World Grand Prix Championship 18 [RP/results]

[Liventia]

OOC note: Team colours as specified to me, or colour-picked from a car launch. For TAS Alliance, I used the purple from their earlier livery poll RP; for Fireline I took the purple from the logo/flag.

Week 4: Race

Conditions:      	Dry
Laps:              	59
Nation:         	V&T
Circuit:        	Eelandii Grand Prix Course
Event:	Grand Prix of Turori
Safety Car Deployed on Laps:	
Cars on Grid:	28

POS  # ▍DRV Name                               Team                               	Time      	Pts	Fastest Lap	
  1 51 ▍CRU R.L. Cuisin                        Race Eelandii V&T GP               	01:30:39.297	25		
  2 77 ▍TII iBen Toralmintii                   Tropicorp Racing Ælund             	00:00:26.178	18		
  3 42 ▍DIM Alex Dimitrianov                   Badai Angin Tim Motorsport         	00:00:31.019	14		
  4 23 ▍C23 Cocoabo #23                        Fireline Motorsports               	00:00:40.016	11		
  5 71 ▍IBU Rustom Ibuna                       Badai Angin Tim Motorsport         	00:00:51.256	8		
  6 28 ▍LNA Sara Luna                          Volkov Racing                      	00:00:52.072	6		
  7 12 ▍DEV Anneliese Devereux                 TAS Alliance Racing                	00:00:56.229	4		
  8 11 ▍CRT Lane Carter                        Race Eelandii V&T GP               	00:01:03.665	3		
  9 94 ▍LAN Ryker Lane                         Nexus Racing                       	Laps Down: 1	2		
 10 56 ▍TAL Terho Talvela                      Tropicorp Racing Ælund             	Laps Down: 1	1		
 11 25 ▍KRU Gregori Krupin                     Volkov Racing                      	Laps Down: 1	 + 2	1:26.530	
 12  7 ▍GTA Abdoulaye Goita                    Schkeska-VSK Viska Racing          	Laps Down: 1			
 13 76 ▍KOW Adriana Kowalski                   Fireline Motorsports               	Laps Down: 1			
 14 50 ▍EDW Rudy Edwards                       Preston Autos Grand Prix Racing    	Laps Down: 1			
 15 46 ▍ARB Kitti Armbruster                   SVJ Racing WGPC Team               	Laps Down: 1			
 16 72 ▍VAL Charyseine Valkyria                WGPC Motorworks                    	Laps Down: 1			
 17 27 ▍NUL Dario Nülkeschläger                WGPC Motorworks                    	Laps Down: 1			
 18 52 ▍SZR Sayono Souzare                     Polaris Racing Team                	Laps Down: 1			
 19 37 ▍SCH Niklas Schonbaum                   TAS Alliance Racing                	Laps Down: 1			
 20 22 ▍KRA Jasmin Kranjska                    Mattijana Racing Team              	Laps Down: 2			
 21 85 ▍STO Olivia Stone                       Schkeska-VSK Viska Racing          	Ret. lap 55 (classified finish)
 22 41 ▍JMD Jean Mercer-Daly                   Nexus Racing                       	Ret. lap 54 (classified finish)		
DNF 14 ▍BJA Sigur Bjarnason                    SVJ Racing WGPC Team               	Ret. lap 49		
DNF 47 ▍OKU Erica Okumura                      Polaris Racing Team                	Ret. lap 37		
DNF 19 ▍FAL Dom Falepeau                       Mattijana Racing Team              	Ret. lap 13			
DNF  8 ▍ARC William Archer                     Preston Autos Grand Prix Racing    	Ret. lap 3		
DNS 82 ▍LMN Kinu Luminna                       WGPC Motorworks                    	DNS				
DNS 63 ▍MIZ Daryl Mizushima                    WGPC Motorworks                    	DNS

---

Drivers' standings

Pos # ▍DRV Name                                Team [Engine]                                                            Tyres                              Pts
 1 51 ▍CRU R.L. Cuisin                         Race Eelandii V&T GP [Tropicorp Engineering]                             Tropicorp Racing Supply            25
 2 77 ▍TII iBen Toralmintii                    Tropicorp Racing Ælund [Tropicorp Engineering]                           Tropicorp Racing Supply            18
 3 42 ▍DIM Alex Dimitrianov                    Badai Angin Tim Motorsport [Badai Angin]                                 Solymok                            14
 4 23 ▍C23 Cocoabo #23                         Fireline Motorsports [Tropicorp Engineering]                             Tropicorp Racing Supply            11
 5 71 ▍IBU Rustom Ibuna                        Badai Angin Tim Motorsport [Badai Angin]                                 Solymok                            8
 6 28 ▍LNA Sara Luna                           Volkov Racing [WGPC Motorworks Engineering]                              Tropicorp Racing Supply            6
 7 12 ▍DEV Anneliese Devereux                  TAS Alliance Racing [Harlean 1]                                          Solymok                            4
 8 11 ▍CRT Lane Carter                         Race Eelandii V&T GP [Tropicorp Engineering]                             Tropicorp Racing Supply            3
 9 25 ▍KRU Gregori Krupin                      Volkov Racing [WGPC Motorworks Engineering]                              Tropicorp Racing Supply            2
 9 94 ▍LAN Ryker Lane                          Nexus Racing [Paragon Warp]                                              In Motion                          2
11 56 ▍TAL Terho Talvela                       Tropicorp Racing Ælund [Tropicorp Engineering]                           Tropicorp Racing Supply            1

---

Constructors' standings

Pos NAT ▍Team [Engine]                                                            Tyres                              Pts
  1 V&T ▍Race Eelandii V&T GP [Tropicorp Engineering]                             Tropicorp Racing Supply            28
  2 FID ▍Badai Angin Tim Motorsport [Badai Angin]                                 Solymok                            22
  3 ABL ▍Tropicorp Racing Ælund [Tropicorp Engineering]                           Tropicorp Racing Supply            19
  4 ETN ▍Fireline Motorsports [Tropicorp Engineering]                             Tropicorp Racing Supply            11
  5 SOR ▍Volkov Racing [WGPC Motorworks Engineering]                              Tropicorp Racing Supply            8
  6 LIS ▍TAS Alliance Racing [Harlean 1]                                          Solymok                            4
  7 NIM ▍Nexus Racing [Paragon Warp]                                              In Motion                          2

[Savojarna]

The Season Begins

Eelandii Grand Prix Course, Turori

Rain on Friday and a dry track on Saturday was about the second best thing that could happen to Sigur Bjarnason. It would diminish the role of the setup, as no team could really collect any data in the conditions of the qualifying, and things would rely more on Sigur’s strength - driving. It may be his third WGPC season, almost a veteran in this quick-moving series, but it didn’t change a single thing about his soul. Sigur was a rallye driver, a daring and instinctual driver, not the fine-tuned machine that had been so influential in Grand Prix racing. The SVJ reflected that to a certain extent, living on the limit rather than aiming for the consistent performance of other teams, although it most definitely was very finely tuned. Still, the duo worked best when they didn’t have to fiddle too much and could focus on driving. Sigur would argue he’d even prefer rain in qualifying, but that wasn’t up to him. A dry track it’d be.

When he drove out, his teammate was right in front of him, both of them on soft tyres. This wasn’t the moment for experiments, the engineers had decided. “Can you hear me, Sigur?”, he heard the soothing, familiar voice of Krister Arlund. “Loud and clear”, he responded as he rolled out into the pit lane, the blue and white rear wing of Kitti Armbruster in front of him. “Lots of traffic behind you, don’t be too slow so that you don’t get overtaken from behind. We want to be about .7 behind Kitti at the line”, the engineer told him. “Copy”, he replied, tuning in on the track with its difficult-to-discern 90° corners. He’d have to be careful not to get lost in the T, he thought. Krister snapped him out of his thoughts. “Sigur, ease up a tad. The track is warmer than yesterday, your tyres are getting warmer than intended. Your gap is good, however”, the engineer warned him. He took the foot off the gas ever so slightly through the long corners, knowing that his teammate was probably instructed to do similarly. As he floored the pedal onto the main straight, adrenaline rushed in Sigur. Time for a timed lap.

He felt the draw of the slip stream, speeding up his car onto the main straight, although he also felt the car getting a little bit unstable as he entered the turns. The front may need a tad more downforce, he thought, but quickly focused on the track again as the corners flew by. Kitti seemed to struggle a bit more, going wide occasionally or being a bit late on the brakes. Sigur caught up to his teammate quicker than he’d like, but that was all irrelevant a second later as he entered another one of those 90° turns - too late. The front lost control, the car began to swim and drift wide, and the lap was ruined. It was alright, sure, but not anywhere near their target. “P13, Sigur, P13” was Krister’s response as he crossed the line, quickly turning into “P14 now.. you’re dropping, we’ll need another lap”.

Before their other lap, the team adjusted his front wing a little bit, in an attempt to stabilise the front a bit more than their educated guess could provide. It proved to be the important little part he needed - and the reason for a bit of hectic. A small issue meant they could not leave the pits until the very end of the session, crossing the finish line with eleven seconds to go - but also with a clear track. The change was just what he needed, giving him more of stable car to rely on - and the clear track gave him the opportunity to show his skill. He had hit the corners just right, for the most part, except maybe for a few slips here or there. It was no perfect round, but it was a good one - and Sigur knew it. “P9 mate, you made it to Q2! Good job!”, Krister told him after Sigur crossed the line. When he returned to the garage, he was welcomed by a high five from Krister and a flying glove and an angry rant by his teammate, prompting her new race engineer, a young strategist called Viktor Ljovchev, to look in his direction apologisingly. “I’m assuming she didn’t make it?”, he asked, switching to Savojarsk just in case. “Traffic”, was the quick response from Krister, who had observed the scene during Sigur’s inlap. The driver quickly smiled before focusing on what was to come - Q2.

It was one of those sessions that just didn’t quite work out. Eelandii didn’t quite offer the same opportunity for the car’s advanced technology to shine as a tighter, more aerodynamically dominated track would; Sigur had not completely come to grips with the circuit yet - the series of 90° corners were something that messed with his focus - and the setup may have been a tad too conservative. Still, P10 was theirs, and nobody would take it from them. And who knows what the race weekend may offer - some rain, or a crash, or some good driving, and all would be changed.

Edit: Damn, missed cutoff over the Europa League. Well, I'll just leave that here as an IC'ly pre-race RP

[Valentine Z]

Post 6 - Ela's in Town.

Adriana changed to her usual outfit, on top of a green hair to boot. It was a bit difficult even for the Valentians to recognise her, but they knew that it was a thing for her.

“Huh, nice outfit!” Angela remarked, adjusting and fidgeting with a few of the dials on the plane, “So… how is it going?”

“Well, you will never believe what have happened,” Adriana started off, explaining her place in Fireline, and for the next destination that they are going – Eelandii Grand Prix Circuit, in Turori. The weather conditions were going to be dry, and Adriana was preparing her new set of clothes to better represent the team when they land on the runway.

“Going on a trip, in a big rocket ship!” Angeline and Angela started singing out loud in the plane, with Adriana later joining in as she finished setting herself up, “Zooming through the sky, Valentians!”

As they disembark and set up shop, Adriana would approach the Fireline crew and introduced them to herself in her new outfit.

“Hello there! I am Adriana, and this is Angeline, and Angela! I am one of the racers of your team, and I would really love to extend my sincere thanks for this opportunity!”

After the formalities and greetings, Adriana proceeded to look at her vehicle. A neat and decent vehicle – red, orange, purple accents, it was all as it was described to her. “Maybe I can try one race without plugging myself in,” she thought to herself, not knowing about the opinions of the Fireline staff on how they might feel about a robot plugging into their car, in terms of reading all sorts of data that she needs.

The test race and qualifications went decently well, she thought. Dry conditions, constant friction, consistent acceleration all around. She placed herself 4th on the practices, in terms of the fastest lap. “Adriana the Fastest Polish Robot,” she might have termed herself that way if she is serious about keeping consistent laps. Qualification gave her a cool 14th – not too good, but not too shabby either. It might be something she should be able to pull off, she thought to herself, considering that she never plugged herself into the vehicle’s extensive systems, and instead working on whatever data that she is getting from the readouts just like any other humans, and a Cocoabo.

Then the actual race came and… it was thankfully not a DNF, for starters. Adriana had a bit of bad memories regarding this, given the less-than-stellar performance from both Jolyn and herself during WGP2. She knows that WGP2 should not determine how well or how bad she should be doing, so finishing 13th was more than enough for her, at least for now.

“I probably should have gotten that fastest lap thing down,” Adriana commented when she was asked about her race today by a few of the reporters around, citing that she was just 2-3 positions shy of getting a point, and seeing Gregori Krupin from Volkov Racing getting 2 extra points thanks to the fastest lap.

Lapsing into Polish, she would proudly say to the reporter that, “Zawsze jest miejsce na ulepszenia!” indicating her determination moving on forward.

---

In the evening after the race, Adriana would then approach the Fireline staff and crew with an idea that she has had. She would explain to them about the nature of herself, and how she is able to plug into the car’s systems through conventional ports (USB, most preferably) to get more readings.

“So here is a bit of an idea I have regarding the race, and for improving myself. As of now, simply going off as a human and using my senses are good and all. I like to think that I did quite decently, but there is always room for improvement! I was wondering if I can get your permissions so that I can connect my arms, or my head, to the vehicle through a port? I think I might have seen an USB port in the vehicle, perhaps I could use that so that I can get more… precise data! Tire information, frictional coefficients, thermal readings, all of that! I do hope that this will not count as cheating, since it is not going to modify the car in any way, or cause any system intrusion damage. Rather, it is for me using whatever systems and readings that I have in my disposal. I do hope that you will consider this!”

