World Grand Prix Championship 18 [RP/results]

by **Liventia** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:08 am

Driver signups are open throughout the season, to sign up a driver simply go to this thread to do so. However, they will not have a race seat unless signed by a team.

SEASON 18
RP/Results thread

Season 18 of the World Grand Prix Championship is currently in the
INITIAL SIGNUP PHASE
NEGOTIATION PERIOD and DRIVER SIGNUP PHASE
REGULAR SEASON
Driver signups are still open, in this thread. However, all available spots are currently filled and new signups will have to wait for openings.

To see how the negotiation period usually works, read below and/or have a look at last season’s RP thread. Once you have signed a driver up, begin writing about them in this thread. The more interesting the story you create, the more chance your driver has of catching the eye of one of the WGPC teams. There are no rankings. Success is built on good roleplaying by team-owners, drivers and team-mates as well as a big slice of luck, with your driver’s parameters coming into play too.

You may RP however you like. Maybe you'd prefer to tell the world that a couple of teams are interested in your driver via some rumour-mongering in your local newspapers? Perhaps you'd like to set up an interview with a team? Maybe your driver has a big social media presence or can’t keep out of the news for all the wrong reasons? A popular tactic in recent years has been for teams to hold an open-invitation trial for a number of drivers to test their car around a local circuit, with the best driver/drivers being chosen for the team, so look out for those as well. There is no 'right' way to do it, and the only 'wrong' way to do it would be to attempt to confirm your driver is racing with a team before any real negotiations, OOC, IC or otherwise, have taken place.

You may also wish to consider the massive difference in pay between an experienced driver with a good reputation and a newcomer. In RL Formula 1, the best drivers are paid handsomely to drive while the newcomers often have to pay a team in order to secure a drive. Does your driver need to secure sponsorship in order to pay his way into a deal? Or is he a skilled driver with years of experience, upon whom a team can rely to draw money to the team through external sponsorship and win bonuses?

When you wish to confirm that a driver has joined a team, or formally offer a spot in your team to a driver, do so in bold, like this or this or this or simply like this.

Finally, as this is the RP thread, there should be no out-of-character chatter here. Take your observations, commentary and complaints to the OOC discussion thread.

All teams must have two drivers confirmed no later than Monday, 26 October.

Teams and confirmed drivers
Thirteen (13) teams will take part this season.

Team Name			NAT	R    A    T	Engine				R     A     T		Tyre			R	T
  Driver			NAT	R    A    T
Schkeska-VSK Viska Racing	AUR	5    2.75 4.25	Schkeska Motors			1     0     -1		In Motion		-1.00	1.00
  Abdoulaye Goita (GTA)		RCN	3    4.5  4.5	#7
  Olivia Stone (STO)		NIM	2    5    5	#85
Badai Angin Tim Motorsport	FID	3.2  4.7  4.1	Badai Angin			-0.48 0.75  -0.27	Solymok			0.70	-0.70
  Rustom Ibuna (IBU)		FID	4.5  2.8  4.7	#71
  Alex Dimitrianov (DIM)	MTJ	4    3    5	#42
Mattijana Racing Team		MTJ	4    4.5  3.5   Nordija				0.5   0     -0.5	Tropicorp Racing Supply	-0.14	0.14
  Jasmin Kranjska (KRA)		MTJ	3.5  4    4.5	#22
  Dom Falepeau (FAL)		TGN	5    4    3	#19
Preston Autos Grand Prix Racing	HAP	2    5    5	Preston Autos			-1    0.75  0.15	Tropicorp Racing Supply	-0.14	0.14
  Rudy Edwards (EDW)		HAP	4    5    3	#50
  William Archer (ARC)		AFT	3    5    4	#8
Nexus Racing			NIM	4    5    3     Nexus Racing			0     1     -1		In Motion		-1.00	1.00
  Ryker Lane (LAN)		NIM	5    4.5  2.5	#94
  Jean Mercer-Daly (JMD)	ESM	2.5  4.5  5 	#41
Tropicorp Racing Ælund		ABL	3.2  4.6  4.2	Tropicorp Engineering		0.05  0.02  -0.07	Tropicorp Racing Supply	-0.14	0.14
  Terho Talvela (TAL)		ABL	3.5  4.6  3.9	#56
  iBen Toralmintii (TII)	V&T	3.75 3.25 5 	#77
Polaris Racing Team		NEK	3.6  4.2  4.2	Polaris Trois			0.2   -0.1  -0.1	Deyoze Tires		0.35	-0.35
  Erica Okumura (OKU)		NEK	3.5  3.5  5 	#47
  Sayono Souzare (SZR)		HDR	3.6  3.9  4.5	#52
TAS Alliance Racing		LIS	4    4    4	Harlean				-0.2  0.5   -0.3	Solymok			0.70	-0.70
  Anneliese Devereux (DEV)	LIS	4.5  3    4.5	#12
  Niklas Schonbaum (SCH)	STL	5    3    4	#37
SVJ Racing WGPC Team		SVJ	3    4    5	Johansborg Motor Collective	-0.3  0.2   0.1		Solymok			0.70	-0.70
  Sigur Bjarnason (BJA)		SVJ	3    4    5	#14
  Kitti Armbruster (ARB)	NPH	2.5  5    4.5	#46
Race Eelandii V&T GP		V&T	4    4.5  3.5	Tropicorp Engineering		0.05  0.02  -0.07	Tropicorp Racing Supply	-0.14	0.14
  R.L. Cruisin (CRU)		V&T	3.64 4.5  3.86	#51
  Lane Carter (CRT)		TJU	5    2    5	#11
Fireline Motorsports		ETN	5    3    4	Tropicorp Engineering		0.05  0.02  -0.07	Tropicorp Racing Supply	-0.14	0.14
  Adriana Kowalski (KOW)	VEZ	5    2    5	#76
  Cocaobo #23 (C23)		CFT	2.5  4.5  5	#23
Volkov Racing			SOR	4    4    4	WGPC Motorworks Engineering	0     0     0		Tropicorp Racing Supply	-0.14	0.14
  Gregori Krupin (KRU)		SOR	4    4    4	#25
  Sara Luna (LNA)		DCS	4    3    5	#28
WGPC Motorworks			WGP	3.5  3.5  3.5	WGPC Motorworks Engineering	0     0     0		Deyoze Tires		0.35	-0.35
  Charyseine Valkyria (VAL)	TWI	3    5    4	#72
  Kinu Luminna (LMN)		AUR	3.25 4.5  4.25	#82
  Daryl Mizushima (MIZ)		SQR	2    5    3	#63
  Dario Nülkeschläger (NUL)	HUL	4    3    5	#27

*Tyres and engines will not contribute any RP bonus to the teams that select them. They only affect the R/A/T.

Drivers and signings
The following drivers are currently free agents.

Driver Name			DRV	NAT	R    A    T	
Carmichael Fire			FIR	TWI	5    2    5
Barnabas Mate			MAT	GGY	4.9  5    2.1	
Lukas Ziuvin			ZIU	AUR	3.75 4.25 4
Nate Jackson			JAC	NWK	3    5    4
Bob Reynolds			REY	XAN	2    5    2	
Derrick Perkins			PER	KND	4    4    4
Lennie Rogers			ROG	KND	3.5  5    3.5
Sakinomi Rikikida		RIK	KYC	2    5    3	
Peregrine Martell		MAR	ATH	3    4    5
Denholm Kingsley		KIN	ATH	4    4    4
Aldauren Ginintella		GIN	DCS	4.3  3.1  4.6
Athan Lille			LIL	LIS	3.5  3.5  5
Francesco Scirotto		SCI	DUK	3.5  4.5  4
Arvind Venkatesh		VEN	INS	3    4    5
Taras Matviyenko		MTV	PDN	5    3    4	
Jasmine Muscadet		MSC	NPH	4.5  2.5  5
Pacston Kola			KOA	UNT	3    4    5
Benjamin Talison		TAL	ETN	3    5    4
Catherine Toggard		TOG	ETN	5    3    4
Maddie Hildren			HIL	WIL	2    5    5
Janne Laukkanen			LAU	ABL	4    4.6  3.4

Rules and regulations

by **Lisander** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:33 am

This is a Work in Progress. You'll find some new info here soon.

"Not for a second would we leave Lisander out of WGPC." Those were Kimi Nasunen's first words to the audience at the Alliance Racing team presentation. A few days later, the team would earn its definitive name. TAS Alliance. TAS for its main sponsor, a credit card operator, and Alliance for being an alliance of two motorsport tycoons in Lisander. Nasunen, a well-known entrepreneur in the metallurgy business, also owns a publishing house and two racing teams, both called TEAM-MOON (one in WGP3 and one in Formula Hinode), joined Ricardo Vetinari, another speed lover, Warsteiner Lisander GT driver, owner of the TAS Alliance in that championship and team leader of Vetinari Racing in WGP3.

What makes the team different from all the others is that, besides the two majority owners, the other shareholders are the fans of the team. By paying a variable monthly subscription, any Lisander citizen who has an LSiD (the digital national identification that can be a card, a bracelet, a ring or a pendant with a readable microchip that holds a copy of all citizens' information) and a valid email address can become a shareholder and vote in discussions relating to the operation of the team, such as driver selection or the acceptance of sponsorship contracts.

Prepared for a very modest championship, the team has bought the team's estate from last season and is still using the same Camden N01 from last season, with minimal modifications. The goal seems to be, as Nasunen said, just to keep Lisander in the WGPC.

TAS Alliance keep using Camden N01 from the last season, powered by Harlean 1 engines. But despite lots of number ones in the name, this car is far from being a real contender. As with the previous year's entry, the N01 with Camden powertrain, the car has struggled with consistency issues and a lack of grip.

Specs
Chassis: Camden N01
Engine: Hybrid-powered intercooled V6 manufactured by Harlean, 937 + 168 hp at 15000 rpm
Gearbox: 8-speed paddle shift
Bodywork: Carbon bodyshell with strengthened safety structure and polycrystalline thermic sensible panels.
Weight: 744 Kg
Tyres: Solymok Megfogo (dry), Solymok Locsanas (wet)

Driver/Round	TUR	HDR	NIM	AUR	ABf	ABs	NEK	FID	HAP	LIV	MTJ	Class.	Points
#12 Anneliese Devereux	7	17	21	21	15	20	11	16	7	20	16	22º	8
#37 Niklas Schonbaum	19	19	DNF	19	22	14	18	21	DNF	2	23	18º	18

Madness, once more.
TAS Alliance is proudly backed by TAS, your new bank!
Preseason, day 2.
Preseason, Day 4.
Drivers Chatbox
Anneliese's Blog
The Wackos
TURBO: At least something is working
#12: Sissie Devereux
She's a good girl, she is.
A Hotel in Akresna
TURBO: Not everything is that bad
Sissie finally found a sponsor.
TOPSPORT: More than workers in purple? Adressing the problems with TAS Alliance
"Che magnifica! Che cosa fantastica!"
Meeting up with the Castellammares
San Marco Street Circuit, Formation Lap
The undesirables
Changing times, a new apartment and a futon
Marc Wiel taking the helm
The return of the Bitter Feelings, 1
Finally, finished.

by **Kyoki Chudoku** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:46 am

Kyoki Chudoku
Nogyo District
23 kilometres from the Shinrin-Nogyo Desolation Zone

A vast stretch of mud, the faintest tips of yellowed grass starting to erupt from soil poisoned years ago. Tufts of festering fungus rising from the rotting stumps of withered forests. A litter not of leaves, but of long-abandoned ash, scattered across the landscape for miles in all directions since its inception. This had been a lush place once, containing only the occasional trail to a remote village settlement on the rolling hills, or a barbed-wire wall around an outdoor training camp for conscripts and army recruits. Then the Nightmare came, scarring the land as it had the nation’s psyche- and its people.

Sakinomi Rikikida touched one finger to each mark etched in her flesh. The immortalisation of her glory. Achievement scarified into her cheek to forever showcase the value of her sacrifice. Her shūkei marks were not as impressive as the litanies of tallies that adorned some notorious veterans, but they were hers and she would cherish them. She would relish those memories, not cower from them. The enemy wouldn’t take the satisfaction away from her like they had from countless others.

Her gaze turned to the horizon. Somewhere out there, beyond the barren hills, was a line none but the Hostile Environment Brigade were allowed to cross. The boundary that defined where the ground was still full of poison, a miasma waiting to be unearthed. Even now, with the cities reconstructed and the nation celebrating its renewal, traces of those ordeals lurked behind every corner. It was strange to breathe air this fresh- so much more bare than the smog-ridden atmosphere of Yoimono she was accustomed to- without carrying an oxygen mask. Without soaring above and seeing the clouds below…

...enough of her fantasies. Those days were over now. A new future awaited. One grounded yet just as thrilling. Back to her car she stepped, every motion weighed down by the baggy padding of her cobbled-together uniform. Just looking at the vehicle in front of her caused conflicting emotions. It was something no Chudokuren had ever driven before, something engineered not by an organised commission or the Overlady’s orders but by nothing more than the wits of a scavenging mechanic. This was a new frontier, and she would be its pioneer. In she went to place her helmet on, before flicking on communications.

“Aka-Ichi to Control, reporting.” The texture of her voice was muffled by her helmet, the grittiest specks of harshness sifted out.

“Acknowledged,” came a masculine voice. Even over the radio it still carried the typical clinical quality of one native to Shinrin District. Utashige Kinowari was a fellow veteran, and if anything Rikikida was his superior in this effort. But having someone to serve the role of mission control made it much easier to focus on the raw instincts of the moment- to leave the intricacies of strategy and broad navigation to someone with a better view of the bigger picture.

“Requesting permission to commence another three rounds, over.”

“Permission granted. Proceed.”

It was all technically unnecessary. An illusion. They all knew perfectly well she could do whatever the hell she wanted, that their whole team was more a collection of fellow-minded veterans than any kind of official effort. Nobody else in the country would see this. Nobody else in the country would catch even a glimpse of her the moment she set foot off the islands. That Densetsu Hachi had led this happen at all was exceptional- and even that permission came with a caveat. But since she was given the opportunity, Rikikida was going to make the most of it.

The ‘racetrack’ used for this training was nothing more than the dilapidated roads of a scoured village, the remnants of scorched asphalt left behind when all else was torn apart. Nobody had even taken the rubble away before she showed up, and every glance out the right-side window was a reminder of travesty. But Rikikida didn’t look. She was focused solely on the road in front of her. Her single-minded devotion simply awaited the catalyst to ignite, the single order to-

“Advance.”

Forward she sped. Once more unto the breach. The wheels grinding the tarmac beneath her like tank threads crushing the skulls of the fallen.

“Hard right,” came her instructions.

“Wilco,” came her answer.

“Drift left,” came her orders.

“Wilco,” came her response.

But this was not compliance. Not to her mind. For on this battlefield, she was not servant but tyrant. She did not simply obey commands, as she had for all her life before. She was the commander here. The ruler. The one leading the charge. In her view, she was not simply racing upon the track- she was subjugating it. Every turn another winding onslaught. Every straight another driven advance. By the end of it, by the end of the surging adrenaline and the exhilarating thrill of almost running off the road yet clinging to its edge, Rikikida was filled with ecstatic satisfaction. Another conquest completed.

“Return to base,” came the next instruction- tone carrying unusual urgency. “Reiyomi’s got a briefing for you.” Rikikida couldn’t hold back the beginning of a groan before she gave her affirmation. Reiyomi Enata was the odd one out of their ensemble. She wasn’t a veteran hobbyist like the others, but an officially appointed supervisor- the one to watch over them and make sure nothing deviant or treasonous slipped past surveillance. No amount of predictable Sangaku District cheer was going to change that fundamental reality.

Pulling up at their base of operations only reminded Rikikida further of how ramshackle this whole project was. Their garage was a shed next to an unfinished bunker complex, connected to anything only by dirt trails and a single caved-in tunnel somewhere below. The aspiring driver dragged herself out of the vehicle with a mild sigh- almost tripping over her mechanic in the process.

“Careful,” came the filtered muttering of Masasayuki Fujishino. He always wore a gas mask, seizon obsessive that he was- not that the cracked, tally-etched antique would of any use against chemical warfare in this damaged state. Yuki had once been a tank operator, and he had the engineering skill of a mechanical maverick, even if he spent half his spare time squashing fermenting fruit together to make seizon wine for himself.

“Careful? I thought you knew me better than that.” Rikikida gave him a gentle slap on the shoulder. “No mercy, no hesitation. Just like back in the skies.”

He got a little chuckle out of that- quickly fading into a lung-wrenching cough. “Is that what you’re going to tell Rei when she yells at you?”

“I wish she’d just plain yell for once…” Rikikida trailed off. “Maybe I’ll get the chance. Let’s see this briefing she’s got planned for us, yeah?” She didn’t check to see if her comrade was following before she started walking, though noted the footsteps behind her as she passed into the briefing room. Calling it that was an overstatement- it was a repurposed storage cache with a table and whiteboard and a few fold-up chairs to sit on. Rikikida didn’t bother. She’d stand her ground today.

And there she was, smiling with that same cheerful, grating look again. Reiyomi Enata. Her hair was always just too curly to be natural, just too cleanly to be truly unkempt. “Good afternoon, everyone! Thanks for making it here so quickly!” And the voice- that voice- like an overexcited child standing next in line for her favourite amusement park ride. Every. Single. Time. “As public relations officer, I’ve just had a very important talk with our superiors about the upcoming-.”

“Hold it. Hold it.” Rikikida held out her hand in a halting gesture. “Since when were you promoted to public relations officer-“

“I was just getting to that, Saki! Be a little patient, ok?” Reiyomi sighed. She couldn’t even make her sighs sound weary… “So, thanks to our special access, I did some research for you. And our previous plans are, well, no longer viable. Sorry!”

Rikikida gave a narrowed glare. It was the kind of look that would paralyse a soul not so used to the hundred-yard stare. But they were all Chudokurens. They all knew that look far too well. And before she could say anything, Utashige spoke up first.

“By ‘no longer viable’, do you refer to the cancellation of our special permissions and allowances?” It felt wrong for him to have such an urgency to those words. He wasn’t supposed to be flustered by anything.

“Not at all, not at all! But we can’t operate as independent agents. We have to pledge ourselves to an existing team, and…” she trailed off into silence. Nobody broke it. They all knew what the implication was. Rikikida had been granted exceptional liberty, all considered. And for all of it, for all her wishes, she was firmly a loyalist and a nationalist. She hadn’t served as a pilot for five years just to betray her country over a game.

“...you’re saying that treason is the only way?” Rikikida’s harsh muttering was rough as gravel now. “That everything we’ve worked for- everything I’ve done- was for nothing? That foreign regulations are demanding treachery to take part in this!?” Her fist slammed against the table, causing Reiyomi to jolt in place. “That-“

“Wait! Hold on! Wait! Calm down!” Reiyomi’s saccharine voice had a welcome tinge of desperation to it now. “That’s not it! I’ve spoken to my superiors about it, and they’re willing to go along with it. They say it’s just an organisational thing, not a pledge of allegiance.”

