Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to Pixar. All OCs belong to me.

Chapter 7 - Day 1 at the Adelaide 500

Adelaide 500 Day 1 – Adelaide Street Circuit, Adelaide, South Australia – 26thFebruary, 2015

Okay, here we go… Lightning thought as he listened to the Development Series rookies racing around the tight Adelaide street circuit. It was only twenty minutes past eight in the morning, and the rookies were the first racers to test out the track. Dutto had woken Lightning, Jamie and Craig at five-thirty, so they could go for the team's track drive shortly after dawn.

One thing really concerned Lightning about this track. One of the rules was that if more than two tyres went over the yellow lines on the kerb at turn two, you'd be given an official warning. If it occurred more than four times during a race, you'd receive a pit lane penalty. If the same thing happened during qualifying, you'd be disqualified. Lightning had never raced on a track that had that as a rule, so it made him nervous. Turn eight was also a major concern for him. It was a fast sweeper just before Peter Brock Straight, which had an average top speed of 251 kilometres an hour, surrounded by solid concrete walls. There was no room for any errors there. Lightning had felt sick when Jamie told him that someone had been killed there during a support race a few years earlier.

Now, Lightning was just going through the final preparations for his first practice session on the track. He felt ready, but he also felt sick with nerves. He didn't want to let anyone down, especially Dutto.

"I hope you've had all the protein oil I told you to have," Dutto said as he cast his experienced eyes over Lightning. He could tell at once if something was amiss with any of the racers, but Lightning looked pretty good. Nervous, but good.

"Yes, Dutto," Lightning replied quietly.

"What's got you so nervous?"

"How'd you know I was nervous?"

"Experience. Let me guess. It's Jamie's comment about the racer who was killed here, right?"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry. The track's had some improvements since then. Jamie might be a teammate, but he does like to stir. Relax. You can do this."

"Dutto, I've never been on a street circuit as tight as this one! Even the courses in the World Grand Prix weren't as narrow as this!"

Dutto parked himself firmly in front of Lightning. For the first time since he'd met Lightning, he saw genuine fear in his eyes. He softened slightly and he leaned in a bit closer. It was time for some tough love. "Then quit!" he whispered.

Lightning gulped, and Dutto knew that his subtle message had struck the right place. Lightning took a deep breath to try and calm himself.

"All Development Series racers please make your way into pit lane, now!" an official called out as he drove past.

Gritting his teeth, Lightning started his engine, revving it aggressively. Dutto smiled. That trick always worked. Once Lightning had driven out of the garage, Dutto joined Leyland in front of the monitors.

"Radio check. Can you hear me, Lightning?"

"Yes," Lightning replied. Since Tripe Eight had their pit garage right next to the pit row exit, Lightning would be the first car out onto the track, just like he'd been first out in Sydney. He'd have to get used to that, since Tripe Eight always had their garage in the same number one position in the pits at every racetrack.

Lightning watched the official wave his green flag, signalling the start of the first practice session. Lightning accelerated up to an acceptable pace. He didn't want to go too fast until he'd gotten the overall feel of the track. Surprisingly, most of the other racers seemed to be doing the exact same thing.

"Great work, Lightning," Dutto told him as he found his way cleanly around turn eight. "We'll focus on precision for now. Don't be afraid to attack the apexes. This track is designed to be hard on your suspension, so don't worry if it starts hurting after a while. Everyone will feel the same way by the end of this."

"Copy that," Lightning replied.

They were barely six minutes into the practice session, when it ended abruptly. Lightning was just rounding turn four when he saw trackside officials waving red flags.

"Red flag, red flag," Dutto told Lightning. "Come into the pits on this lap."

"What happened?" Lightning asked.

"Rookie Jamie Sharp went into the tyre wall on turn two," Dutto explained. "The officials have decided to suspend the practice session for now. You need to come into pit row, but stay in the lane. There'll be an official here to tell you what to do."