[Sorlovia]

Eelandii Gran Prix
Raceday

It had come at last!

The long awaited first official race the eighteenth season. Every racer who’d managed to secure their place on a team had been eagerly awaiting the first race. It was, after all, the entire reason that they were here. The practices, pre-season tests and qualifying were one thing. But an actual race was the focus of every signed racer. They were the aim of all those long hours spent on the rest circuits and pouring over test circuit statistics. It was like the big role that an actor had spent months rehearsing for or the concert the musician had practiced so long for.

Raceday. There really was nothing quite like that feeling. It was there in the feeling of lining up out in the grid. It was there in the sound of the roaring engines. It was there in the determined focused eyes of the racers. It was there in the feet on the accelerators and the tightly gripped hands on their steering wheels. This, right here, was what it was all about. The reason you had spent so long taking all those practice runs and carefully evaluating those statistics and readouts. It was the test for all of the race engineers hard work and for the diligent thought of the car designers. It all came down to this.

The race itself was a blur for Gregori. He was intensely focused on the track ahead of him and on the cars in his immediate vicinity. Nothing else mattered to him except the here and now. The other cars flashed past him as he made his way up through the pack and others flashed past him again as he fell back a few places only to contest his place. His car purred like a content feline as he streaked around the corners and down the straights. He heard nothing but the sounds of his own car. He saw nothing but the track and the cars in front of him. The race was what he lived for. He wasn’t even aware that time was passing. He was so intently focused on the feeling of being in the race and what he needed to do.

Terho was just ahead of him. That was all he knew. He pushed the Mark II Volkov as hard as he could to pressure the seasoned Abovian racer. Terho had been his rival for the past season and while he’d made it clear that he didn’t have any ill feelings towards him he was determined to give him as much of a challenge as he could. He wasn’t going to make it easy for him and he knew that Terho wouldn’t have a problem with that. Krupin and Talvela. Those were two names that had almost became a sort of household name. The sporting rivalry between them in WGPC17 had been a favourite topic in the major newspapers and sports circles in Sorlovia. They would be watching out for a repeat of it in the new season.

Gregori pushed as close to Terho as he could as they rounded the corner. He moved out in an effort at passing the Abovian but smirked when Terho moved to block him. The Abovian knew exactly what he was trying to do and wasn’t having any of it. Gregori chuckled to himself softly and went back to putting pressure on Terho. But try as he might Terho, now in tenth place, managed to prevent him from getting past. His skills as a racer continued to give Gregori the challenge that he savoured.

“I see you’ve found Terho again,” Viktor chuckled through the earpiece “give him hell Gregori!”

The two remained locked in a high stakes battle for the remainder of the race. The racers behind him tried to get past but Gregori and Terho both blocked them. Neither of them would give up so much as a single inch of track. Gregori had never actually told Terho the truth. The Abovian had been his inspiration as a rookie racer. He’d heard the name Talvela before he’d ever contemplated trying out for the WGPC and had promised himself that he would do all he could to learn from Terho. It might mean watching his races, studying his performance in previous races and watching him on the track. But he would learn all he could from him.

[Squidroidia]

iBen Toralmintii, in his home race, for lord knows how long, has not gotten the win for Turori, and it looks like he is going to be pimped again! R.L. Crusin wins the Turori Grand Prix! Race Eelandii win at their home track to start a brilliant season! Lane Carter barely escapes being lapped in 8th, but it's Cocoabo #23, on their WGPC debut, with 4th place!

And all the while Daryl watched from the stands. The gray WGPC cars were, however, not the biggest laughing stock of the paddock when Crusin sprayed the champagne. Twicetagrien Charyseine Valkyria and Hulkenberger Dario Nülkeschläger finished a respectable lower midpack. They were 2 of 12 cars to be lapped in the Turori GP. Only 8 would finish on the lead lap. To NSSCRA drivers this would be sacrilege on anywhere but the short tracks, as easily more than 20 drivers finish on the lead lap of say the Tundra Falls 500, their biggest race of the year. But in the world of open wheel racing sometimes you have to deal with that. And sometimes you have to deal with half the field out when the checkered flag flies too.

Daryl Mizushima was not one of the people who crashed out. He didn't start the race. It was the first race of the season, and the underdog, as many people who watched the WGPC scene during testing sessions and trials called him, didn't make it. With 1/11th of the season gone, DNSing at the very start of the season immediately threw away your chances at the driver's title. But this was Motorworks, and every week from now on he had to deal with the chance of not going down turn 1 with 25 other competitors. And the Squidroidian didn't want to win a title. He wanted to have as much dang fun as he can.

The Squidroidian, just like everyone else, had to travel over to Dashoze to partake in the Horikawa Instruments Hodori Grand Prix. Number 63 and his father Yusuke took a private jet to get there due to his father's riches. But Daryl wasn't drowning his sorrows in champagne when flying there to attend the race, oh no. He was just... Contemplating. He missed the Turori GP. How would the Squidroidian media think if he missed Hodori? Nimbus? Aurunia? The freaking home race at the Talbot Autodrome? People would call him a has been. No, he would be called a never was. But he had a never give up attitude. He was going to make a race this season. Not even if it was the last.

The 18 year old had this aura, this secret Squidroidian posse about him when he touched down and got ready to head to the paddock. He was representing his father's brand, yes, but not only that, he was representing his nation on the biggest stage in motorsports. Again, NSSCRA fans can argue all they want but arguments only cause hurt feelings. Here he was, strolling through the pavement of the airfield with a formal suit but no tie, his racing suit in his luggage, ready to take the trip to the Dashoze Circuit.

Like always, he had obligations. He had plenty of them, he was a race car driver with a rich father paying his son's way into the sport. But after he did what he had to do he was free to step back into the Motorworks garage. All of those interviews and negotiations did a sort of toll on his body. He wasn't supposed to race quite yet but he was racing all the time, whether or not it was at the race track. So you know what? Daryl needs to go and play some games. And chat to the other drivers of the Motorworks team. Practice just couldn't come any slower...

[Togonistan]

Eelandii Grand Prix
Qualifying

Dom was flying through the track in his green MRT car. The team had been working on car setups throughout the practice session, with Dom constantly improving his lap times with every stint. At the end of the day, he was top of the timing sheets. Now, it was time to capitalise on all that hard work. Dom had just got out of the pits again and started his final flying lap. He felt confident as he attacked the corners, using every bit of track space available to hit the apexes at near-perfect angle. He was in the zone, eyes nailed to the track, moving towards his goal. When he crossed the line, Dom slowed down and took a look around. Spectators on the stands were cheering. Next moment, he heard his engineer on the radio:

''What a lap, what a lap. 01:24.132, you're currently P1 and safely through to Q2. Nice job.''

''Thanks mate.''

Dom made his way to the pits, where the pit crew was waiting to take him in and start preparing for Q2. He received a few pats on the back, as he climbed out of the car to stretch his legs before getting back in. Dom took some time to take a look at the time sheets. Apparently, Jasmin had not made it. Thus, all the pressure was on him now, for the remainder of the session. Dom drank some water, went over the strategy with his team members and took his place in the car to hit the track again.

Provisional pole was great and all, but now it was time to start pushing yet again. And push he indeed did. Fresh set of tires, grip levels on the track being high, he crossed the line and started yet another flying lap. Once again, he pushed the car to it's limits and made his way around the track. It almost seemed as if he was about to lose it in the corner 15, but no... the green MRT was sticking to the track and elegantly carried him through the corner.

''01:22.432. Provisional pole, 2 cars yet to finish.''

Dom took a deep breath as he slowed down. He had done everything he could. Now it was time to bring the car back in.

''And that is the final car over the line. You're P1, P1! You'll be on the pole tomorrow.''

''Amazing! Great work everyone, great work indeed!''

''See you on the park ferme. You deserve it.''

''What are the final results?''

''Top 10 is you, Lane, Carter, Cruisin, Cocoabo, Talvela, Ibuna, Devereux, Dimitrianov and Bjarnason.

''Wait... who is 10th?''

''Bjarnason''

''Top 3 is me, Carter and Crusin?''

''No it's you, Lane and Carter. You and the two Lanes.''

''Oh, Lane AND Carter... hahaha, I see.''

As he made his way to the pitlane, Dom parked his car and climbed out. He put his right hand into a fist and waved it a few times to celebrate his pole, before moving on to shake hands with the two Lanes. Having gone through all the post-qualifying formalities and given a few interviews to the journalists, he finally managed to make his way to the motorhome, where he would get some much-needed sleep before the race.

Eelandii Grand Prix
Race Day

Race day. First race of the season. First points to be handed out. This was it, now was the time to capitalise on the great result in qualifying. Dom was sitting in his car, hands comfortably placed on the steering wheel. His team's staff took off the tyre blankets. Engine was running. Everything was set.

Dom pushed the throttle and took off for the formation lap. He used his time to take a final look on the track before they would start racing full speed. He already knew what to do. Push at the start and try to form a gap with the chasing pack. He looked in the mirrors and saw Ryker Lane behind him. The pure thought of racing the 8-wheeled monstrocity of Nexus's car would be unsettling to many, but not to him. He had raced against a similar design in WGP2, and he comforted himself with the thought that it probably looks scarier than it actually is.

With formation lap over, Dom took his spot on the pole and revved the engine a few times waiting for the lights to go off. And off they went, with Dom pushing throttle and going off with a great start. He managed to hold on to his lead and kept going lap after lap. Pace was good and his race engineer was busy informing him about the increasing gap between him and the chasing pack lap after lap. Everything seemed to be going according to the plan so far.

Starting lap 13, Dom had formed a comfortable gap. He had just gone through the 4th corner and pushed the throttle to speed up again, when he suddenly felt the car slowing down. He looked at the steering wheel and saw indicators stating the engine had shut itself off.

''I'm losing power, losing power!''

''Okay, try switching to Engine Mode 1, Engine Mode 1''

''I can't... the engine is completely dead. It shut itself off.''

''Understood, pull over somewhere safe if you can.''

''Yeah I parked myself next to track. I'm sorry guys.''

Dom had managed to take the car to one of the run-off areas and heard car after car passing the green MRT at the side of the track. He raised a hand and indicated he was fine as marshals rushed to his car. Dom unleashed his seatbelts, pulled up his helmet visor and climbed out of the car. He felt empty inside. All the effort he and the team had put into the weekend so far felt like it was for nothing. He jumped into one of the vehicles driven by marshals, which took him back to the pit garage.

Dom spent rest of the race watching it from one of the screens in the pit garage. He stood there with his arms crossed, eyes nailed to the screen. Marshals had managed to push his car away from the track and back into the pits, thus there were some mechanics currently tearing the car apart trying to find out the issue it had faced. ''Hey, I found it!'' someone said suddenly. Dom turned around and looked what it was all about. As it turned out, one of the hoses connecting the car's engine to it's fuel tank had come loose. Apparently, the connection was not properly tightened and while it had managed to survive through the qualifying, the hose had eventually detached itself during the race. Such a small yet such an important detail had cost them the race. Dom sighed. ''We need to pay more attention next time.''

[Aboveland]

Grand Prix of Turori
Race day

Terho stutters off of the grid, AGP002's terrible starting difficulties seemingly unresolved; since it's only a short run up to turn one, he loses only two places before the first turn, but it prompts his first radio message of the day.

"Shit, Edvin," he says, shutting up abruptly as he fights oversteer out of turn two and narrowly avoids hitting Alex Dimitrianov, who makes his way round his outside to take eightth place.

"I'm listening," replies Edvin. The radio goes quiet for a moment; Terho resumes once he's safely ninth and past turn three, checking his mirrors as he swerves on his way to four to heat his mediums--the weather has cleared up in Turori over the weekend, but it's still rather cool on the track and, oddly, hard to get temperature into the Tropicorp tyres.

"Make a note that we need to fix the starts in this car," Terho asserts. He clicks his tongue in frustration, braking for turn five and powering out of turn six, now starting to gain on the front runners. "Can't believe we forgot about that! Amateur hour, honestly!"

Edvin is quick to parry. "Head down Terho, focus on the race." He pauses. "Noted, anyway."

As the laps go by, the fault in Terho's strategy starts to become apparent. Starting on the mediums hadn't been a terrific idea; though the Tropicorp tyres are usually easy to work with, something is simply not working right this time, and he believes it's the compound choice that's at fault. The drivers ahead of him, according to Edvin, are all on softs, and perhaps the early pit stop would have been a more beneficial tradeoff than going long on his first stint. Worse still, his fear of Falpeau dominating the field had been well-founded, as the Togonistanian continued to build a sizeable gap to iBen, eternally second-placed in Turori.

On lap 13, however, as Terho prepares to brake for turn 15, Edvin chips into the radio.

"Falpeau out," Edvin says. "Told you you should be worried about everyone else, too. iBen now leads." His final statement brings a small, satisfied smile to his face.

While the news is supposed to be transcendent, it catches Terho off guard and he misses the braking for the corner, locking up before the apex and disappearing into a plume of gray smoke. Whoever it had been behind him, tiny in his mirrors before the straight, has made their way past him after the mistake.

"Oh fuck's sake!" Terho exclaims, grunting in frustration. "Box, the tyres are fucked." He punches the wheel as he swerves back into the racing line, blocking a fast approaching Rudy Edwards and spotting out of the corner of his eye an aggressive hand gesture sticking out of the cool blue cockpit. "Copy," acknowledges Edvin. "Engine mode LX; we'll put you on the softs and save some fuel for an attack, okay?"