Rikikida couldn’t hold back a deep breath, finally calming a little at the news. “...good. Good. But how are we supposed to make this work? Foreign teams aren’t even going to know we exist! We need some way of reaching out to them…”

“That’s why I’m public relations officer now. That’s my job. And don’t you worry- I’ll do my best. I’m not trying to cause you problems, you know, I’m trying to help you-“

“Could fool me,” Rikikida muttered under her breath.

“-and right now, the way I’m going to help you is this. I’ll put a little media project together! It’ll be fun and dramatic and we can use it to convince them about you!”

Media? Propaganda? That was what this had become? Rikikida had always known this would be a struggle. But how was she supposed to get foreign imbeciles to understand? They’d write her off based on nationality alone. What kind of team would approve someone trapped in such dire conditions? Unless...

“Dramatic, you say…fine. I’ll make it work. Everyone, dismissed. We’ve got some work to do yet.”

To: Schkeska-VSK Viska Racing, Badai Angin Tim Motorsport, Mattijana Racing Team, Preston Autos Grand Prix Racing, Nexus Racing, Tropicorp Racing Ælund, Polaris Racing Team, TAS Alliance, SVJ Racing WGPC Team, Race Eelandii V&T GP, Fireline Motorsports, WGPC Motorworks, Volkov Racing
From: Reiyomi Enata
Subject: WGPC Sakinomi Rikikida

The following message has been approved by the Kyoki Chudoku Bunka no Media Bumon- under authority of Reiyomi Enata and Densetsu Hachi
The following message has been approved by the Kyoki Chudoku no Gaikō-dan- under authority of Tokiko Suou

Greetings from the Supreme Ultimate Country of Kyoki Chudoku!

Today I speak on behalf of Sakinomi Rikikida, and her support team Zenshin Hikō-tai. While Kyoki Chudoku’s media security policy has prevented this from being widespread knowledge, Rikikida is in fact the nation’s premier racing competitor. She has achieved victory over multiple opponents in desperate odds. She is nothing less than a venerable veteran, and has extensive experience with high-speed pursuit.

This season, Rikikida is taking part in the prestigious World Grand Prix Championship. She has attained total dominance over all noteworthy competition within the nation, and now seeks to broaden her potential by exploring the wonderful offerings of foreign organisations. It would be a mutual honour to have her take part under your banner. As such, we wish for you to consider her as a possible member of your team, and to make you aware of both her presence and her talent.

Thank you for your consideration,
Reiyomi Enata,
Public Relations Officer of Zenshin Hikō-tai

“You said this was going to be dramatic,” Rikikida muttered as she read through the message they were to dispatch.

“The Intermittent Head of Diplomacy herself is letting us go through with this! That’s incredibly dramatic!” came Reiyomi’s retort, the woman putting a finger sideways to her own lips as she perused what she’d written. “We’re sending a transmission to foreign nations! That’s-“

“I get it, I get it!” Rikikida’s tone approached a growl. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate what a massive event this was. But it was hard to feel much beyond frustration that words were being relied upon to get them into this at all- and not even her own words at that! If only they could see her- look upon the scars and the stare- then they’d be too afraid to say no. “Must’ve had to work real hard to make the censors happy.”

“It’s not like any ordinary citizen is going to know about any of this,” came Reiyomi’s reply to that- somehow still more joyful than anything. It was a curse some Chudokurens had, mainly the ones from Sangaku District who’d been most exposed to all the animations and media, the ones who’d missed the worst of that living hell they’d all endured. “This is your mission, Saki. Nobody else’s. As long as we don’t commit treason nobody needs to care. And if you did, the Himitsu no Shakai-“

“They’re a magical security organisation! They have nothing to do-“

“-they’ll still kill you if you have any misguided thoughts. But I know that won’t happen. I have complete confidence in you!”

A death glare in return. As if a look alone would somehow shatter that facade- it had to be a facade- of constant cheeriness. But nothing shifted in Reiyomi’s smile, and so Rikikida was left with no recourse but to carry on the conversation. “You know what? I have complete confidence in myself too.”

It wasn’t her ability she doubted. It wasn’t her talent or her skill or her performance. It wasn’t the car or the crowds or the cameras. What Rikikida doubted more than anything else in that moment was the desire of foreigners to give her a chance. She just needed something to take by the throat, an opportunity to get a grip on. Once she had that, she’d be unstoppable. Once she was on the road, there’d be no standing in the way of the tyrant of the tracks...

by **Squidroidia** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:48 am

Daryl Mizushima, a human with an Inkling sounding first name, was diving into the deep, deep end of grand prix racing, a sport that not even a single Squidroidian has even touched with a 100 foot pole. Most Squidroidians play football, no matter the species or gender. Some Inklings play sepak takraw, a traditional sport in Squidroidian culture. Some citizens play lacrosse or even gridiron football. Heck, even a few countrymen and women play tennis and hockey! There isn't much of an audience for racing, whether it was stock, rally, endurance or especially grand prix cars. He was the exception. And he hasn't driven an open wheel machine in his life.

He was a karting person. Some people say he still should have done carts and not dove into the WGPC, where most would shun him off as not ready. Mizushima had a habit of punting his opponents, getting the worst karts and even being sent into low earth orbit (By karting standards at least) every once in a while. For most teams, that was a person who wouldn't get them any points and essentially torpedo their organization by just getting into the car. But he had an ace up his sleeve. He was the heir of a Squidroidian fortune.

Yusuke Mizushima. That was the name of his father, a father who saw his son watch grand prixs from years ago and said, you know what? I'm getting them there. And so FunStar, an entertainment company that sponsored teams in electronic sports, sepak takraw and even football, a company with their own entertainment complex, streaming service and premium television channel, was sponsoring a driver. A bad one.

But the 2 of them knew this was a hard sport to be in for the teams. They need a cash injection every once in a while. You can't just get all the money you poured into R&D, wind tunnels, engines, chassis, travel expenses, printers, 5 star meals, personnel, garages, computers, calculators, boom boxes, coat hangers, fire suits, tyres, monitors, radar and the drivers themselves with all the stuff your team sells, from race uniforms to earmuffs to nesting dolls to rubber ducks. A driver has to come along and pay for everything else, to keep the team afloat. They don't care if it leads to mockery by the fans or even constant DNFs by the driver that paid for that seat. It was about making the team stay solvent for another season.

And that was Yuzuke's pitch to the teams. You need money. Daryl, who hasn't even tested WGPC machinery in his life, needs experience and can punt other drivers out of the way if need be. It could hurt the team and the driver in the long term. But FunStar can get their name on the car for a great price, and can keep jobs alive with the power of entertainment money. Daryl himself got interested in the sport via documentaries and highlights, and if a team takes the risk and signs him to a deal for the season, he can finally live his spoiled dream of racing in front of the entire world.

Even IF he is in the mood for punting other drivers.

by **Nekoni** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 7:33 am

It was pitch black when Erica Okumura arrived back in Nekoni. Spending the last few months out of the country had done her a world of good mentally. Her last season in WGPC was certainly not her finest hour, and she had spent a lot of time in the off-season trying to really figure out what went wrong. After a start where the results weren't going her way, despite multiple great performances on race-day, the second-half, like last time, bottomed out hard. The end result? A lowly 23rd place. Just sixteen points to her name. A complete world away from her debut, where she'd successfully win her fourth race, and immediately make the podium again the time after. And then? Well, it was clearly a fluke, wasn't it?

Seeking answers, she received a message from her teammate and long-time friend Sayono Souzare. After the Highpoint race, she had just been on the wire to the organisers of Formula Hodori, the national series where she cut her teeth, and it just so happened that Sayono had played a blinder last season, pulling off an entire championship win with a spectacular come-from-behind 6th place finish on the final round. Naturally, this meant Sayo would be driving the #1 car...and she wanted an old friend to be her wingwoman. Of course, Erica jumped at the chance. Despite having a Hodoran motjer, she had never properly lived in Hodori outside of the first six months of her life, so a change in scenery with a bit of added family history on the side would do her the world of good, she reasoned. It would, however, be mainly a busman's holiday.

Formula Hodori felt almost nostalgic to Erica; despite being completely different both outside and under the hood, the driving experience sure felt familiar to her days dominating SuperFormula Nekoni. It felt good to be back in a lighter, less scary car, one that you didn't feel that guilty about potentially launching too fast into a turn and trading a bit of paint with the Armco. The thrill of finally driving at tracks she knew from watching on TV, but never had a chance to drive before. Much more importantly, it felt good being in a racing series where the risk of being replaced mid-season wasn't breathing down the back of her neck. At FH, racing became fun again.

The fun was also partnered with good results, in particular, qualifying. Whereas in the WGPC, Polaris had been plagued by substandard lower-half qualifying, here she was on fire, making the second round everytime, and more often than not, getting top 10, In fact, she ended up taking the pole at Seokuba. Her races were just as promising too: every race, she finished, and finished well. Despite never winning a race, Erica was leading the entire championship going into the finale at Dashoze, and nearly would have won the thing if her qualifying lap wasn't a surprising sleeper. Her race began at 14th, and sadly, although jumping through tons of hoops to build it to a respectable seventh, it wasn't quite enough, and her maiden championship ended with a third place finish. It was a little disheartening to have lost the title when one's hands were virtually on it, but still, what a first year. Coupled with Sayono's overall performance being good enough for eighth, the Arada team were pleased with their second place constructor finish that year.

With the holiday over, and Sayono's fiercely protective girlfriend breathing a sigh of relief that Erica didn't try to snatch her away or anything silly like that, the time was now to focus on the Polaris team. A team, that, at the time she arrived, was keeping uncharacteristically quiet about its season. Was there going to BE a Polaris in 18? The rumour mill had been hard at work spinning since the last race had ended. Countless news headlines littered the tabloids with god-awful titles like "Polaris Plug Pulled After Piss-Poor Performance?" and the like for weeks, and despite the media's constant pressing, Polaris had almost seemed to disappear off the face of the earth. Would Erica have to search elsewhere?

All of these thoughts were stuck in the head of Erica as she left the plane on the runway tarmac in the dead of night. Once she was in the terminal, her phone buzzed for a text:

"Hey Eri, welcome back. Bar at the end of the lounge, out the departure gate. You'll understand when you get there. Allie xx"

She knew exactly who it was, and sure enough, luggage in hand, she walked out the gate, round the corner, and saw a familiar red-haired woman at the bar. Alexandra Mayari.

"Drinking at an airport bar at two in the morning, Alex? Jesus, you've fallen." Alex turned her head to see Erica, knocked back her drink and let out a solitary laugh.
"Good one. This ain't alcoholic, mate. There's a good reason I'm here. I'm your chauffeur tonight. Unfortunately I left my fancy hat and uniform at home so what you see is what you get. Car's waiting for us, so let's roll. We have a lot to talk about."

Why was Alexandra here? Of course, it was about Polaris. But what? As they walked to Alex's car, got in and left the parking garage, Erica couldn't bite her tounge longer.

"What's the deal with Polaris? Is that why you've picked me up?" Alex smirked back.
"No, I figured I might as well do it from the kindness of my own still, black, dead heart," she sarcastically responded. Without looking, she could sense that Erica didn't find it that funny. She readjusted her tone. "I'm sorry, you're right. It is, but we've gone through bloody hell doing the sponsorships. I don't know why they chose this season to get all arsey with us, but they did. The upshot is, and we're talking bleeding edge news here, Polaris is still in, we have all our old sponsors, all's right. The bad news is, it cost us so much goddamn more, so this season, you're gonna need to properly haul ass on the track if you want to keep them happy." She stopped, and a moment later, realised that she probably should have confirmed that Erica was still in before she started demanding results. "Oh yeah, you're still First Driver at Polaris, Erica."

Erica smiled wryly. "Neat. Although...is there any reason why you picked me up in the arse-end of night to do something we could have done in the morning?"
"The bastards with their cameras would have been all over you if we did that," replied Alex. "I know what they did to you last season, chick, and I'm bloody sick of them too." She then bared a big smile, showing teeth. "Also, you gotta admit this felt kinda secret-agenty. I probably should have worn a turtleneck and a beret or something."

by **Filindostan** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 8:10 am

A private complex
Yogyakulta, Filindostan

It was several days after the inaugural Grand Prix Filindostan, where Rusty was able to finish in the points. Before the race at his home nation, Rusty had a bit of a poor run-in, and is seemingly suffering from another mid-season slump he already experienced in his rookie season with MRT. After qualifying, he discussed the idea of taking an extended break with Eelandii VTGP's acting team principal Gary Cook, in which they agreed as they were trying out two young drivers in Hapiloppian stock car driver Drake Stevenson and Recuecian future WGP2 champion in Abdoulaye Goita in the mid-season test in Dritten Asopie. Rusty asked Gary to delay the announcement as much as possible to avoid any media speculation, which he would not be able to avoid anyway.

Meanwhile, at the Badai Angin side of the garage, Rusty's father, Rudolf, has also handed the operations of the WGPC team in the said test to his deputy team principal, Bryant Gambal. He said that he wanted to have some time with his estranged wife and will stay at Yogyakulta for the time being. He had already invited Margarita (his ex-wife) and his son, to attend a private family bonding arranged as a team event in Joko Ajartambun's private complex. He was not sure whether Margarita would even want to communicate with him, but one thing is sure - Rusty would surely come to this gathering.

And indeed this was the expected scenario. At the Villacosta residence where Margarita lives, she just laughed at the email Dolf sent, and immediately put the message out of the email client. She immediately called her son and asked if the same invitation was sent to him. Rusty said that he will meet with Dolf regardless.

"Do you want me to send him your regards, Mama?"

"I dont care about him. I would not care even on what your career decision will be. I know that you'll be probably regretting not signing up for them given that they are ahead of you and your team in the current championship."

"Okay, will take note of that."

At the complex, the two met after keeping their appearance and movements discreet from the watchy eyes of the Filindo media. Dolf and the Badai Angin conglomerate even asked the staff of the complex to keep the event discreet and not inform any outsider of the event.

At the 7th floor of the complex, the topmost floor, Rusty removed his disguise to make himself comfortable and warmly greeted his father.

"How's Marga? I'm sure she doesn't want to see me or interact with me at the least. I should have included a read receipt on that email."

"Yeah, she said she does not care one bit about you and she doesn't care a bit about my next career moves. Now let's get to the topic."

"Haha, I thought so. Are you regretting not signing up for the Badai Angin blue?"

"Well, sort of, but I did well for the Eelandii at the beginning, a podium and a 4th place finish in the first two races. But my confidence have been struck with consecutive out of points finishes. I may not be able to keep that seat next season. Just letting you know that my priority for next season is to join your team, I really do not care whether I'd be the lead driver or not, but I want to contend for the title next season, and even though I initially thought that you would languish at midpack or even at the back of the grid, I'm already been served with a humble pie."

"Well 'nak, out plan for next season is stability. I cannot assure you at a spot on our team next season. And even if you would sign for BA next season then I would tender my resignation as team principal, apply for a fresh license, and compete with you for a seat to keep you out of the team... or I was thinking of it. Haha."

"So, it's a deal for next season?"

"We'll, I'll check with Joko and the team if this can be greenlighted."

"Okay, lets go for a swin in the rooftop then. Can you advise how to make myself perform well in the upcoming races?"

After a brief discussion on the agenda, It was dependent on the events between now and the end of the season to determine whether Rusty would be able to sign as a Badai Angin driver next season. Months after the encounter, several insider sources have leaked to Filindo media in the offseason that the rumors of Rusty Ibuna signing for Badai Angin are gaining traction. It would be in a fuck up in an sponsor event during the WGP2 race at San Marco that this was a possiblity, with Rusty donning Badai Angin gear in his video message, but other skeptical netizens only defended that Rusty will only drive for the stock car team at the Filindostan round of the NSSCRA.

However, there was already smoke, there was already a fire, as the next day, Badai Angin terminated its sponsorship deal with the sponsor, Puroll, at the very next day. It would be another month for the marque to finally announce that Rustom Ibuna is confirmed to drive for Badai Angin in WGPC 18, meaning that one of their WGPC 17 drivers, Alex Dimitrianov, or Carsten O'Rourke, would not be driving for them next season.

by **Hapilopper** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 11:16 am

Marty Lewis’s office, Preston Autos GP Headquarters, Hapilopper City
A few weeks before the preseason test
Marty Lewis sat in his new office in the headquarters of the new Preston Autos Grand Prix Racing shop in Hapilopper City and sighed. It was a happy sigh, not a stress-filled sigh. It had been several months, but he still was having a hard time getting over the fact he had been assigned to run a World Grand Prix Championship team. Gone was the days of him trolling around NSSCRA and HASCAR garages to check on Preston teams in either series, and gone was likely the days of him pulling elaborate pranks on his fellow racer buddies.

Instead, he had been tapped to run the auto manufacturer’s new Grand Prix team, an organization that would represent Hapilopper in one of the multiverse’s top racing series. The team had hired numerous individuals who had competed in the Hapilopper Championship Series, the nation’s top open-wheel single seater series, as well as a handful of hotrodders and drag racers. Preston Autos felt they could produce a top-flight Grand Prix team using products made in Hapilopper, with a Hapiloppian crew, a Hapiloppian chassis and a Hapiloppian engine.

Months before, two teams got started on their own projects. The first team, led by chassis designer Earl Southwind, worked on the PGP-01, the new car that Preston Autos would field during the upcoming WGPC season. The second team, led by ex-drag racer Milo Pinkman, was working on the engine, which per a Preston Autos decree, would be based off an engine used in a Preston-built passenger car.

After a bit of deliberation, the team chose to go with something they had contemplated building for years – a 209-cubic inch, a 3.43 liter, turbocharged stock block V6 engine – a program that had been legal under the regulations for the Hapilopper City 500 open-wheel race but had been illegal for the rest of the HCS races. Under HC 500 rules, the engine had been allowed extra boost compared to other engines – 55 inches of boost (1.86 bar of boost), and Major Motors had run a program for a number of years, albeit without much success. The engines had been explosively powerful, but had not been all that reliable. The Preston brass reasoned, however, that such an engine would be better suited to the shorter distance of WGPC races, which ran over a maximum of 305 kilometers, not even half the distance of the HC 500.

More importantly, the engine was relatively cheap. Preston Autos was playing the long game. They reasoned that if they ran decently well this season, they could possibly sell other WGPC teams on running a comparatively low-cost engine in the next World Grand Prix Championship.

At this point, a few weeks before the first WGPC preseason test, Marty, having overseen the building of this new team, was looking at hiring a tire supplier and looking at hiring two drivers. Rudy Edwards was the most likely pick for the first car, as he had been sponsored by Preston in the Hapiloppian Championship Series, and had been designated as Drake Stevenson’s replacement as Hapilopper’s representative in the World Grand Prix Championship. As for the second driver, Marty was looking at a large pool of drivers, and was having a hard time narrowing drivers down.

So he called up Rudy and asked what he should do as far as hiring other drivers.

“Well, believe it or not, I think there’s a group email that we’re all a part of,” Rudy said over the phone. “Or something like that. Why not send something and see if you get any bites?”

