the tips and he makes a scandal of those proportions... We had to redo all the planning of the team without the LAB. And this, analyzing as evenly as I can, is not the role of a leader. I take a critical stance, but I hold no grudge. I could talk frankly with him if he was right here by my side. I respect him, after all, he was elected to do this work. But I do not see conditions for him to continue to do so. For me, he does not deserve to continue as president. Not after what he did to Superia Juniors."

"Well, we've had enough of the elections for today, and we're going to get in touch with Ader so he can also talk about his version of the story, after all, Lisander is a Democratic Monarchy. But back to Superia Juniors ... These results are pleasing you, as a team principal?"

"They are within the expected. I already knew that we would not fight for the championship, especially after all the troublesome incidents. But this approach in the table at the end of the season, these great results from both drivers, they really are encouraging. I'm satisfied. Lemos is satisfied. Even our accountant, Sabine Valerian, is satisfied, and she's never really satisfied with anything. I'll bet Camden is very happy with Darius' results because he will have a great driver ready for the WGPC Debut."

"One last question and I hope it's not a nuisance. Since we met for the first time, twenty years ago, your job has always been linked to motoring. In the case of you lose the election, what's your next step?"

"Well, If I am completely ostracized due to electoral defeat, I always have my car dealership, and there's also the National Series. I bought one of Lemos' cars, completely ready to drive. Obviously, I'm not going to fit in there, but I can hire a driver. If I lose the election, I will continue living as I have always lived. Only it will not be on WGPC. At least not next year."

"And with that, we have reached the end of our second block. Thank you so much, Lanza. And you, at home, Do not sleep yet! After the commercial break we will have Darius Castellammare talking 'very little' about his plans for the next season at WGPC!"

[Main Nation Ministry]

Chapter 17: Exclusive Issue

The flypaper hung on the porch of the old wooden house, which was already in disarray. The sheriff was on a rocking chair he had built from the scraps from the junkyard. The shot from Ping's blaster woke him up, as Ping aimed a plasma shot at one of the strands of flypapers. The sheriff bolted upwards, where Spritzer launched a nozzle of acid at his chest. Falling almost lifelessly on the porch, the sheriff raised his head to see the three bandits in front of him. Ping put his plasma gun at his holster, before looking smugly at the sheriff. "You couldn't make the deal, lawman. You think the corporation will help your town? You know how they are with the embryos." Ping reminded the sheriff, while the red and blue sunglasses on his eyes made him look like a showoff. The sheriff attempted to fire his own gun of a revolver that fired bean-shaped bullets, but the acid had already melted it into liquid, along with most of the sheriff's artificial flesh to hide the metal chassis implant inside him. "Finish him off, Snake. Use your grenade. They tend to pack a punch." Ping said, where Snake got out a grenade constructed from a prankster's snakes in a can. Pressing down on the lid, till a red light started to flash, Snake tossed the grenade to launch directly next to the sheriff. Walking away, the three departed back to the "printers", while the sheriff's front portion of his house exploded in shrapnel and fire.

Azerty drove on his motorcycle, while passing by the fallen spaceship that had been a causality of the defense systems on D2. Entering the shantytown that was built over the sand and over the mainframe, Azerty parked his motorcycle, activating the anti-theft function to make sure no punk steals his ride. Looking for the informant, who was a fur trader, selling luxury clothing aimed towards the execs, Azerty arrived at the counter, where the moment the informant saw him, his expression turned into a scowl. "You're that robot the execs are talking about!" the informant yelled, nervously grabbing his tie which was made from a tiger long extinct. "I'm here for business. The "printers" near here are being overwhelmed by the Bandit Trio." Azerty said, calmly through his robotic voice, which he was trying to sound human. "And what makes you think I can help you!?" "You're running an illegal business, crafting clothing made from cloned animals under the corporation's control." "I tell you what, let's see if that tin canned face of yours is enough to handle a round!" the informant yelled, pulling out a sawn-off shotgun from behind the counter. Just as Azerty was about to grab his own gun, a gunshot and a stray bullet suddenly appeared out of nowhere, as the informant's hand now lacked several fingers. From the doorway was a gunman dressed in a tattered racing suit and a helmet to cover their identify.

"I need those "printers" back under control or the whole town is going to starve!" the gunman said, where Azerty saw this as a sign of assistance. "Who are you? You seem to be a man of similar goals, also." Azerty asked, where the gunman take off his helmet. "The name's Jason Masami. I got a car that can get us there."

---

"That's the first half? So technically, I'm in 65% of the comic?" Masami said, as the Azerty publisher showed him the finished comic. "Yeah, it will be fun, don't worry. You should give it a good read. Very action-packed. We will start releasing it during the next race day. You will like it. Everyone will like it." the publisher said, before Masami thanked him. After getting his stuff, he was ready to get on the plane to head to the next circuit.

[Vangaziland]

The glitz and glamor of the big Vannish city was nice. Karli and Jess found a different way to relax in the days leading up to the final race of the WGP2. They decided to rent a car and drive into nearby Lubenice. The district was known for its hills and coastline. Both drivers enjoyed nature. Wildlife on the Vannish mainland was diverse and exotic.

Mattijana also had a diverse ecosystem. The two women made their way up a winding trail of tall trees. They decided to pick a slightly hilly trail, though they avoided any dangerous routes. Too much was at stake for either driver to get hurt. Karli had one of the most important races of her career in a few days. Franssen had some time before her next driving opportunity. It would still be best for her to avoid injury and stay in peak condition.