The pitwall receives no reply, but Terho promptly barrels his AGP003--still unnamed--into his designated pit spot, pressing the clutch, stepping on the throttle as the car is lifted by the mechanics and, in a split second, releasing the paddle to screech out of the pit box, the Tropicorp V8 revving high, sucking and squeezing and pushing and whistling out towards the pit lane and back onto the track.

Despite the effort, however, Terho finds himself languishing down in 18th before the first quarter of the race, and though his fight back to the points is nothing short of commendable--navigating a furious, clean battle with the chasing Volkov of Gregori Kruipin, on newer tyres than Terho towards the end of the race--a single solitary point and a lap down on the leaders leaves a sour aftertaste in Terho's mouth. Nevertheless, he takes a moment to ponder his record at Eelandii: though his one-lap pace had proven to be quick before, his race results speak for themselves. Luck, unfortunately, tends not to be on his side in Turori, his only victory in V&T coming at the sister nation's grand prix circuit, and managing a fourth and a tenth place at the track designed by his teammate.

Once he's back in the paddock, he rushes to the podium celebrations to join the team who, despite the setbacks, are in a joyous mood. iBen, after all, has finished second, with his own team and sort-of compatriot R.L. Cruisin taking the victory--the definition, perhaps, of a bittersweet result.

The podium celebrations go as planned. As Terho makes his way back to the TRÆ garage, he seeks out Kruipin to give him a solid pat on the back, as an acknowledgement of their clean, fair battle, and heads towards iBen to congratulate him on his podium; the Turorian, while understandably a slight bit disappointed, smiles warmly.

Terho, while packing his bags, hears a faint 'hey' move from one ear to the other, and feels a hand strike and grasp his shoulder. Startled, he takes a step back, and realizes it's Edvin. Quietly, he nods inquisitively. Edvin, keeping his voice down, is stern. "We've got some work to do for the next race," he says. "Get ready so we can go back to Lintulahti this evening."

Terho is slightly shocked at the imperativeness of the message. "What's the hurry? Am I going to have to calm you down?"

Edvin shakes his head. "I'm not worried, okay?" he says, though pausing as if reconsidering his statement. "But Badai Angin, as I feared, is pretty strong."

"Dude," Terho sighs, stretching his hand out and internally confused at how the levels of neuroticism between them have suddenly switched. "It's only the first race; we're third in the teams' championship, right?"

"Right," Edvin concedes, "but I want to win in Hodori." He looks Terho in the eyes. "I want you to win in Hodori, like last year. Start to finish."

With Edvin's expression of desire, Terho smirks. "Alright... practice your dry weather dance, then."

[Filindostan]

Eelandii Grand Prix Circuit
Eelandii, Turori
Grand Prix of Turori

It was a great weekend for Rudolf and the Badai Angin team, as they were able to put both cars into the top five at the first race of the season. With Rusty and Alex starting seventh and ninth in the grid, they were able to have the cars use the grunt of the Badai Angin BA90009 V8 engine to accelerate from the grid quickly and catch Terho Talvela by the first corner. The Filindo driver already passed through the slow-starting TRAE before the first corner, before Alex got past the defending WGPC drivers' champion by the first corner to take eighth on the first lap.

A big talking point by the Filindo and other media was the action mid-race where the two Badai Angin drivers were tussling on the track with Rusty leading Alex. It has been five laps since the Mattijanan driver, who is understandably the lead driver for the Filindo team, was around a second or two behind his teammate. At around the hairpin in turn 3, Ibuna seemed to put his Badai Angin BAP002 wide on corner entry, allowing Dimitrianov to pass him and eventually take the podium spot by the end of turn 5. Ibuna then had to defend his fifth position from a hard charging Sara Luna with a handful of laps remaining.

At the post race interviews, Rusty told the media that there were no team orders imposed to him to allow the Mattijanan driver to chase after the leaders, which would have been more possible had he surrendered his position to his lead driver earlier. Despite this, Badai Angin raked a good haul of points in the opening event allowing them to be placed 2nd in the drivers' championship. The next round would be in Hodori's Dashoze Circuit, where Rusty placed 2nd in last year's Hodori Grand Prix while Alex put the BAP001 to 7th place in the team's debut.

---

For Rusty though, it was a missed opportunity, as he had no intentions of giving up the position to Alex in the first place, even if multiple requests from Dolf and Mattias requesting him to cede the position as quick as possible, and he intended to provide Alex a fair fight to take his position. His girlfriend, Kyoko Fujisaki, who happens to race in the Hodoran domestic formula series, watched the race and asked him the same question as with the media present at the Turorian circuit.

"Hi babe, I already told you that I want to push Alex if he really deserves the #1 role at Badai Angin. I just made a mistake on turn 9 which allowed him to pass."

"But if you want to push him, you would have to push to take your place back?"

"There will be times I should play the team game, also, I was preserving my tyres for the late charges of Sara and the other drivers."

"Okay, next round's in Hodori right? I'll be at Dashoze the whole weekend."

"Sure, love, see you soon."

Rusty locked his smartphone, when someone called him. It was Ilona, the manager of Barney and niece of the owner of Badai Angin's title sponsor.

"Hi, Rusty here. Anything you need?"

"Hey, my uncle wants to talk with you. He'd prefer to wait untll midseason to make his move, but he'd assure you that you'll be part of his plans once these are set in motion."

"Okay, Ilona. Take care of Barney. I think he'll do well in stock cars."

"Hmph. He actually rejected my offer of a good time in exchange of ensuring additional sponsorship. And I have to watch out for Tyra too. She's also racing domestically in Hodori with Kyoko right?"

"Yes, I think she'll be there in the paddock as well."

"Well, not a good time then. Tell Barney I'm not going to Hodori."

"You should be doing that. Hahaha."

[Diarcesia]

Diarcesian WGP3 History: Circuit Masters of the North GP3

The first ever Circuit Masters of the North was held at Ershe International Circuit in Duolin Country. It saw the return of the legendary Conqueror chassis series, which had been competing in the WGP3 in the last decade before this point. The event also brought the world to witness the home turf of the Executive-Meefix Motorsport team in the Executive Motors Complex.

The event used the First Tier layout. It offered a challenge to even the most durable drivers, with elevation changes almost making the course very hard to perform overtakes due to blind spots. Drivers needed the ability to read the terrain and react to unexpected turns; making mistakes could potentially cost drivers their race.

In that race, First Tier's Turn Eight sealed the victory for Executive-Meefix. Their drivers Matthieu Battles and Sebastien Bujran's finishes were almost threatened by the aggressive Dale Coyote Racing car behind them. The Coyote almost won the battle for the lead in the final laps, with Battles and Bujran both finding themselves having to coordinate a defense on the spot without inter-driver communication.

The victory sparked talk of the longevity of the Conqueror chassis, which had been absent in the WGP3's past season. At the time, Executive-Meefix rolled out the Constellation chassis, with its only race win coming in the season's second race. The new chassis proved to be less durable than the Conqueror, with multiple chassis failures ending in DNFs. Its rival team Dale Coyote, meanwhile, was finding itself more or less untouchable.

Matthieu Battles in private was highly critical of the performance of the new chassis. "Don't get me wrong", he said, "I was excited about [Constellation]. We ran well here in testing, thanks to the support of the engineering staff. But it didn't stack up against our peers during race weekends."

Ershe International Circuit's Other Layouts

The Second Tier layout is colloquially called 'Access' due to it being a hybrid street race, with racers gaining access to Ershe's roads. The street portion is narrower than the dedicated racetrack and offered more turns that require diligent brake discipline to maximize lap times.

The Third Tier, meanwhile, emphasizes high speeds. Banked Turns Three and Four are the fastest parts of the course and contains a speed trap. Following them after a segment of straight track are the tight corners of Turns Four and Five that test the driver's concentration. The combination of high speed and elevation changes can make for some of the roughest races on the course.

The final segment, the Trench, features a dip and a climb before a hairpin that leads to the starting line and pit lane.

---

Grand Prix of Turori: Race

Race telemetry: Sara Luna
- Current Lap: 26
- Last Lap Time: 1:47.28
- Current Speed: 213.27 km/h
- Most Recent Braking Power Applied: 88.57 kg
- Max Torque: 292.85 Nm
- Current G-force: 0.166 g

The race began with a long, drawn out wait for the cars ahead of Sara to clear out. It was difficult to speed up in such a crowded space, especially for one who started at P16. The journey to Turn 10 felt long, but the cars soon began to pull away from each other. She was about to enter the faster section of the lap, in which her car could finally reach top speed.

"Ahh", she said after she exited Turn 14. The engines roared, the turbochargers gave off a constant buzz, and the tires squealed as they scrambled for grip against the asphalt. It felt so good to be this fast again. This time, she put her foot down. Not only that, but after the pre-season testing and the things she learned during this week's qualifying and practice, it was much easier to control the car and make turns.

"Alright!" she added after reaching Turn 17. "Let's go!"

The road to overtaking each car ahead was largely the same. She had to wait for them to slow down in the next corner. And then she would fight for the inside and attempt to catch the other car off-pace. This move had its risks. She was aware that she could lose precious seconds in her lap time should this gambit fail. And some of the other teams' vehicles could just outrun her using sheer acceleration.

She soon began to pick up pace with the aid of the Mark II's nimbleness. The cockpit allowed her a commanding view of what lay ahead.

P12...

P10...

Finally, in points range, she thought. The competition would only further heat up from this point.

Unbeknownst to her, she was lucky that she made it there when she did. Her teammate Gregori and his rival Terho Talvela was not far behind her, and the former ratcheted up his attempts to overtake the latter. In the post-race analysis, Sara highly doubted that she could get past them had they been in front instead. Once the race entered its closing stages, Gregori and Terho were still in their duel. Continuing her climb up the leaderboard, Sara overtook Lane and Carter, then Devereux, with those three having a three-way battle of their own.

This time, she had to contend with Badai Angin's Rustom Ibuna. It was here that the real drama began. Sara had been the first to cut across Turn 12 to hopefully get the upper hand. A late-race pit stop had given her a fresh set of softs, after which she attained gorgeous lap times (Sara got the second-fastest lap in the race behind Gregori) that showed just how much the new technology had improved the Sorlovian car. Sara even went as far as grabbing P5 at one point, but Rustom had been able to elude her in the straights. Afterwards, Rustom would get in the way if Sara decided to attempt an overtake.

With the aid of their race pacing, Gregori and Sara maintained initiative and was continuously on the offensive. Multiple-position losses were kept to a minimum and resource discipline was on point. Deviating from this and risking race retirement stopped Sara from being too aggressive in overtaking Rustom, though she smiled at the prospect of having him keep on looking at the mirror.

And then it happened.

P6 at the checkered flag.

She cheered at the first six points that she earned in the WGPC.

She slowed her car to a controlled stop in the pits. The engineers, technicians, and Sergei gathered around and congratulated her. A few minutes later, Gregori would arrive, and the team was ecstatic to learn that he got the fastest lap point bonus. Two of Volkov's drivers are now in the points board.

"Thanks, Gregori", said Sara. "Your input is very useful."

When they talked about race matters, Sara was reminded what it takes to stay in the game. The Grand Prix of Turori was a close race, and grit in addition to one's planning is a crucial ingredient in victory. She was sure Gregori was looking forward to the next event. She thought she sensed satisfaction from him. It might be from the fact that he has more points than Terho, even though the defending champion finished one place ahead.

Terho Talvela was a different kind of racer. For Sara, he had that kind of mythical vibe in him, as if he belongs to a pantheon of legends. That she got to race against him counted for something.

"Nice race," Sara said in her press conference later that day. "Rustom Ibuna put an impressive defense. He had a sound plan in preventing me from finishing further up the field."

[Sorlovia]

Eelandii Gran Prix
Post-race

The goal of a WGPC race was to get the highest place finish you could. Each racer fought for the very much coveted first place. There was nothing quite as good as crossing the finish lap in the final lap at the head of the pack. It was the result every racer dreamt of but that only the very best racers ever got. Gregori remembered the first time he’d finished in first place fondly. It had, quite rightly, been a highlight in his career in WGPC17 and a day that he would never forget.

Eleventh place wasn’t the result he’d hoped for. But it was still a decent finish. Eleventh place was at the end of the leading pack but not quite as close behind the leaders as could be hoped for. It was an almost frustratingly tantalizing glimpse of what could’ve been. But still, it was far better than a place further down towards the back of the pack. Gregori, despite being somewhat frustrated that he just hadn’t been able to get further up, had come to terms with his eleventh place. It was still acceptable. Perhaps it would be a launching point for a higher place finish in the next race. Perhaps he could use it as a learning experience But eleventh place was better than any lower.

Gregori had offset his less than desirable finish by winning the fastest lap of the race. He’d pushed the car as hard as he could and it’d paid off with the fastest lap of the circuit. That would look good on his track record despite his eleventh place finish. Every racer aimed for first place and the fastest lap. At least he had managed to secure at least one of them. The result had brought a warm smile to his face and put a spring in his step. It reflected well on his skills as a racer and on the marksmanship of the Volkov Mark II. The team back at Volkov Racing would be pleased with the result. It showed the gathered racers that the Volkov car was about to keep up with and beat the other cars if used to its full potential.

“You got the fast lap Gregori!” Viktor crowed “Now that’s what I’m talking about! Don’t worry about the eleventh place finish. You more than made up for it with that fastest lap!”