So Marty drafted up an email to as many drivers as he could reach out to. There were probably some drivers that would not get the email, he figured, since drivers in other nations probably either could not get access to email, or whatever technology they had in their home nation vastly dwarfed those of Hapilopper’s and the concept of email might have seemed primitive. Either way, Marty figured he could get a few bites.

To all interested,
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marty Lewis, and I am the new principal of the Preston Autos Grand Prix Racing Team! As the newest contenders in the World Grand Prix Championship, we hope to make an impact in the world of Grand Prix racing, and we hope to show the rest of the world that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to be competitive in the most advanced form of motorsport in the multiverse.

We are looking for a driver to join us for the upcoming WGPC season. If you are interested in joining us, please contact us. We are looking to hold an open tryout session before the first official WGPC test session of the year. That open tryout will take place at the Hapilopper City Grand Prix Circuit a couple of weeks before we join the rest of the WGPC teams at the first official test session.

Please indicate, as well, if you are bringing sponsorship. We are looking for additional sponsorship to help us get through the season. We look forward to hearing from you.

Very truly yours,
Marty Lewis

While Marty wondered what drivers would respond with any interest concerning a Preston Grand Prix seat, what wasn’t up for debate was who he wanted to supply the tires for the team. On the recommendation of virtually everyone associated with Team Blue and with Preston Autos,
Marty decided to send feelers out to Tropicorp to see if they could supply tires for Preston for the upcoming WGPC season. Everyone associated with Team Blue had raved in the past about Tropicorp’s tires. The tires had been reliable, provided great grip, and were very well built.

Marty had a smile on his face. Everything was going well for him and for the new Preston Autos Grand Prix team. He wasn’t sure how good the team would turn out in the upcoming World Grand Prix Championship season, but he was fairly certain they would exceed expectations.

by **Diarcesia** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:16 pm

Ginintella in the WGP3. Photo: Stefan Moro

Hylvobrigia, Diarcesia
Kono Iwanaga, principal of the National-Konno Power WGP3 racing team, held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation with the imminent departure of Aldauren Ginintella from Diarcesian WGP3 racing.

"The team will have to make a major move to prepare for what could be a tough future," said Iwanaga. "Rest assured that with Ginintella's announcement to move up to the WGPC..." (he made a mental note on how Ginintella should have waited for the next WGP2 season) "...we've already scouted a couple of good drivers and will be looking to bring more soon. Yes, I am aware that this is no substitute to Ginintella's accumulated experience."

Iwanaga was firm in his belief that the National-Konno Power team should have offered him more money. Ginintella however made it clear that his move was personal: he felt it was time to challenge himself more, in light of recent developments.

Iwanaga continued his introduction, "I mean, despite this not so minor setback, we have the institutional memory to win a cup or two with another driver. For instance, our Number Two had worked with Ginintella for who knows how long.

"I don't doubt that these are huge shoes to fill, and the decision to pick his replacement will have noticeable ramifications. Perhaps one that may make or break the course of this team in the near future."

Even Aldauren Ginintella thought his decision was a dramatic shift. He had been fond with his co-workers in National-Konno Power and he thoroughly enjoyed his stay there. It was, in his mind, a mutually beneficial arrangement to dwarf all other mutually beneficial arrangements.

And then Sara Luna almost won the WGP2 championship.

He smiled at the thought of one of his many professional rivals moving up the ladder.

He liked the guts of this lady. Even if she could be considered old for a professional racer, Sara had a lot of fight in her. Aldauren knew it firsthand, multiple times. Many a WGP3 race was won or lost between the two of them within a fraction of a second.

It was then when a previously unthinkable idea came to him. Why not skip WGP2 and go straight to the WGPC? Never mind that he would be a minnow among the movers and shakers of that league. He would have the chance to face Luna again in the racetrack. It recalled in him a sense of excitement he realized he hadn't felt since the dawn of motorsport. He had a newfound sense of motivation. He could finally race internationally again.

After the WGP2 Season
Aldauren reached across the room to catch Sara Luna's attention.

"Good job to you, you did well," Aldauren said with a clarity fit for radio.

"Well, thank you. I heard you kept on top shape in the WGP3", said Luna. "I've been waiting for this day my whole life. I'm glad to meet you here as well. You know what, I sense that you have some plans in mind."

"Oh, I'm definitely planning to make a statement or two in the future", Aldauren said with a laugh. "There's a certain prestige that goes with moving beyond WGP3. I mean, the other night I was starting in the last row of the last race. I can't imagine being bested in racing and me not doing anything about it. So I'll say we may have yet to cross paths later."

Sara gave a smile. "You know what the last thing I wanted to do today was? I wanted to see how you were doing. I mean, you usually finish really well. You might not even be out of the top three yet this season."

"Actually, I think I'm doing quite well", said Aldauren with a pensive look. "Although I could be wrong, I screwed up in the recent qualifiers and had to start from the back."

"It actually ended alright", said Luna, who walked over to sit at a table near Aldauren. "You staged a comeback and cement yet another championship. You deserved to win this season. So I'll have to ask some questions. Right now, I'm focused on getting ready for my professional future."

"What questions? I thought I'd avoid that. All the pressure and all the fame and gossip and predictions and speculation might just get Aldauren in trouble" He chuckled. "Oh, I guess it might be difficult to say goodbye to this season", said Aldauren. "Especially after what happened last week. But I'll be damned if I ended up in the news again."

Luna nodded, but didn't speak for several moments. Aldauren could tell she was thinking what to ask. She was known to do that kind of thing.

So, Aldauren continued. "I've lost count of the number of times I've turned up to the track to embark on a championship run. For the past two weeks I've been trying to get a glimpse at how it feels to not be at the very top of the podium. I can't help but feel as if I've missed out a bit of the novice's perspective. There were a few moments this season where it was pretty darned close, but still I managed to escape from that quandary."

Luna nodded as she listened, and then asked her questions.

"I don't know, what's the point?"

"They wanted to make sure you got a chance to make your mark. You know the teams' slots are limited. They wanted to see who could be the most suitable driver for their cars," Aldauren said to the other person in the call.

"Open tryouts."

"Well, the rules are simple, right? Finish first, and you get the offer."

"Sounds like a good deal to me!"

"I mean, if I don't win, I can always try my luck elsewhere. But even this early, this will be a cutthroat competition. I think it's fair to say that I'll be on the hot seat for more than a few times."

Aldauren admitted that he had felt a bit of pressure from having to take tryouts, but that it was a good feeling. He had been in this situation before, although that was a long time ago, back when he left a cushy job as Pryfors Bilar's test driver.

"Man, I've been in this position before," Aldauren's friend said. "I knew I can do this. But I needed to get that right. That was my first tryout in WGP3. It was like a blur. I just kept pushing. There'll be more opportunities for you before this is all over. Cheers!"

To Marty Lewis,
I am writing to let you know that I am interested in joining the open tryouts for a spot in the Preston Autos team. I am Aldauren Ginintella, one of the drivers in the Diarcesian WGP3 with about a century of motorsport experience. I would appreciate the opportunity to work with you, on and off the track. Should I be accepted, I will be very glad to be part of the efforts to win the championship.

Sincerely,
Aldauren Ginintella

Bcc: TAS Alliance, Race Eelandii V&T GP, and Tropicorp Racing Ælund
From: Aldauren Ginintella <aldauren.ginintella@pilarmanesi.dc>
Subject: WGPC Application for Open Driver Slot

Greetings,
I am Aldauren Ginintella, Diarcesian WGP3 driver and holder of multiple championships from the aforementioned league. I would like to apply for a driver spot in your team. I hope my credentials and experience would prove suitable for an offer. Should I be accepted, I look forward to learning more with you and to help bring your team towards a drivers' championship win.

Sincerely,
Aldauren Ginintella

by **Siovanija and Teusland** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 1:26 pm

1:00PM - Teussische Motoren Werke Headquarters, Stelburg, Teusland

Niklas Schonbaum sat in the waiting room, reading the latest copy of Motorsport Heute, Siovanija & Teusland’s most popular auto racing magazine.

”Schonbaum is a great driver, everyone in Siovanija & Teusland knows that. He can stay in that TMW car and win however many championships he wishes. But there’s a world beyond the Nordsee - one where he can become a legend. Does he have the ambition and the drive to succeed on the world stage? I certainly hope we find out.”

Schonbaum put down the magazine. He’d heard the same thing nearly every day from all corners ever since he’d lifted the national grand prix championship earlier this year - ‘When are you going to WGPC?’ ‘What’s next, Niklas?’ On one hand, he was a bit worried - he was still, after all, 22 years old and didn’t have too much worldly experience. But then, when he was growing up, it was the world title he always dreamed of winning.

“They’re ready for you in there now,” said the secretary. Schonbaum nodded, and walked through the large oak doors engraved with ‘TMW.’

It was a brilliant room, one he’d been in several times before - most memorably at 18 to sign his first senior contract with TMW. Behind the main table was a beautiful view over the city of Stelburg’s downtown core, with the TMW building being one of the tallest buildings in the city. On the walls around the room were photos of all the championship wins for TMW drivers in the domestic championship - including 3 of a smiling Schonbaum, now seemingly grinning at himself. And on shelves, there were replica automobiles, awards, and trophies. This was the biggest car brand in Siovanija & Teusland, and the most successful racing team in the nation’s history.

“Niklas, please, sit down,” said Heinrich Eichler, the team principal of TMW Racing. Eichler was a good man, someone Schonbaum knew quite well. Also sitting around the table were various TMW bosses, including Sven Beutler, Stephan Schaper and one-time 4x national drivers champion Erik Hellmann. Schonbaum could tell by the suits at the table this wasn’t an average offseason meeting.

“Niklas, it’s fair to say that you’ve had an incredible amount of success on the domestic circuit. And we’re all very proud of you, and first we’d like to recognize your efforts,” said Eichler. Erik Hellmann jumped in now: “You’ve still got two more to go to pass me, though,” with a laugh.

Schonbaum smiled. “Thank you. I couldn’t do it without the team, though, it’s thanks to the great work of everyone at TMW that I’ve been able to have the success we’ve had together, and I’m looking forward to more of it.”

Eichler nodded. “Now, Niklas, we’re sure you’re very aware that the 18th season of the World Grand Prix Championship is upcoming. I know that in the past I’ve discussed with you the plans we here at TMW have for the future - how we want to be a major player not just at home, but abroad as well. And we feel that we have an excellent opportunity to start that here.”

Now Sven Beutler spoke up. “Niklas, there are plenty of spots available to drive a WGPC car this season. We were wondering if you would be interested in working to seek out a spot on one of these teams.”

Schonbaum sat back a bit in his chair, unsure of how to react. “Um… yes! Yes.”

Hellmann smiled. “No, this isn’t a way of stopping you from beating my 4.”

Schonbaum had to laugh. “But I’m sure it played a part,” he replied. Hellmann could only smirk.

Now Eichler spoke up again. “It’s going to be a tough road, Niklas, but we feel you are prepared, and that the time is right. Siovanija & Teusland is a growing name in the world - you could argue legitimately that the best footballer and best hockey player in the world right now were both born in this city. You’re already the best driver in this country - with hard work and determination, you can be like Thorsten Kramer or Timo Schlager too.”

Niklas was quite humble, but had to admit it was nice to hear such praise. He had some questions, however. “There are plenty of incredible drivers in the world, each of whom are also trying to get to the top. And there’s only 26 spots in the WGPC next season. What is the plan for setting me apart?”

Erik Hellmann nodded. “How did you get a seat with TMW?”

“Success in karting, doing well in the test drives with them.”

“It’s the same thing here. You have to go out and take it. You’re going to have to get on the track and set yourself apart - the resume is nice, but nothing beats actual performance. There are going to be plenty of test events between now and the start of the season, and the more you are in a car the better.”

Schonbaum nodded. Now Stephan Schaper spoke up. Schaper was in charge of marketing and advertising at TMW. “We also feel that you have a bit of a financial edge. Obviously, it’s easy for TMW to get sponsorships at home - everyone wants to be backing the winner. But now, with the recent political move towards this country opening up more to the world, everyone wants to get their name out abroad, too. Among others, 3 of your biggest sponsors - Adler Sportswear, TeusBank and Teussische Vermogensberatung - have agreed to continue supporting you.”

Eichler’s turn again. “Many of the WGPC teams like their drivers to come with financial support, so you having some of the largest companies at home behind you will be a benefit. Of course, TMW will be behind you as well, and we’ll be assisting you with networking as well. This all make sense, Niklas?”

“Yes! I’ve always wanted to have an opportunity like this, and I’m thankful for the backing and confidence you’ve given me. How should we get started?”

Erik Hellmann spoke up. “There’s already a test event being scheduled in Hapilopper, by the Preston Autos team. Here’s the email for Marty Lewis, the team principal. Send them a note and say you want in - they’d also like to know about sponsors. We’ve also got the contact for all the teams involved in the season - send them an email too. It’s time to get your name out there, young man.”

Niklas Schonbaum nodded, picked up his phone, and began to type.

To: Hr. Marty Lewis, Team Principal at Preston Autos Grand Prix Racing Team
From: Hr. Niklas Schonbaum
Re: Upcoming Test Event

Good afternoon Herr Lewis. My name is Niklas Schonbaum, and I’d like to apply to participate in your open tryout session at the Hapilopper City Grand Prix Circuit. I have been the national champion of Siovanija & Teusland three times in my career, am 22 years old, and am greatly looking forward to participating in the open tryout and working as hard as I can to earn a spot on your team.

In addition, I would like to make note of the sponsorship opportunities I can bring. Several of the largest companies in Siovanija & Teusland, including TeusBank and Adler Sportswear, are companies I can count on as supporters. Representatives from several companies are eager to discuss these opportunities at the test event.

Sincerely,
Niklas Schonbaum

To: WGPC 18 Constructors
From: Hr. Niklas Schonbaum
Re: WGPC 18 Opportunities

To all who may be concerned,

My name is Niklas Schonbaum, and I am hoping to earn a spot in a drivers’ seat for the 18th season of WGPC action. I have been the drivers’ champion in Siovanija & Teusland three times so far in my career as a driver for Teussische Motoren Werke. I am a very calm driver, who is experienced and successful under pressure. My best skill is how reliable I am, always able to get the best out of my situation and the car I’m in.

I understand you are hearing from countless drivers all searching for the elusive spot on your team for this upcoming season. Words are words, however, and I am eager to get in a car and prove myself and show why I am the driver you are looking for. I am looking forward to the upcoming test events, and hope to be a participant in several of these events.

In addition, for your consideration, I have included the names and links to various companies which have provided me sponsorship during my years with TMW, and have indicated they are interested in continuing. These include TeusBank, the largest bank in Siovanija & Teusland, and other companies such as Bergsteiger, one of the nation’s largest beverage suppliers.

Thank you for your time, and consideration. I am hoping to hear back from you, and am eager to get on the track.

Thank you,
Niklas Schonbaum

by **Valentine Z** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 1:52 pm

Post 1 – The Valentian is here!

Something about a new host, on top of this being the much more difficult version of WGP2, has not deterred Adriana even in the slightest. The Valentian saw her own success (as well as some mishaps) in WGP2, alongside her fellow Valentian Jolyn Helen Maxine Caulfield Ceeta, who unfortunately dropped out of the final race.

“So… you are not coming?” Adriana asked curiously, fiddling with a pencil in her hand as the two of them talk it out in an office back in Valentine Z.

“Unfortunately no, not this time,” Jolyn replied back, with a sweet smile on her face, “But hey, it’s not because of the failures, trust me. Okay… maybe a little because of that, but NSSCRA is where I am and where I always will be, Adriana. This business is not just something I can get used to.”

“Yeah, I understand. So, will you be replacing Valentina as #15?”

“Nah, I have something else in mind. You will see!”

“Hmm… her?” Adriana pondered curiously, “I don’t think she will go anywhere near a car, let alone a race. She is a little too shy for that.”

“See, that’s the best part. She actually asked Valentijn if she could join for the next season. Woman’s a bit weird, I will have to say. You would think someone pertaining to nature would not love motorsports, but she does.”

“Well, that is something you learn every day! All the best, Jolyn!” she told her close friend, on top of her other Valentian friends all around the place. She started packing up her items, nothing more than a few power tools on top of identical clothes for herself. Doesn’t need the shower, she thought to herself. After all, they do have car washes there, right? Might as well use those. She was packing up early, but since the races have not technically started yet, Adriana was simply practicing back at home, using a mix of simulation, augmented reality, and the pristine race courses in Victoriaans Nederlands, on top of the NSSCRA course.

“Are you sure you can go alone, though?” Chief Senator Annette asked, “We could always bring a few more in case you need the help. I mean, from what it was told, you are not going to get a team from the Valentians. But hey, you will never know when you need extra people!”

“I think I might ask that, hehe. Would be nice to have an accomplice through these things, yeah.”

Back at her home with Jolyn, opening up her email and going through several websites, she started looking at the team names – several of them are familiar to her, though some of them seems to be missing.

“Hmm, the Navy team that I went with seems to be not here!” Adriana commented to Jolyn, the latter who nodded with a confirmation that they are indeed not joining in. At least, the team is not there.

“Who else do we have, then?” Jolyn asked in turn.

“Well there is… Nexus Racing, I heard good things about them! And… Tropicorp-“

“Ohhh no no, not that team,” Jolyn exclaimed, nearly jumping out of her chair, “Okay, it is not exactly because they are bad, or awful, or anything like that. I feel like we should not further embarrass them. No offense to your driving skills, of course.”

“None taken! Yeah, I know and understand what you mean.”

“But hey, it’s up to you!” Jolyn pats Adriana on the shoulder, reassuring her, “You know, there can always be better outcomes! I should not judge too harshly on the last season, but speaking from experience, I am not sure how confident they will be. Maybe just put both applications, separately.”

“So to Nexus and Tropicorp, then! Maybe Nexus first, followed by Tropicorp. Hmm, well, here I go!”

To: Nexus Racing Team (Administrative and Driver Signing)
From: Adriana Kowalski Faith (adriana_kowalski_faith@valentine_z_official.vz)
BCC: Valentijn Maxwell Constantine, Clarissa Alanis Star, Jolyn Helen Ceeta, Jamie Izabella Lizbeth Eirian, Gwen Tracer Allison, Valentina Freya Yadana Aye

Good day to everyone!

I am Zastępca Strażnika Adriana Krystal Desiree “Cudowny Manipulacja Światłem” Venus Kowalski Faith Stanisława Engelse I. Cherise Krystyna Zaborowska Sztormowska Pamela Alina Re. T. Lillian, or simply Adriana Kowalski Lillian for short! I am from the world called Valentine Z, which I believe that a few of you might heard of. I would like to write this email to enquire about the open driver positions that you possibly might have. If needed be, I can come in at the earliest possible time in order to do test runs in a course. Excluding the previous WGP2 season, I have clocked around 200 hours of simulation time thanks to my systems.

I do hope that you will offer me an opportunity to represent your team for this season.

Thank you very much, and regards!
Adriana

To: Tropicorp Racing Ælund (Administrative and Driver Signing)
From: Adriana Kowalski Faith (adriana_kowalski_faith@valentine_z_official.vz)
BCC: Valentijn Maxwell Constantine, Clarissa Alanis Star, Jolyn Helen Ceeta, Jamie Izabella Lizbeth Eirian, Gwen Tracer Allison, Valentina Freya Yadana Aye

Good day to everyone!

