Note: I do not own any of the Harry Potter ideas, or the film "Le Mans" starring Steve and but this is my idea of when, for once, Harry throws away his Golden Snitch and his Seeker Position... to go racing.

Enjoy!

Oh, by the way if I've got facts wrong or they need clearing up in the story, then please reply and say what's wrong, this will help me improve when I come round to writing more. Also, if auto racing sounds confusing, please ask any questions by reviewing.

Chapter 1 – The Idea

Year: 1995

Time: 17:00 GMT

Location: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, UK

Harry was sitting on one of the comfy sofas, next to the logs of wood for the fireplace, in the sitting room. It was June, and only a few weeks away from the summer holidays, and he was not looking forward to seeing the Dursleys again for another six months.

(In fact he hated it)

Then, out ofsheer curiosity, he reached for a copy of the Daily Prophet, the wizard's newspaper. Pulling it open at the back pages, he started reading all the Quidditch news across the world for the next 10 or 20 pages, when he stumbled across a page he'd never read before, or, couldn't be bothered to read.

"Hmmm..." He muttered, as he started reading about other magical sports. His eye moved across the page until he stopped skimming and looked at the heading "IFBR officially recognised and endorsed BROOMSTICK RACING" at the top of the page.

IFBR International Federation of Broomstick racing.

"What the?" gasped Harry. He had no idea that wizards and witches raced broomsticks around 'traditional' looped circuits/closed courses, instead of playing Quidditch.

As he recognised that this was a Muggle based sporting area, he immediately rushed upstairs to ask Dean Thomas about it.

"Dean, you didn't tell me people raced broomsticks!"

Harry looked dumbstruck.

Harry then had an idea; he and some friends could race for Gryffindor and for Hogwarts in general, in the event being held that weekend in Le Mans, France.

At the mere mention of the town name, Dean gulped.

"You know Le Mans is usually 24-hours!?" he screamed to Harry.

"Ah, well." Harry replied back. "Better get really, really tired than sit with the Dursleys for another week."

Dean nodded his head in agreement.

And so, that afternoon, he posted a message on the wooden notice board, advertising for anyone who "loved speed, danger and an adventure" and who would be free for the weekend ahead for a trip to France.

He then wrote the entry and clarification letter they needed to enter to the IFBR, who were based at the Hotel du Paris, Monte Carlo, Monaco and gave it to Hedwig, who flew off with it into the night.

Time: 09:00 GMT

It was Thursday morning. Harry got up, opened his poster bed's curtains, and walked downstairs. He immediately looked at the message board to find out if anyone had planned to come with him.

"OH MY GOD." He thought. His mouth then dropped as he realised that there were more replies than he could count. In all, there were about 25 signatures, the most notable ones being Ginny, Fred, George and Ron Weasley, plus Hermione, Neville and the most important member of the team, Dean, the sports genius. Gryffindor Quiddich team members Katie Bell and veteran former Keeper Oliver Wood dropped their signatures into the mix to complete the team.

After classes had finished, they congregated in the Gryffindor common room, away from the Great Hall, and certainly away from any of the Slytherins, who were already creepy about the mass levels of hype being generated at the Gryffindor table.

"So, how am I going to put this?" asked Harry at the start of the meeting, as Hermione rung a small bell to signify a House Meeting in progress.

"You want to go for twenty-four hours riding on a... broomstick?" said Percy Weasley nastily.

"Piss off Percy." Whispered George and Fred angrily, as Percy got up and walked towards his dormitory.

"Anyway, let's continue." Said Hermione, now acting as the main mediator in the group.

"Well, I've managed to get Dumbledore and McGonagall's permission." Harry carried on with excitement.

"So, what are we going to take to race in France?" Dean asked.

"Errmmmm..." said pretty much everyone in the room. Most of the attendees had never heard of any other wizarding sport apart from Quidditch, and needed to be introduced to track-based sports by Dean.

"We've got a massive shed back home." thought Ron aloud. "We could use that for the development of the racestick, (a term he just coined for a racing broomstick) plus rider training, repairs etc.

"That'll work great." Said Dean. "I'll also get some technical manuals and some extra stuff!" he finished with a smile beaming on his face.

Someone then knocked on the door to Gryffindor Tower.

Hermione then opened it, revealing Luna Lovegood and Cho Chang, a Hufflepuff and a Ravenclaw, who could not stop trying to say whatever they'd stuffed into their heads.