Viktor Stepanov was a positive-minded man. He challenged Gregori when he needed it pushing him in order to help him get the most out of his WGPC experience. A WGPC racer’s life was a demanding life of high pressure and stress. A racer had to ensure that he was always at peak race capability with the expertise needed to most effectively race very high performance and demanding cars. That then required countless hours on the test circuits, physical conditioning to stay in shape and unrelenting familiarity with the cars themselves. It certainly took a mental and physical toll on the racers. Gregori had never wanted to do anything else. The pressure and stress were no deterrent.

“Well done Sara,” he said patting her on the back “you did well! A sixth place finish is something to be proud of. I knew that you weren’t an ordinary rookie the moment I met you. This is your very first season in the WGPC and already you’re getting results that most rookies could only dream of. You’ve got a lot of talent. But don’t let it go to your head. I’ve seen racers get cocky and screw everything up.”

Gregori was, by now, a seasoned WGPC racer with significant experience under his belt. He took it upon himself to offer Sara as much support as he could. He wished that he’d had someone to do the same for him when he’d first started. Terho had been his inspiration but they’d been on rival teams the whole time and as such had never really shared much. The more competitive minded racers may have seen giving Sara advice as arming a potential threat. But Gregori liked to see it as giving back to the industry that he loved so much. Sure, she might be a competitor in the next season. But for now she was his teammate and a highly promising young racer.

He could already tell that Sara would draw immense interest for the race teams in future seasons. It was the very beginning of her career and she had already showed that she could consistently bring in impressive results right off the bat. That reputation and her innate skill would make her a target to the teams. At the rate she was going she would soon be the first in the Volkov Hall of Fame. She, like him, already had a portrait hanging in the Volkov Racing Headquarters as the second of their very first racers. Would she soon have an entry in their newly christened Hall of Fame as well? The truth was she had nowhere to go but up.

---

Sergei was also down at the Volkov Pit. He’d been quietly watching Gregori and Sara smiling at the way they interacted after the race. They were his team’s first two racers and they seemed to have a natural sporting chemistry that would serve them well in the season. Sara continued to prove that he had been right to take a chance on an older rookie. He’d seen talent and potential in her and she had consistently proven him right.

“Well done Sara,” he said with a warm smile “you are doing so well out there. It almost seems that you’ve done this WGPC thing before. I want to make you an offer, and to you too Gregori, if you get first place you can keep the prize winnings. Consider it an investment in talent. The first time you get that first place finish you get the total prize money as well.”

Sergei smiled softly. Volkov Racing was doing well so far. They had two drivers in the standings, Sara at sixth place and Gregori at ninth, as well as currently sitting at fifth place in constructors’ standings. Perhaps they had a shot at the Constructors Cup after all. Volkov’s season was looking interesting.

[Twicetagram and JYPe]

Home >> Sports >> Domestic

---

Full WGP3 grid set, calendar released
by Shamov Iraknesen

After a relatively short period of time, all of the WGP3 seats have been taken! Tadin Kekenbov has been confirmed to drive for Racing Kyna Karerra. Chiven Iridinia has signed for newbies Hydra, while the Adelphia junior Cleo Hasbergen will be driving for Primo.

Along with that came the calendar. The calendar would be filled with 12 races across Twicetagria. 8 racing circuits, 3 street circuits and one newly-built circuit makes up the calendar. Firstly, the drivers will be heading to Tsar Moszhov Street Circuit, where a relatively long circuit filled with narrow and acute turns makes it a hard start for them. We then head to Tyneva Circuit, where a fast circuit with the least amount of corners will definitely test the cars' straight line speed. After that follows Krieyga Circuit and Frineidev Circuit, both with a lot of slow speed corners and long back straights. After that comes Raichovskiy, the testing circuit for this season's WGPC. A circuit with quite an amount of elevation changes and a wide variety of turns, Raichovskiy is definitely the star of the season. We then head to Twice Square, where a classic street circuit awaits us. Passing by a lot of historical landmarks and hipster hangouts, this is turning to be quite the race here. We then head to Alphaxrie Circuit, a newly built circuit solely for motorsport racing. We don't know much about it, but what we know that it is a relatively fast circuit with mostly fast corners. There is also an 'esses' part in the second sector, which is quite exciting. After that is Chuminskiy, Praida and Karnateiv Circuits, where all three of them are relatively close to each other. Chuminevskiy and Karnateiv prides themselves on how technical their circuits are, with each turn testing the driver. Praida's main point is how aggressive the circuit is. Drivers will have to prioritize tire and car management, and any fighting or overtaking opportunities are usually scarce. We then head to Legothria street circuit, where long straights(there are 3 of them!) dominate the circuit. Last but not least, we end with Chinaiga circuit, an old classic. Elevation changes, long and windy corners, and even the back straights can be fun to drive on! No wonder some people were a bit disappointed that it wasn't chosen ahead of Raichovskiy for the WGPC.

The new season starts very soon. While you're at it, make sure to check out the next WGPC race in Hodori!

[Mattijana]

Eelandii Grand Prix Circuit, Turori

Alex Dimitrianov had experienced the nervous excitement that came before a race start many times before, but it had never gone away and as long as he continued to take to the grid, it never would. That nervous excitement was also heightened when it was the first race start of the season.

Alex certainly felt the butterflies as he found his grid spot on the pit straight of the Eelandii Grand Prix Circuit, but he was fully focused on engaging the Badai Angin car's launch process at the same time.
As launch processes went, it was a damn good one too. The V8 engine in the back of the car was doing most of the work of course, but Alex had to get the complex sequence of settings right and time them all to perfection to get the best getaway.

The five red lights above the start line began to light up. Alex dropped the clutch. WGPC18 was underway.

As starts went, it was a middling one. It wasn't the explosive launch that would have moved him into the top 5 by the end of turn one, but it would allow him to comfortably hold position and with the black TRAE of Terho Talvela getting away slowly, maybe even pick up a place or two.

In the end, it wasn't much of a contest at turn one as the field of race-rusty drivers decided not to take too many chances. Alex's extra momentum and favourable line meant he could stick the car round the outside of the defending champion and move up into eighth place. Picking off rookie Anneliese Devereux into turn one the second time around moved him up into seventh and one spot behind his teammate.

Both Badai Angins cruised past the stricken MRT of Dom Falepeau on lap 13, but things quietened down after the first round of pit stops and the Mattijanan settled into some rhythm behind the Filindostani. The issue was that Rusty was losing time to the front end of the field trying to protect his tyres and getting close enough to cleanly overtake around the slow right angles of the final sector was difficult.

"I need to get past Rusty if we're going to get on the podium here." That would hopefully be enough of a message to get the Badai Angin team brains into operation, if they weren't already of course.

"Understood, make sure you stick with him." The ice-cool tones of race engineer Marko Kristianson delivered an equally uncryptic message.

A few laps passed, but there was no sign of Rusty ceding the position. Alex had a look into turn one under the DRS, but didn't have the space to pull it off without losing his front wing and had to back out of it.

"I can see the top four vanishing into the difference... we need to get by now. I can give the position back..."

"We've got the message Alex. Keep your focus."

Alex didn't know whether Mattias and Rudolf were trying to get their man to move over or whether they wanted to let the two drivers race. All that mattered to him in the moment was that his chances of a podium, or even a win, were evaporating before him.

"Come on guys, my tyres are getting really toas..whoah!"

As Alex continued to vent his frustrations, he finally got his chance. Rusty outbreaked himself going into the turn 3 hairpin, missing the apex by a mile and allowing Alex to get down the inside. Sweeping round the outside of turn 4, the veteran finally managed to get past and sealed the deal into turn 5.
Had he deliberately given way? The slight puff of smoke from one of Rusty's tyres suggested not - there were ways to let someone by without damaging your tyres. Had he made a genuine mistake? That would be uncharacteristic and turn 3 certainly wasn't the hardest on a relatively straightforward circuit.

Either way, Alex didn't have time to dwell. He needed to get up the road and fight for more points. The two Lane's, Ryker and Carter, were first up. Both on waning tyres, Alex's superior grip helped him to sweep around the outside of both drivers at the turn-one left-hander and chase after the fast Cocoabo in the Fireline.

After a second stop onto the softer tyre compound, Alex was ready to attack once again. Getting past the Cocoabo would be a much stiffer challenge than the two Lanes. Both were on reasonably fresh tyres and with only 10 laps or so to go, neither would be giving much room.

Alex had made use of the Badai Angin's engine performance to edge closer to the Fireline and once in DRS range, began to really threaten. With the Cocoabo taking the defensive inside line, Alex tried to sweep round the outside, inches from the exit wall as the remarkably well-trained bird avoided understeering into him. Cutting back down the inside into turn two gave him the better exit and he finally managed to outdrag his opponent on the run to turn three, holding the racing line to complete the pass. The earlier hold up meant he wouldn't be close enough to challenge for a higher position, but third from 9th on the grid was a good result regardless.

That mid-race incident was obviously going to be the main talking point for the media after the event. Alex tried to brush off the questions as best he could, especially as he didn't really know what had happened himself.

"It's obviously frustrating that we got held up and weren't able to fight for the win, seeing as I think we had the pace to match Toralmintii and Cruisin. Third is a great start to the season though and it gives myself and the team a platform to fight for titles. If I come third in every race, I'll certainly be somewhere near the top end by the rest of the season."

"I don't know if team orders were given to Rusty or whether he was told to carry on racing, even if it wasn't in the best interests of the team. I'm sure we'll talk about it in the post-race briefing and find out what happened and what we can do better next time. Rusty had a great race overall and saving some pace for the end obviously worked for him, so it's a good day for the team on the whole."

It wouldn't be enough to silence the rumours of a big teammate rivalry brewing up, but it certainly wouldn't fan the flames. Either way, Rusty certainly looked like being a more challenging teammate than some of his last ones and as long as he managed to remain number one, that was no bad thing. Being on the podium was good enough for now. Next time in Dashoze, he wanted to be on top of it.

[Siovanija and Teusland]

Post-Race Press Conference - Grand Prix of Turori

Niklas Schonbaum wasn’t too thrilled with sitting down to do a press conference after his debut WGPC race. In his mind, he’d remember it as his first ever race - and that was it. He’d had some nerves in the build-up, something he wasn’t used to, and just found himself overall uncomfortable. Even the fact that many of the people in the garage with him were familiar faces, with TAS Alliance bringing many people from TMW to assist the team and driver in the season. In the end, it was a disappointing day - P19, and of the cars who actually finished the race, second-last. Still, however, the questions were unavoidable - and there were plenty of media members from Siovanija & Teusland here to see him.

The media manager spoke up first. “Hi, guys. More than happy to answer a few questions today - let’s start over here.”

“Hi Niklas, Luca Pauli here with Boxenstopp Magazine, just wondering if you could sum up your thoughts after the first World Grand Prix Championship race of your career?”

“It’s obviously a very special day. I’m excited to be here. But at the end of the day, it isn’t a happy day - I was hoping to get a bit more out of the race, I need to be better, and there’s lots of lessons to learn from today.”

“It was a difficult day for you, Niklas - you were passed by 8 cars you qualified ahead of, including Sara Luna who ended up P6. Was there just a different feeling for you Saturday to Sunday?”

“I think that it wasn’t as much a difference with myself as it was for the others - plenty of people showed great improvements today. But that ends up making the difference - they got better, I didn’t. So I need to evaluate why that was, and work on it for next weekend.”

“The biggest knock against you on the domestic circuit was your aggressiveness - you’ve mentioned it’s something you want to work on, but does a day like today show that it’s the area you need to improve the most?”

“Well, now that I’ve gotten a feel for what it’s really like at such a high level, where there’s 26 world-class drivers on the track, like I said, it’s been a great learning experience for me and I can move ahead knowing what I need to improve. Aggression is certainly one of those things.”

“Niklas, I’m here with the Stelburger Zeitung. Your teammate at TAS Alliance, Anneliese Devereaux, finished P7 after an excellent weekend for her overall, including qualifying in 8th. Anything to note on your teammate’s performance?”

“Certainly, Anneliese is a very hard worker and a great teammate, and totally deserves that success. I’m happy to see the team earning points in the Constructor’s Standings as well, it says a lot about where we want to go this season.”

“Does that result for her motivate you a bit more, perhaps?”

“It tells me that there’s points to be won in this car, if I can get my own personal performance up. Seeing my teammates doing well has always been something enjoyable for me, and it definitely does motivate me - I want to be earning points for the team as well.”

“Niklas, I’m here with the Die Zeit. Teussische Motoren Werke has sent plenty of people over to join TAS Alliance for the year to support you in the car - has that helped make you more comfortable? This is, after all, your first season not in the black and gold car.”

“It’s been a big help. Obviously, there’s some things - the first-race jitters aren’t going to disappear no matter who’s in the garage. But having plenty of familiar faces, who are familiar with me and what I like, is invaluable. I’ve loved working with the TAS people as well, our team principal Carolina Lasseps is just so knowledgeable, and having her knowledge in the garage is a big help.”

“Looking ahead, Niklas, you’ve got the Grand Prix of Hodori on the horizon. How are you feeling about your second career WGPC event?”

“It’s always exciting going into a new race week, especially when you have things you want to make right from the previous one. I think it should be a good week, the track looks like a fun one. Each lap I get out on the track, in practice, qualifying and the race, goes a long way to making me a better driver, so I’m always eager to get started.”

The media manager spoke up now, sensing the Teus driver was ready to head out. “Thanks guys, that’ll be all for today. We’ll see you in Hodori.”