The air was crisp and fresh in the Esportivan hills. The sporting region had an aura of romanticism around it. It was here in Esportiva, that so many champions were forged. Not far from the hills were waters that led to the Hollander Sea. They hoped to get high enough to see the coastline.

Both racers wore layers to adapt to any changing weather conditions. It shoudn't be too chilly for either driver. The Vangazi were used to cool weather. It was still good to prepare for a sudden breeze. This was especially true when climbing windy hills. As the pair came around a winding curve, a local songbird sonded a call.

Karli had spent a few months birdwatching as a hobby. She didn't recognize the call. It may have been a species local to Mattijana. There was something thrilling about dissappearing into the Mattijanan landscape.

"All it takes is a sky like that to remember that everything is about the journey. Huh?" Jess turned to Karli as they rounded out the curve and headed up a steep climb. Both drivers kept themselves in good shape. It was mandatory for driving at this level. A good racer had to be prepared to wrestle the car for several hours of race time. The pair kept a good speed going while climbing the incline.

"It really is about the story", Karli replied. She had hoped they wouldn't talk about the upcoming race. The end of her GT2 season was fresh in her mind. She lost the Cup by 1 point. This was a very real possibility with such a close race going into Revinka. "I'm just lucky to have traveled the world. Think of all the places we''ve been." Karli grinned and stared at the household name who had become her mentor. "I even got to meet you."

Jess giggled and fought the tightness in her cheeks. "I'm just me", she said laughing. "Besides. You're making your own name."

"Yeah, but it's just tier two", Karli said bashfully.

"The WGP2 is doing well in Vangaziland. It's on par for viewership with NSSCRA", Jess reminded her driver. She had faith that Karli could pull off the event. She knew first hand of the amount of pressure Schmitt was facing. Franssen was in this same position going into the end of WGPC 16.

As they focused on the race, a small shape darted across the path in front of them.

"A rat!" Karli was more in shock from her fear. A closer look showed it wasn't quite a rat. It ran along the treeline, before darting into the forest.

"No. That's an alpine marmot. They're nice." Jess laughed at Karli's reaction. She had been in Northton for too long. "At least your reaction time is still sharp."

"It was just the shadow change", Karli said with a tinge of embarrassment. "So Jess. How is the whole NSSCRA thing going for you? I heard you might want to try to run there full time."

"It may be tricky", Franssen replied. "The schedule may work out so they run at seperate parts of the years. That would need certain races that interlap to be scheduled on different weeekends. It's not impossible. They'd probably want to avoid clashing for ratings anyway. But I haven't made that decision yet."

"I wish I could drive so many disciplines", Karli replied. "I heard you drove rally. What was that like?"

"It was a lot like this." Jess looked off to the horizon as she thought about the Gemini Games - Cross Rally Championship. It was an event that was a lost moment in time. Many of the world's big motorpsort competitors had teams present. "It was a drive across a very scenic continent. My navigator saved my rear. He really came through with much needed advice." Jess took a deep breath as the two drivers picked up their pace. The incline leveled off onto a straight path, shaded by dense trees on both sides. "That series felt so new."

"I'd like to get another seat sometime", Karli said. "The WGP2 can't be my career highlight. I'd like to really make a run at GT1."

"VMR is salivating at the prospect of building a GT1 car. That'd be something to see." Jess snapped her head at the sound of a snapping twig. It turned out to be another tourist, hiking off the trail.

The two continued their hike along the hills of coastal Mattijana. It was a good way for Karli to relax and cast her tension aside. She would try her best to be fresh for race day.

[Vilita and Turori]

:: VTM Tropicorp Shut Out again in Vangazilandl ::

WGP2 at North Emeros, North Emeros Street Course, Vangaziland :: After a strong start to the WGP2 Season 2 campaign, the Vilita and Turori Motorsports Tropicorp Engineering team have struggled to earn points over the Esportivan swing and fallen behind in the hunt for both the Drivers and Constructors title heading into the series finale in Mattijana.

With Cocoabo #23 atop the Drivers Standings and VTM Tropicorp on top of the Constructors standings as the series resumed from the Mid-Season test, things were looking very promising for bring hardware back to the Vilitan Cove. Unfortunately, Edward Bakers runner up finish at the Crossbay Circuit during round six of competition is the only Podium finish that VTM Tropicorp has been able to collect in the second half of the season while Cocoabo #23 who was leading the series Drivers Standings has earned points in just two races since the mid-season break and has fallen in the standings from first place to fourth and is in danger of dropping further without a turn around in performance in Mattijana. For the defending series runner-up, Fast Cocoabo and the VTM Tropicorp team were hoping to improve on their placement from the prior season and were looking in good shape to do so until falling apart as the series headed off on its Esportivan adventure.

With Karli Schmitt having amassed a large advantage over the field by virtue of a victory in Vangaziland, the rest of the field will need to hope that the Vannish Motors Racing driver has trouble in Mattijana and is unable to score points and thereby allows the rest of the field to fight for a victory that could potentially lead to a Championship.