"We'd like to join your team for this stunt that's going on". Said Luna and Cho together, as they stepped forward and added their names to the roster.

As they sat down, Ron immediately wondered how they'd got word of the racing team.

"We'd listened to you talking!" They laughed, as Ron suddenly realised that they had been lip-reading his every word.

His face then turned red.

And so, that night, Dumbledore granted them permission to leave and they Dissaperated towards Ron's house. After they arrived, they pitched up their magical tents, and relaxed/ slept until morning...

Meanwhile, during the night...

Ron, George, Fred and Arthur Weasley sat down at a wooden table inside the Burrow, the Weasley's family home, trying to grasp their heads around the IFBR rules guidebook, over several cups of coffee and some bright lights.

"So then, what are we going to stick in this machine?" Arthur pondered nervously. Even though he liked Muggle technology and had actually seen a Grand Prix on a TV in a Muggle shop he walked by once, the technical regulations of racebrooms blew him away with their complexity, designed to ensure fair and clean racing action.

For the reader, here's a small, but important part of the rulebook, and also the list of factory teams.

Broomstick Bristles: 1 maximum.

Chassis: Minimum weight for an IFBR racestick is 475kg including fluids and pilot with the maximum weight at 800kg. All chassis designs that teams submit must be sent off to the IFBR for simulated crash testing to ensure total pilot safety. No pass no race.

Pilot Aids: A first for the 1995 season, the IFBR had given all teams a standard racestick management computer (RMC) which outlawed launch control, lift control and banned stabilisation techniques used by some of the more cunning and devious teams.

Wildcards- In some races, teams that are only contesting a single or two events can enter as wildcards (George figured out that they could use the wildcard rule to enter)

As Arthur concentrated on the rulebook, the other Weasley's got to work. Ron sent Harry's owl to the Firebolt racing team headquarters in Cologne, Germany with a quick request for some broomstick bristles, and the others set about designing and then building the chassis by self-replicating carbon-fibre and other exotic materials with their wands.

Meanwhile, Ron was reading The Guide, a small booklet from the Daily Prophet about the teams and tracks in this year's championship.

(Here's a small clip from the guide)

The Teams

Firebolt

They're the ones who: Manage to stay in the butterbeer lounge from year to year by choosing the best weapon to bar entry to the others- either genius engineers, ruthless and cunning pilots or resourceful lawyers in the wizarding court.

Last year's magic moment: The brilliantly choreographed start in China that saw the team gang up on Alistair Reading: they elbowed him from second on the grid to fourth by the first corner, the Hogwarts equivalent of Crabbe and Goyle ganging up on Harry.

Modesty update: "We have to deal with a championship where everybody tries to beat Firebolt." says the team principal, Gientro Tassoti. "I want to underline that we have a lot of humility and we do not think that we will win easily."

The reality: Didn't exactly dominate last year (Firebolt picked up 204 constructor's points, Nimbus 218 before they were chucked out of the window) but the team have enjoyed a seamless winter as other rival teams have had pilots and personnel come and go. Heikki Suomi (nicknamed the "Ice girl") looks set to retain her IFBR pilots title- she set fast times during winter practise.

What to say about the racestick: "Logical evolution of the 1994 machine, with extra priority given to increased lift and braking power"

What not to say about the racestick: "Not the same old black again!... Isn't there something more eye-catching you could use?"

Best friends or bust-up? Best friends, sort of. Michael Gordenbaster seems settled, but as a rookie, has a point or two to prove, while Suomi wants to retain her title. Oh, and sign yet another 3 year contract with Firebolt.

Pilots: Heikki Suomi (#1), Michael Gordenbaster (#2)

Nimbus

They're the ones who: Love it when the owl delivers a surprise package. Whatever could be in it? Chocolate Frogs? A cake?

Last year's magic moment: Alistair Reading and Natalie Bedford's fantastic one-two finish in Malaysia, confirming Nimbus's strong and reliable team line-up. In fact, most of their performances were magic until Reading bottled it in China.

Modesty update: " I plan to take everyone by surprise this year." says Reading, who took everyone by surprise last year at his new found form. " I have a few tricks up my sleeve and my main goal is to win the world title."

The reality: Allegations that they had feasted on illegally acquired Firebolt data left them reeling in 1994. It cost them a 50 million galleon fine and all their constructors' points. Despite this though, the team seemed upbeat during winter testing, even though they had to submit their racestick to independent IFBR checks after Firebolt lawyers ran off and cried to the officials. A minor falling out between the two pilots then turned into a major one as Natalie left the team and re-seated herself at Comet. The deal that did this transferred Andres Olivier, the long-complaint second star of Comet, into Nimbus's hands.