[Nekoni]

Lap 15 of first raceday in Eelandii. After a struggle in qualifying, Erica managed to nail the start, and exited lap one in a solid eighth place. As the laps built, and the yellow flags were put away for the retirement of the green MRT that was ahead of her, Erica built in an attempt to fill that place. She passes the white line to start the sixteenth lap, her car and her eyes locked on the back of the fifth place driver. Gregori Krupin. He'd been giving the rest of the pack hall since the white flag dropped. Somehow, he was pulling one hell of a day out there. Given his pace, Erica though he'd have a serious chance at making the podium...and it was her job to stop him. Darting into the left handers, she made out his position to be roughly half a second ahead. If she could match his pace, tag along in the slipstream, then maybe, just maybe, she could benefit from his rocket start too.

She had been careful to not make the mistakes she made yesterday in the qualifying session. The steering and downforce was exactly as it was when she almost did one great lap, and given the steady 15 laps of field work done today, she didn't need to worry about spinning the car out again, surely. Granted, she hadn't been chasing an opponent quite like this in the situation, but in her head she repeated the same line: 'I'm going faster. I need to be more careful.' The first hairpin: fine as usual, and the advanced speed meant that she could plan her attack on the next couple of turns. The double-apex left beckoned, and the gap was closer than ever. This was go time.

Sensing the door opening, Erica darted to the left to see if she could sneak the Polaris into the gap Krupin had seemingly carelessly left for her. However, almost like clockwork, the Volkov almost telepathically moved to block her and slam the door shut in her face. Erica would need to do better than that to catch Krupin. However, the chase could still continue. Next opportunity: 7. A hard right that opens up for the sweeper. A perfect place to attempt a pass, but Grigori would know that, she thought. If she wanted it, she may have to go on the outside. The markers came. 100, 50...and brake!

The brake didn't come. The Polaris was in a lock-up. Swearing instinctively in her native French, Erica wrenched the wheel right, and back again to the left to counter-act the swerve. Her back left tire skidded across the rumble strip, and into the gravel lying outside, showering the air with tiny rocks, the air that Erica was turning blue with her choice of four-letter words. The radio was quick to but in and hopefully attempt to save the team from a fine from the broadcaster.

"Calm down, Eri. It's only a lock-up. You can overcome it, babe. Still a long way to go."
"I think I've ruined the back tire, though."
"Can you hold out for a few more laps?"

In that time, Erica had attempted to navigate turn 11. The wheel was indeed ripped on the outside, and it felt noticeably like there was a hard ballast on the left side of the car: not a great thing to have on a right-hander. She had to drop the speed down massively, and a passing Anneliese Devereux easily made short work of the overtaking manoeuvre.

"Like hell I can, Alex. Box it."

---

As the sudden impromptu pit-in was made, and Erica exited in twentieth, the long task of gaining positions had to begin again. However, after a good twenty minutes, it seemed to be working. As the rest of the field gradually made their pit stops, Erica's time overtaking them all was an easy one, as each lap she seemed to gain one or two positions here or there from the pack that had done the same to her. As lap 32 hit, Erica was back in the points, occupying tenth.

With the back half of the race on, Erica heard some bad news from Alex on the intercom. "Eri, you're gonna have to lay off the hard acceleration, there's a worrying engine temperature reading here. I think you might have struck your radiator with some debris when you had that lock-up in 7." As Erica passed the pit straight to enter lap 33, she still felt like she deserved to get something out of today, though as she asked "Can I still defend? What's the odds of a points finish here?" There was an uncomfortable silence from the pit. As she began to notice the smoke from the front of the Polaris where the engine was, it was clear that she probably knew the answer already. Alexandra's voice changed to one that she hadn't heard in a long time: one of seriousness.

"Get out of there, Erica. Park it in the gravel. and get out of there NOW." The engine block was becoming a damn barbecue. Erica, visibly panicked at the sight of the flames, deliberately sent the purple (for now) vehicle into the gravel at turn 7. Deliberately, this time. She knew that it would be right next to a marshall tent, and sure enough, they were ready with a fire extinguisher, and fortunately, the fire was out before her legs became cinders. It could have done worse, much worse. But for now, it was lights-out for Erica's race. The proximity of the gravel trap to the pit meant that the marshalls could easily get the car back to Polaris without the race being affected too much but it didn't matter to Erica. Polaris were starting off with a zero. Again.

In the pit, Erica arrived with a mixture of the anger of failure and the still-strong shock of the fire. This was the first time a car she was in did that. She'd retired cars before, sure. She'd lost count of the times her car took on a wall and to nobody's surprise, the wall won. But this was fire. This was a first, and she didn't like it one bit. Alex immediately hugged her, and in the embrace, could feel Erica still shuddering. She knew that the points weren't the important thing right now. As Alex clutched, she softly spoke, "You did good today. Even though you didn't finish, you did good."

[Lisander]

Anneliese's Blog
Do you want to design the header for this blog? Send your artwork to media@tasalliance.ls. We can't pay you for that, but maybe Sissie can go on a dinner with you. If you're paying for it, of course.

ALERT: WHEN IT COMES TO HER RACING CAREER, ANNELIESE DEVEREAUX IS A VERY STINGY PERSON. SHE REALLY DON'T LIKE TO SPEND MONEY, AND LOVES TO WIN FREE THINGS. If you're sensitive to this kind of content, please close this tab now.

Hey Hey! The guys in the management started this blog for me in the official site! I'll be around here sometimes, writing about the WGPC events. Unlucky for Lisander, the Grandeville Circuit is under renovations, so we'll be travelling a lot overseas. We're at Turori right now and we'll depart tomorrow to Hodori. Have you watched the race today? Finally, our 100% brand new car hit the track. Now we are displaying the sponsors Nick brought to us. TeusBank, Bergsteiger and TMW. They're great for bringing that much money and personnel at no cost! #stingysissie



By the way, have you noticed that uncommon logo in the top of the airbox? We're supporting one of our most loyal workers at Harlean: Brian Hagenauer is about to retire to look at his own racing company, TEAM BH! BH will be focused on legal street racing. Legal street racing is growing in Lisander, even I'm planning to get a car to burn some tyres. Maybe Solymok wouldn't mind sending me some for free? #stingysissie

But now, for some serious matters, crew.

I'm with Carolina Lasseps here. She's saying hello and asking me to make something clear. Seems like some of our supporters were complaining about a bad result in the last test season in Esmerel. The guy even pulled out his support. She said me to remember you that you're part of the decisions. And every decision that allows a public vote is voted. We respect your money. As you voted in this poll for using spare parts in tests, we were running cars that were mostly hand-me-downs. GUYS, 18TH PLACE IN SOME PRESEASON TESTS IS NORMAL, WE'RE STILL GETTING THE CAR READY! THIS IS NOT A BUSLOAD OF WORRY! It's an important part of cutting costs. When it comes to cut costs you have to make sure all the things are used to the maximum extent #stingysissie_but_talking_seriously_now. Sometimes, it not bring us a good result, like in that last test in Esmerel. We were holding in a gearbox of the last season and I had some problems with that. Luckily, not that would harm me or affect my safety, because we're working on the highest standards. I'll be attaching some files to show you the performance of the car on that day.

DEVEREAUX_Anneliese_Test2Esmerel.pdf

Now... Seriously, guys and girls. When Nasunen and Vetinari started this, they were clear. We're not going for the title this season. I just came from WGP3, Nick just came from national motorsports too. Both of us skipped WGP2. If you're putting your money on us expecting to win the season or something like that, I'm sad to say you're making a mistake. We don't have irrealistic plans. I personally don't know if I'll be here for the entire season. We took this mission the guys at Bitten Heroes left us and we want at least to keep the drives driving. We have promised nothing more than that. We really would prefer support instead of that kind of aggression on the boards.

Now, I want to say a big thank you to all of you who understood our work and are always supporting us in the live streams, when we made top time in that preseason test in Savojarna, kept in bad moments in Esmerel, and were still there when the fastest time in Q1 yesterday. Thanks, people. You are great, you make me so happy I'd like to keep driving even after the checkered flag, to get even better times. Eelandi circuit is quite technical, especially when we think about that last curves, that are almost square. The hairpins are DOPE too. I'm very happy that I could make my best in this circuit, and bring the first points to the team already! But it's a long journey ahead of us. We need to focus on the next race now, to make a great work as a team. And talking about team, have you seen the press conference of my team partner Nick Schonbaum earlier today? If not, go and watch now. I'm not saying that only because we gain some cents from the video sponsors for each view #stingysissie, he's a great guy, he also works very hard, brought us a lot of money #stingysissie and deserves a lot of success too.

The part of success was more truly than the money part. Thanks for the gentle words, Nick!

[Recuecn]

Abdoulaye's three a.m. conversation with his father had opened his eyes... and it had opened a door. His dad, Moussa, had a deep gift for storytelling, but none of his tales ever involved himself. Even to his sons he was mysterious. Abdoulaye knew only the vaguest facts about his childhood - he had been born in Mali, they had emigrated, his mother had died - and if his older brother Malick's memories were any less blurry, he didn't care to recount them either.

So when Moussa sat his son down with the intent of telling him his own story, it was an opportunity Abdoulaye had never expected to receive.

It turned out three a.m. wasn't the best time to have a deep conversation with someone who had to move out of the country the next day.

"I'll call you every week, fa," Abdoulaye announced when the two of them decided they were two sleepy to continue their discussion. "You can keep telling me all these things I've always wanted to know, and I'll let you know how the WGPC is going."

---

alright, here we go... here we go...

---

Abdoulaye giggled as he bounced up and down on his father's knee. The Sahelian sun beamed down on him, hardly brighter than his smile or warmer than his laugh. The air here at the side of the road was full of dust, even more than it was everywhere else, but the men seated around the gɛrɛ were happy as long as they still had tea. A couple of them sat on wicker stools. One had a crate on its side, and another was making do with an old tire. Moussa sat sideways in the driver's seat of his taxi with the door open and his feet on the ground. In the midst of the group, a small wire brazier held a handful of coals, a stained kettle perched precariously on top. The men looked at Abdoulaye, a happy toddler in his father's lap.

"Look how happy he is in his father's car," said the man sitting on the tire. "He will want to drive a taxi too when he is grown."

Moussa grinned. "Any father would be happy have his son follow in his footsteps, but I don't know if I would wish that upon him."

The men's laughter mingled with the cries of the street vendors and the bus conductors. They paused to watch as a group of women walking past, too deep in excited conversation to hawk the baskets of mangoes they balanced on their heads with one arm. It was a convenient way to carry the baskets, as it left the right hand free to gesticulate.

"Look at these gossips," one of the men called out to the women. "They won't be able to find any clients if they carry on like this."

The mango sellers stopped and turned as one, each of them instantly ready with a comeback. The man had bitten off far more than he could chew.

"And what about your lazy ass, sitting here and doing the exact same thing all day?" asked the tallest woman. "At least when I gossip I'm on the job. When you do, you're just spending your poor wife's money on tea!"

Both groups burst out in laughter and the women moved on down the street, leaving their heckler slouching in defeat. He thought it best to change the subject and turned back to Moussa.

"How can you say you wouldn't wish your lot upon your son? Each of us is jealous of what you have. a good wife, two strong boys, a sturdy taxi, and a reliable job. How can you complain?"

Moussa smiled softly. "I suppose I can't." He looked away into the distance, at the sky that stretched over a horizon of shanty-town roofs, hazy with Mars-red dust. "Although lately, I've been thinking - "

"Hey, taxi!" A shout from across the street interrupted his musing. A businessman in a long robe pushed his way across, barely missing having his briefcase knocked out of his hand by a passing moto. "I need to go to Badalabougou."

"Eh, I am not driving right now," Moussa said. "I am watching my son this afternoon," he offered half-heartedly.

The businessman saw his wavering. "It's urgent," he said. "I will give you four thousand."

"Eh..."

"Five thousand."

"An ka taa. Get in."

One of the other men poured a small teacup - it looked like a shot glass - and handed it to Moussa. "Here this is ready, take yours before you go."

Moussa stood up, threw back the hot tea, and then picking up Abdoulaye, put him in the backseat. The businessman climbed into the passenger side. Moussa rolled down the window as he pulled away and waved to the men still sitting there.

"K'an bεn!"

---

Bamako taxi where do you want me to take you
taxi Bamako call me i'm here i'm the fastest
you're my only customer i drive my route through the skies
where do you want me to take you sit down i'll drive
Bamako taxi

---

P24.

Abdoulaye kicked his helmet across the floor of the garage. "[/i]Merde![/i]"

Just then Abdoulaye's new engineer, Jan Mikkeli Kovalenna, walked in, his face more grave than usual. "You heard what Jöna said. 'Don't get too stressed out.' Don't be too upset. That wasn't your best qualifying session, but - Abdoulaye - listen to what I just said. This wasn't your best qualifying session. I don't know what went wrong for you out there, but I do know that you won't let it happen again next time. Or during the race."

"Yes, yes, you're right Jan, obviously." Abdoulaye sounded fed up. "But even I am sometimes guided by my emotions - even when I know they're disruptive. I just needed to blow off a little steam."

"Well, would you like me to get you something you can kick that's a couple thousand raviens cheaper? I hear Armbruster has a punching bag."

"I appreciate it, but I don't think I could get your money's worth out of a punching bag the same way Armbruster does. I can figure something else out."

Jan raised a thoughtful eyebrow. "If you say so." He paused and pulled out a tablet. "We have a lot of the qualifying data already, do you want to look at that later, or... ?

"No, let's do it." Abdoulaye leaned over Jan's shoulder for a look at the screen. He pointed with his finger. "I mean, this looks pretty good from an engineering perspective, right? The car felt really good today, to be honest. I think all the issues were on my end." He stuck a thumb at his chest.