For Cocoabo #23, victory in Mattijana is the only result that could lead to a Drivers Championship with Fast Cocoabo currently sitting 23 points off the top spot. However, a victory for Fast Cocoabo and the #23 VTM Tropicorp Engineering machine coupled with a non-points performance from Karli Schmitt could still be enough to put the Cocoabo over the top to improve on their runner up performance from one season prior. VTM Tropicorp Engineering's other driver Edward Backer hasn't scored points in four straight events but will be looking to put something on the board to help VTM Tropicorp Engineering achieve a high placement in the constructors standings where they are currently joint third in a tight battle with Omni-Katoa and Nexus Racing. Baker will also be looking to defend their place in the Top 10 of the drivers standings on the final weekend.

One other team that has been impressive of late is the Superia Junior Team, fifth in the Constructors Standings which have broken out into a "Big 5" amongst constructors before a large gap forms back to sixth place SVJ Racing, home of another Vilita and Turori driver; Jama'obo Pegasii. For the Superia Junior team out of LIsander, a slow start out of the gate has eventually evolved into a stronger second half with Juliano Lemos posting a runner up finish in Vangaziland. It was also the first race that saw the Superia Juniors team with associate sponsorship from CoCoCo and the CoCoCo Brands.

Turorian-backed entity CoCoCo had been searching for a driver or team to sponsor for the final two races of the WGP2 Season in order to help in expanding the branding of its Esportivan based services including its top retail brand Coco-mart, the big box store primarily found in South Covello but beginning to expand out behind the former lands of Gregory, and CoCo-Lectric. After initially trying to strike a deal with Main Nation Ministry driver Jason Masami, Representatives from CoCoCo, with its operational headquarters located on an Island to the south of South Covello within Esportiva, eventually found an ideal partnership with the Superia Juniors Team to allow the CoCoCo branding including CoCo-Mart and CoCo-lectric to appear on a World Grand Prix race car as they look to kick-start their expansion beyond South Covello into the rest of Esportiva and ultimately the entire multiverse.

In addition to the primary CoCoCo logo, the CoCo-lectric branding would be featured on the #2 machine of Julian Lemos while the CoCo-Mart logo would appear on the #3 car of Darius Castellammare, a late addition to the Juniors Team. The partnership has already gotten off to a better-than expected start with Lemos appearing on the podium in Vangaziland and CoCoCo officials hope that the added exposure helps assimilate their brand throughout Esportiva and ease the transition of expansion throughout the region for the CoCoCo brand of retail locations and logistics services.

[Lisander]

"We are back for the third and final block of Racing Nights, our discussion program that today turned into a talk show! We are receiving Juliano Lemos, Andrea Lanza and Darius Castellammare at our studios here in North Soria. We have already spoken with Lemos and Lanza, now it is time to talk a little bit with the current third place in the driver's classification, and still with chances to win the championship. Good evening, Darius!"

"Good evening, John. It's good to be here."

"So ... You're known to be a guy of few words, and certain sections of the media, and I personally include myself in these, believe that you have this reserved behaviour because you have never been a standout pilot in the teams you went through. First was Fernando Naas, then Meliné Agrakian, now Juliano Lemos. How do you feel about that?"

"I honestly do not care if the media says whether I'm a standout or not. I've never bothered to be or leave a standout. I'm a good driver, this my results prove it There's no shadow of a doubt. "

"I can understand that you do not like media exposure, but people like to know more about who they admire. I may be extremely intrusive ... But people want to know if Darius Castellammare likes skiing, or if he has a girlfriend, or if what he drinks is really water ... These little things. Can you share those little moments with us? "

"Well... I practice snowboarding... My favourite drink is really water ... About relationships... I'd rather not talk." - He evidently was not going to say that he had been flirting with Athena Haines, the host's daughter, in last weeks.

"Well, you have a right to privacy off the track, but on the track, your good results get noticed, and we already know you'll be Camden's first driver for the upcoming WGPC season. Your mind is back in Camden already or is the focus still on WGP2? "

"My contract with Superia Juniors ends at the end of the Grand Prix tsa Istrija. Until then, my dedication is to this team."

"So let's save ourselves from answers like 'I'm not thinking about next year' and 'I have no plans for this now.' What do you have in mind for the next race? What do you think of Revinka's Street Circuit?"

"It's a challenge, it's an extremely technical circuit with a lot of cornering, especially in the second sector, leaving the coast and heading for the hills. It will be like an endurance race."

"And do you think that helps or hinders your chances of winning the championship?"

"For me, it will all depend on the qualifiers, and this is why we will travel tomorrow to have as much track time as possible, as it is an incredibly tight circuit, difficult overtaking, the better the position in the standings, the better we will be for the race. The drivers' championship is not my biggest concern, after all, I did not have this vanity before. If he comes, I will be extremely happy." Darius spoke in a bored accent. Anyone would doubt this so-called happiness. "But it is not the first concern now."

"Well, you're third in the standings, and by our math, you need to win and hope Karli Schmitt finishes the race at maximum in seventh place. Which of these two things happen, what do you find most difficult?"

"Karli Schmitt finishing seventh, obviously. Schmitt is prepared and has a very strong team at his side, they just need an easy race within the points to get the title. And we can not forget Janne Laukanen, she is a great driver, despite her young age."

"This season, you came to WGP2 as an outsider, just to complete the team, but you're coming out with the enhanced morale and guaranteed a place for WGPC next season, do you have a professional plan that you can share with us?"