I am Zastępca Strażnika Adriana Krystal Desiree “Cudowny Manipulacja Światłem” Venus Kowalski Faith Stanisława Engelse I. Cherise Krystyna Zaborowska Sztormowska Pamela Alina Re. T. Lillian, or simply Adriana Kowalski Lillian for short! I am from the world called Valentine Z, which I believe that a few of you might heard of. I would like to write this email to enquire about the open driver positions that you possibly might have. If needed be, I can come in at the earliest possible time in order to do test runs in a course. Excluding the previous WGP2 season, I have clocked around 200 hours of simulation time thanks to my systems.

I do hope that you will offer me an opportunity to represent your team for this season. We are aware of the rather unfortunate set of events that plagued my colleague back in WGP2, and she was understandably upset towards herself and apologetic over her errors, and I hope that I can make up for this, for this season.

Thank you very much, and regards!
Adriana

by **Kyoki Chudoku** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 2:33 pm

To: Reiyomi Enata
From: Sumibo Muta
Subject: Relevant Authorities

The following message has been approved by the Kyoki Chudoku no Himitsu no Shakai- under authority of Sumibo Muta

Regarding your previous questions, it may be difficult to facilitate the optimal scenario. Nonetheless, you are expected to perform your duty in the case of a spontaneous emigration attempt. While some foreign nations may object to the presence of armed security, it is your responsibility to determine when and where it is appropriate to bring arms.

Your assurances of loyalty are appreciated. Tengokutankyuism appears unlikely, but standard treachery is always a possibility in the overwhelming first moments in another nation’s borders. Ensure this threat does not come to pass. You know what means are permitted.

Implantation of a tracking chip may be viable. We cannot expose our facilities, but we will consider the possibility.

From chaos, order.

Kyoki Chudoku
Nogyo District
Zenshin Hikō-tai Facility

It was a concoction of conflicting feelings that beset a Rikikida as she trawled through the first message to reach them from the outside. Just the idea of it seemed like an achievement- that a message from a foreign country was being read not by a diplomatic emissary or a censorship officer but by a veteran- but that alone did not justify her feelings. This opportunity was exactly what she’d been asking for. A direct chance to prove herself, not with words but with talent. And yet…”

“...who are these people,” she muttered to herself as she scanned through the dispatch.

A clinical voice sprung up behind her. “I believe they are the Preston Autos Grand Prix Racing Team-“

“I know what they’re called! That doesn’t explain anything! What country are they from? What ideals do they have? What’s their strategy? I’m not turning down the chance, whatever it is, but I need to know.” Rikikida was doing her best to keep her voice from getting too guttural, but she couldn’t help it when in such frustration circumstances. More than ever it felt like she was being smothered by a blanket of ignorance, and the only one who could stop her suffocating was the person she didn’t want here in the first place.

“Reiyomi is the one with the files. I have no doubt she will commence a briefing as soon as she returns-“

As if on cue, footsteps emerged from behind. Boots against concrete. Rikikida turned around, and there she was. Smile plastered onto her face, a pile of reports dumped onto the table. The racer wasted no time to leap to her feet. She said nothing, letting her glare do the talking.

“I’m glad to see you too, Saki,” came Reiyomi’s reply. “I take it you want an immediate briefing. Sit down with me!” The tone carried an authoritative edge. For all her cheerful banality, there was something off about Reiyomi. The way her commands carried so much more weight than they ought to. She wasn’t an idiot, that much Rikikida knew. But there was something…maybe her frustration was just leading to paranoia. After taking a moment to make sure her glare was at least recognised, the veteran took a seat opposite her colleague. The table was a small one, the chairs fold-up and the stack of papers covering half of its surface. Reiyomi took the first few papers into her own hands.

“First things first,” the public relations officer went on, “the message from the Preston Autos Grand Prix Racing Team comes from a country known as Hapilopper. From what intel we could gather, they’re a democratic-“

Rikikida and Utashige groaned in unison.

“-republic. Culturally, they seem to be hedonists, indulging in many personal amenities and lesser poisons wherever possible.” Considering the barrels of seizon wine piled up against the walls, none of them were in a position to argue on the matter of such poisons- not that Rikikida had ever indulged that particular veteran’s vice. Sometimes the temptation was there. But then, throwing up was not something she was eager to experience intentionally.

“Typical,” came Rikikida’s eventual response. “So they’re the standard problem case. I get it. What about their racing program? Any better news?”

“Less news, but not necessarily better.” Not that her tone gave that away- it was chipper as always. “They’re a corporate entity. They’re in this for the publicity and the profit. Possibly the passion as well, but that’s hard to tell with corporate entities.”

“Passionate or not, it doesn’t matter. They’re offering me a chance to prove myself in battle.” And a battle it would be. In her mind, this was a violent contest, a way to demonstrate superiority over all adversaries. “We’ll see how well their liberty holds up to the might of order!”

“I’m glad you’re so enthusiastic, Saki! I really am! But let’s not get carried away yet. There’s still a couple of important things to talk about! Firstly, they want sponsorships. That’s a capitalist term for wanting other groups to pay them. I think it’s safe to say we’re not going to have anything like that to offer. Wouldn’t you agree?”

For once, she would. Rikikida gave a firm nod- and another, just to make the point clear. “Of course we’re not paying a foreign institution. That would be treachery. The Supreme Ultimate Country would never endorse a non-ally. That’s basic diplomacy.”

“I’m so happy we’re in agreement! But that means we have to work extra hard to make up for it, since that’s what they’d prefer. Your raw skill will have to be enough!” Reiyomi was a great motivational speaker...for six-year-olds-

A sudden gasp from Rikikida. She shouldn’t have thought of that. Before the songs grew louder in her head she jammed a fingernail into her hand. The jolt of pain was enough to snap her out of it before too much could happen.

“Sakinomi?” Utashige’s voice. Reiyomi was silent, waving a hand in front of her eyes. “Saki-“

“What…?” muttered Rikikida, doing her best to sound simply gruff. “Nothing wrong with taking a moment to think, is there?” They all knew what had actually happened. The phrasing alone gave it away. But nobody dared question her. They all knew that something like this was off-limits. Forbidden territory.

“...anyway!” And Reiyomi picked straight back up. “If you’re aware of the dangers, I’ll get a message organised for you! Let’s prove tyranny’s might to all the world!” The dramatic gesture she made as she stood almost killed a tinge of Rikikida’s ambition. It was as if her hopes and dreams were being tarnished piece by piece by that accursed woman. But she wasn’t going to let her victory be snatched away from her. Not by the enemy, and not by her either.

To: Marty Lewis
From: Reiyomi Enata
Subject: Preseason Test

The following message has been approved by the Kyoki Chudoku Bunka no Media Bumon- under authority of Reiyomi Enata and Densetsu Hachi
The following message has been approved by the Kyoki Chudoku no Gaikō-dan- under authority of Tokiko Suou

Greetings from the Supreme Ultimate Country of Kyoki Chudoku!

Allow me to offer my sincere congratulations on your inclusion into this season’s championship! I am aware that it is a very prestigious accomplishment. However, while deserving of the utmost recognition, I must spare you further pleasantries in the interest of your time.

This season, Sakinomi Rikikida has announced her intention to take part in the championship. She is the country’s greatest driver, having established a greater legacy than any other Chudokuren in the field of professional racing. As such, I am delighted to announce that she intends to take part in your preseason test event! I assure you that she has the full backing of all relevant authorities within Kyoki Chudoku, and will be an exceptional asset. But I will allow her abilities to do the rest of the talking!

Thank you for the opportunity,
Reiyomi Enata,
Public Relations Officer of Zenshin Hikō-tai

by **Esmerel** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 3:28 pm

Jean's House
3308 Witherspoon Drive, Rochester, Olympia Province, Esmerel
Sunday, 11 October, 2020

In the city of Rochester, the sky was full of nothing but sunlight.

The waters of the Divide slowly streamed down to the south, as the trees on the mountains waved in the day's heavy winds. Vehicles moved by in the distance on Highway 4, cutting across the river and tunneling through the hills. Small groups of town dwellers, all wearing the appropriate equipment, wandered the streets.

And one man, Jean Mercer-Daly, was, actually abnormally, in his living room.

He'd been on his couch, checking his phone and watching the latest news on the upcoming elections in Esmerel, slated to be the biggest since 1980- as chancellor Charles Richmond was stepping down from power amid calls to be relieved of his hegemony, having led the nation since its independence in 1977, and winning re-election in 1980 and every five years since. Due to the obvious worldwide situation probably not meshing well with a vastly different leadership, the current frontrunner in the election was sitting Chief Administrator of Esterlon Daniel Falkner, on a platform to act as an interim chancellor until 2025, in which another pivotal election would be held, and so on. Also included would be plans to introduce a bill to outlaw consecutive terms for the chancellery, and plans to further integrate Esterlon into its new overlord state of Esmerel.

Perhaps the point of it all was to exacerbate the statement that not much important to Jean was going on at the moment. And just maybe, that was how he wanted it to be.

The world had, as some would not so cleanly say, gone to shit in the last year. While the good news was that Esmerel was led by people of science and its common citizens were much more inclined to follow that ideal than the world average, it was still true that the virus outbreak was critical and could turn much worse at the drop of a hat if strict guidelines were not kept in place, not aided by Esmerel's on average 4400 people per square kilometer of territory and sitting only around 300 kilometers from the coast of a nation completely contaminated with the virus worse than any other candidate. Public gatherings in Esmerel were permitted, but restricted less than they would be in the status quo. Masks outside of home were a mandate. And as a result, for its population of nearly 400 million, Esmerel had remarkably low infection and death rates, though the storm would still be out there to weather for a while yet.

Which had thrown a wrench or two into Jean's life plans. Since the end of his previous campaign in the World Grand Prix Championship around late spring 2019 he'd been finding new ways to live life, what with discovering new truths about his brother Evyn and hitting the low point of his career in open-wheel racing, having only scored a couple of podiums in season 17 compared to the five wins in the two before that. In the absence of driving the highest echelon of track vehicles he'd been hitting the streets - legally - in street-worthy machines that dominated the road.

In all reality, from here, his career could go anywhere.

Another boring day, it's been, Jean thought, as he stretched himself and took a peak out the window. I'd still take that over a bad one, though. He decided to use the neural interface between his mind and the tech in his prosthetic left arm to shut off the TV. Nothing good was on anyways, not even the on-demand content. In a wish to do something, he stood up and walked to the kitchen for a glass of milk - a drink gifted by the gods, or so he believed.

As he poured himself a way to possibly give him an idea on what to do, he felt his phone vibrate - a text. Evyn had sought to ask him something.

hey bro

you busy today or something

Jean thought about it, and as he did, a response was quickly crafted, followed by a conversation of sorts.

I guess not, no

Why ask? Got an idea?

---

i do happen to have an idea

we could have a meet, one's already set up over at this track in the woods

---

Which track in the woods?

---

i forget but it's not that big, and it's not fcnr

we're not breaking lockdown guidelines or anything

there's a distance, and like 8 people there, we're fine

In Jean's mind, it was something. But not necessarily something he immediately wanted to do.

Do I have time to think

---

yes, it's actually in a couple of days

let me know bruh

That would satisfy him for now. On one front. On the other front, he just didn't know. He felt as if he'd had all these plans, and in truth, he did, but things just kept getting in the way. First the virus. Then having to work a bit to get some income. Other time issues that lost him freedom. And an overall sense of... not dread, but disappointment.

Maybe some fresh air would help. He stepped out onto his deck to gaze at the town below, and the Divide ahead - a great canyon splitting the south of the island of Esmerel in two, with its river also covering the north half in a less dynamic way.

Jean was more than just a person. He'd been modified with new technology to keep living the way he had and more after the cyberterrorist attack indirectly on his life. But he'd already known that. And technically anyone could be given a helping hand in life should they run into trouble- but Jean was more. He was a national hero. The great scout that toured the Verse beyond Esmerel and opened it to the nation once in deep isolation.

The people love me. They expect me to be more active than I have been publicly, Jean thought about it. Despite the quarantine I've made fewer public appearances than I bet they'd think. Still... is that right? For the people, and I guess the government and their cybernetics, to pool their chips in on a race driver? Dabbling on street racing? Hiding from the public view? Never there when they want me?

His phone interrupted him again as he took a sip of his milk. His ringtone was going off - this time, it was a call. From someone other than Evyn.

I really need to assign numbers. I don't know this off the top of my head. But I should probably answer. Jean picked up the phone. "Pronto?"

"Jean! Oh, what in the world have you been doing for the last sixteen months?" the other end replied. "And you address me the Italian way, when I finally get ahold of you?"

"Um... I suppose. Wait a minute... Talia? Isn't that you?" Jean asked.

"Your agent? Did you almost forget me or something?" they said. "Yes, it's me. Talia Thornton, your agent. Don't worry, I... didn't take anything personally."

"Well, it's... good to hear your voice. What is this, though, a fun reunion call?"

"Anything but! You've really been living under a rock for the last while," Talia interjected. "The WGPC season this year isn't cancelled. It's happening. They're just cramming it in to the tail end. I think you know what this means, don't you, Jean?" A pause followed, as Talia awaited Jean's reply, but nothing came. "Okay, okay. Look, there's already a plane to the Wardship where I'm waiting along with engineer Max at Rockford National. It's a closer airport to Rochester, and the plane'll get us to our destination quicker. Now get over here. If you aren't at the terminal before sundown I'm assuming you're forfeiting your drive." The line hung up immediately.

Jean was taken somewhat aback. Now he had something to do. Do you call this looking a gift horse in the mouth? he asked himself. But... am I ready to bear the torch again? He thought about it as he downed the rest of his milk on the deck and went to his bedroom for a taste of inspiration. In plain view of his door was his season 17 helmet and balaclava - both adorned with the wreath-trident emblem of Esmerel. For little reason, he decided to put the both of them on his head. It turned out they still fit like a dream.

He felt the old sensation of driving the UHSGV and its iterations over the years - and started to crave it again. It's be better than just lying around all the time waiting for something else to happen, he decided. I'm making it happen.

He took out his phone and quickly informed residential maintenance he'd probably be away for a while and to take good care of the house. As he shut off all the house's lights and made sure to lock everything worth a substantial amount, he remembered the other facet of the situation. Evyn's going to need to know.

Evyn - sorry, but I can't make it

Got a preoccupation

---

hell do you mean preoccupation

two seconds ago you were begging for something to do

---

WGPC's happening this fall

Got a job to do now

They're cramming it in before December holidays, so I'm probably going to be really, really busy

---

so you're picking regulations over freedom of choice

you're gonna have to be in public and stuff

look, you're an independent boi, but u sure?

---

I need to do this

I'm still championship material out there. My time's not done

I'm gonna make the family name proud. You could probably be there too

---

ok ok chill with the speech 100 skills

...

look, we still have things to settle and stuff

but you go have fun yeah?

Then it was settled. Jean grabbed his things and took to his garage, storing within it his newest flagship car - the Aston Martin Valkyrie. He hadn't driven it in a bit, and perhaps getting it on Highway 4 and its incredibly high speed limits would get him back in the mood. He slipped in, got the V12 rumbling - the one downside of an electric car - and slowly put it in gear, ready to return to the way things used to be.

"Next stop, home."

by **Lisander** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:23 pm

Congratulations!

Due to recent results, Lisander Autosports is being offered a TEAM SPOT in the upcoming 18th World Grand Prix Championship.

"Damn. This madness again."

Andrea Lanza sighed. Who would be the mad this time? After Maud, Camden and Lemos, who would be the one to spent a lot of money and burn the brains to try a win in the most prestigious category of formula racing in the entire world? He really didn't want to allow that again. Bankrupting another one were the the most probable. Probably he would be offered the position of Team Principal again. But not that time. He would refuse completely.

But as the chairman of Lisander Autosports Board, his duty was to offer the opportunity if that happened.

So he started to write the report to the LAB associates:

from: lanza@autosports.ls
to: <"LAB Kickstarters" list; "Board Members" list; "WGP3 Owners" list;>
New WGPC Season on the corner

Ladies and Gentlemen, members of this board.

LAB was once more allowed a spot in WGPC, so if any of you is interested, please get in touch.

I advance you I'm not accepting any position in any planned team. I've had enough of track emotions in the two last seasons.

As usual, LAB won't be offering financial support. As you already know, Lisander Autosports Board under my management adopted since last WGP2 season, a policy of laissez-faire, not intervening in the management of teams. In terms of support, we can lease the LAB Racing Headquarters (formerly Bitten Heroes Center), at a fair price, for teams that don't have adequate facilities. All the income from this leasing contract will be destined to support local motorsport, in many categories.

WGPC and WGP2 teams are offered financial support from Ministry of Sports ISE (International Sports Endeavours) program. This year, they modified the rules and the selected teams must display the logo of "Wishes Foundation". "Wishes" is a charity fund created by the Sovereign Family of Lisander to help orphanages around the nation. As always, they ask for a complete report of financing before providing the investment. No need to say, but neither a cent of this money is coming from the charity itself, since it would configure donation misappropriation and money washing. If awarded a team, be wary of that and avoid to say things like 'we're sponsored by Wishes Foundation'. More on this matter will be clarified in ISE Program Contract, if needed

Interested parties should get in touch. Documents requested are the same from last season, and models are attached.

Good luck (you'll need if you choose to jump on this bandwagon).

Andrea Lanza
Lisander Autosports Board, President

After sending the e-mail, he closed the lid of his laptop and left the office for lunch, hoping all members of the board would ignore that e-mail or at least answer with a "we're not interested". Maybe with a "this isn't a investment we can do on the moment".

"Luckily I think I won't have to worry with a new team this time." he spoke his thoughts.

Would be okay for him just confirm Stellenbosch and its generous donation as tyre supplier, and maybe one or two WGP3 drivers around its early twenties. That generation seemed without hope because of the stubbornness of that little group, the self-proclamated Heroes. But now the heroes were broken.

Darius Castellammare wouldn't sign up. Currently aged 32, he said he would be okay running his Superbikes team with his newlywed wife, Athena Haines. Juliano Lemos and Ludwika Wiel also were retired, living the beach life in Saint Ianina, and expecting their first child while Lemos slowly overcomes his depression. Lourdina Westgrens is making a lot of money on her WhoTube Channel, she probably won't think about enter again for now. Last time, she told something about driving prototypes Baja and . That boy from Ariannin… Alyn Terfel. He left Lisander when ABSA pulled off from WGP3. Natássia Maud and Tiago Camden-Mott would not invest in WGPC again even if their lives depended on it.

Lisander did not need heroes. Lisander needed workers. It would have to be a team created with enough time and a lot of patience to develop and evolve a car. A process that had been delayed for some time. With luck, none of them would accept this year.