"I wasn't going to be so blunt about it, but yes, I think the car did well," said Jan. You'll be way at the back on race day, but we have some more driver's data to look at that I think will really help you tighten up your lap time, and if the car performs the same way on Sunday, you might be able to put up a good fight from the rear."

"That's the plan," said Abdoulaye.

---

Bamako taxi where do you want me to take you
taxi Bamako where are you going let's go
Bamako taxi i am the fastest you are my only customer

---

The tropical sun set quickly, the golden hour slipping into dusk and darkness in only a moment. Yet on the rooftop of Moussa's house that moment's beauty seemed eternal. Moussa stood meditatively looking towards the still-glimmering horizon, his mind far away yet very aware of the happiness surrounding him. The warmth of the day lingered in the air and breathed up from the cement roof where the family was. Malick and Abdoulaye, both shirtless, chased each other in circles in a game of tag, while their mother Fanta was taking the laundry off the line. Moussa breathed a contented sigh.

Fanta looked up from the hamper over which she was bent. "A beautiful sky," she said.

"A beautiful evening for a beautiful family," said Moussa, turning toward her. Over the glass shard-topped walls of their compound they could see the neighbors also enjoying the evening from their rooftop, as well as the next family down, and the family across the street... but this moment was just for them.

"You know, chérie, he continued, "There was a moment today where I started doubting things. I don't know why. Just for a second, a wave came over me." He took a step closer to his wife, then stopped as Malick and Abdoulaye ran laughing between them. "But I don't know what I was thinking," Moussa said. "We have everything we could ever want. We were so poor when we got married. But now look. We are happy. We're healthy. We have food." He looked into his wife's eyes. "We have each other."

Fanta smiled and turned to the clothesline. "There are still some difficulties. It's hardly a paradise." She looked back at Moussa, still smiling. "But you're right. We are very happy."

"I welcome those challenges!" Here in his home, surrounded and supported by his family, self-confidence surged through Moussa. "We may have started poor, but look where we are now. We have a house. We have a taxi. We started at the bottom and we climbed. We're not rich. But whatever life brings next, we can handle it, just like we handled everything that came before. We'll keep climbing."

"Yes we will, furucɛ. Yes we will." Fanta pulled the last sheet off the line just as a cool gust blew past. "Okay boys, the night is getting cold now. Time to go inside."

The boys' complaints were interrupted by Moussa's cellphone ringing. He answered it, and after the greetings, gave his quick agreement to something before hanging up.

"I need to take the taxi back out," he said. "The toubabou wants me to get someone at the airport. I'll be back for dinner."

---

taxi Bamako i'll avoid all the
traffic problems mechanics
today i'll take you
Bamako taxi

---

Nothing - not even a lousy qualifying session - could steal the excitement that was inspired when the engines first rumbled to life on race day, Abdoulaye realized. Sure, he was starting twenty-fourth out of twenty-six. And yeah, the foreign journalists digging him for winning the WGP2 only to promptly flop in the WGPC did manage to bother him when he thought about it. But being near cars like these expelled any kind of negative thought. This what what Abdoulaye had trained for since he was a child. And here he was, not just near the cars, but about to get in one and race it. Abdoulaye thought for a moment how proud he would have been as a child had he known he would accomplish his dream this way. And not just the dream of racing formula cars. He was doing this here, in the first race of the season for the WGPC.

That idea took his breath away. It still hardly seemed real. He had been fighting for this chance for so long, and now it was finally his. This was his opportunity to prove he was the best there was - and he had already blown it in qualifying.

Well, I've been in worse spots, thought Abdoulaye. I'm at the bottom again this time. I just gotta start fighting my way up the climb.

First, the formation lap. It seemed a cruel invention. As he lapped the Eelandii Grand Prix Circuit, Abdoulaye's excitement and anticipation mounted, along with his adrenaline. He almost thought he wouldn't be able to bear it. Bringing the car to a stop after having already begun? And now the lights - they were taking so long! How could they take this long?

Abdoulaye thought about Viska as he raced. A team that was new to the WGPC. A team that was new to him. It was fair to have low expectations. But Abdoulaye knew his weren't. He would aim for the top with whatever he was given. He was happy here. It was a modest team, a modest arrangement - and to be fair, his own accomplishments, no higher than the second tier of the sport, were themselves modest. Yet as he made his first overtake Abdoulaye remembered the sheer joy of racing, and realized he had a long fun season ahead of him.

Perhaps his decision to simply enjoy the race was what helped him. By the time the checkered flag came out, Abdoulaye had made it all the way up to twelfth place. Twelve positions gained. Ten overtakes. No one else on the grid fought as hard or as well. No one else on the grid gained nearly so many positions.

And of course, it was all in vain. Starting at the very back, even with a dozen overtakes there was no way he could make the points. But Abdoulaye had proved what he was there to do. And he had a season to do it. His sun was not setting - it was just beginning to rise.

---

taxi Bamako
we cross the bridge
i drive my route through Heaven

[Cocoabo Forest]

Fast Cocoabo Turns Heads in Round 1

Grand Prix of Turori, Eelandii Grand Prix Course, Eelandii, Turori :: After a second consecutive up-and-down season in the third campaign of the World Grand Prix 2 circuit, there were not many bettors willing to risk that the move to the World Grand Prix Championships would be the cure to Cocoabo #23's recent on-track performance slide. When Tropicorp helped to broker a deal between the Cocoabo and Fireline Motorsports, even fewer were expecting to see the Cocoabo do well. However, anyone who doubted the potential for results from either Cocoabo #23 or Ethane based Fireline Motorsports were resoundingly silenced when the checkered flag fell at the Eelandii Grand Prix Course when Fast Cocoabo crossed the line as the highest placed rookie driver in their debut Grand Prix at the WGPC Level. Cocoabo #23 nearly managed to come home with a podium finish but at the end of the day their 4th place run felt like a victory to a Fireline team not sure what would be coming results wise with a pair of rookie drivers on their roster for WGPC Season 18.

The Cocoabo's teammate, Valentians driver Adriana Kowalski, came home in a quiet respectable 13th place result. With both Fireline drivers finishing in the Top half of the placement in Eelandii it was a massive boost in confidence for both the drivers and teams that perhaps they were going to be in store for a more competitive season than they may have first initialized.

WGPC18 Supplier Performance Standings

[1] - 27 :: Tropicorp Racing Supply
[2] - 14 :: Solymok
[3] - 2 :: InMotion
[4] - 0 :: Deyoze

Of course, with the start of the campaign also came a new season in competition between Tyre Suppliers. In tracking the Tyre Supplier standings during the World Grand Prix Championship's 18th season, only the top finishing driver for a given tyre supplier in each event counts toward the standing in addition to the two-point award for the tyre supplier of the fastest lap driver.

The Number of Tyre Suppliers to the World Grand Prix Circuit was reduced from 8 in World Grand Prix Championship 17 to just four in WGPC 17 with Stellenbosch, Pire Eleven, Petrovi, Grafonil and Cypress no longer providing WGPC grade racing tyres to teams on a weekly basis while Hodorian outfit Deyoze Tyres returned as the fourth supplier on the season. It was unfortunately a bit of a slow start for Deyoze who were the only Tyre Supplier not to place one of their cars inside the points. As race winner and having collected fastest lap it would be Tropicorp Racing Supply picking up right where they had left off the season before taking home not only the race victory but the two points for fastest lap courtesy of Volkov Racing's Gregory Krupin. Former Eelandii VTGP driver Rustom Ibuna who got familiar with the Eelandii Grand Prix Course and leveraged that familiarity to post a top five finish in the Grand Prix of Turori but it was Ibuna's teammate Alex Dimitrianov who earned earned 14 points for Solkmok with their podium finish of 3rd place. The running order was largely dominated by drivers using Tropicorp and Solymok tyres and Solymok will go into Round #2 13 points behind Tropicorp. In Motion Tyres are currently the only other supplier who have earned points this season by virtue of Ryker Lane's 9th place finish in Eelandii.

However with the WGPC circuit on its way to Hodori for Round 2 and the Horikawa Instruments Grand Prix of Hodori, it will be an opportunity for the local supplier Deyoze Tires to get their first points of the season. WGPC Motorworks drivers Charyseine Valkyria and Dario Nülkeschläger led the way for Deyoze in Eelandii but due to the nature of the WGPC Motorworks driver selection process it remains to be seen if the duo will get a chance to earn their first points in Turori or if they will be ceding their seats in the cockpit to Kinu Luminna or Daryl Mizushima.

---

[Sorlovia]

Volkov Test Circuit
Solnichniy, Sevayev Oblast, Sorlovia

Gran Prix had never been particularly popular in Sorlovia. It had been overshadowed by the far more popular football, ice hockey and bandy. There had always been some form of motorsports but never Gran Prix on any significant scale. But the sport had enjoyed an immense boost in the public eye as a result of Gregori’s entering the World Gran Prix Championships. His debut season had then resulted in the birth of the Sorlovian Gran Prix as the nation eagerly sought to make itself known in this brand new arena. As a result of his two WGPC seasons Gregori’s hometown of Solnichniy had developed an eager Gran Prix community built around the town’s favourite son.

This had in turn prompted Volkov to build an official WGPC-level test circuit on the outskirts of town. It had been many long months in the making but it was now ready to be used and Gregori had been given the honour of being the first to use it. Sara had been sent an invite as well. As a paid racer with Volkov Racing she would be free to use the new test circuit whenever she wished to enable her to make the most of a training opportunity. Gregori, after his result at Eelandii, had eagerly taken quite full advantage of the opportunity.

His first three laps had been little more than blowing off steam. He’d pushed his B car, his A car was still in storage ahead of the next race, to its furthest limits. On his fourth lap he’d brought the engine to the brink of redlining in a high-speed sprint down the long straight at the head of the track. With a broad smile on his freshly shaven face he’d pushed the car in a high-speed snap around the corner to see how it would handle the amount of G-force. Part of his exuberance was to test had the car fared when put under heavy pressure. A WGPC race was a highly demanded environment and the team of staff engineers at Volkov wanted to see how it would cope in the event of a high-stakes high demand race of the kind that could very well happen in the season. How would the tyres cope under that much pressure? How much redlining could the engine endure? Most of these things had been studied in the workshop but the backup car provided an interesting field opportunity.

“This is fun,” Gregori said with a grin as he passed the VIP Box “I can feel the car pushing for more of this!”

“Don’t enjoy it too much,” Viktor chuckled over his earpiece “we don’t want to completely blow out the car. But enjoy yourself down there. You’ve earned it.”

Gregori smiled and relaxed his hand on the steering wheel. His first few laps had been fast-paced but his next would use more finesse and less aggression. He carefully studied how the car handled when he went into the corners and adapted his approach on the next run. When he came out of a corner onto a straight he accelerated rapidly on the first run and then more gradually on the next. Gregori would carefully studied how the car handled on every test and adapt his approach on the next. He was a man who liked to carefully evaluate and study things to learn how to best get the most out of it.

[Auruna]

Eelandii Grand Prix Course
Race

It's time to finally race again. After that interesting qualifying session, it is time to focus on what's important in a race weekend.

To Viska, it was a fine start to their weekend.

Before the formation lap, Jöna goes on the radio. "Alright, our first race in WGPC. I'm going to teach you guys one Aurun word: täitä... fight. Okay! Good luck and enjoy the race!"

Artur is seen laughing, continued until he was finally able to comment. "Mate..." As he tapped Jöna's shoulder. "Was that message necessary?"

"Well, I couldn't think of anything else." Jöna replies then he glances at the garage and the mechanics. "I think they should know what we're screaming when we get a good result. That alright?"

"Heh, ya ya, tu sÿrä idjootti."

The drivers lineup at the start for the first race of the season. With the five lights, waiting for them go out. Now for Viska, it's a race for points but a higher finish would be great. It's up to the drivers to harness every bit of their and the cars' strengths to pull into the points. Apart from the early retirement at the third lap by a Preston, not much is happening in the first few laps. The Viskas are running well but now it's time to do some overtakes, 3-4 looks like a nice place for that.

Behind the scenes, Artur is set on their pit strategy, a two-stop for both drivers on aggressive strategies. He was not yet sure about the limits of the In-Motion tyres for the WGPC but he needed to come up with one before the grip goes well down the cliff. In Lap 19, after making up a few places, Olivia was pulled into the pits first. After a few laps, Goita was next. First pits complete.

Both drivers are well on their way to gain more places, just a bit more to get into the points.

Artur finalises the strat. He goes on the radio to both drivers. "Okay, time to push. Next pit are for softs. Next pit are for softs."

Jan follows Artur's message. "Mode 8, Type 3, push push."

Baxen does the same.

Both drivers are now pushing.

Lap 35, it's now time for their next pit. No calls for a double-stack but it's really tempting. They get everything ready as Olivia is called in first and a change to softs. As expected, it went well and was quick. Now Goita is next, he's also pitting for softs. It was for one final push for points.

Close to the end at Lap 55, something goes wrong. A sudden rear-right puncture on Olivia's Viska sends her spinning and out of the race. It was unfortunate, but something like that will eventually happen. A great push for points ended by a puncture.

Now it's up to Goita.

Jan goes on the radio at Lap 56. "Car in front is 2 seconds ahead. Mode 8, Type 4. Mode 8, Type 4. Push and catch up."

Most of their overtaking attempts failed. In the end, it was so close but it was a fine attempt and great driving from the two.

"That was a great race out there. It was close, you did great starting 24th." Jöna's words through the radio for Goita post-race at the cooldown lap.

"It's a good start."

[Filindostan]

Part 1
OOC Note: This is set prior to the first round, as such, no discussion regarding the race events were made here.