"Let me think... I bet a motorcycle with Lemos. If he can not score ten points more than I do this Sunday, he's going to pay me a Superbike, and I'm going to start a team. No... actually, I'm going to start the team anyway. I even talked to your daughter, Athena. She's a great rider. Too bad she refused to drive on my team... " When Darius spoke more than three sentences, they really sounded strange. His bored, lazy tone of voice could perhaps take some credibility from his speech.

"Well ... that's really something I didn't expect. Lanza, apparently you already have at least two teams guaranteed for the competition. If you win the elections, take this project for discussion and save the Demolition Derby for next year." - Haines said, and the team leader nodded.- "Anyway, Darius, I'm glad to know you want to stay on the track. When we think that there are not many drivers who decide to remain as owners of teams after the end of the race, we feel relieved."

"Well, I'm only thirty years old and I still have no plans to stop driving, but when the time comes, I want to stay inside the paddocks. I also had some lessons with Sabine Valerian."

"You're all talking about the famous Megara. Sabine Valerian is General Manager of the team and seems to be the one who takes care of all the factors related to sponsorships and these things... And because of her financial working Lemos has all the sponsors he wants, after all, he is the owner of the team. How about your sponsors?"

"Apart from my Camden contract, I am sponsored by the YKR group. Besides Yeckr, the best-selling beer in Lisander, they also bottle my favourite drink, DHMO."

"What do you mean, your favourite drink wasn't water?"

"DHMO is another name for it. They are also starting a segment of Energy Drinks named DHMO Plus. Also, they will be sponsoring Camden at WGPC."

"Well ... it's definitely a good supplier to have. Since our time is running out, I would like to thank the Superia Juniors team presence here, but now that I think, I did not have to bring the General Manager. Valerian would have plenty of things to say ... Let's try to interview her one of these days. Thank you. Lemos, good luck next year. Lanza, good luck with the election. Darius, good luck with WGPC, we will be all cheering for you and for Team Camden."

"Thank you." Darius and the other guests responded as the Jazz sound began to take over the studio and the cameras moved away from the crowd around the bench.

"Well, and to all of you who have stayed awake with us so far, thank you very much. Following, on this same channel, we will have T20 Cricket! The Linville team, the Lions, have crossed the world and are in Alice Bay to face the Reds of Cap Navarre in another Breckland T20 ProHit match! We'll be back next Tuesday, and our biggest wish, of course, is that we can bring good news, like having a champion here next Tuesday... See you then!"

[Former Citizens of the Nimbus System]

Seaport Line, Terrarail, the Underground between the First City and Nimbus Bay, the Nexus Wardship of Former Citizens of the Nimbus System
5th of November

The Terrarail ride back to Crossbay Circuit is as a rocky island jutting out in the middle of the ocean. The usual waves of conversation lap at the minds of the Nexus Racing team, breaking upon them with utter ineffectuality. The rocks care not; their substance lacks the energy and looseness to respond, even if parts are chipped away here and there.

Tiffany Vallanite and Alex Sanderson sit side by side, the latter leaning against the former. They gaze into the middle distance, undistracted by the non-existent clattering of the non-existent wheels on the non-existent ridged track. The atmosphere is weighty, hard somehow.

Eventually, Alex sighs, shuffling and even snuggling a little. “I am glad it’s over, at least.”

“Mmm. I…” Tiffany leans back, resting her head against the seat’s top, then transfers her gaze to the blinking dot on the route map of the deep blue Seaport Line on the ceiling, then to the dusk-cloaked image of the streets above alongside it. She shakes her head.

“Something up?” Alex sits up, looking to his partner, suddenly alert – and then composing himself. “Sorry… You don’t have to –”

“No… No, I want to.” Tiffany inclines her head to the side, smiling a little through the fatigue. That smile quickly vanishes. “I… I just don’t get how someone could do that. You can’t just… I mean, the government is there for a reason, right? We can’t… Oh, I don’t know. Not up to this right now.”

Alex relaxes a little. “Me neither… I mean, I think I get it. She said – ‘I did what I had to’. Hard Act Utilitarianism – Negative, I’d think, given what she said… Even in a normal utilitarian system, I’d think she’s catastrophising. We’ve achieved so much…” I hope…

“Mmm.” Tiffany falls, collapsing onto Alex’s arm. “Suppose we’ve just got to keep on working…”

“Yep.” Alex sighs. “Late to go back now…” He frowns, impotent, concerned, fatigued, into his lap.

Across the aisle, Ryker and Victoria rest.

[Vangaziland]

Two Days Before Flying To Mattijana

The cloudy system, which helped the glowing red lights of the VM33 chassis shine brighter during the race, had finally lifted off the Northern Vannish continent. The sun was shining on the Empire's homeland, just as it is represented on the flag. The red circle on the Vannish flag represents the sun. The line is considered a river, but not just any waterway. The color red on both items symbolizes blood.

Vangaziland's flag represents a bloody sun crossing a river of the same. The indigo color represent Imperial Unity and Freedom. The flag is a symbol of how much the Vannish are willing to sacrifice to protect their way of life. They would move the sun itself. They would turn the rivers that criss-cross the Vannish Mainland red with the blood of themselves and their enemies.

This was who the Vangazi were. They were staunch competitors. Both Karli and Ade Imoju found themselves in the running for both WGP2 cups. Schmitt found herself in front of the pack, but not by enough to be comfortable. Her success brought a new sponsor. The sponsor which used to field her GT2 car recently signed a personal sponsorship with her.