Too bad for him, when he reopened the laptop lid and refreshed the email application, right after the lunch, there was that message he didn't want to see.

from: nasunen@team-moon.ls
c/c: racing@vetinari.ls
Team Alliance Racing WGPC Application

"Dear Mr. Lanza

Team Moon and Vetinari decided to bring an entirely new concept for a WGPC team in Lisander. Racing Alliance WGPC team is a team from the fans, to the fans. Although both TEAM-MOON and VETINARI RACING are pretty self-sustainable when it comes to money, and you know that, we (Kimi Nasunen and Ricardo Vetinari) don't plan to input personal money on these team more than the initial costs and due taxes. We're about to announce a sponsor (they are ready to make the make the money transfer, it's only depending on LAB approval), but we expect and we plan to have the massive support of the Motorsport Community in Lisander. Not only financial, but in an active way. As soon as we have the approval of the LAB, we'll start a great project.

Sorry if I sound too much ambitious, but we'll have the biggest crowdfunding this nation has ever seen! Even you can buy a share of the team, and this share, like a subscription, will allow the people to effectively vote on "what the team will do next". Their money and their opinion will be respected. It's not only our project. It's the project of an entire community. We're only the Kickstarters.

Our car project isn't the best in the world. We, separately, bought most of Camden WGP3 project, from paperwork to bolts, as you may remember the auction. The obvious step to take further was using it for re-establish the team. Our car will be nearly the same design used by Darius Castellammare and Tab Novax last season. Picking up where they left, we left the engine under the supervision of Harlean Motorsports, and we only need LAB approval to start with the bureaucratic details with X-PRO to provide us spare parts for the chassis. We've done the work, we know the system, we have the power and I'm sure we'll have the community on our side. We'll be a group of underfunded backmarkers? Probably, but is better than leaving without notice and letting the legacy rot.

Attached are all the necessary documents. We hope everything is okay with our submission and are ready to answer any question about it.

Best regards,

Kimi Nasunen and Ricardo Vetinari
Alliance Racing Grand Prix Engineering, SRL

"Madness, once more." Lanza nodded to his own words, before checking all the documents sent.

by **Twicetagram and JYPe** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:53 pm

Chars tries to write a formal email while making his own breakfast

Chars walks down the stairs to his living room
Chars: Dang, this is the first time I've seen so many cameras at one go. Even more overwhelming than press conferences!
Producer: I mean, this is a vlog after all.
Chars waves towards all the cameras as he smiles widely
Chars, excitedly squeals: I'm so excited and yet so nervous for the next WGPC season. I'm hoping to get a drive, otherwise it'll really suck.
Chars jokingly pouts, before laughing out loud
Chars: Damn, how do I actually convince teams to drive for me without having to submit a full CV?
Chars ponders deeply, before he gets a hint
Chars: Maybe an email? Those stuff can sound convincing enough for teams to sign me, no matter how shit I am.
Suddenly remembering to stay clean, Chars covers his mouth meekly
Chars: Let me see... Where’s my laptop? Ah, there it is!
Chars grabs a laptop on top of the kitchen table, before looking confused
Chars: Hmm, where’s the breakfast gone? Is the chef sick or what?
Chars looks a bit disappointed, before brightening again
Chars: You know what? I’m 19, and I’m an adult now. I should be able to do adult things!
Chars switches on the laptop, while he prepares some bread and butter and hums
Chars: Let’s see how multitasking can help me today.
Chars logs in onto his email, before spreading his butter on his bread and putting the bread into the oven.
Chars: Eggs should go well with toasted buttered bread, no?
Heating up a frying pan on a stove, Chars takes some eggs and cracked them into the pan
Chars: Now, now, I’ll just search up email templates. Short pause Ayy, this one looks professional enough.
He Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V’ed the template into the new email he was composing.
Chars: Nice one. How do I address myself? Chars? Charyseine? Mister Valkyria? Screw it I’m going for Mr Charyseine Valkyria. The more formal the better. Okay... what do we have next?
Chars squints, before frowning
Chars: What’s a body? What’s in a body? How could they be so vague?
Chars stares at his screen in disbelief for about 3 minutes and 24 seconds before thinking of something
Chars: I’m assuming that’s when I describe my body. Ah! That should work!
A chime from the oven sounds.
Chars: Oh yes, my bread. Just in time for me me to regain my brain cells!
Chars goes to the oven with a plate, and carefully takes out the toasted bread.
Chars: Great, now what do I add to the bread? Wait, what about the eggs?!
Suddenly realising that he’d left the eggs cooking for about 7 minutes, Chars hurriedly runs to the stove
Chars, whispering under his breath: Fuck, the eggs are burnt aren’t they. Yes they are.
Chars switches off the stove and defeatedly puts the eggs between the bread
Chars: Hey, at least I’m capable of making bread. Now, onto my body.
Taking a bite off his sandwich once in a while, Chars thinks of ways to describe his physical appearance
Chars: Well, if I just sent them a picture of my body they’ll still understand, no?
Searching up “Charyseine Valkyria’s body” on Glegoo, Chars cringes out, before picking a picture
Chars: This shall do. A pictorial representation can be better than a wordy one! Munch
Chars now thinks of a way to write about his successes in TPRS
Chars: Hmm, why not I get a resumé template from online? Hmm...
Chars searches up thousands of race drivers’ CVs, but it took a while before he got one that “suited him”
Chars: There we go, a nice, formal and convincing resume. Now, how do I actually fill in the blanks.
Pondering deeply, Chars then thinks of an idea
Chars: Actually, you know, I’ll just slap in this short biography thing I wrote down on my website.
After Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V’ing, Chars has finally put together a solid but half baked email. Meanwhile, his sandwich is almost gone
Chars: Let’s get to the conclusion then. But before that...
Chars goes to the kitchen cabinet and grabs a pack of cereal.
Chars: Plain olde cereal is better than the ones with milk, aye?
However, with his pea sized brain, Chars still cannot find a way to “formally” end the email. This time however, he doesn’t slap a template from the dark web.
Chars: Gee, writing an email is harder than I thought. Should I end with this...?
Chars types down a short cleansing paragraph to his email.
Chars: Bla bla bla, yadda yadda, yeah that should work.
Chars presses the “send” button, only to get a system message
Chars: “you haven’t chosen your recipient” Huh? Long pause Oh, wait. Ohhhh...
After searching up the current WGPC season, Chars copied all their emails and pasted them into the email.
Chars: That should work... Send.
The email is successfully sent.
Chars: Yay, I did it!
Chars Grubbs widely as he finishes off the remaining pieces of cereal

The email:

From: Mr Sir Charyseine Valkyria
To: Scheska-VSK Viska Racing, Badai Angin Tim Motorsport, Mattijana Racing Team, Preston Autos Grand Prix Racing, Nexus Racing, Tropicorp Racing Ælund, Polaris Racing Team, TAS Alliance, SVJ Racing WGPC Team, Racing Eelandii V&T GP, Fireline Motorsports, WGPC Motorworks, Volkov Racing
Subject: A formal email

Here is a picture of my body!
[image of Chars’ body]

Charyseine is a highly-skilled driver on the rise to become one of Twicetagria’s best motorsport products. Starting off in an already Motorsports family, his father was a rally driver, while his mother was the employee of Adelphia. Growing up, all he knew was cars and cars. He started karting at the ripe age of 5, and by 12 had gone to win various national karting competitions. After trying out some rallying from 11 to 14 years old, he felt that it wasn’t his thing and switched back to single seater racing. He then joined the TPRS, and from there has gone to earn 24 race wins, 37 podiums, and a long string of points finishes.
Charyseine is a highly aggressive driver who likes to go for even the smallest of gaps. Despite his fighting spirit, he can handle the car quite well, and rarely crashes out. In fact, most of his DNFs were because of technical failure.
However, when he executes overtakes it can sometimes go messy, as sometimes he goes for non-existent gaps, commonly leading to him clipping him right wing and torpedoing the target driver. However, with experience comes a better driver, so Charyseine will make sure not to make such rookie mistakes.

Charyseine hopes that he can get a seat in this WGPC season because he believes he is highly talented and will not fail to disappoint the team.

Thank you!
Mr Sir Charyseine Valkyria

OOC: Charyseine Valkyria accepts Preston Autos’ offer for the test drive.

by **Aboveland** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 10:05 pm

Crossport, Audioslavia
Crossport International Raceway
July 7th, 2019

“P11, Terho,” Edvin says, an air of relief slipping through his voice as a choir of cheers erupts in the background. “P1 for iBen, and that’s three in a row! Engine mode P0, please.”

Terho sighs heavily, entering into a chuckling frenzy. “Whoo boy,” he begins, “and that’s the end, is it?”

The radio remains silent, but he continues. “It’s good I finished this last race, at least… not to make a fool of myself winning the championship and retiring from the remaining races!”

Edvin chuckles through the radio, the celebrations roaring louder.

“I feel,” he continues, “that I haven’t done you guys justice.” Terho pauses, the revving of the V8 dying down as he approaches a corner. “What we’ve built together is unlike anything anyone has ever seen, and in just two years! Maybe it wasn’t as emotional, or as… powerful, having won so dominantly… but it wasn’t at all plain sailing, not last year, and not this one either. We’re so high up now, the only way from here is down. It’s scary…”

“Radio off, Terho,” Edvin suggests. The newly crowned champion carries on regardless.

“But today I thank you all, each and every one of you. Vilitans, Turorians, Abovians, iBen--you, Edvin--. We stand today at heights I thought I’d never live to reach again, and what a way to reach them! Today, we are the best, and I reckon we should embrace that. I love you all!”

Eventually, Terho reaches the paddock, parks Unnamed squarely in their slot, and heads for the showers to freshen up before the trip home. Once he’s out and back in the garage, he takes in the sights, the smells, the sounds, of the Crossport facilities. No hard feelings towards the track, despite having proven too much of a challenge yet again. As he looks around, he spots the teams packing their things up one last time before the end of season 17. Before him, the TRÆ crew does the same, and a lanky four-eyed Abovian makes his way towards him from within the mess. He hugs Terho unpromptedly, pats him on the back, and turns to stand side by side, facing the garage. The two gaze onwards in silence; iBen passes by, saying his farewells one last time as well.

After a while, Edvin speaks, softly. “I wish this would never end, you know? I’d do this forever.” he says. Terho hangs for a moment, curling his lips inward. “Yeah,” he replies, smiling. He inhales, as if to start a sentence, but repeats himself through a heavy sigh.

----161 days until season start----

Nimbus Bay, the Nexus Wardship of Former Citizens of the Nimbus System
Crossbay Circuit
May 3rd, 2020

By now, Terho’s lips have become something resembling sandpaper. He clutches his chin with his thumb harder as the final lap comes to an end.

“P5, Janne, good work,” says Antti, Janne’s race engineer, in a relieved yet defeated voice. Janne’s chatter comes back through the radio loud enough to be perceived, but muffled through the engineer’s earpieces. Terho sighs. Something simply hadn’t quite clicked throughout the season, and he feels he is partly to blame. It seems, to a degree, that Terho’s driving style is simply incompatible to the alien systems propelling the Chase Cutters around in circles; he’s quick to associate his own unfamiliarity with Janne’s environment with the youngster’s lackluster season, yet not entirely convinced enough to settle on that conclusion.

Before the outlap has come to a close, his phone rings. It’s Edvin. Terrible timing, but it’s good news: the off-season has officially begun.

----153 days until season start----

Lintulahti, Aboveland
Tropicorp Racing Ælund Operations Base, Lintulahti International Circuit
May 11th, 2020

Edvin looks down at the paperwork laid out in front of him, raises his eyebrows, and shrugs. “I genuinely don’t know what else to do with this,” he says. “The only big change is the detailed engine regs; I’d like to suppose that Tropicorp is going to maintain the sequential turbo V8 that served us so nicely last season. Either way, we’ve got to force a size restriction.”

“What we terribly need to improve is the active aero software,” Terho shoots sharply. “But really, just that. Maybe add some more redundancies?”

Edvin nods as he skims through the pages. “Yeah, redundancies…” He stops for a moment and looks up at Terho, inquisitive and excited. “Four wheel steering?”

“Already got that, passive.”

“Huh…”

----103 days until season start----

Timantirkas, Nykipiflugpuu
Timantirkas Võidusõidusparatarinkyy
July 10th, 2020

“How was that?” Edvin asks, his teeth chattering from the cold.

“Better, so much better,” Terho replies, his muffled voice escaping from under his visor. He sighs heavily, and undoes his belts with haste. “This seat is uncomfortable as fuck, though. What happened here?”

Edvin stammers. “It’s… uhh… iBen’s. Got the wrong one.”

“Argh,” Terho exclaims. “No fucking wonder!”

----89 days until season start----

Lintulahti, Aboveland
Tropicorp Racing Ælund Operations Base, Lintulahti International Circuit
July 24th, 2020

“Terho?” Edvin says nervously.

“Yeah?” he replies, lifting his eyes from the simulator telemetry he’d been handed.

“Someone spilled their coffee on the computer with the aero tweak information.”

“And…?” Terho asks, now worried, yet supposing a professional racing team in the year 2020 has virtual backups of absolutely everything they do.

“We’ve got to do it all over again, I think,” Edvin replies, dashing out of the office before Terho can ask any further questions.

----64 days until season start----

Tropicoast, Tropicorp
Tropicorp Engineering engine laboratory
August 18th, 2020

“Three, two, one, action!”

A buzz, a grumble, a crank, and a wail. Two short bursts of energy, and one gruelling scream. The Tropicorp people clap politely; Terho and Edvin join them, their souls bubbling with excitement--or rather, either their souls or their gastric juices scrambled by the shockwaves produced by the power unit.

“Oh!” yells Edvin over the sounds of the revs and the cheers. “We recovered some of the aero data! It’s a matter of filling in the blanks and we’ll be fine!”

Terho, who’d forgotten all about the issue, laughs and nods at Edvin. In reality, he had no idea what he’d just said.

----40 days until season start----
Tetrislop, Aboveland
September 1st, 2020

The mosquito buries its proboscis into Terho's ankle. He swats at it, but far too late to prevent it from hobbling away with his blood. For a mosquito to make it so far up north, it was surely deserving of a snack. Though why it opted for Terho's blood rather than Edvin's remained a mystery.

Perhaps it was because Edvin was busy phoning the Iskabil team after their testing accident and was pacing steadily in a two square meter area. After Axel Novikov's Hodori Rally Championship title, he'd been invited by the, barely, same team that had carried him to the Nordic Rally Championship title years prior to test out the new evolution of the Iskabil Kokko. Usually, Terho would have declined the offer, citing some bogus schedule conflict as the reason for his nonattendance, but development work was pretty much wrapping up back at Lintulahti, the Abovians polishing up the aero systems and the Vilita and Turorians, most halfway across the globe, tinkering the power unit; the off-season had gone by quicker, though brisker, than expected. Still, it meant there was a gap in his schedule enough for a quick escapade back home, though ideally it wouldn't have involved a barrel roll into the trees and down into a rocky ditch. Surely, Iskabil wouldn't mind the damage in the name of such currency as exposure, sheddit karma and media coverage, but it was a bit of an embarrassing occurrence.

Edvin, having finished his phone call, places his hand above his eyebrows and gestures towards Terho, raising his eyebrows inquisitively and poking out a thumbs up. Terho affirms with a slight eyeroll and a slow blink, and mimics the action of ladling water over sauna rocks. His colleague all but ignores the proposition, though Terho's Tuesday night is set.

----21 days until season start----

Missäbjyyrntnukkuvatgjennolõputööivainnati, Nykipiflugpuu
Unspecified location
September 30th, 2020

“Kuumunen called,” the man says.

“What he wants?” the woman replies with her gruff voice.

“Ice track.”

“Ok.”

----6 days until season start----

Lintulahti, Aboveland
Tropicorp Racing Ælund Operations Base, Lintulahti International Circuit
October 5th, 2020

“It’s the same as last year,” Terho observes.

“Yeah, pretty much,” says Edvin, resorting to political answers. “But it was a damn fine livery all the same. We did add that line on the airbox though. My idea. It’s nice. Oh, and the one. You’re taking the one, right?”

“Umm," Terho begins. There’s a pause. "Yeah, I guess so." Another bout of silence, which Edvin concludes. “Had a look at the driver entries yet?”

Terho nods, but turns to him, and suggests: “Although… if it ain’t broke?”

“We'll see."

----3 days until season start----

Missäbjyyrntnukkuvatgjennolõputööivainnati, Nykipiflugpuu
Unspecified location
October 8th, 2020

“Track rejected.”

“Oh.”

----0 days until season start----

Lintulahti, Aboveland
Tropicorp Racing Ælund Operations Base, Lintulahti International Circuit
October 11th, 2020

Terho scrambles out of the first finished AGP 003, as its engine dies down and the mechanics turn on their brake blowers. He's in too much of a hurry to check his times, and even more of a hurry to undo his HANS, and only as he looks down to stretch out his race suit does his limited forwards mobility strike him. He pulls off the safety device with haste and chucks it away, dropping it gently beside a spanner strewn on the floor. Before scurrying towards the plastic table with the lawnchairs a few meters away, he pulls up his visor to transmit his expressions, looks around for Aada Høddmakker (back in her shared lead engineer role alongside the V&T contingent), and shoots her a pumping two thumbs up.

He scurries over to the lawnchair, undoing his helmet as he strolls, and pulls of his balaclava while he begins to speak, hunched over the table. "Silly season! My favorite season!" he proclaims.

Edvin, sitting opposite in his classic normcore attire, smacks the bottoms of a stack of pages against the plastic surface. "Yep." He begins to speak, but his voice is drowned out by the whirrs of the power tools in front of him. A cock of his head, pointing towards the garage exit, says more than enough. As the two stroll into the main office on the second floor, they're both handed coffees. Edvin, who takes his first sip at his desk, grimaces. "Eugh, decaf."

"Well, let's get on with it!" Terho exclaims. "What's that you got there?"

"E-mails," Edvin begins, "from season 18's hopefuls. A few other things too. First off, and clearly, we've been told to confirm that TRÆ will be using Tropicorp Racing Supply's racing tyres for WGPC18. Kinda silly if you ask me, because it'd be awkward if we went with literally anything else, but there's that." He takes his polystyrene cup (its rad 90's graphics vibrant and freshly printed upon the cup; a conscious choice, disliked only by Edvin, from whoever at the team was in charge of stocking the coffee cups) and brings it up to his mouth, but aborts the 'drink coffee' action as the bitter whiff of the decaf intrudes upon his senses.

"There's magic and flightless driving birds in the multiverse, and we still get emails?" Terho observes.

"Yes;" the team principal replies, "the fax machine, for one, was a great invention itself. But anyway, here's what we've got so far: I'll read a few."

"Wait," interrupts Terho, lifting a finger an ounce too assertively; as Edvin lifts his eyes from the papers, Terho lowers the pointer. "first choice is iBen again, I suppose."

"Most definitely," affirms Edvin, nodding. "Of course TRÆ extends iBen Toralmintii's contract offer for season 18. But you never know... I doubt it, but maybe he'll want to focus on his own team this year."

Terho clacks his tongue. "After last year? Not a chance." There's a brief quiet, but he adds: "And... where does Juracai fit into this whole thing?"