What to say about the racestick: "Superb development of last year's machine. Of course, certain areas of design have been subjected to restricted development in an effort to assure Firebolt that no prohibited material is being used"

What not to say about the racestick: "Is that a lightning bolt on the underside? Ah no, my mistake, must be a trick of the light."

Best friends or bust-up? Best friends, as the combination of Reading's pace and Andres Oliver's experience means that they will be up there with Firebolt this year.

Pilots: Alistair Reading (#22), Andres Olivier (#23)

Comet

They're the ones who: Were the playboys who had the best pilot and won, lost the best pilot and struggled, and have spent all winter with their arm around her (Natalie's) shoulder while crossing their fingers and whispering:

"You're home now. We feel your pain. The bad men (at Nimbus) can't hurt you anymore. Everything's going to be all right."

Last year's magic moment: Andres Olivier winging it to their only podium of the year, his second place in a rain-soaked Japan. Duly got his reward when he was dumped at the end of the year, a blessing in disguise as he picked up Bedford's recently vacated seat at Nimbus as a result.

Modesty update: "We are a very good team." says Sebastian Dumont, the team principal. Pretty sure he's talking about Comet, not Puddlemere United. He's got to be.

The reality: After two glorious seasons, Comet dropped off the edge of the map in 1994. Now they have to prove they are on top of their "technically quantifiable problems". In other words, that they know how to get the very best out of their broomstick bristles and aero setup.

What to say about the racestick: "The pilots are hoping fervently that the CX360 is as user-friendly as its predecessor was precarious. If not, Bedford will reflect that being ditched by Nimbus might have been the end of her career in the big time."

What not to say about the racestick: "Seen the state of the bristles, Natalie? And I don't suppose you could fill me in on the aero problems during winter testing..."

Best friends or bust-up? Bust-up coming. If new pretender Susannah Du Cour' and new test and reserve pilot Draco Malfoy (brought in via his dad Lucius's sponsorship deal) are as feisty as they look, Bedford- who has proven form after her falling out with Alistair Reading- can expect pit wall-to pit wall aggravation.

Pilots: Natalie Bedford (#5), Susannah Du Cour' (#6)

Cleansweep

They're the ones who: Strolled around in no-wizard's land last season with useless aerodynamics and a team of designers who created what the paddock nicknamed 'The Brick.' In other words, they need a good season.

Last year's magic moment: An agitated Allesandro Torrero welcoming new hotshot Nagura Suzuki to the team with a large bottle of Butterbeer as an encouragement gift.

Modesty update: "The Cleansweep Racing Team's ethos is one of dedication to sporting excellence, borne out of 40 years of Cleansweep's racing heritage and a shared responsibility for change in our society" says the newspaper article.

The reality: 1994 was disastrous, and the team was limp, mitigated only by Torero's fine fifth in Italy. But with their brand new design team, headed up by Firebolt's former team director, their 1995 season could be interesting.

What to say about the racestick: "Better than last year's appalling dog, but nowhere near the level required. Suffered from aerodynamic problems last year and insufficient testing in the winter, so they will be playing catch-up for the first few races."

What not to say about the racestick: "Is it a balsawood or oak? Not a wind-up, surely?"

Best friends or bust-up? Bust-ups only occur when the two pilots operate at the same level. Torero's confidence seems shot to pieces, so this is a love story with all the hallmarks of a long-term relationship; ennui, depression, one person slowly leaving another behind, a sense of drifting apart.

Pilots: Allesandro Torero (#17), Nagura Suzuki (#18)

Track list

The IFBR 1995 championship schedule:

Australian GP, Albert Park, Sydney

Malaysian GP, Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur

Bahrain GP, Sakhir

San Marino GP, Imola

French GP, Le Mans, (which is a 24 hour special race)

Monaco GP, Monte Carlo (night race)

British GP, Silverstone (night race)

German GP, Nurburgring Nordeschlife

Brazilian GP, Interlagos

United States GP, Laguna Seca Raceway

Hungarian GP, Budapest

Spanish GP, Barcelona (night race)

European GP, Hogsmeade street circuit

Italian GP, Monza (night race)

Japanese GP, Mt. Fuji circuit

Belgian GP, Spa Francorchamps

Chinese GP, Shanghai International Circuit