Race For Red Trophies

A/N: I came up with this idea while indulging a favourite pastime of mine; playing a certain racing game until all hours of the morning. The characters themselves may appear a little out of character at first, but their true colours will come through with time. Enjoy…

Chapter one: Sponsorship

Patrick Jane stepped onto the racetrack and took a deep breath. 'Nothing like rubber and asphalt in the early morning to get the blood pumping,' he thought with satisfaction as he glanced around.

Jane was one of five wealthy men looking to sponsor promising young racers, and the five of them were all guests at a race showcasing Sacramento's young talent. The other four men, all businessmen with money to spend, stood reading their clipboards intently. They were comparing racing logistics and statistics, and making notes on racers with potential. Jane looked down at the clipboard he held with mild disinterest. He could spot potential within the first ten minutes, and always signed on the best racers. He glanced around and watched as the first of the racers arrived.

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The racers all brought their own cars, modified – within legal limits – any way they wanted. Jane looked the cars over with interest. The cars always said more than the driver ever could. The race was half an hour away from beginning when the last of the cars arrived. This car was a red Pontiac GTO, and Jane stared at it with an awed expression in his sapphire eyes. This car had very few of the frills associated with legalised street racing, but the mere sound of the engine sent chills up his spine. The driver emerged and headed quickly in the direction of the tables in order to sign in. Jane noted with some interest that he wore his cap low over his eyes, and that he was considerably smaller than any of the other drivers. Jane pulled out his cell phone and dialled a number. "Grace," he crooned to the woman on the other end of the line. "Keep an eye on the red GTO. This one looks promising."

Grace Van Pelt, seated in the guest suite, promised that she would. Jane snapped his phone shut and observed the tiny racer re-emerging through the crowd. He walked swiftly to his car and got in. Jane couldn't see clearly into the car, and never got a good enough look as his face to tell for sure what kind of person he was dealing with. The green flag was held out, and the racers all started their engines. Jane stepped back as the flag was waved, signalling a warm-up lap. The GTO hung towards the back of the group, and Jane watched the strategy with increasing interest. The cars appeared from the other side of the track, and the green flag dropped. The race was on.

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Teresa Lisbon felt the familiar rush of adrenalin through her system as the flag dropped. She pushed her foot down and eased her car past the racer in front of her. She knew that, for her to succeed in getting a sponsorship, she would have place in the top three.

Lisbon had grown up around cars. Racing was in her blood, and the numerous trophies and medals that dotted her tiny apartment were testament to that fact. Her father had been a great racer in his time, and Lisbon had learnt everything she knew from him. He had been killed on a racetrack, and Lisbon had vowed to keep up his legacy. However, women were not readily accepted in this line of work, and too many egotistical men had turned her down because they didn't think she was good enough. This race would prove her worth, and hopefully give her a shot at the professional league.

She was now sitting at fourth, having pushed her car easily past the lesser equipped drivers. Her custom engine roared as she closed the gap in front of her. Third was coming up fast, and she passed him on the inside. She cut sharply in front of him, causing him to drop back to avoid getting hit. The laps continued to disappear as she inched her way up on second. The second place driver was a big shot – or so he thought – that she had tangled with in the past. It had not ended well for him; three thousand dollars of damage later. She had gladly taken the money after he brought his car to her repair shop for her to fix. She was one of the best mechanics in downtown Sacramento. Second place recognised the red GTO behind him and cut her off on the corner. She scowled in frustration and pushed closer. She was driving dangerously, and she knew it. However, she also knew the power of her modified engine. She pushed her foot flat and watched with some satisfaction as he was caught off guard. She passed him with half a lap to spare, and finished second.

Lisbon had managed, since arriving on the amateur racing scene two years previously, to keep a relatively low profile. So a loud knock on her window made her jump. A man in a navy blue three piece suit stood on the other side of the glass. She wound the window down an inch. "Yes?"

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Jane looked down into the car with some surprise. The driver hadn't removed his helmet, and Jane noted that he hadn't even removed his seatbelt. "I've come to talk sponsorship," he said.

The driver opened the glove box and dug around before producing a business card. "Meet me at this address, then we'll talk."

Jane took the card, and the driver started the engine. The car peeled out, leaving Jane in its wake. The other four businessmen were busy discussing with prospective drivers, and the nearest one looked up at him. "No luck then, Jane?" he laughed.

Jane turned away, slightly annoyed with the driver he had picked. He looked down at the card he was holding. "Lisbon's Repairs," He mumbled. An address was printed onto it, along with the name T. Lisbon. He slid the card into his pocket and headed towards his car. The other businessmen were still laughing as he drove off.

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Lisbon arrived back at her garage and parked her car in the corner. She popped the hood and peered earnestly at the engine block. Something hadn't felt quite right, and so she pulled out a spanner and poked around. Her helmet lay on her passenger seat, and her long ebony hair floated lazily around her shoulders. She pulled it away from her face and began tweaking her already modified engine. She started the car and revved, nodding in satisfaction as her engine now produced the desired sound. She was coated in grease, and even had some smudged across her cheek. The arrival of a gold Mercedes caught her attention, and she found an old rag to clean her hands on. She watched the driver get out, and saw that it was the businessman from the racetrack.

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Jane checked the address on the card again before stepping out onto the pavement. A young woman came out to greet him. "Hi," he said. "I'm looking for, I would assume, T. Lisbon. My name is Patrick Jane."

The woman smiled. "You've found her. How can I help you?"

Jane's mouth couldn't help but fall open in surprise, but Lisbon just raised an eyebrow. She was used to this reaction from people who came to her repair shop. "You're the racer from this morning?" he asked.

Lisbon merely turned and headed back into the garage. Jane followed, and spotted the GTO in the corner. "Ms Lisbon," he said, grinning widely. "How would you like to talk sponsorships?"

Lisbon grinned back. "Not discouraged by the fact that I'm five foot four and female?"

Jane laughed. "You have great potential," he eyed the GTO in the corner. "And an impressive machine."

Lisbon stepped over to her car. "It's been completely modified. It now has a 2.4 litre turbo-charged V8 with four wheel drive and low-slung suspension, complete with six speed gearbox, roll cage, and five-point harness."

Jane nodded, only half understanding. Basically, the car was a beauty that could push its way past any competitor who got in its way. He had a feeling the tiny woman before him wouldn't hesitate to do the same. He turned to Lisbon. "You win the next three races, and I'll push you into the professional league."

Lisbon dropped the spanner she was holding. "Pro-professional league?" she stammered.

Jane nodded and held out his hand. Lisbon took it and shook it. "Now," he said. "Tell me more about this impressive machine of yours."

Lisbon smiled and glanced at the gold Mercedes in the driveway. "you want a tune up?"

Jane glanced at his car. "I don't see why not. Go ahead."

Lisbon laughed and picked up her spanner.

A/N2: I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. Please review. Thanks.