It didn't take long for her to find a way to spend part of her new earnings. She had spent the past year learning to ride motorcycles. There was a freedom about riding them. There was a danger, but she was experienced with speed. After a year practicing on various speedbikes, she was ready to buy one.

She could have went for a typical superbike. She enjoyed some of the ones she rented. She even took a foreign bike out on a circuit to practice high speed riding. It had been awhile since she really had driven a bike, with the season taking place. Her reflexes were as sharp as ever. She was also confident in her form on the bike. She had pushed bikes to their limit before.


Instead, Karli went for something new and different. She decided to buy an AngelWing GreenHog. The bikes would be available for export soon, unlike many of the recently released Vannish Motors supercars.

Purchasing an AngelWing comes with responsibility. It is not exactly a bike for beginners. Karli may have only a year of riding under her belt. She has quite a bit of track time and road practice within that year. She also has the rare talent of being an open wheel race car driver. There are definitely aspects which translate between motorcycles and open wheel chassis.

The GreenHog has exceptional performance given by two electric engines. The top speed is restricted to 150 mph by a speed limiter. 0-60 mph comes in right around the 3 second mark. There is no conventional transission. Riders control the torque directly, using regenerative braking and reverse torque to deccelerate. To Karli, this feeels even more intuitive than the paddle shifters on her WGP2 car.

She chose the '33' edition. It was named after the VM33 chassis of the WGP2. The motorcycle celebrates PsyKi power, altough it does not utilize it. The GreenHog 33 featurs red lighting woven into the chrome design. The bike captures the roadhog effect while providing superbike performance. The throttle can be set to cruise, sport and race mode. The first setting makes the bike comfortable on long road trips. Since the bike is electric, it is quite fuel efficient and clean. The Vannish Mainland has an electric infrastructure in the same way that most nations have gas stations. There are fewer electric power stops than gas stations, but there should be enough to traverse the country's highway.

Karli rode the bike only for a few hours. It would need to be shipped to her home afterwards. She had to take one ride before heading to Mattijana. She set the bike to cruise mode as she made her way down the city streets. The quiet nature of the bike surprised her. Karli eventually got on the highway which headed west. Eventually this route, Highway 45, would lead to Auster. After meeting Vangaziland's most populated city, different highways branch to the Northwest or Southwest. Auster is a major hub that connects the Mainland.

Vangaziland's highways have fairly high speed limits once out of certain city limits. This was exactly where Karli was headed. There was a raised section of highway here where the speed opened up. All Karli had to do was take an express lane.

The speed of the bike was exhilirating. As she merged onto the express lane and punched the throttle, she could have sworn she was in her chassis. The sound of the wind around her helmet gave her flashbacks of crossing the finish line in this same city. She gripped the handlebars with tight knuckles as the bike punched into the fading sunlight.

She only took it up to 110 mph until she started to gain on another car. A Vannish Motors Hammerhead was cruising at 105 ahead, right at the speed limit. Karli slowed down early enough to give him room. She wasn't going to be the type of idiot that speeds around cars. Karli doesn't have to pretend to be a race car driver like those bikers do. She has to be careful. Even a ticket could be a hassle.

Vannish cops were notorious for not giving female celebrities tickets. Even Mr. Jang Xiaopeng has been forgiven for his past street racing incidents.

The Hammerhead muscle car hit it's blinker and moved to the right line. Karli punched the throttle. The response was immediate. Her bike glided past the muscle car. Karli let on the throttle, giving in to the thrill. 110. 120. She hit 128 before hitting the regenerative braking. As her heart raced and shook, she laughed under her helmet.

Around her was the edge of the city. She could see the residential homes, buildings and little shops that made up the heart of Vangaziland. The sunset Vannish planners had wanted for the WGP2 At North Emeros finally turned the sky a bright orange. She was speeding west right into it's beams, thankful for her visor's tint.

Karli was alive. That was all that mattered. Even if she lost the last race, people had known that she lived. She had become known Imperially. Her name would live on.

[Former Citizens of the Nimbus System]

The Nexus Wardship of Former Citizens of the Nimbus System
16th of November

WHO WILL EMERGE VICTORIOUS ON THE STREETS OF REVINKA?
A Final Race Special by Robert Manleigh

With the second WGP2 season coming to an end, four racers and five teams have emerged as contenders for the top spots in the second tier of global single-seater motorsport. As we enter the final race at the Revinka Street Circuit in Mattijana, let’s examine how they captured this potential and what winning will mean to each of them.

Vannish Motors Racing – Points: 128
After an explosive arrival on the WGPC landscape, taking both WGP2 Championships in the inaugural season before securing a victory for Jessica Franssen in the WGPC 16 Drivers’ Championship, Vannish Motors Racing hope to add two more to the list. Previously known for their purist’s approach to motor racing, they surprised by partnering with the Vannish government and the prominent university at Overglade to augment their combustion engine with a psionic unit, nicknamed ‘Psy-Ki’, that has been shrouded in mystery from the start. With momentum from victory in their homeland just a week ago and a Spectre chassis with cornering suited to the Mattijanan street circuit ahead alongside a point advantage, they are the favourites to win.