Edvin widens his eyes and curls his lips inward. "Well... so long as Vilita and Turori don't mind, we've got our own guy to take his place by now; all we need is to make it official, although we don't need to, I guess. He's setting good times, you know."

"Oh, I do!" Terho says happily, a bit of giddy, infantile excitement escaping in his voice. "I know he has it in him, he just needs tweaking. And a familiar team."

"Mhm," mumbles Edvin. "Anyway, here's the emails; interesting so far, I must say. First up is Reyomi Enata, promoting a Sakinomi Rikikida. Fun names!" Terho agrees with his head, and takes the first sip of his own coffee. He murmurs in disgust as well. Decaf for him, too.

Edvin skims through the text, humming through most of the body--“it begins with a governmental authorization of some sort,”--he clarifies, before reaching a verdict. “So, Sakinomi Rikikida. She’s definitely interesting, and looks to have a strong domestic record… but she’s famed for her aggressiveness.” Terho scrunches his nose a tad. He knows what the verdict will be.

“We need an iBen, a quick yet consistent points scorer to back you up. She’s not it, unfortunately.” Of course.

He shuffles through his papers before exclaiming contently at the sight of the next e-mail. “Here’s the next one, from Diarcesia. Aldauren Ginitella, look him up please,” he says to Terho, as he begins to read the message. Near the end, Edvin pouts with doubt, as Terho gasps in confusion. “You go first,” says Terho, his eyes darting from his phone screen to Edvin’s face.

“Well,” says the team principal, “though we are on their team shortlist rather than part of a multitudinal e-mail… a poor choice of words at the end.” He clears his throat and sits up more straightly, as he reads, “‘I look forward to learning more with you and to help bring your team towards a”--he pauses, looks up from the paper at Terho, then returns to the printed words--“driver’s championship win. Too much for a wingman?” he concludes, his eyebrows raising.

Terho stammers. “Uh… he’s apparently the type of guy for the job, if I’m honest.” He pauses, his tongue searching for the correct words. “He’s not a human, though, and is apparently like a century old. It’s kinda odd.”

In response, Edvin swats away his worries. “You’ve seen a Cocoabo drive a car. Nothing new, Terho.” He reaches across his desk for a neon post-it. “Bookmarked, just in case. Moving on.”

Cutting short the tap of Terho’s fingers on his desk, spotting the matte prints the sweaty Abovian leaves on his glass tabletop, he continues. “Third one harks from… Siovanija and Teusland.” Terho grins. “Name is Niklas Schonbaum, apparently a prolific junior career, a media-jewel frigid personality, and financial backing to boot.” Edvin, unsure quite how to carry on, looks up at Terho again. “As you wish, bossman,” he replies.

“Bookmarked.” Edvin resolves. “One more,” he announces, yet stops abruptly. “Okay, you read this one.”

Terho takes the page as his eyes widen with surprise, then stands from his chair. “That’s the longest name I’ve ever seen.” Edvin affirms with a hum. “So, Zastepca, Strazinka, Adriana Krystal Desiree, “Cudovny Manipulaka Swaitelm” Venus Kowalski Faith Stanislawa--” he takes a gasp for air “--Inglesi..? Eye-Cherise Cristina Zaborovska Shtormowska Pamela Alina… something something Lilian! How was that?”

“Butchered.” Edvin retorts dryly, rising and making his way towards Terho. “Just call her Adriana Kowalski.”

Terho bobs his head, reads his way through the e-mail to himself, then speaks. “I mean, she sounds like Nexus’ ideal posterchild, if I’m honest. I’d bookmark.”

Edvin, before snatching the page back, adds: “She’s made of light.”

“Totally Nexus,” reaffirms Terho. “Anyway, how do we pick if iBen doesn’t reply?”

Edvin shrugs. “Dunno. Problem for the future.” He takes the piece of paper from Terho and sets it back on his desk, placing an etched glass paperweight of AGP002 on top of the stack. “Well, that’s all for today.” He finishes the sentence with a sniffle, and gives Terho a couple pats on the back, the second more a shove than a pat. “Now go shower, you smell like a wet dog.”

Before Terho has a chance to reply, Edvin’s phone chimes. The distraction is enough to keep him from launching a rebuttal, or an act of verbal retaliation towards Edvin’s mother. “Oh!” Edvin utters. “One more!”

“Go on then!” Terho insists, forgetting about the previous comment. As he hunches over the phone screen, Edvin pulls back slightly, enough for Terho to notice and, out of spite, get even closer. The two read under their breaths but simultaneously.

“Subject: a formal email.” They side-eye each other, Terho coughing up a chortle, then move their eyes down a few centimeters as they widen, their foreheads creasing up with the rise of their eyebrows for the umpteenth time in the day.

“He’s nineteen?” shrieks Edvin.

“And a vlogger?” Terho adds, oblivious to the significance of the attached image.

“I’m one-hundred percent forwarding this to Janne.” Edvin continues. “Y-you think…?”

Terho shys away from the question. “Ask Janne, not me,” he says, biting his lip. “Let’s carry on.”

As they finish the e-mail, their thoughts escalate in tandem. Charyseine--Mister Sir Charyseine Valkyria--, is certainly an interesting proposition. He’s young, aggressive, passionate, apparently well known enough to vlog his life for people and, to Edvin’s repressed delight, attractive. Not only that, his karting career is impressive, and he even tried his hand at rally.

“We can’t pick this one,” Edvin admits, after a few seconds of silence between the two. “We don’t need this yet. He’s a Janne, but by the looks of it…”

Terho, who’d taken the previous instants to look up his vlog on the internet, fills in the blank. “More of a…” he pauses, as to not sound too blunt and rude. “Fuckboy?”

Edvin shoots him down, visibly annoyed at Terho’s prejudiced opinion despite for a moment believing the same. “I don’t know. He’s probably not fit for the team, but…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” concludes Terho, moving back to his seat to pick up his helmet and balaclava. “Well, I’m getting back to testing for now,” he says. “I’ll let the wet dog age a little more.”

Edvin grimaces. “Oh cut it out,” Terho adds. “First time in like twenty years that you’ve said that.”

“Still true,” Edvin replies smugly. Terho chuckles on his way out of the office, only barely enough to exhale more profusely out of his nose.

by **Gergary** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 11:08 pm

Solymok Tyres Main Office
Ingert-Borbely, Gergary

Kristian Szusza was sitting in his office at the main office of Solymok, taking care of several paperwork about the renewal of the contract between them and the Filindostani Motorsports Group (FMG) for supplying the tyres for the WGP3 Filindostan series. He was elated in the previous months prior to the offseason as the Gergarian tyre manufacturer supplied 2 other teams aside from their primary team, Badai Angin-IGR, and one of those teams brought home both drivers' and constructors' championships in Abdoulaye Goita and SVJ Racing, respectively.

The increased amount of budget needed to undertake being a supplier for multiple teams forced the company to reallocate their budget and efforts from the NSSCRA operation where they previously supplied STx variants to the BA Tim's NSSCRA operation to this venture, and caused the Filindostani NSSCRA team to switch from Solymok to Tropicorp for the next NSSCRA season. This season, the WGPO called upon various tyre manufacturers to apply for four spots of being the official and exclusive tyre suppliers for the upcoming season, and he would be more overjoyed when they received the official communications from the offices in Liventia.

"Guys, we will be an official tyre supplier to the WGPC this season."

Kristian's smartphone vibrated and such sounds was heard from his desk, it was Friedrich, the company's CEO. He too learned of the decision and prompted Kristian to inform Badai Angin to ask for confirmation if they will continue using Solymok Tyres for the season.

"Do you think we can have more than one team using our tyres for this season?"

"Probably, we could ask SVJ Racing and Fireline if they are interested in renewing their deals with us, and in the case of SVJ, upgrade the deal to a WGPC partnership as well."

"Okay, I have sent you a template to send to the teams in case they want a supply for this season. Seems that Tropicorp is the preferred tyre supplier by many, but teams looking for reliable tyres should be looking for our variants."

"Yeah, I see the template, but one thing, do we do the same last season where we offered Tyra's services to Fireline?"

"What did the kid say? I think he had qualms in doing the same in WGPC level."

"Yeah, I actually received one that says that he doesn't want our assistance for him to get a WGPC seat."

"Okay, if that is what he wanted then fine, just tell him that the sponsorship money we will offer will depend on the number of teams choosing our tyres."

"Well, it's his loss too. He'll find difficulty finding one if they are using other tyres."

"OK, make sure to update the template to remove that option and send it to the teams right away."

Wiesenblumering
Wiesenblume, Gergary

Using the KS01 chassis and Solymok Tyres, Barnabas Mate zoomed through the technical Wiesenblumering track with efficiency. Unlike the x variant of the chassis he drove while in WGP3.FID, the car was actually the KISMO chassis fitted with a Badai Angin engine. Ferko Koos, his team boss at Deutschmagyar Racing (DMR) along with Miki Kalocsay and Zsanett Bokor, two of DMR's WGP3 drivers, were also in the track, testing the x variant in preparation for their Wiesenblume round. Unfortunately, Barney's girlfriend, Tyra, who affectionately calls him "Bas", was not at the track, with her taking a holiday at San Marco to be with her stepfather.

Upon climbing out of the car, he went straight to Ferko for debriefing on his laptimes, in which afterwards he went straight to the motorhome where his manager, Ilona Tot, a somewhat attractive middle-aged woman, was waiting for him.

"Barney, are you sure you don't want to take Solymok's offer?"

"Ilona, I have discussed this with Tyra. I did not like the prospect of being given a seat just because I am practically contracted to Solymok."

"Oh well, I have been told by them that the money they will be willing to provide depends on how many teams they will supply, the more teams, the less money they will splash. Do you have other sponsors aside from Solymok and Badai Angin? These may not be enough if you need money to pay for your seat. I know you're talented, but if you have no money, then it might take some time for you to realize your WGPC dream."

"I am negotiating with Ferko if he knows some companies willing to bankroll me. I now have two in contact and that would account to 60 percent of the money I need for a seat."

"So you still lack 40 percent. Where do you plan to get it? Offseason is coming to an end soon."

"I don't know. I'm stepping up my search but that Domonkos Virag wasn't interested in letting the government provide me the needed sponsorship."

"Well, I can help you with that Barney, my uncle is actually a multibillionare CEO of a telecommunications company in Hispinas."

"So that was where you got your looks from, huh? But you sure about that?"

"They are also interested in investing in WGPC actually and has been in talks already with the Ibunas. You know, Rusty, and his father, together in the BA Tim for this season."

"Hmm, could we have a fair share of that money?"

"In one condition, Barney."

"What? I don't like where this is going."

"Of course you'll like it in the end. Don't worry, Tyra won't know. Let's do this here now?"

"Calm, jeez, someone may be coming here in a moment."

Then the two heard a door knocking. It was Ferko.

"Hey you two, I need you to the garage to discuss on funding Barney's WGPC seat, you got time?"

"Yeah, we'll go there in a bit with Barney."

"Okay, see you there."

After Ferko left the motorhome, Ilona winked at Barney.

"It's a deal right?"

"I'll think about it."

As the team discussed the next actions, Barney sent an email to prospective teams that he is applying for open seats for the upcoming season and is accepting the invite to the Preston Autos open tryout session.

by **Nephara** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 3:03 am

Six months ago, before the final race of the WGPC2 season...
It was all worth it for this. Potential financial ruin, being stranded out in the middle of nowhere, begging for scraps, actual crime. All to clamber into the low-slung orange and blue VTM Tropicorp.
People were not expecting big results... she hoped. Hey, she might be the potential greatest driver in the world, according to herself, but this was her first time in a car anywhere near this fine-tuned. It blazed with pace and power. She just had to learn how to unleash it.
Practice was fitful. Her performance was inconsistent, and a poor qualifying seesion left her single chance to prove herself dead in the water before it started. But when the rain started to beat down... well, she knew she was in with a shot, right? All she needed was the twenty guys ahead of her to spin out, and she'd have made her very literal splash.
... Yeah, good luck with that...
Expectations were low, but she came roaring out of the gates, almost immediately breaking past Matviyenko and Neretti. Two others slipped and swept out of the race in the opening laps - okay, Armbruster had a couple close calls herself, but it was two steps forward and one step back. She overtook her teammate. She beat some other guys. The rain continued to lash down, and the names her crew were feeding her, well, they didn't mean anything to her yet.
She ate up the laps, and hammered out the errors as she went. Next up was...
"Who's this?"
"Fanene."
"Didn't she spin out?"
"That was Mate."
"... Didn't I pass her?"
"Just relax. You can take her at the next bend."
"Right." Armbruster licked her lips. Some excitement began to flare up again - the thrill of the hunt, the feeling of a target in her sights...
The gradual bend came up, Fanene taking a slightly lazy line down the outside. Armbruster struck. Foot: down. Jaw: set. And-- yes! She had her! They hovered wheel-to-wheel for a moment, before the orange car just ever so slightly began to break away...
"Well done, now mind turn 4 coming up..."
Wait, which one was 4? Oh, shit--

Jasmine Muscadet howled with laughter. Typical! Yet again, Armbruster got herself into trouble through reckless driving and poor race management. She probably didn't even know there was a sharp turn ahead - just went 'round and 'round like a goldfish, coasting off instinct. And that would never be enough.
"Go on," she pleaded her laptop screen. "Show it again."
The editors agreed with her. Two, three more times, the orange car overcommitted as it beat Isaia Fanene in the Kaylan and then skidded dismally into the sodden grass, clanking sadly against a wall.
Muscadet's laugh had a surprising braying quality for someone so... deliberately put together. She reminded one of an ice sculpture, especially in the sharp angles of her face. She could play the ice queen, as well. Slouching on the couch with an open bottle of authentic chardonnay, well, that was reserved for special occasions.
Well, so much for Armbruster's fledgling open-wheel career, Muscadet figured. While Kitti was off playing with the kids, Jasmine had her sights set on the big show. Nobody outside Armbruster's shabby corner of Vermillion would remember her starting and finishing 21st in the final race of the second-tier tournament. When Muscadet made her bow, as surely she would, people would sit up and take notice.
She had sponsors, she was building her entourage, and she was practicing. Relentlessly. She'd even splashed out on some high-end simulators, trying to adjust to the higher pace of the best machines ahead of time. So she wouldn't... she wouldn't...
Oh, go on again. She rewound her stream, watched Armbruster spin out again and loosed her final peal of laughter before switching off the screen. Right. Good. But now she had work to do.

Present day...
What passed for the Nepharan sun shone across the plains.
Kitti Armbruster's eyes flickered open. She was warm, mostly because of the squishy presence of her accountant between her arms. That was the handy thing about making your paramour your accountant; you could save on the electricity bill.
She slipped out of bed. Yawned. Stretched. It would be a good day for a lazy morning, she figured. After all, she'd already fulfilled her life's dream. She could rest on that laurel for the next sixty years, easy.
She could--
deedle deet-deet! deet-deet! deet-deet!
She could ignore her phone, and--
deedle deet-deet! deet-deet! deet-deet! deedle deet-deet! deet-deet! deet-deet!
Her warmer mumbled and tried to drag Kitty back under the covers. "Mrmnlnoisebad."
She could go fuck herself, that's what she could do. Fine. She put it to her ear.
"Yes?"
"It's Nikita," said Nikita, correctly. Nikita Voegel, more precisely, Armbruster's beleagured agent. It had to be serious if she was interacting with the world so early. Like, before 1pm. "Check your Twii."
"Huh?"
"You'll see." She hung up. So, not that ready to deal with people.
Ugh. Fine. She batted away the accountant's hand and flicked up her phone. It couldn't be that big. It was only... 10am... that wasn't so late in hangover hours. What news could possibly--

... Big news set to break with #TESeries star...
... Muscadet declares intention to take part in WGPC1 team Preston's trials...
... Sponsors line up to endorse Muscadet...
...Armbruster unprofessional, technically poor, fat, says Muscadet...
... Twii deep-dive reveals Muscadet has 'liked' seventeen different versions of Armbruster retirement...

"Oh, fuck this," she muttered, and began to formulate her own response.
She kept it brief. To the point. She was sharper than people gave her credit for.

what could possibly attract #WGPC teams to the multi-millionaire jasmine muscadet?

by **Squidroidia** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 6:33 am

As he woke up from his bed one morning, Daryl realized something. In order to become a driver in the WGPC, the sprat had to negotiate his way into a ride at one of the 13 teams participating in the championship this season. It was a wide display of teams - Everywhere from Lisander to Vilita and Turori to Savojarna. But he, as well as his father Yusuke, knew that some teams wouldn't accept a middling pay driver who only drove karts in his entire career as a driver. In fact, you would think that this would be most of them. The big established teams on the circuit would have their money already on the table so they wouldn't accept Daryl, while others thought a person with no experience in even WGPT3 would be... Wrong.

But still, Daryl knew he had a mission to prove himself in such a tier. He could have participated in tiers 3 or 2, but there was no looking back for the 18 year old Squidroidian. Any pulling out would make him more controversial than he already is or will be in the community. So firing up his father's machine, he would log into his own email account, mostly just people from his former high school gushing on how he looked, before getting ready to send emails.

The first one went to the team that was most likely to offer him a seat.

To: WGPC Motorworks
From: dmizushima@squidmail.sqr
Subject: Grand Prix opportunities

Greetings Motorworks team,

My name is Daryl Mizushima, and I am a Squidroidian. I know, a Squidroidian race car driver, you've only seen Squidroidians play football or sepak takraw or even a little bit of hockey, but rest assured a Squidroidian driver is not the weirdest thing you're going to find this season. Have you even seen the Hülkenberger Nülkeschläger? Or whatever the heck the 189 driver is?

Talking about other drivers aside, I know that your team is a stepping stone for new and unexperienced drivers. I should know this, I only have done karting. That isn't an instant red flag if you ever decide to negotiate with me, I haven't found even a WGPT3 ride yet due to how hectic getting into such a seat could be. Trust me, a karting guy going straight to the top rung is not going to be the worst of your worries.

Want to lend in on a secret? I have money. And my father owns the Squidroidian entertainment brand FunStar. If you sign with me, Yusuke and I will foot the bill for your entire season, in exchange for the FunStar logo being on the livery of course. I know this sport is expensive as all hell. Teams fold at a rate of what seems like every 1 or 2 seasons, and I know you're owned by the WGPC itself. They're going to pay for all of the expenses. But if you sign with me, the FunStar money's going to pay for everything. And what does the WGPC like more than supporting drivers who otherwise wouldn't have a shot at the big time? Money. And making more of it.

So yeah, that's all you need to know about me. I'll get a ride from you, I'll get you guys money to pay for everything. No hassle, no worries. If you want to come talk with me I am more than welcome to tour your facilities and talk business. All I want is a drive for this season, and if you think I'm not good enough, I'll happily go down to WGPT3 for ya.

Thank you for your time,
Daryl Mizushima

With that first email out of the way, the young Squidroidian accessed his options other than the Motorworks team. The Tropicorp and V&T teams are off the table, he isn't some guy with a long beard putting a sponsor who only has hundreds of Yen in the bank on a car. Signing with Polaris? He'd just worsen their reputation. Preston is offering a open tryout but he's probably going to answer that one when he has exhausted all possible options. Which, to be honest, was getting really dry really quick. TAS already have their sponsorship sorted, Volkov could be interested in a new driver, but obviously not one with no experience, and Fireline has those Tropicorp engines but don't feel like a team for him. So he only had one option left before accepting the invite by Preston.