Alya Martana (AM): We're back for the second part of our podcast and I am still here with Gilang who will give his insights about the new teams in Season 18 and which rookie will impress us this season.

Gilang Subroto (GS): Thanks Alya. We actually now have the full grid after the three pre-season tests have been completed and the Motorworks team have already signed their drivers as well.

AM: As you can see here in our graphics, there are five new teams and a whopping sixteen new drivers gracing the grid, around nine to ten of them sort of graduating from the last season's WGP2 series.

GS: Yeah you can see the likes of Viska Racing and SVJ Racing who fought for the constructors' title last time with Stone and Goita representing their teams respectively for the drivers' championship, then we see the likes of Luna and Falepeau who were also contending for the title at the last round of the season. And then there is Volkov, Preston, and TAS Alliance also bringing their game in the preseason tests. And the biggest change this season compared to what we have last time is that the Motorworks team, now based in Liventia, will have four drivers fighting for two grid spots in the race.

AM: Yeah, I see that, the drivers know what is at stake in the qualifying sessions. If they do not perform well, then they have a chance of not participating in the race. So, which of the new teams do you see can compete with the likes of TRAE, Nexus, MRT, and Badai Angin?

GS: I'd think Viska and SVJ have what it takes to compete, as they have both shown in WGP2 last time out. No offense to Preston and TAS Alliance, but having complete rookies in their teams, in the case of the Lisanderian team, will make them struggle for points in the first races as they get their feet wet in the WGPC series. Kudos to the Preston team to have the confidence to have their rookie driver announced as the next champion, but that might put pressure to Edwards and cause him not to perform well. Viska will have the strongest pair of drivers who have competed in WGP2 and that would certainly show in the races we have in store. Then SVJ and Volkov actually have ex-MRT drivers on their fold guiding their rookie teammates and that can help them have an advantage over all-rookie lineups.

AM: We heard your opinion on the teams, now let's hear you opinion on the drivers. Which of the bunch would you see will have a successful rookie season?

GS: If we're looking for possible Talvela's or Lane's, I see the WGP2 champion Goita can be the next champion, but I'm not pretty sure whether he can win the title in his first season.

AM: Why do you say so?

GS: It's because the field is just competitive, we see Talvela, Lane, Dimitrianov, Toralmintii, and Mercer-Daly competing for the title this time around, then you have the competitive bunch of Season 16 rookies in Bjarnason, Krupin, Ibuna, and somewhat, Krajnska. It will be hard for the rookies to beat these drivers and compete for the championship. But if there will be a future champion in that group, it surely will be Goita.

AM: Okay, thanks for your time here. We're ending this podcast for now. Next podcast, we'll discuss the first few races of the season and which Season 16 rookie will make a mark this season.

[Nephara]

She was starting to tame the beast, she knew.
It hadn't come early enough for qualifying. Qualifying had been a shitshow. 25th? Twenty-fucking-fifth? She'd come fractionally behind one of the guys who wasn't even making the cut for the Motorworks.
She wasn't about to blame the car, not when Sigur had done decently, not when, well, she literally had no frame of reference. This was one of the twelve or so fastest speed machines in the entire bloody world - question was, which of the twelve?
And how could she possibly have an impact, so far back?
One of her strategists just shrugged at her on the eve of the race. "Fight for a miracle. Be aggressive. Take risks. You don't have a prayer, otherwise."

Second-last on the grid.
Green light. Foot down. She almost clipped Goita's tail from the off, but they cleared out some space - she still squeezed out Nuelkeschlaeger. Third-last. Who was that? In the white? Oh, that fucker who stole her #41! Now she was fourth-last, but then the group began to settle, ground becoming harder to win.
Even so, she ate up the competition at a terrifying pace. 21st, 20th, 19th, 18th, 17th... thanks to some serendipitously-timed pits, she'd technically climbed her way to 12th, slashed her starting place in half, by Lap 31. It had taken peerless concentration, driving on the edge, her reflexes stretched to their limit.
Here, they went past.
She broke sharply into turn 12, pencilled in early as a potential nemesis. Too sharply. The tail wurbled. Goita nipped in past her, after like fifteen laps on her heels. Armbruster cursed, righted the car, just about. Okumura nipped by her, oblivious to the fact that it was six laps off not mattering. Armbruster cursed again, then overcommitted into the following turn--
Damn damn FUCK damn--
Just about stayed on the track. Just about. But her nerves were jangling, though she didn't dare admit it.
Engineer said something, she processed.
"Sure, I'm fine--"
"No, I said push, push!"
Armbruster clicked her tongue. Didn't rein in Goita, but she at least reasserted her dominance over a couple others... and then settled quietly into the lower midfield.

Her PR chick prodded her late on, after the whole thing had subsided. "Hey, press want to talk to you."
"Huh? I'm busy sulking."
"No, they just... want to talk about your, you know, your first Grand Prix. The big one."
"... Huh." Funny thing was, in all the commotion she'd quite forgotten. After the various travails getting into the second tier, the surge of triumph even just getting there, even if she had just a DNF...
But this really was different, beyond her initial, ego-driven quest. Now there were expectations. And the whole idea of having this team behind her, and...
The PR chick was still hovering. She sighed. "I guess I'd better try and bask in the moment." She'd be herself. She'd be... on-brand.

[TJUN-ia]

Sunday - Race
The sun rose in Turori and the track in Eelandii was dry as a bone. For Lane Carter, this day would be the beginning of everything he had ever dreamed of, but with so much pressure on his shoulders. It was time for his first race in WGPC, the home race of the team he now raced for, and he would start in P3.

His car was lined up on Row 2, beside the car of his teammate - R.L. Cruisin himself, and the preparations were made in earnest. He didn't know what the next 59 laps would bring but he did know was that he would certainly try his best no matter how far he might rise or fall. With Ryker Lane ahead of him and Cruisin behind, the formation lap began. The circuit here at Eelandii was simple but also a beast, filled with 90 degree turns that could catch any driver out. As he arrived back on the straight, he began the long wait for all 26 cars to line themselves up. Kitti Armbruster and Sayono Souzare lined up and soon after, the 5 lights arrived. Lane tried to slow his breathing, concentrating only on those lights and the clutch of his car. Eventually, after an eternity, the red became black. He released the clutch, put his foot on the gas, and away he and 25 other went.

To the surprise of many, the next 59 laps would be relatively clean compared to what was expected. Lane had gotten past Lane (Ryker Lane, of course) on Turn 1 but after that, he began to slip down the field. This was to be expected in your first race, but it was still demoralising to Carter to see the names that passed him: Cruisin, Dimitrianov, Cocoabo #23, Luna, Ibuna, Devereux and eventually iBen Toralmintii himself. But he kept his cool, continuing to drive the way he knew before and after the pit stop and his position stayed constant until the end.

Elsewhere, drivers were having issues on this course. William Archer went on Lap 3. Dom Falepeau, the pole man, went on 13. After the halfway point, more drivers fell: Okumura on 37, Bjarnason on 49, Mercer-Daly on 54 and Olivia Stone 55. Good drivers, great drivers, but this circuit didn't care: racing is a game of chance and every lap you must roll the dice to decide your fate.

After the pit stop, Lane's race was mostly quiet and he managed to carry the car to the end in P8, half a minute ahead of being lapped by the leader - Cruisin himself. His teammate had dominated after Falepeau's retirement and despite Toralmintii's best efforts, nothing could be done about the Vilitan. A Vilitan in a car owned by a Turorian had beaten said Turorian in his homeland. iBen was denied home glory by the team he owned, by the driver he signed. Alex Dimitrianov rounded out the podium for Badai Agin, with both Ryker Lane and defending champion Terho Talvela completing the points behind the Galarian. Gregori Krupin ended up with the fastest lap in 11th, getting himself 2 points in the process.

Once he got out of his car, he went to join in with the celebrations after Cruisin's victory. Lane felt a bit split after his first race. On the one hand, he had finished in the points and Cruisin's win showed the potential of the car he was driving. On the other hand, he felt he could have finished higher up the field and having his teammate win seemed to have made the distinction between the Vilitan and the Galarian very noticeable: the Vilitan was experienced but the Galarian was not. But his engineers didn't mind anyway: they thought Lane had done a good job in his first weekend, showing them that they had made the right call in signing him. Kane wasn't exactly sure if he could believe that himself but with another 9 rounds to go in this season, there was certainly plenty of time to show off his talents.

So, all in all, it was a good performance by Race Eelandii V&T GP: 1st and 8th in the drivers and 1st in the constructors after their home race. Some on twii.tur joked that Lane's true mission was to be better than his namesake, Ryker Lane. The "Battle of the Lanes", it was dubbed. Lane himself thought it was silly, he didn't have anything against the Nimbian who so happened to share a name, but he knew that Ryker was good in his own right so maybe being better than him wasn't so bad in this series. Now Lane Carter must rest for the 2nd race weekend of the season, the Horikawa Instruments Grand Prix of Hodori at Hodori Motorsports' long and twisty Dashoze Circuit. The first race was a taste of this series, the second will be the main course...but how well TJUN-ia's adopted son will do across the season will be a question many in TJUN-ia will be asking.

[Abanhfleft]

Crossbay Circuit
Nexus Wardship of the Former Citizens of the Nimbus System
Week 12, WGP2 Season III

One more race. Just one more race. One more race and then everything will finally be over.

These were the words that William Archer told himself over and over again as he sat inside the cockpit of his Bitten Heroes Academy KS-03. It was a miserable day at the Crossbay Circuit; the weather reflecting William's mood almost perfectly. Rain poured down from the heavens; it was almost as bad as the storms that plagued Abanhfleft for the whole of its history. William had always thought that the rains in his country were the worst that he had experienced, but right now the Crossbay Circuit was making him question his own beliefs.

It had been a day to forget for William; no, more like an entire season to forget. William Archer had long ago come to the conclusion that the KS-03 was a shitbox, a car with little to prove and even less to offer. To think that he could have had a chance to have a seat in a better car if only he hadn't procrastinated until almost the end of the preseason... Still, it could have been worse, William conceded. He could have ended up in that absolute truck of a car that was the UHSGV-4. Now that car was a real career killer. It killed Drake Stevenson's career even before the halfway point of the season, turning the man whom William had wanted to succeed in this season (more than even him and his former UrGa teammate Taras Matviyenko) into a shadow of the driver that had come into this competition. Sure, the KS-03 may have been a shitbox, but at least it still operated the same as the karts where William had learned his trade all those years ago. But eight wheels and an engine powered by Imagination? Now that was just taking things too far.

If he could jump ship now and go back to CGPRA then he would, but William's contract with Bitten Heroes was still active. And it wasn't in his personality to down tools and do the bare minimum when things weren't going his way. Because there was potential in this chassis. William had seen glimpses of it in previous races; he'd seen it during the first official qualifying session of the season in Nekoni, and he'd seen it when he somehow managed to take the damn thing to third place in the Cocoabo Park Circuit, perhaps one of the most famous tracks in motorsports history, at least for as long as William could remember. Lourdina Westgrens also managed to put this car into the points a few times, so clearly the problem wasn't really with the drivers. If only the car would cooperate more times than it didn't...

As the grid went through the formation lap, William made a bet with himself: if he crashed out of this race, then that was it. Game over. That was the end of William Archer's open-wheeler career. But it might just well be the start of William Archer's stock car career. His father Guillermo Archer had said that William was always welcome to try out for a stock car seat at any time that he wanted, and at the moment William's headspace was such that he was actually entertaining such thoughts. However, if William actually somehow managed to finish the race then he would stay in open-wheelers, but his position on the final grid would tell him where he would take his career. If he finished outside of the points then he would go back to the Coalition Grand Prix Racing Association, where a number of teams actually challening for the constructor's title had tendered out some tempting offers to him. If he finished in the points though, then William would take his talents to the top level, the WGPC itself. Now that was a thought.

One, two, three, four, five red lights... and they're gone!

William had a great start; he actually managed to get on the power at the right time, and he soon found himself in P12 even before they arrived at Turn 1. Lourdina had a good start as well, but apparently it was not better than William's because she was still stuck in P9. Spray from the water being displaced by the wet weather tyres from all the cars in front of him drenched the front of William's helmet, but there was simply no time for him to wipe it away. Besides, at the speed they were going the droplets would be blown away by the sheer force of his car cutting through the air. Maybe this day wasn't going to be such a bad day after all...

Unfortunately for William, while his start may have been great, he was unable to build upon that and move up through the grid, and three laps in he was still stuck in P12. And then came a radio call that he didn't want to hear. "William, Lourdina is out. Lourdina is out. She has retired from the race."

"What? Why? What's happened to her?" William asked his engineer.

"We don't know yet, but we suspect an engine failure," the engineer replied. "Keep an eye on your revs in third and fourth gear, please."

"Mate, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Just keep an eye on your revs, we're investigating something about it."

"Oh my god," William muttered. Maybe open wheel racing really wasn't in his destiny.

And then, three laps later, another radio call. "Safety car has been deployed, William," the engineer said. "Box now, box, box."

"Negative," William replied immediately. "Tyres still feel good. Let's stay out one more lap and see what everyone else does."

"All right, copy," his engineer acknowledged.

Some drivers would indeed make the plunge into pit lane to change into a fresh set of wet weather tyres, but others were gambling that they would be able to manage these tyres all the way to their scheduled pit stop. Others were staying out just for one more lap so they wouldn't get caught up in the chaos of those rushing into the pits. That meant that the pack got shaken up a little bit, resulting in things like Lane Carter of UrGa actually getting into P1, something he normally wouldn't be expected to do under normal circumstances. But this being the last race of the WGP2 season as it was, things weren't expected to stay normal at all.