Bummer! Lightning thought as he slowed right down. He'd just begun getting comfortable with the track too. He led the rest of the field down pit row where, sure enough, several officials were already waiting to marshal the racers. Lightning stopped where he was told, but he left his engine running so he'd be warmed up and ready to go at a moment's notice.

"Sorry about that, Lightning," Leyland said, driving over to him. "The race officials just want to check that corner, to make sure everything's okay. Plus, they need to give the tow truck room to get Sharp out. He's stuck fast."

"Probably loosened a few teeth too," Dutto muttered over the radio, making Lightning chuckle. Leyland glared at Lightning.

"Care to share the joke?"

"Ask Dutto," Lightning replied, winking.

Shaking his front, Leyland returned inside the team's garage. Looking ahead to turn two, which was in the middle of the chicane, Lightning could see Jamie Sharp being pulled out of the tyre wall. The unfortunate rookie was complaining loudly.

Once the officials had repaired the tyre wall, and ensured that the track hadn't been damaged, the racers were given the 'all clear'. Still leading the field, Lightning fell in behind the safety car, who led the racers around for one lap.

"Get ready to go, Speedster," Dutto said when he saw the safety car peel off and return to the pits. As Lightning came out of the hairpin turn, he saw the starter waving the green flag. The moment Lightning passed over the start/finish line, he accelerated up to a fast, but respectable practice speed.

The rest of the practice went without incident. Owing to the time limitations caused by the accident, the racers were only able to complete twelve laps overall. Lightning had grown in confidence by the time he'd completed his tenth lap.

"Would you like to go for a fast lap?" Dutto asked him.

"Sure! Why not?"

"Okay, when you cross over the start/finish line again, put your headlights on and go for it."

"Copy that." In the V8 Supercars, it was an unofficial rule that racers who had their headlights on were doing a fast lap. It was polite for racers to give way to those who had their headlights on. The officials didn't mind, since it was a good way to help prevent collisions.

Gritting his teeth with determination, Lightning waited until he was only a few metres away from the start/finish line before he turned his headlights on and floored it. Paul, who'd been behind him, was surprised to see Lightning accelerating away from him.

"Oh, no you don't!" he muttered as he also turned his headlights on and accelerated. Most of the other racers followed suite.

As Lightning tore down Peter Brock Straight at almost 250 kilometres an hour, he double checked the settings on his brake bias lever. In that moment, he realised that that tiny little device was the only thing that could make all the difference between a fast lap, or a disastrous crash. He could see turn eight rapidly approaching. Leaving it as late as he dared, he braked ever so slightly, and turned. For a terrifying split second, he was certain that he'd side-swipe the wall. There was a loud 'crack!' followed by a clutter as his left-hand rear-view mirror broke and came off as it hit the concrete wall, but Lightning could live with that. They were only temporary rear-view mirrors, held on by suction caps. The incident didn't hurt him whatsoever, and he continued around the rest of the course. He wasn't sure, but he thought he heard Dutto breathe a sigh of relief over the radio.

Less than thirty seconds later, Lightning flew down the home straight. The small crowd in the grandstands cheered and applauded.

"Brilliant work, Lightning!" Dutto told him as Lightning decelerated and switched off his headlights. "We just need to wait for the rest of the field to finish, but you've currently got the fastest time!"

"Yes!" Lightning exclaimed, panting heavily.

"I must say, you gave me a real scare at turn eight!"

Lightning cringed. "Sorry."

"Hey, don't apologise for that. Rear-view mirrors fall off all the time around here. But if you must apologise to someone, apologise to Leyland. He almost bit his lower lip off!"

Lightning chuckled. He was feeling much better now, and very comfortable with the course.

"When's my next practice?" Lightning asked once he'd returned to the Redbulldozer Racing garage. One of the pit crew members was removing what was left of his rear-view mirror.

"Not until twelve-twenty," Dutto replied. "It'll go for half an hour."