Omni Katoa Racing – Points: 113
OKR have been in World Grand Prix racing for as long as VMR, in one form or another, but never quite managed the sheer lustre of their success, taking a second place in the WGP2 Constructors’ Championship and a third in the Drivers’ with Jack Kelly as Katara Racing and adding a third and fourth with Xiaopeng as Omni Racing in WGPC 16. That said, the fusion of the two under the Omni Katoa brand, backed by magnate and politician Nick Newman and aligned with some of the most powerful tech companies in Omnidirectional Timor, has proved powerful enough to edge out VTM Tropicorp and Nexus Racing for a provisional second place even without the help of a driver gunning for the Drivers’ Championship. Perhaps this is their chance.

VTM Tropicorp Engineering – Points: 112
The combination of Abovian and Vilita and Turorian racing knowledge, expertise and resources was always expected to produce results since rumours of Project AGP began to circulate back in WGPC 15 and, while that so far has been limited to competing for the WGPC 16 Drivers’ Championship with Terho Talvela, they came into WGP2 with hope behind them, hope that seemed justified after they took a dominant lead a third of the way through the season. As of now, that hope seems to have petered out somewhat, the team taking home only a pittance in the previous three races. Still, with all the might of two great racing nations behind them, proven form in the past and a racer like Cocoabo #23 at the helm, perhaps they can pull something back.

Nexus Racing – Points: 112
Nexus Racing being at the sharp end of WGP2 this year may come as something of a surprise to the casual follower of WGP racing, especially the casual Nimban follower of WGP racing. Caught in a high-profile scandal after the devastating crash of Jean Mercer-Daly at Season 16’s end revealed systemic security failures, some speculated that they would never recover, especially since they came only tenth in the first season of the second tier. None of this has, seemingly, hampered the team’s competitiveness demonstrated in mainline WGPC; a remarkably consistent run between hotshot rookie Janne Laukkanen and Rebecca Darlington from last season has left the training/testing programme riding high. Victory now would mean the ability to put the past behind them heading into WGPC 17; Nexus Racing might just be able to do it.

Superia Junior Team – Points: 102
Who would have suspected this at the beginning of the season? Favour has not shone upon Lisander in the racing world of late; last WGPC’s entry from the formerly successful Bitten Heroes was a last place, four-point flop, the nation’s racing landscape beset by corruption and bankruptcy. That has apparently changed; rebranding efforts by Lisander’s foremost racing personalities and a rising star in Darius Castellammare paralleling the success of Jean Mercer-Daly have produced a team that has hauled itself back into contention over the last two races of the season especially. While Constructors’ victory would take the help of Juliano Lemos – help that seems unlikely to be forthcoming as of now – any success for Superia now would go a long way to completing a rebirth that has the entire racing world excited.

Karli Schmitt (VMR) – Points: 89 (currently stands to take the Drivers’ Championship)
Forged in GT racing and currently aiming for GT1, there are no doubt many who now hope that Karli Schmitt will change her mind and look to the WGPC for next season instead. Under the tutelage of Season 16 champion Jessica Franssen – in dealing with both the racing and the corporate sides of the VMR camp – Schmitt has more points than anyone else in the competition and the skill to back it up, with four podiums and a win in her native Vangaziland to her name – and while more cynical commentators might point out that she hasn’t been so successful in remedying the VMR chassis’ weaknesses on the season’s more momentum-focussed tracks, that won’t be important in Mattijana. With three different and talented racers looking to take any advantages that they can find in the last race of the season, you’d be hard pressed to find a leader less capable of holding on now.

Janne Laukkanen (Nexus Racing) – Points: 72 (must win with Schmitt lower than fourth or come second with Schmitt scoring no points and without Castelammare or Cocoabo #23 winning to take the Drivers’ Championship)
Janne Laukkanen’s arrival on the WGP2 scene has already made waves. Fresh from the Furuhøytie Virtapiiri Driving Academy, any questions directed at Nexus Racing for recruiting an as-yet untested seventeen-year-old for their development programme were put to rest when he won the first race of the season in Savojarna. He, like Karli, has had championship-winning mentoring, taken under the wing of Terho Talvela from the start – and yet it is Nexus Racing’s own Ryker Lane in his inaugural WGPC run who he seems to have been emulating more this season, taking consistent third and fourth places even on tracks that his more aggressive driving style is theoretically unsuited for. Of all of Schmitt’s competitors he is best placed in terms of points to snatch victory; with VMR’s home advantage gone and all of Nexus Racing’s innovations behind him, it would take nerve to bet against him.

Darius Castelammare (Superia Junior Team) – Points: 69 (must win with Schmitt lower than sixth to take the Drivers’ Championship)
Arguably, Darius Castelammare has been Superia’s saving grace this season. From the unlikeliest of backgrounds, a thirty-year-old with a second contract racing in Lisander’s GT scene signed by the team at the very last moment to fill their empty second seat, Castelammare has taken up the aegis of Lisanderian single seater motorsport and charged, scoring victories in Aels and Nekoni – though there are some who argue that those successes are exceptions to a general rule of mediocrity and that the notoriously private racer doesn’t have the edge that his competitors do. At this stage, however, those exceptions are what any will need to catch Schmitt; many in Lisander and many elsewhere will be willing him on.