To: Mattijana Racing Team
From: dmizushima@squidmail.sqr
Subject: MRT interest

Salutations to you, MRT,

The name is Daryl Mizushima, and I hail from Squidroidia. If you watch tennis like some other people from your nation, we're the home of Houston Sawyer, AKA that guy who pulled off a major upset at a Tier 1 Tour competition. But this isn't about tennis, this is about Grand Prix racing. And as a team in the WGPC, you should be worried about paying the bills.

Luckily, even though I don't have experience, I have money. My father owns the FunStar entertainment company in Squidroidia, and as you can tell, he is rich. So rich in fact that he could pay for your entire operation this season, but most likely only pay for some of it. Being in this business is hard, I get it. Without money, you wouldn't have the chance to race against the best drivers on the planet, Cocoabo or otherwise. I'll get you the money needed, and with that I'll help you stay afloat and get you maybe a couple race wins. It all has to depend.

If you want to talk with me, go right ahead.

Thank you,
Daryl Mizushima

Well that was shorter than the Motorworks email. Now he has just one more thing to attend to.

To: Marty Lewis
From: dmizushima@squidmail.sqr
Subject: Preston Open Tryout

Greetings Marty,

I am Daryl Mizushima from Squidroidia. I know, not a name you have seen anywhere except karting, but trust me, inexperience is what all drivers have to go through before getting the chance to win. I am very much interested in what you are bringing to the table with the Preston Autos team in the WGPC and I want to formally accept the invitation to participate in the open tryout at the Hapilopper City Grand Prix Circuit.

Before you mark me in just yet, I am supposed to bring in sponsorship with me. You see, my father, Yusuke, owns the entertainment company FunStar. If I were to get accepted to the team, I'll promise you that FunStar will help pay for your fees this season. The company wants to be heard more outside of its country of origin, that being Squidroidia, and the Championship is the perfect place to start.

See you out on the track,
Daryl Mizushima

With those emails sent, it was back on to the simulator for the young man.

by **Lisander** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 8:30 am

TAS is the only banking account you will ever need from now on!

TAS is fair. We don't tax common user transactions like Money Transfer, Deposit and ATM withdrawal. We also don't tax credit cards. Companies still pay taxes, but those are lower than traditional banking taxes.

TAS is digital. We developed our system for the information era. You'll only receive any physical tokens, as Credit and Debit Cards, if you want it.

TAS is safe. We are the first accounting company to be 100% compatible with LSiD system. Your security keys are unique as you, and sync directly with your LSiD. No money will never leave your account unless you allow it.

TAS is human. Okay, seems strange to say a bank is human. But our team of experts are ready to help you with any question you ever have, always giving you the attention you need. We want to help you make your dreams come true, not make you wait in a line.

What TAS actually is?
For legal attribution: TAS, SA is a public limited company, listed on the Lisander Stock Exchange, offering a variety of bank services, like accounting, credit and debit cards, savings and stock investment.

So, You really don't tax people and card accounts? How can it be possible?
Among other reasons, we don't tax every user because we have less expenses. We don't have a single branch around the nation. We don't need it. Traditional Banks need to pay stuff like energy bills, water bills, maintenance, et cetera. We focus on digital, so we don't need to worry about it. Our transactions are 100% online, and if you ever need cash, you can go to any ATM with our credit card/app and make a withdrawal.

But how are you making money?
We still tax company accounts. We get profit on our negotiations with other banks. We're listed on stock market (if you want to join us, search for "TASB" on your home broker), and we're working now to expand TAS structure to be not only a bank, but a payment proccessor, like Wisa or BlasterCard.

How can I access my money in TAS? Is my money safe?
You can use our app on every internet-connected device or withdraw your money on every ATM. Every transaction follows a two-step authentication proccess. So you'll need to have your personal security keys (it can be done by manual input, but preferably by your LSiD device) to every transaction. Only you, with both your card (or app) and your LSiD device, can access your money.

You do the transaction > You confirm your transaction with your banking password > You authenticate the transaction with your LSiD security keys (by typing the key or scanning the LSiD device). It's a extra layer of security to your money.

What is your relationship with Government? How you managed to join the LSiD system in such a record time?
It's not us. This feat is due to the wonderful work of BLNCX, SRL, the most innovative information technology company in the country. They helped build our system from the very beginning. Thanks to the excellent professionals of BLNCX, endowed with extensive knowledge not only of the LSiD system, but also of the legislation on it, we were able to do this before the "big banks".

So, you gives us a credit card free of all taxes, is it?
Yes, as long you use it wisely. TAS Card is free from annuity and processing taxes. But don't let the card go to your head. You will still pay taxes if you let some debt at the end of the month.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US IN:
juntos@tas.ls

LEARN MORE ABOUT WORKING WITH US:
draft@tas.ls

SIGN UP FOR AN ACCOUNT IN:
quero@tas.ls

by **Filindostan** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 8:54 am

Badai Angin Tim Motorsport Headquarters
Yogyakulta, Filindostan

Dolf, Bryant, and Eko was playing chess in their room when they were discussing their plans for the upcoming season. Earlier in the off-season, they announced the signing of local hero Rusty Ibuna, the Filindostani motorsport's worst kept secret in the closing stages of the WGPC17 season, having agreed a handshake deal during the younger Ibuna's extended break after the GP Filindostan. This leaves only one open spot in the team, and media reports pointed to the rumor that this spot would not be open to new drivers to begin with. That rumors turned out to be true, as Badai Angin has offered Alex Dimitrianov an extension to drive for the team as its lead driver in the upcoming season, and has confirmed to the WGPO that they will continue their tyre partnership with Gergary's Solymok Tyres for the season. This will give the Filindo team the stability they need to mount a proper challenge to TRAE and Nexus Racing this season.

"Okay guys, now we have only one piece of the puzzle missing, and Alex would decide on that in the coming weeks." Dolf told the two in while moving a piece. "Check, Eko."

"Dolf, the progress of the chassis and engine are looking good, Rusty should be able to test the car in three days time, one week ahead of our projections. This season is looking good for us."

"Bryant, how about the sponsorship and finance side of things? Check, again."

"With Solymok in, we expect another sponsor aside from Masayabee who signed with us at the end of last season."

"Have we contacted them about a possible sponsorship?"

"Yeah, it was certainly a foreign company, one coming from... His... pinas?"

"Oh the telecom company? We have signed that already, and their logs will be in the car in time for the first testing session."

"Say, what could we possibly learn from our first season as a Filindostani team?"

"The fans are great, seemed that we picked the right combination of drivers. With Alex and Carsten driving the car last season, we never expected to fight it out in the front, let alone win a race."

"It was a double podium in Liventia right?"

"Yes, a double podium, and yes, it was the best race the team had. Carsten almost made it a 1-2 for the team! Anyway, the lad did good in his rookie season. But after the last round at Audioslavia we decided that it wsa best for his career to go our separate ways, and a big thanks to him that we were able to secure third place in the constructors' championship."

"It would have been a no-brainer to keep him, but we could do better this season right?"

"It's a safe bet that keeping the same lineup would bring stability to the team. But sometimes we have to take risks and since Rusty became available this season, we took the chance to sign him this season. Signing him this early have enabled us to prepare for our title assault this season."

"Provided Alex would confirm his seat. What if he suddenly turns his back at this project?"

"No worries. We can promote my son to lead driver, and try to hold a private test for the top 4 of the recently concluded WGP2 season. Goita, Stone, Luna, and Falepeau isn't it?"

"Yeah, that Dom, he struggled at the start of the season but he picked up big points and won at Diarcesia. Drove the BAP001 also at the end of the season's private test here at Yoggy, and since we kept the car's characteristics to its core, then he should have no problem adapting to it. But isn't putting Rusty as lead driver puts unnecessary pressure to him in any case?"

"That's why I'm pretty certain that Alex would respond back to us with a positive answer."

"Haha, let's see."

"Checkmate, Eko."

"Hey Dolf, that was underhanded!"

The three laughed after their chess match, when someone knocked on the door.

"'Pa?"

"Hey 'nak, come on in. I'll introduce you to Bryant and Eko, my two great generals for Badai Angin."

by **Auruna** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 8:58 am

Viska Factory
Sterlennau, Auruna

"Viska celebrates their second place finish in the constructors after a tough championship fight."

MNA News
Viska confirmed to participate in the WGPC after successful WGP2 debut
"The first Aurun team to compete outside of Auruna, Viska Racing, will compete in the upcoming WGPC 18 following their second place success in the feeder series of WGP2. Their research, development, and testing has already started and with funding from the MNA, everything will be put into good use. Jöna Ekeränna will remain as team principal for Viska but there are still speculation about who are their drivers for this season.

The team hopes to perform better than before even with the added pressure of competing in the highest tier of motorsport."

Jöna grins, as he is reading the emails. His success as team manager got Viska and one of their... well, technically two of their drivers into WGPC with one of them taking a hands-off approach to driving. He soon stumbles upon Baxen's message to him.

...

"So that's the case... I really thought the two would still be racing together. Still, if they're still together that way, then..."

"You're still here? Never thought that you'd stay late." Artur interrupts Jöna.

Jöna replies. "I still have the endurance. Also, why aren't you preparing for the AEC?"

"Not much of a priority now, I decided to help you out while I'm still racing."

"You're alright with that?"

"Yeah mate."

"Call the strats well. I'd like to see us win again."

"Decided on the drivers yet? Who'll get the two Viska seats?"

"There are a lot of drivers to choose from but we already have one. Let me get some stuff out of the way before we find our second driver."

Jöna finishes his coffee before sending a message to Baxen, offering a seat to Olivia Stone, continuing their partnership with the two Nimbans.

"Now, time to get some rest before we continue. The hunt starts tomorrow."

Täitä Viska, täitä!

by **Vilita and Turori** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 9:04 am

Tropicorp Sets Sights on Repeat Supplier Title in WGPC18

Tropicorp Multiversal Campus, Tropicoast, Tropicorp :: Tropicorp have confirmed an expansion of their participation in the World Grand Prix Championship as not only a Tyre Supplier but also an Engine Provided at the constructors level for multiple World Grand Prix outfits. Tropicorp Engineering are the first power provided on the circuit to secure multiple grand prix outfits for the 18th World Grand Prix Championship season having already completed agreements with Tropicorp Racing Ælund, iBen Toralmintii's Race Eelandii Vilita & Turori World Grand Prix Motorworks and Fireline Motorsports. In addition to being the World Grand Prix Championship's Largest Engine Supplier, Tropicorp will also continue to offer its tyres through its Tropicorp Racing Supply brand. Tropicorp engineers have developed a durable distance variant, a short run soft and fast variant as well as an intermediate and "Storm" variant. The 'Storm' variant is a new derivative of the Tropicorp Racing Supply Tyre line and may represent a crossover into the personnel transport market through the "Storm" branding which replaces the Sifaka wordmark on the wet tyres only.

Tropicorp is a quasi-governmental corporation created to conduct Research, Development and Production activities primarily on behalf of the Tropics of Vilita. One of the byproducts of Tropicorp's development in a remote location on the Calanian mainland has been the removal of native and wild tree species to make way for development space. Tropicorp engineers discovered a dense grove of Calanian rubber trees.

Tropicorp Engineering developed the special Calanian rubber to create high performance racing tyres for testing purposes. After the tests proved successful, It wasn't long before the tooling was done and Racing Tyres were popping out on an hourly basis from the workshop and Tropicorp Racing Supply was born. Everything on Tropicorp Racing Supply's standard product line from Crew Uniforms to Composite-Material suspension parts will be on offer. - even the potential for advanced product opportunities through Tropicorp Engineering to include Chassis and Hybrid Power systems.

Tropicorp Racing Supply has long been in the business of creating high-quality motorsports tyres but saw a resurgence on the World Grand Prix circuit when they became the official Tyre Supplier for Tropicorp Racing Aelund midway through the World Grand Prix's 16th season after the team struggled to find its form on its debut. When the Calanian Rubber was introduced, however, the teams fortunes improved and interest in the Tropicorp Sifaka tyres increased with many orders for sample and small quantity levels of product over the offseason. Tropicorp became the largest Tyres supplier in the WGPC during its 17th season and were the runaway winners of the WGPC17 Supplier Performance Award which recognized the top performing Tyre Supplier of the season.

WGPC17 Tyre Supplier Performance Standings
Note: Suppliers participating in WGPC Season 18 highlighted in bold

FINAL :: After 13 of 13 Events
[1] - 289 :: Tropicorp Racing Supply
[2] - 149 :: Petrovi
[3] - 145 :: Brutus InMotion
[4] - 144 :: Solymok
[5] - 100 :: Pire Eleven
[6] - 45 :: Stellenbosch
[7] - 42 :: Grafonil
[8] - 35 :: Cypress

Not Participating: Deyoze Tiyres

Tropicorp easily secured the top spot in the Supplier Performance Standings during WGPC Season 17 which included 9 race victories amongst its drivers over the 14 race schedule and just 3 races where no Tropicorp Racing Supply drivers finished on the podium. For World Grand Prix Championship Season 18 the number of available Tyres suppliers has been cut in half from 8 to 4 with three returning providers - Tropicorp Racing Supply, In Motion and Solymok with Deyoze Tires of Hodori making a top level motorsport return. Deyoze Tires appear to be taking the place of Petrovi who leapfrogged Brutus InMotion and Solymok with a runner-up finish in the final race of the WGPC17 to take second overall in the Supplier Performance Standings.

Sign with a Champion. Sign with Tropicorp.

Tropicorp Racing Supply remain available to become Tyre Supplier for any World Grand Prix Championship Season 18 teams, offering the most balance Tyre on the market with both the Tropicorp Sifaka and Storm variant tyres. The Tropicorp Racing Supply team will be on hand with spare lots of tyres at each of the official WGPC Pre-Season testing events and tyres may be purchased directly for use in those events without any pre-reservations.

While Tropicorp continue their heavy investment in the World Grand Prix Championships, a number of additional Vilita & Turori based entities are also looking to continue their investment in Motorsport if teams or drivers of exceptional caliber have unique opportunities for the upcoming campaign.

Additional WGPC18 Sponsorship Opportunities & Suppliers

:: Driver Services & Team Sponsorship Interest :: Please feel free to RP or TG interest in partnering with the below organizations

:: Arcticala Electrical

The Arcticala Electrical company is the main supplier of power in the Vilitan Cove region. Arcticala Electrical harnesses energy from many sources and prides in its renewable Wind, Hydro and Solar efforts. The company also runs a small scale Nuclear generation facility inside the Sorthern fallout zone. The facility is fully staffed by Robo-things and provides emergency power to the Vilitan Government and major cities. The pride of the Arcticala Electrical company are its advances in Solar Power which are on display prominently at the Arcticala Electrical Stadium.

Arcticala Electrical has sponsored Turorian driver Lotara Novorali throughout her stock car racing career running weekly short track events throughout the Vilitan Cove region and backed Novorali as she made her debut as a part time driver for Vilita and Turori Motorsports during the NSSCRA Season but are now looking to expand their footprint into the World Grand Prix.

:: CoCoCo Entities

Stood up after the fall of the reign of Lord Gregory, Turorian company CoCoCo established a footprint inside South Covello and established itself as a primary supplier of core goods and services. Internally the goods were used to provide essential raw materials and goods to Turorian shops such as Cocoa-bo that had opened a presence in country. Soon after, however, central public distribution locations were also established.

One of the most prominent is Coco-mart, the big box store primarily found in South Covello. Coco-marts were stood up throughout South Covello to serve as an interface between CocCoCo and the public offering excess goods to the citizens of South Covello and somewhat reasonable prices compared with what it would have taken for a citizen to acquire similar goods during the reign of Lord Gregory.

The CoCoCo have established themselves on a collection of Islands off the coast of South Covello where raw goods are imported, sorted and redistributed to the mainland. Other major public-facing CoCoCo entities stood up in South Covello include Cocogas and CoCoLectric.

:: Cocoa-Bo Eatery

Cocoa-bo, an establishment taking its name directly from the beloved national animal of Turori, started as a small dessert shop in Kionao. However, it was only after they added chocolate topped drinks to their menu that their popularity started to soar. As more and more patrons scooped up their chocolate flavored pick-me-ups, demand for the Cocoa-bo product skyrocketed and soon new franchised locations were popping up all throughout Turori. Shifting to more of a social 'hang-out' then just a casual place to drop in, get a dessert, and leave, the new locations started adding small foods such as Bagels for the morning, Soups and Sandwiches for Lunch or Dinner and Salads for the entire day.

Now an internationstatal brand, Cocoa-bo has expanded outside of Vilita & Turori and even Atlantian Oceania ever since opening their first regional location in Andossa Se Mitrin Vega. The first major expansion of Cocoa-bo outside of Atlantian Oceania was in South Covello and the brand has even started liscensing product produced by other manufacturers such as their relationship with the BCEL Beverage Company in Baker Park. Cocoa-bo now has a major presence throughout Atlantian Oceania, Esportiva and Rushmore having opened their center of Rushmori operations in Starkville, Cassadaigua. Cocoa-bo became a household name during the recently completely Cocoa-bo Inquisition that originated from within the Dreamed Realm, speculating that Cocoa-bo provided Performance Enhancing Qualities to those that consumed it. While the commission was intended to question the legitimacy of the Cocoa-bo product, it only served to increase awareness and overall brand sales. Now, Cocoa-bo are looking to capitalize on that exposure by bringing their brand name to even more consumers through the World Grand Prix Championship.

:: Inura Extracts

Perhaps looking to build off the success of the addictive Cocoa-bo product line, one grassroots trend amongst Turorians has begun to package itself in a way to take advantage of the craze through Inura Extracts, LLC. Claiming to specialize in all natural plant extracts source directly from the Inura Forest region of Turori, Inura Extracts has begun distributing everything from Aromatics and Spices to Dietary Supplements under the Inura Extracts moniker. While Cocoa-bo has claimed no direct relationship with the company, Inura Extracts have certainly not made any attempts to distance themselves from rumors that they are sourcing their extracts from the same sources the local beverage and delectable phenoms Cocoa-bo and the Vilisorma Beverage Company, makers of Vilaye Energy Drink, collect the raw material for their own product lines. Others, however, have suggested that the Inura Extracts company and its product line are just a hoax looking to make a quick buck off trendy nutritional swings throughout the Vilitan Cove region.

:: Toys '4' All

The leading distributor and retailer of Toys and Games in the Tropics, Toys '4' All prides itself in providing a positive experience for children and adults alike when visiting its stores. Customers enjoy a wide selection of otherwise hard-to-find Toys and Games with Toys '4' All bringing to market toys from independent toy makers and innovators. The future of the Toys '4' All brand likely depends on being able to retain the market share from the independent toy makers using Toys '4' All as a storefront for their goods.