"We have the team meeting at ten," Leyland reminded him, ignoring Lightning. Dutto nodded. His computer beeped, and he looked at it. Lightning flinched as his new rear-view mirror was secured into position. It didn't hurt; it was just cold.

"I've just received the official times for the first practice," Dutto told Leyland.

"How did Lightning go?"

"He's still on top with a time of one minute, twenty-three point three-four-four-seven seconds. Paul was a tenth of a second behind him."

Leyland looked at Lightning. "Not bad… I hope you do much better in your next practice."

Lightning sighed despondently as Leyland drove away. "Permission to have a drink, Dutto?" he asked wearily.

At Dutto's nod, Lightning went over to the fridge.

As usual, Lightning found the team meeting boring. So did Jamie and, to a point, Craig. Especially since the majority of what Leyland said was aimed at the pit crew and crew chiefs. The three racers were parked together at the back of the garage, with Jamie in between Craig and Lightning. Jamie chewed loudly on a wad of gum throughout the whole meeting, much to Leyland's annoyance. Afterwards, he took Jamie aside and made him spit the gum into a bin. Jamie returned to the garage thoroughly chastened. Lightning later found out that Leyland had decided to fine Jamie a hundred dollars for disrupting the meeting. He disappeared from the garage a short time later. Dutto said that Jamie was just restless and keen to hit the track. Lightning easily understood that, but it still didn't excuse Jamie's rude behaviour.

"How are you, Craig?" Lightning asked him kindly as he drove over to the older racer.

"Tired and stressed," he replied, sighing. "My lawyer says that my wife wants to make our separation official. We've been referred to a marriage guidance counsellor. We're seeing him next week."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Craig sighed sadly. "Thanks. I just wish I could be with my kids again. At least being here and racing is a welcome distraction."

"Yeah, I guess… Is there anything I can do to help?"

Craig cast Lightning a small smile. "Just stay faithful to Sally. Seeing you happy with her gives me hope that I might be able to restore my own marriage. Anyway, I hope you do well in your second practice. I'll be watching you and cheering you on."

"Thanks."

"Ready to go, Lightning?" Dutto asked, driving past him and Craig.

"Yup! Let's do this."

The second practice session went really well for Lightning. He managed to stay clear of all the drama happening behind him. Watching the replay later, he found out that Garry Jacobson had locked up his rear wheels during the second lap, and had gone straight into the tyre wall at turn ten. He'd managed to get back onto the track, but the collision had been enough for his crew chief to order him into the pits, resulting in his retirement from the practice so he could be checked out by the track doctor. Then, on lap six, Aaron McSkill and Brett Hobson ended up colliding with each other on turn seven. Unfortunately, the trackside cameras missed the collision, so the officials had to rely on the cameras mounted on the two racers themselves to work out who was to blame. Lightning never found out who'd been at fault, but Aaron's rear end had slammed into a concrete wall, damaging it enough to warrant some intense medical treatment after the practice session. That incident caused another red flag. Lightning hated having to return to pit row right when his engine and tyres had come up to the prefect racing temperature, but he didn't have any other choice. It reminded him of what happened during the Enduro Cup at the Bathurst 1000 the previous year. He, and the rest of the racers, been forced to wait on the grid for over an hour while the officials had a small section of tarmac repaired. It was lucky that had occurred though, because Lightning had unknowingly ruptured a vital oil line during an earlier collision with a wall. He could've bled to death had it not been noticed in time.

Once the racers were allowed back out onto the track, Lightning focussed on his speed. It paid off in the end, because he ended the practice session with the fastest time again.

"One minute, twenty-two point oh-nine-eight-four seconds," Dutto read out from the official times after Lightning had returned to the garage. "You're the only one who broke the one minute twenty-three second mark."

"That's a bit better," Leyland said, frowning. "For qualifying, I want to see you in the low twenty-ones…"

Lightning rolled his eyes, and he turned to Craig. "Is he never satisfied?"