Cocoabo #23 (VTM Tropicorp Engineering) – Points: 66 (must win with Schmitt lower than seventh to take the Drivers’ Championship)
It is difficult to say anything with certainty about the origins of so-called ‘Fast Cocoabo’. A quirk of evolution? The result of a horrific genetic experiment? An idle joke in the Tropicorp offices taken far further than anyone thought possible? We can only be sure of one thing: Cocoabo #23 is an excellent driver whose skill has deservedly placed him in the upper echelons of motorsport, granting him the second spot in last year’s WGP2. This year’s challenge, however, which started promisingly with wins at home and in Lisander, has been hampered by his team going off the pace in the season’s last stretch. This bird’s success has been a victory for animal rights activists everywhere; a Drivers’ Championship might just be be the goose laying the golden egg.

[Krainin]

Bringing the latest news updates around Krainin 24/7

Interview with Edward Baker
By: Tony Jackson

Edward Baker in 2003.

Edward Baker, 2001 F1 Champion, has recently joined the international race league, WGP2, World Grand Prix Two. So far he's been media shy, not taking any questions or interviews. He's recently agreed to speak with me in a one on one interview.

Tony Jackson: Greeting Ed. Glad your here.

Edward Baker: Thanks.

TJ: So, what has made you "come out of hiding" and finally speak to the media.

EB: To be honest, I don't know. I only joined the series because I wanted to race. I didn't really care about the popularity or the media, which is why I haven't talked to the media at all. I'm talking to you because the season is almost over with and I think people want to know what I've been thinking.

TJ: You started the season are race behind. Did that throw you off at all?

EB: Yea, that threw me off a bit. I had no experience with these cars. I found out that they are similar to our Formula 2 cars with some things similar to the Formula 3 cars. Still, that didn't help me much as I struggled the first race. It took me two races to get used to the car.

TJ: Speaking of that, you have two 2nd place finishes so far. Do you have anything to say about that?

EB: Well, the race at Insocima International in my home country I am extremely familiar with. I had a chance to win that race, but a small problem on pit road ended that chance. Crossbay Circuit is another thing. It was my first time at the track and I found it quite fun to drive at. I ran in the top 5 consistently throughout the race and I capitalized on people having problems in front of me.

TJ: After Crossbay, you went downhill and even got a DNF at Nekoni. Why do you think that happened?

EB: Well, I was a secondary driver at VTM. During the time I was doing good, their primary driver, Cocoabo #23, was struggling. I think they offset some people from my car to his. The DNF at Nekoni, my right front suspension broke and I was unable to continue.

TJ: What are your plans for the final race in Mattijana?

EB: I plan not to DNF, but anything can happen.

TJ: Do you want to talk about your F1 career?

EB: Sure.

TJ: So you started racing for William Farlow Racing part-time in 1998, then full-time in '99.

EB: Yea. I raced with WFR for a couple of years, getting my only championship in 2001. In 2004, I moved over to JR Motorsports. I raced with that team for three seasons. I raced three more full seasons after that with a different team each season. I've been racing part-time since 2010 with only one full season with the worst team, Swine Racing, in 2015. I still have a couple of good racing years left in me, but no F1 team wants to take a 42-year-old full-time.

TJ: Seems like you had a good career.

EB: Yea. I've been contemplating retiring at the end of this season, but at the same time I know I still have some good season left in me.

TJ: Well, it was fun having you here. Would you be joining later for another interview after the final race?

EB: I'll try, but we'll see how I'll feel about it.

TJ: Well, that's sad to hear. Hope you have fun at Mattijana.

EB: Thanks. See you later.

[Vangaziland]

A group of good friends had gathered at a bar situated along Blue Coast's Promenade District. 'Olaf's' was a traditional Vannish pub, with Old World styling on the exterior. Mood lighting projected a warm atmosphere inside, buzzing with talk from the crowd. The first qualifying session would be starting in an hour or so. Four Blue Coast students drove towards the beach on this autumn day to watch the final race of the WGP2.

They were surrounded by a packed crowd of race fans excited about WGP2 racing. The league is considered 'tier two' by design. Vannish broadcast numbers seemed to show that spectators enjoyed it for what it was. The season had enough ups and downs to draw viewers in and to connect the fanbase.

The two ladies of the group had gone to freshen up. They were actually gossiping and trying to determine which guy liked who and who they should each pursue. This left Derek and Jon sitting at the booth. Their mind was also on the women, but they weren't going to discuss this out here. They could already each sense the pecking order and who was interested in whom. Racing was on their minds though.

"What a heck of a season, huh?" Jon took a long swig of his Prince Fritz IPA. The beer has won awards in Neu Engollen's Alpine View Brew Festival. The event is tied to the AVBF Rugby Tournament. Brewery awards have been phased out of the event. This makes award-winning brews like those of Royal Imperial Brewery some of the last champion brews of the multiverse.

Derek chimed in while Jon wet his whistle. "There are so many interesting possibilities for results. How about Castellammare? He's got to be glad to find himself in the final running."

"Have you heard about Team Lemos? There are a group of Vannish race fans that are supporting him now", Jon felt a little sheepish as he spoke of the fans. "They say he's the guy to bet on for WGPC 17."

"I think they're reaching for the next big thing" Derek chuckled a little. "They just want to be the first to say 'I told you so' if he does well."

"That was a pretty sick run for him at North Emeros though", said Jon before taking another drink. This one was quicker and he soon spoke again. "He actually helped Schmitt put more distance between her competition. It looked like he worked hard hard to help VMR out."

Derek erupted in raucous laughter. "I don't think Lemos would see it that way. Every driver learns something after each season. There are definitely things VMR has put into place in this WGP2 versus last WGPC. I'm sure the teams over there in Lisander have figured certain things out."