And, to his credit, Carter was actually able to hold off everyone else from taking the lead from him for a good amount of time before he finally reached the limits of his UrGa's engine and he started falling back. Oh well. At least he managed to experience the feeling of being P1 for those few laps. But William could hardly care about Lane Carter's problems, or that of anyone else really. He was the only runner for Bitten Heroes now, and he wasn't really in the mood to become another DNF on the chart.

That being said, William was actually doing well himself. After all the initial chaos and the early pitting under the safety car, the Fleftic driver found himself in P6. Now if he could just hang on to this potential points finish...

"Yellow flag, yellow flag," William's engineer said around lap 19. "Falapeau is out. Repeat, Falepeau is out."

"Oh man," William said. "Is he okay?"

"Yep, he's out. He's running to the medical car."

"Good. Well, shame about his crash though. Does that mean he's not gonna be the driver's champion now?"

"Doesn't look like it."

One lap later, "The safety car has been deployed. Safety car deployed."

"Let's get off these tyres, yeah?" William said. "Are we considering inters right now?"

"Negative, meteo says this rain is going to continue until the end of the race. Full wets are still the recommended tyre at this point."

"Okay, gotcha."

The pit stop itself didn't do much to help William; he came out in the same position that he came in, P9. The only good thing about it was the fact that the safety car had managed to bunch up the field once again, and Jama'obo Pegasii was no longer running almost half a minute ahead of the rest of the grid. Maybe this time he could have wheel-to-wheel battles as he tried to increase his points haul. However, all things being said, William would have been perfectly happy hanging on to P9 as that was still two points to his name. All in all, he just wanted this season to be over so he could go back home, play some of his favorite grand strategy video games, and relax in general.

But fate, it seemed, had other things in store for him. Between laps 20 and 32, William had fallen from P9 to P10 after being overtaken by one of the Polaris cars, and a bright purple Schkeska car was bearing down on him at a rate of knots. Then he heard his engineer calling out to him, "Caution, caution. Armbruster is out. Repeat, Armbruster is out."

"What's happened to her now?"

"We don't know just yet; we're checking."

The message of Kittie Armbruster's crash seemed to have spread to the rest of the field as many cars, notably those in front of William, dropped into the pit lane to change tyres yet again. Once again his engineer told William to box, and for the second time that day, William told him no, he was feeling quite great with the set of tyres he had on at the moment. William didn't feel the need to swap onto a new set of tyres at the moment. He had a feeling about this. He couldn't describe it just yet, but he had a feeling.

"Looks like you made a good call, William," his engineer told him a minute later. "They're not sending out the safety car. Not even a VSC?"

"Really?"

"Okay, William, because of everyone pitting now, you have just been promoted to P3," his engineer said. "P3, William. Goita is P1 and Luna P2."

"The fuck!? You're telling me I'm P-fucking-three!?" William said.

"I know, I know, right now it's hard to believe," hs engineer continued. "You think you can hang on to it?"

"With my life if I have to," William said. But after that, a thought entered his mind, a thought that he had never entertained until now simply because there had been no opportunity to even think about it until now. What if he could make himself a race winner? What if William Archer could, against all odds, take the checkered flag here in the Nimban Deuxieme Prix?

"Let's go," William said to himself, and he switched his fuel mixture to rich and began his chase of Sara Luna. He could hear the impact of the mist coming from her tyres hitting his helmet like thousands of pellets of hail on a sheet metal roof. The tunnel section brought some respite to his vision, but not much, and he was running out of strips to tear off of his visor. Nevertheless, William managed to keep himself within sight of Luna's gearbox by the time they got to the back straight, and then once they were inside the tunnel again he went on rich mix again and activated his ERS. Luna tried to defend her position by taking the inside line on turn 13, but William was ready for that possibility and he kept on the power until he finally made it past her.

"Good job, William!" his engineer said. "Now only Goita is ahead of you. As things stand he looks to be the drivers' champion, but I have a feeling he will want to take the race win as well."

"I have that same feeling, man," William replied. But after his overtake of Luna, he was very much pumped up and raring to go after the race leader. This may be his one and only chance of grabbing a victory in WGP2. Damn right he was going to take it.

Time after time William Archer had been calling his KS-03 a dog, a tractor, a stubborn son of a bitch that drove when it wanted and crashed when it wanted. He never felt like he was able to understand his car at all throughout the whole season. But today, at this very moment, something seemed to click between man and machine. For that one moment, William Archer and the KS-03 were finally in sync.

Everything after that point became a blur. All William could remember was the rain hitting his visor, the mist coming from Abdoulaye Goita's car, two engines revving to their absolute maximums, and a couple of back and forth passes. William couldn't even remember the moment when he took the lead away from the driver from Recuecn, although when he went back and watched the highlights it appeared that his final overtake on Goita happened down the main straight on lap 36. And somehow he was able to widen the gap between him and Goita to six second on those two final laps.

"Congratulations, William! You did it, mate!" His engineer's voice sounded loud in William's ear, and for the first time since he overtook Sara Luna, he was back to his senses. "P1, William! Your first ever win in WGP2! Congratulations, mate!"

"What! What the fuck! Oh my god!" William blabbered. "Oh my god! I can't believe it! What the fuck! Oh, this is completely unexpected! Oh my god! I never thought I would be able to do anything with this car, in this race, yet here we are."

"William, I know your time with us hasn't been the best time of your life, but we know that you still gave us your best, and no one will be able to take this win away from you. You are a WGP2 winner, William!"

"Yeah! That's right! I am a WGP2 winner!" William shouted back.

---

Eelandii Grand Prix Course
Eelandii, Turori
Present day

William Archer just couldn't help but feel that he had to be some sort of cosmic being's plaything. How else could he explain the fact that he managed to win a WGP2 race in a car that he never truly got the hang of throughout the season, yet now that he had a car that he was very much in tune with, he retires three laps into his first ever official WGPC race?

There wasn't any sign or omen at all that this was how his race was going to end. The car felt absolutely fine as soon as they brought it out of parc ferme for the grid start. Nobody noticed anything odd during the formation lap. William had a decent start, moving all the way up to touching distance of Rudy Edwards' gearbox come Turn 1, and then suddenly his engineer informed him, "All right William, we're seeing a drop in the oil pressure and the coolant pressure. We're pretty sure it's not just a sensor issue. Box now, box now."

"No, no! You have got to be kidding me!" William said, but he pitted as instructed. There were no new wheels waiting to be strapped on to his car; instead, there was just the jack men who lifted up his car and carried it into the garage.

What a way for William Archer to start his WGPC career.

[Lisander]

Fatigue and sleepiness had reached her as soon she arrived at Hodori. As if she doesn't already have enough problems. That blog they had made for her was a very exaggerated gimmick. Okay, she was out of a contract chasing sponsors until six months ago, but making her a moneygrubber character? This was not fun for her. It was even a little disrespectful. "Take me out to dinner? Get out, I'm not a bitch, I'm not selling myself. I can make the damn header myself!". Anneliese was dealing with some jet lag and a little bit of anger when her phone rang. Now someone was adding her in one of those spam message groups? How? That was a new number, only Family and Work people had it.

---

World Class Drivers, but they are eRacers (You, big_in_hodori, grid_lolita and 3 more online in the last four hours)

---

big_in_hodori added you to the chat
09:09

big_in_hodori
Now you're one of us, for real. Congratulations on your first race!
09:11

sissie_dvrx
????? Where am I? Who put me here?
09:12

dacas3
Have a look at your mailbox, you'll understand
09:12

---

Opening the mailbox, she found the information she needed. It was in a mail from Darius Castellammare:

From: Darius Castellamare
To: Anneliese Devereux
Subject: Welcome to the World Class!

Congratulations, Sissie! You're now a World Class Racing Driver. And being a World Class Driver, you're probably a wacko. Don't take it personally, all of us are likely wackos too. Provided you have some experience in Sim Racing, I came here to invite you to join our private gaming group of World Class wackos.

I'm the moderator of this little group, where you will find wackos of all ages(Sorry, I'm using the word "wacko" too much. But that's only a way of saying). We're currently six, and you'll be the seventh if you join. Is that your lucky number, huh? (Sadly some scumbag picked up your number to WGPC, but you'll have it here, no worries.)

So, here's our current list of members:

dacas3 is me, Darius Castellamare, former WGPC/WGP2 driver

dreamboy is Juliano Lemos, a former WGPC driver and owner. Do you know him?

ironbr4t is (as you may guess), Lourdina Westgrens, former WGPC/WGP2/NSSCRA/soapbox/everything with wheels driver.

big_in_hodori is Athan Lille, former Formula Hodori. We're currently trying to change his username, but he's quite resisting.

grid_lolita is Mor Holstein, former NSSCRA Driver. She's the most active in the Sim Racing because she still hasn't found a seat for this season

She returned to the message window. The idea seemed interesting. Have close contact with those people could be helpful since she was still lacking a proper sponsor, she only had that Harlean Contract.

---

sissie_dvrx
Thanks for inviting.
Not sure I'll have time for Sim Racing this season
So, you said you were six?
There are only five in the list and in the mail.
09:18

dreamboy
Let me explain
Wait.
09:19

dreamboy changed its nickname to dreamgirl
09:20

dreamgirl
Now. Do you remember to whom Lemos is Married? Gotcha.
We have some fun sharing the account.
People on the internet think we are an "intergender sim racer".
One time, a gaming website even contacted us to discover who we are. LOOOOOOL
09:22

sissie_dvrx
So... Ludi?
09:23

dreamgirl
Right, but we don't use names here.
09:23

sissie_dvrx
Well, I'll need a nickname then.
Can I use the same nickname I use in Sim Racing?
09:25

dreamgirl
that's the point, go ahead.
09:26

sissie_dvrx changed its name to lady_seven
09:28

---

Anneliese, or better saying, "lady_seven", would stay there. There, she could know more about her probable rivals, gather some information about sponsoring, or at least have some fun with more experienced people. Since she had been focusing and working a lot in the last weeks, each and every little moment of distraction would help. Lisanderian Drivers were prone to overwork, but she didn't want to acquire that kind of habit.

[Nico Hulkenberg]

A Bit of Luck Ain’t Enough

Eelandii Grand Prix Circuit

At long last, today was the day that Dario would start his first WGPC race. His whole life had been leading up to this very moment - every victory, every loss, every struggle - and he was now sat within his car on the starting grid. It truly was a dream come true. To Dario, it felt like an eternity waiting for the lights to go out and the race to begin, but when the race did begin he was quick off the mark, managing to get past Jean Mercer-Daly almost immediately. However, Dario was immediately relegated back to P23, as Abdoulaye Goita was even quicker off the mark and managed to get past both him and Daly without too much struggle. When you’re starting in 23rd, you need quite a lot of luck on your side if you want to make a big enough impact on the race, or even grab a point. Thankfully for Dario, he had quite a bit of luck during the Grand Prix of Turori. During lap three, Dario was promoted up one place due to a retirement just ahead of him.

”Fucking hell!”

“What’s up, Dario?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’ve been trying to get in front of this fucking Preston since the start of the race, but he’s only gone and bloody pulled into the pits! I won’t get his slipstream now, will I?! Why is he boxing on lap 3, anyways?”

“We’re looking into it, we’re looking into it.”

“I mean, it’s not like he’s going for a tyre change, is he? Has he flat spotted or-“

“Focus on the race, Dario.”

“Understood.”

One less car he’d need to overtake, eh? Another fourteen laps saw Dario move up a few places by overtaking, but he was moved one position up yet again due to yet another retirement.

”Falepeau is out of the race. I repeat, Falepeau is out of the race.”

“What happened to him, Tom?”

“Not quite sure for now, but stay focused.”

“It’s hard to stay focused when you’re promoted up another position, y’know? What am I at now, P15?”

“Yep, but that’s only because of 2 retirements and a few cars having to box. Your pit window opens on lap 23, Dario.”

“Understood.”

Six laps later, Dario pulled into the pits. As long as he could get a decently fast stop, he was sure that he’d be able to be up a few more positions by the end of the race. Unfortunately, the rear left tyre wasn’t tightened properly at first, and Dario was stranded for another 3 seconds - severely damaging his chances of points.

”Gah, what the fuck happened?”

“The pit crew struggled to fit one of your tyres on, that’s all. Keep pushing, we’ll need to make up for lost time on this out lap.”

“Cheers, Tom.”

With that all said and done, Dario would have to keep his tyres functional until the end of the race, which was another 36 laps away.

As the race went on, more and more drivers began to retire - Okumura, Bjarnason, Mercer-Daly, Stone - but by the end of the race, Dario had managed to catch up to his teammate and finish just behind them in P17.

”Good effort, Dario, good effort. That’s P17, not far off of Charyseine.”

“Could’ve been P16 or P15 if that stop hadn’t been mucked up.”

“That’s just life at the end of the day. Don’t beat yourself up, you’ve moved up from P23 and caught up to your teammate - who qualified 5 spots ahead of you.”

“Yep, I guess so.”

“That’s the spirit. Make sure to switch the engine to mode 8, mode 8.”

“Mode 8... selected.”

“There we go. Pull into the pits. We’ll talk about your performance when you get in.”

Despite his pretty decent performance for a rookie, Dario wasn’t best pleased. He thought he definitely deserved a lot more from that drive, but it was all for P17. There was room for improvement, definitely - and Dario would need to improve if he really wanted to make an impact. For now, however, he would just have to chat with his colleagues about how he did in the race. In all honesty, he thought his performance was shit.