"Only if things go the way he wants. Never mind about him. We've got a few hours before your qualifying round. Want to go find Sally and Jamie, and get some lunch together?"

"Sure. If Dutto will let me."

Dutto looked up at them. "Go ahead. Just make sure Lightning's back here by three-thirty. His qualifying is at a quarter past four."

"Will do!" Craig called as he and Lightning left the garage.

"Nervous?" Dutto asked Lightning as he watched the racer being prepared for his qualifying round by the pit crew a few hours later.

"A bit," Lightning confessed. "To be honest, I just want to have a nice, clean run this time."

"Just as long as you combine that with speed," Leyland reminded him.

Lightning ignored him. "Must I use the soft tyres? I'm still not really comfortable with them."

"They are faster than hard tyres," Craig told him. "The only problem is that they tend to disintegrate faster. Try not to wear them out too much, and then you'll be able to reuse them in your races tomorrow."

"Thank you, Craig," Dutto interjected. "I was just about to explain that to him." He turned to the pit crew. "Have you topped up his fuel?"

One of them nodded. "His tank's completely full."

"Yeah, and I can feel it too," Lightning muttered.

Dutto pulled on his headset. "Can you hear me, Lightning?"

"Loud and clear."

"Good. You'd better get out there now. Good luck."

Nodding, Lightning drove out of the garage, and he took his now familiar position at the pit row exit.

"Okay, focus…" he whispered to himself as he began to visualise the racetrack in his mind's eye. "Fifteen turns. Three significant straights. Chicane; four ninety degree turns going right, left, right and right again; terrible turn eight; Peter Brock Straight; Brabham Straight; apex turn nine; gentle corners; the hairpin and, finally, the home straight. Speed. I. Am. Speed…"

The green flag waved in front of Lightning, and he promptly accelerated onto the track. The chicane really shook him around the first time he passed it, and upon landing off the final apex of the chicane, his shock absorbers began to ache.

"We might have to loosen your shock absorbers before your first race tomorrow," Dutto told him over the radio.

"How did you know they were bothering me?"

"Easy. I can see everything on my monitors. You're looking really good though."

"Thanks, Dutto."

Lightning returned his attention to the track. He desperately wanted to break the one minute, twenty second mark to keep Leyland happy. However, a yellow flag on the second lap temporarily put a stop to his sprint.

"Who caused that?" Lightning demanded to know as he slowed down.

"Chelsea, the other female rookie," Dutto replied. "She's okay. She just went for a spin. They'll be going green again in a minute. Just hang in there."

Sure enough, the green flag was waved as Lightning completed the lap. He accelerated again, hoping to put in a really fast lap before something else happened.

Luckily, the rest of the qualifying round was incident free, and Lightning was able to post some decent times. His final lap time was the fastest though - 1:21.6959.

Back in the garage, Lightning was staring in disbelief at the monitor that was displaying the lap times, when Craig parked beside him.

"You did great, Speedster!" he said encouragingly.

"Really? I was aiming to break one minute twenty…"

"Lightning McQueen! Even I can't break one minute twenty! Jamie holds the track record for V8 Supercars! He set it back in 2012. From memory, it was a very low one-twenty-one."

"Craig's right," Leyland said, driving over. "You were only six-tenths of a second slower than Jamie's record."

Lightning's jaw dropped in astonishment. "Leyland!" was all he managed to say.

Leyland chuckled. "Well, I had to figure out a way to get you to go faster and boost your confidence. And I must say that it was very effective. I know this isn't the kind of racing you're used to, but if I keep pushing you like that, we might see some track records being broken by you soon."

For once, Lightning was left completely speechless!

Wow! Long chapter... I think the racing chapters will be the longest. There was a lot of information to go through to ensure that this is correctly based on what really happened. Watching replays of the practice sessions for the V8 Supercars Dunlop Development Series at the Clipsal Adelaide 500 has been fun. Lightning's times are the same as Cameron Water's who is the current Dunlop Development Series leader (hint! hint!). Please review!