One of the women returned to the table. The other had gone outside to make a lengthy phone call. She had just seen an important text from family. The others would understand.

"What are you two chuckleheads talking about?" Stephanie smirked as she took her seat next to Derek. Long, dark hair fell past her shoulders in curls.

"The WGP2. Of course. It IS race day." Jon teased her a bit, before flashing a grin.

"Yeah, yeah", she said. "I can't believe where VMR stands. This is one of the most important qualifying sessions of the year." Steph looked around the bar, panning her neck. "Look at how many people are here just to watch this."

"It's so fun", Derek said, looking over to Steph with warm eyes. "What a league? How about the battle between VMR and Nexus? We all know Janne could easily take the win. A few could."

"There's so much pressure on Karli", said Jon. "It's not even funny. I don't even know how she ended up in the lead. She had a terrible stretch."

"Everyone says the season is like a marathon." Steph was just as knowledgeable as the guys in the group about racing. This was Vangaziland, where sports reigned supreme in entertainment. "It's time to sprint. Let's see how she does. Others are pushing hard to make noise. It won't be easy."

"I remember watching her in Hodori", Derek said. "She lost the gT2 championship by one point. I don't think VMR is going to be all 'laissez-faire' in Hodori anymore. After such a close loss, you can bet they'll put the same effort there that they do elsewhere. Hopefully Karli makes sure to pull this one off."

"Drivers go to Hodori to just cruise", Steph said before laughing. She felt giggly from the mixed drink she had been working on. "If one or two nations start to push there, that competition will wake up."

"Rally is pretty cool", Jon added. There were three classes of rally in Hodori, which may be changed to two. Jon didn't want to be left out of the conversation. He felt like a third wheel with Charlotte outside on the phone. "That was one league where Vannish Motors didn't do so hot. They just need to work up that chassis."

"If you want to talk Rally, we have to go back to the Cross Rally Championships." Steph had starry eyes as she thought of the cross country event. "That was amazing. Just watching them drive across that rugged landscape was an experience."

"Many of the same players in motorsports today were there. Certain teams really wanted to bring the cup home." Jon had spoken again, as Derek was busy chewing a few pretzels.

All of a sudden, Jon seemed to burst out at the TV. "Another commercial? The suspense is killing me." He went back to eating pretzels.

[Former Citizens of the Nimbus System]

Revinka Street Circuit, Revinka, Mattijana
16th of November; Pre-Practice

“Everything looks clear on your end?”

“Present and correct.” Lucia’s normally static face takes on a slight smile. “Though, of course, we will only be completely confident during the final tests – indeed, not completely even then.”

Gertrude laughs. “You’re right about that.” She glances over at Rebecca Darlington’s car, shining, shimmering resplendent silver set against the strips of light above, her team bustling around it. Once more she feels that now-familiar surge of pride, now augmented by the all too new sense of liberation. Hope you’ll be happy with this next season, Jean, Ryker.

Think you will.

She looks back at her deputy – and then truly gazes at her, eyes sparkling. On an impulse, Gertrude darts forward to envelope her in a hug. “Thank you,” she says to Lucia. “We couldn’t get by without you, you know. Everything’d fall apart if you weren’t around to keep everyone in check.”

Lucia responds by practically freezing, her arms clamping around Gertrude’s back more out of reflex than anything else; her bright red face and startled eyes become quite clear once the Head Designer leans back. Ah. Yeah, I should probably have given her warning.

“I’ll… I will go and double-check, ah… Everything. Yes,” Lucia stammers, raising her hands in a way most unlike her, “everything.” She darts away – also unlike her. Moreover, she does not simply dart away; she darts out of the garage altogether and into the portal room.

“Oh, First Builders… I’ll need to apologise to her later,” Gertrude murmurs. She bites her lip.

Then she shakes her head, smile returning to her face, as she wanders over towards the portal herself to find Valen and inform him of developments (Edvin and Martin already present at the wall). Instead, she encounters Guard, half-leaning against the wall beside the door – gaze imperious yet troubled as he gazes across his team. “Hey,” she says, hand raised in greeting. “Things alright?”

“Ah!” Timothy closes his eyes, half-bowing. “Good to see you – yes, they are. Everything is alright with your side of things too, I trust?”

“For now, at least. Now, come on.” Gertrude smirks. “Not getting out of it that easily.”

Guard sighs, eyes closing again, though he does smile. “I am merely considering Sunday and wondering what we ought to prioritise. We stand well placed for both Championships. Should it come down to choosing…”

“Good problem to have, though, right?”

“Mmm. It would be, at that. I ultimately think that I would decide to prioritise the team’s victory but to explain that to Janne…”

“If anyone could, it’s you,” Gertrude replies immediately. “I mean, Imagination, come on. It’s good to know that you’ve got at least a little self-doubt but in this case… Don’t think it’s warranted. Besides, Janne’d get it. He’s got kinda mature.”

“Ryker’s influence, no doubt.”

“Hey, don’t do the TRAE squad down.” Gertrude’s smile becomes challenging. “Besides, aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves? Still plenty that can change in either direction. ‘We built the tower before the windmill’, right?”

Timothy stops. “That was Mardolf.”

“Oh, yeah.”

The Project Manager chuckles, then laughs. “And a good source of wisdom he was!” He shakes himself.

Then he grins. “Fine. Onward.”