Toys '4' All is in negotiations to become the official Toy Supplier of the World Grand Prix Championships and if successful will be looking to produce a set of diecast grand prix cars with the livery of top World Grand Prix Championship teams in addition to stuffed toys for children five and under of 3 Grand Prix teams.

:: Charitable Organizations :: Charitable Organization Logos may be used on any livery without pre-coordination

:: Cocoabo Preservation Society

The Cocoabo Preservation Society is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to spreading awareness about Turori's native and endangered Cocoabo species, as well as collecting donations and raising funds to help protect, care for and breed Turorian Cocoabo. The Cocoabo Preservation Society has partnered with Tropicorp to develop to Cocoabo Forest just north of Turori.

The CPS does not pay to put its logo on Grand Prix vehicles. Typical sporting arrangements surrounding the use of the CPS logo on Grand Prix Vehicles include special CPS merchandise will made available to be produced and sold with a portion of the proceeds going towards Cocoabo Conservation; the ability of the Cocoabo Preservation Society to use the image and likeness of WGPC cars carrying their logo for promotional purposes as well as special "Go Go Cocoabo!" donation packages and corporate tours of Cocoabo Park and the Preservation Society headquarters.

--- Cocoabo Preservation Society Logo Neutral Color Logo Template ---

by **Hodori Motorsports** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 10:18 am

Soeshu, Hodori
“Based on pre-season data, the Pleione’s times looked competitve, but did anyone really expect Sakite to dominate like that?” Sayono Souzare asked as she added another thin slice of beef tongue to the grill.
Of the eight rounds of the Hodoran Ensadrink GT Championship, Sakite’s Pleione Evo-GT fleet claimed five GT600 wins, with the two factory cars each claiming a pair of wins and the fifth win taken by a long-time Sakite customer team. Tarogama customer team Chirumicha MS claimed two victories of their own with their lead car, leaving Arada with only the 1000km victory taken by factory pilots Nadakaei and Setaki. Sayono, with co-pilot Hakotai Kazuki, had only graced the podium once in a failed bid to defend their championship title. Of the four Arada teams, the Kazuki/Souzare pair finished ninth of fifteen with 36 points, while the Nadakei/Setaki pair managed fourth with 60.
“Guess they were really pissed about getting locked out of the top three by Arada the year before.” An’ue Toudeyaku shrugged.
The previous year, the final season of the Hodoran 3.4-litre NA V8s. Nine GT rounds, six won by Arada machinery One each claimed by the other three makes fielding teams in the top class. Arada drivers filled the top three in the end of season rankings.
Eight Formula Touring rounds, again six won with Arada power. Again one each claimed by the other two suppliers in that category. Again Arada drivers securing the top three in the driver’s standings.
“Although,” An’ue continued, “Year over year things went better for the Arada factory team in FT.”
The previous year, the factory Arada team only managed ninth in the FT team standings, with their best-ranked driver 12th. This past year, with the new 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4s, the primary team ended the season second, with Okumura third in the driver’s championship and Sayono eighth. Only one race was won by Arada power: Super Option’s Yanko Katoni took the first round at Dashoze. Likewise with Tyra Tabuso’s win at Soumaku being Badai Angin’s sole Formula Touring victory. The remaining five were won by Tarogama power. And thus Sayono failed also in defending her domestic open-wheel crown.
“Felt like things were going worse.” Sayono flipped the sizzling morsel.
“You did...thoroughly okay given how little practice you had with the new everything.” An’ue added a slice of meat of her own, her other hand skating across her tablet. Sayono glared in response.
New Everything. Between the past year and the one before, engine and chassis regulations had changed in the three GT-A series. In the two Sayono competed in, GT1 had become GT600 – named for the power output of the new engines – and moved from the individual bespoke chassis and normally aspirated 3400cc V8 to a common underlying chassis with a turbocharged 2000cc inline-four, and Hodoran open-wheel moved from the Yemigama FH170T to the Sakata R-175FT. Formula Touring engines remained identical to those in the top GT class, and so made the same change in specifications.
Before Sayono could move to retrieve her next bite, Hakusa snatched it up.
“Seriously?”
Hakusa stuck out her tongue as she dipped her ill-gotten prize in sauce.
“Hey Kitten, ‘sup?” A woman came up to their table.
Hakusa turned to the voice. Sayono took advantage of the distraction and reclaimed her food.
“Oh. Hey Pigeon. Go ahead, have a seat.” Hakusa pointed to the empty seat next to An’ue.
“Who are you?” An’ue asked the newcomer.
“We’ve met before.”
“I don’t remember you.”
“My hair was dyed blue back then.” The woman, with short blonde hair and bubblegum pink tips, sat down.
“Still nothing.”
“Kitteeeeeeeeen Miss Glasses is being mean to meeeeeeee!” The stranger began whining to Hakusa.
“No I legitimately have no idea who you are.”
“Hakusa who is this?” Sayono asked her wife.
“Pigeon. A friend from work.” Hakusa answered.
“And why does she call you ‘Kitten’?”
“Think of things that a kitten is. Small, fluffy.” ‘Pigeon’ began.
“Adorable.” Sayono added.
“Now, think of how those are things that she is not.” Pigeon gestured at Hakusa. Hakusa rolled her eyes.
For a few seconds, the only sounds were those of the surrounding chatter and sizzling meat. Sayono wanted to unsay what she said.
“Also she tends to wear cat ears at work.” Pigeon turned to flag down a waiter.
“Okay but I still don’t know who you are.”An’ue said.
Pigeon returned her attention to the other three. She let out a small sigh, then introduced herself. “Kuneyala Suzuna. Everyone calls me ‘Pigeon’.”
An’ue and Sayono in turn then gave their introductions. “Why ‘Pigeon’?” Sayono asked.
“Because pigeons are the most wonderful creatures to grace this world we call home.”
“Uh huh.” Sayono, lover of cats, girls, and catgirls, was thoroughly unimpressed.
“So what sort of party did I crash?”
“Just figuring out where to go forward from here.” An’ue passed the tablet to Sayono as Pigeon placed her order. “I’m going to go ahead and assume you’ll go with Polaris again this year?” An’ue asked. Pigeon and Hakusa meanwhile chatted about the goings on at their day job.
“Of course.”
“All right. And the Preston open tryout?”
Sayono looked at the tablet, showing the email from a Marty Lewis.
“Sure. Can’t hurt.” Sayono shrugged and returned the device. “But I’m still going for Polaris.”
“Okay. Give me some time and I’ll see what strings I can pull.” An’ue paused, thinking. “If you do go with Polaris, I can’t imagine IceFoxx will be too happy with you bringing Ensadrink money.”
Before Sayono could say anything, Pigeon interrupted. “IceFoxx? You mean that over-sugared crap with the scantily-clad catgirl on the can?”
“I can’t attest to the quality of the drink itself but yes.” Sayono answered.
“It’s not that great. Not enough caffeine.” Hakusa’s response earned stares from An’ue and Sayono.
“Anyways,” An’ue broke the silence. “I think your only other sponsorship conflict will be with Izayoi and Fontaine. It’ll take some time to resolve those, but I’ll do what I can.”
Sayono recalled her Ensadrink shoots. Really they just amounted to letting the film crews record her exercise routines. A few sessions at their Sports Nutrition Laboratory in Tarogama, filming her running on a treadmill, various leads connecting her to medical equipment she couldn’t recall the name of off-hand. Her outfit for those shoots was only as revealing as what she normally wore during her workouts. Which was still more modest in terms of coverage than what Okumura had to wear for her IceFoxx shoot.

To: WGPC Teams
From: Deyoze Tyres <customerteamsupport@deyozetyres-ms.co.hd>

We at Deyoze Tyres cordially invite all teams participating in the 18th World Grand Prix Championship to an open test session at Driving Park Deyoze. This invitation is open to all teams, whether they have already chosen a different tyre supplier for the season or are still seeking a supplier.

Our testing circuit features corner sequences modelled after those seen on some of the most notable Hodoran motor racing circuits, although they are not exact topographic replicas given the mostly flat area our driving park is built on. Also available to teams is a skid pan, 200 meters in radius.

The testing circuit consists of over 10.3km of track, and multiple electronic speed traps throughout each simulated corner complex to check speeds at various points through each corner. Water sprayers are present to simulate damp and wet conditions should the weather not be so accommodating. The test track can be run in either direction, though the pit area is one-way. To eliminate the risk of head-on collisions, only one car at a time will be permitted out on the testing circuit.

Our Ikakota tyres represent the highest performance tier of our model range, being constructed exclusively for motorsports use on paved surfaces. The Ikakota has been developed and improved from years of domestic racing use and during our time as the supplier for the ENSADRINK GP Team Dekijika-Tarogama and Arada Motorsport WGPC teams.

We will provide participating teams with two sets of each hardness dry compound and each wet weather tyre per car. Both dry and wet tyres will carry Ikakota branding. We will supply for the season any teams satisfied with our tyres following the testing sessions.

by **TJUN-ia** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 10:25 am

Intro Music Plays

Luka Olson: Good evening and welcome to another special edition of SportNight on TM1, your no.1 source for all things sport across all 3 universes of TJUN. I'm Luka Olson and with the 18th running of the World Grand Prix Championship upon us soon, racing fever is striking U3 with much aggression. Dozens of drivers and teams have entered negotiations in order to find our 26 drivers who will compete for the greatest glory open-wheel racing has to offer and tonight, I'm interviewing one of them live from the Atlantis Hotel in Portside. When he entered the scene for WGP2, motor racing in TJUN-ia was basically nothing. He worked hard to drive for the nation that adopted him and his brothers but left feeling like he had let everyone down. Now, after all this time, we finally get to speak with him about the past, the present and the potential future of his career in the sport. Please welcome, Lane Carter.

Lane Carter: Thanks mate.

LO: No, thank you for allowing me to interview you tonight. It's been a while since TJUN-ia last saw you, fighting for points for UrGa in WGP2. How have you been and how would you describe your first season in professional motorsports as a whole?

LC: Well, I've just been here in Portside. I've seen a lot of things while I've been back and being the official starter of the TJUN 600 certainly blew my mind, those tens of thousands of people cheering when I said those words is just unbelievable. The season as a whole saw ups and downs, summed up in spectacular style on the streets of San Marco. You remember, right? Got pole position on Saturday only to collide with my teammate, the brilliant Taras Matviyenko, and stop a potential UrGa 1-2 on Sunday. It was both the best and the worst racing moment of my life, all condensed in the space of 24 hours. It showed me how brutal this sport can be, but I think I've learned that I've just gotta go with it and move on. UrGa taught me a lot about this sport and I'm grateful for that, but it just wasn't to be.

LO: Do you still feel that you could've done better with UrGa, after all this time?

LC: Well, Taras' 2 podiums and most of San Marco showed that I could. But "could" get's you nowhere in this sport without "is" and, push comes to shove, luck wasn't on my side. But again, I have to move on from that if I am to succeed in this profession and to become the first TJUN-ian to race in the WGPC.

LO: Back to the TJUN 600 for a bit. That race weekend and the successes of Jaguar Racing in NSSCRA 9 showed the potential TJUN-ian motorsports may still have to offer. Now some people think that the open-wheel class is lagging behind stock-car in the International Community due to those successes. Do you feel that there is a sort of rivalry between open-wheel and stock-car in this country?

LC: A little bit, yes. You won't believe the slander this sport got after Michael Stefan won in Bolgano, no offence to him. He grew up with open-wheel, only to defect. Same with Drake Stevenson from Hapilopper. But I don't have any hard feelings towards the other class of TJUN-ia-MRO. Some drivers just prefer the other, and that is alright in my books. But JR has certainly shown that TJUN-ia can succeed in motor racing period, so I hope that I can do that too.

LO: Ok, now onto the WGPC. You said yourself that your season in WGP2 had some highs and some lows, so why do you feel that you are ready for a tougher series?

LC: Well, after all this time I realised that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't as bad as I thought I was. Immediately after the season, I felt like I'd let everyone down compared to the successes Prince and Jester were achieving for our new homeland. But then I realised that I did some good in that season, I just beat myself up too much for me to see it. I was only 5 points behind Taras at seasons end and if he didn't get those 2 podiums, he may have well finished behind me. I feel that I needed to act now in order to progress TJUN-ian motorsports and to ensure my mental health isn't impacted by a long offseason of regret.

LO: Fair enough. So, what are your current plans right now? Any team that interests you so far or are you keeping an open mind?

LC: Well, so far I've got a few thoughts. In reality, I will most likely go to any team if they really want me and if any are hosting a little test then I'm certainly up for trying that out. I got the UrGa seat from testing, so I hope I can get another like this. One team I may be interested in so far is Preston Autos from Hapilopper. They're a historic racing nation and the duals between Team Blue and JR in NSSCRA last season were defiantly great. Preston itself would be a great team to work with, but I would understand if they are looking for more experienced drivers. The other 12 teams would be great as well if anyone is willing to put up with me!

LO: What about money? WGPC is a money-driven sport and many teams may need sponsorship money in order to consider your services.

LC: Well for that, I'm covered. If any team wants money for my services, then TJUN-ia will be willing to provide it. 50% will be covered by the MRO itself, for the development of the sport, and the other half by NGADM (the Notts Guild of Art, Design and Messages), for the expansion of their services outside of TJUN-ia. They made a lot of money off of their stalls and armbands during NSSCRA, and they hope they can replicate that in WGPC.

LO: So, your actually set money-wise if any team requires it?

LC: Indeed.

LO: Well then, that's good. Before we close, do you have any message for any of the 13 teams who may consider your services?

LC: Indeed. My name is Lane Carter. I am Galarian by blood but proud to represent TJUN-ia like my two brothers. I am a driver who prides reliability and technicality over pure aggression, but aggression is not something many TJUN-ians are known for anyway. I know you will probably read and watch dozens of these messages from drivers around this universe about why they are the best for your team and I know you may not consider me at face value. But I am ready for any challenge that may arise in this season and I hope you see that too. If you were to choose me, you will have signed the first-ever TJUN-ian to race in international open-wheel competition and you will have the watching eyes of 3 Universes on your team. I thank you all for your consideration and I hope you see, like many in NSSCRA, the potential of TJUN-ia in this sport. I will be ready for the track, no matter where or whoever decides that I am the right fit. Thank you.

LO: Thank you, Lane. We'll take a break on TM1, stay tunes for the rest of the headlines across the multiverse!

by **Togonistan** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 12:06 pm

Hwoarang 24h Endurance Cup
Hwoarang, Togonistan

''The clock hits zero, and who do we see there! Yes, yes, yes! It is indeed Dom Falepeau, crossing the finish line first! Dom Falepeau has won the Hwoarang 24h Endurance Cup!

''Yes! Come on guys! Woo!'' Dom cheered as he crossed the finish line in his Kaylan Malaga RS. One of his dreams had just come true. Hwoarang 24h Endurance Cup was one of the, if not the most prestigious race in Togonistan. A fierce competition bringing together all the big stars in local motorsport scene. Not only was it a big day for Dom himself, but also for his newly-founded team DF Racing. One can definitely say that they entered the local motorsport scene with a bang. ''Amazing job Dom, indeed, amazing job,'' his racing engineer said in the team radio. Dom turned into pitlane and opened his car door, to be greeted by a huge noise coming from the spectators. Dom climbed on top of his car and raised both of his fists up, sending out another howl. Celebrations were indeed spectacular, and after having received first-hand congratulations from all of his team members and posed for photographers, Dom finally made his way to the podium for an award ceremony, where he got soaked in champagne by his fellow competitors.

It took a few hours, until Dom was finally able to start his journey back home. A car was already waiting to pick him up and take him back to his apartment in Tushlark. Finally, he can get some rest, after having driven non-stop for 24 hours. At least, that's what Dom thought. As he opened the door, he was greeted by Mareta, his agent, who had occupied one of the back seats.

''Hello Dom, nice job out there,'' Mareta smirked as Dom landed next to her.

''Hello Mareta, what a pleasure to see you here. To what do I owe the honour?''

''Dom... we talked about this yesterday, you said you'd see me right after the race.''

''Right... I did. Forgive me, I'm tired. Brain is not functioning full time right now.''

''It's about WGPC, Dom. You're sure about taking this step?''

Dom nod, ''Sure as schnitzel. Go ahead, tell me what you've got for me.''

''Well, there are options on the table. However, keep in mind, the competition for seats is fierce. Many well-established world class WGPC drivers, accompanied by some of your WGP2 rivals. Goita, Stone, Luna, Carter... to name a few.''

''Interesting. What options do we have?''

''First of all, there is a new team on the grid. Preston Autos Grand Prix Team, based in Hapilopper. They have sent out a notification to all the available drivers about their open tryouts. I would assume there will be a rush for these two seats, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't sign up and give it a shot.''

''Indeed. Can you contact them on my behalf and let them know that i'll be there?''

''Of course I will do it.''

''We can't bet on that one option though, can we? What other potential chances do we have?''

''Well, considering your ties with both MRT as well as Badai Angin... I mean, you did drive for their satellite teams in WGP2, so I think we should at least try to negotiate with them, right?''

''I would love to work with the Filindostani team again, but as far as I know, they already have a contract with Rusty Ibuna set in place. And they'll probably sign Alex Dimitrianov for another season.''

''But what about MRT? Rumours state that Sigurd Bjarnason is planning to leave them to help SVJ, so they would need to find someone to replace him.''

''Well that would be nice indeed. I have kept in touch with them as well, more or less. We can try to contact them, see what their plan is.''

Mareta nod. ''So, I shall contact MRT and we can keep Preston as an option as well. Of course, there is a chance someone else might be interested in you, but for now, that seems like a logical step to take. For me, at least.''

''Yup, I agree.'' Dom rolled down his window and lit up a cigarette, as Mareta took out her laptop and sent out some e-mails.

To: Marty Lewis
From: Mareta Loferi
Topic: Preston Try-Outs

Greetings.

My name is Ms. Mareta Loferi and I am writing to you on behalf of Mr. Dom Falepeau. I would like to let you know that Dom Falepeau is interested about participating in try-outs for Preston Grand Prix Engineering. Mr. Falepeau is a consistent driver with 3 years of experience in WGP2 category, as well as prior experience in various motorsport disciplines on local level. Last season, my client finished 4th in WGP2 standings, and he is looking for potential offers to make a step into WGPC. Mr. Falepeau has also established a long-lasting partnership with Élégamment, a widely popular Britonish fashion brand, who can help with additional funding. I believe a potential partnership between Mr. Falepeau and Preston would be beneficial for both sides. I shall look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely,
Mareta Loferi

To: Mattijana Racing Team
From: Mareta Loferi
Topic: A potential offer

Greetings.

My name is Ms. Mareta Loferi and I am writing to you on behalf of Mr. Dom Falepeau. I would like to let you know that Dom Falepeau is open for negotiations about a possible partnership with MRT this season. As of now, my client is looking to take a step into WGPC and, considering your earlier history with my client, Mr. Felapeau would love to work with your organization again. Mr. Falepeau has also established a long-lasting partnership with Élégamment, a widely popular Britonish fashion brand, who can help with additional funding. I believe a potential partnership between Mr. Falepeau and MRT would be beneficial for both sides. I shall look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Faithfully,
Mareta Loferi

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