Initial D From around the world prologue - chapter 8
The usual disclaimer: Initial D is the ownership of Shigeno.
North American distributor Tokyopop also has to be mentioned
As for auto makers...
Auto makers including Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Catherham, Sheby, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda, Subaru, Lotus, Ferrari, Porsche, Rilley and Scot, Mc Laren, Ameritech, and any other said car makers or constructors that I don't obviously own.
Including tuners, tires, brake makers, etc, including, Endless, TIEN, Dunlop, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Namco, Sega, Firestone, BBS, Enki, OZ, Nismo, TRD, Mazda Speed, Ford Racing, Prat Miller, etc...
Anything I don't own by any account is of their owners, including stuff I'll no doubt forget to mention right here...
This chapter branch is to deal with some actual track racing. I figure I'd cram in one or two to show a theater that Kile does have a definite strength in, that is the circuit. 2nd or third attempt without screwing up... so wish me luck on this one...epically with experimentation on the 2nd half of this chapter...in addition to just finishing up basic introductions.
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Part 1 - Pearl Blue Soul...
"...okay... just remember what you were taught and what you know Kile..."
...the young racer thought to himself as he sat in the bucket seat on the left side of the ZR-1 Corvette race car as he felt it let off it's air jacks as Kile calmly pressed the starter button...
A minor mechanical cough escaped the exhaust before the engine came to life in a very menacing roar as he made the engine approach the redline a few times as it gave off a familiar, characteristic roar of thunder that was accustomed to an 8 cylinder as he let off from 5000 rpm, allowing the engine to die down to idle rpm at just over 1000 revolutions per minute.
"I sware...I can almost feel the power of this thing under the pedal...maybe it's the vibration thru the chassis or something...I haven't driven that many cars aside from the Camaro, Corolla, and 240, but this just feels... wow..."
He griped the steering wheel with his left hand that was now wearing a black racing glove... in fact he was now sitting in the car seat suited up in his racing uniform, mostly black with some white... helmet included as it too was all black as a mechanic whom also wore a black racing uniform, gave the A-okay as he turned out and right to the pit lane... carefully avoiding the red and white #12 Nissan 300ZX as it drove by him slowly before he himself got up to pit speed...Soon he was behind the car as the pit lane was about to end...
"...I wonder... could I keep up with that Nissan?"
He thought as he floored the gas as the lane ended as the deafening roar filled the cockpit even thru the helmet as he begun his free run secession...as he upshifted into 2nd...
Minutes later the black and white striped race-modified ZR-1 pulled into the pitlane... unlike the other racing ZR-1... this one had extensive external modifications, and most of them for function and some style...
Aside from being 2 inches wider on both sides overall due to additional body work, partly for the car to house larger tires, and for more travel in the suspension during racing...and aerodynamic purposes, it sat several inches shorter, and at the rear at the trunk a rear wing that looked rather plain, comparable to that of a Ferrari F40 looking simple in appearance, but functional to some extent in the business of keeping the car planted to the ground at speed.
The interior like the other car was striped down to bare essentials... only the passenger side airbag was left un affected despite the lack of a passenger seat.
Like the street racer... the red bucket seats both had 5 point harness belts... the reason being that this car is meant for traveling at speeds above 380 kph and for that... no risks could be taken in the event of any accident. The same was said for the visible rollcage and and fire extinguisher in the middle of the cockpit... the steering wheel was obviously not normal either, a black 3 spoke wheel that was like many other cars having similar wheels being black and lacking a airbag... beyond that was the dashboard instrument panel.
A similar LCD monitor was present but this one having the RPM count not up to 10,000rpm but 11,0000 with the red zone just over 8000...above that was the mph/kph indicator... fuel... oil and water temperature, distance, and other various indicators of anything occurring within the car.
Finally on the outside...Sponsors were placed on key points all over the car, including Goodyear, BBS, Fujifilm, Momo, Namco and other companies, it's car number was #86 on both sides... as the car pulled in... it was lifted on it's air jacks as the pit crew quickly took off the Goodyear racing slicks as Kile opened the door and unfastened his seat belt... making just over part of the rollcage in the door... taking off his helmet and additional fire mask to face his father also donned in a similar outfit...
"How does it feel like?" John asked his son...
"It feels great dad."
He said excitedly before he started to let himself clam down a bit from the run...
"It accelerates very quickly off the line, grip is only lost for an instant but then the tires hold the road so well. It also turns very fast. I never felt a car that could corner so well. I was surprised I could keep at speed with that Nissan and not let that Ford behind me pass me. It sounds just like the other ZR-1."
"That's because both carry the same basic engine block. But this one has been optimized more for endurance racing. It's still cranking a bit more than the other LT5... but at slightly lower RPMs."
"Why?"
"To minimize engine damage. The damage of the engine starts to happen past 8800rpm... but I've set the limiter to 8200 for good measure.
"Okay."
"As for the feel of it, well, the tires play a key part, there slicks and even though they are of a harder compound, which means less grip than say super soft tires, compared to street tires, they are superior to a high extent. The setup for the suspension in addition to the aerodynamics help to an extent. It's nothing like say a group C car..."
"Group C car?"
"...but it can get the job done as you no doubt felt..."
Kile could only nod to this...
"I Guess..." He replied back.
"It seams totally unreal compared to the Camaro. It's crazy."
"It is son. But trust me, there are also insane cars."
"How?"
"A tale for another time perhaps... Any suggestions to the setup you have in mind?"
Kile thought about this for a minute before replying.
"It seams perfect for this course. My only problem is, it feels a little lose going into the left hairpin and I have just have that little grip on the rear tires for a little too long coming out before the high speed section leading to the back strait before the chicane area. I feel like I'm not going fast enough for too long."
"You sure? How do you use the throttle coming into that corner?"
"Well... past the fast right... going into the left hairpin... I go for the far outside...and ease on to the brakes before I go full force...I downshift to around 3rd or 2nd...let off the brakes... turn in... and give a little throttle... and I'm past the apex of the left...I give a little more before flooring it...and that's when I hear the tires screech a little."
"Sounds like you're getting on the throttle a little too early."
"You sure?... when I was chasing the supra... I noticed that the driver steeped on the gas around the same time... but his car came out smoother than mine. I was faster but I had a brief instant of wheel spin...Infact it seams to happen whenever I do come out of any low speed corner and that hairpin is the worst of them."
"...hmm..."
"...the supra is a turbo...lag perhaps so the driver can step on it more than you would a N/A...maybe so...then again...we've got cars like the 300ZX and F40 that are twin turbo with better response...and then we have the N/A cars like ours...if they can get to the throttle earlier..."
John thought...
"...then maybe it is the setup...I'll give it a run and see what happens..."
...he looks at one of the pit men...
"Are we ready to go again?"
"Where good!"
"Okay!... I'll be back in a few minutes son."
With that he puts on his helmet, as he gets back into the car and straps himself in as he restarts the engine...a quarter minute later, he puts the car into 1st gear and heads back out...the familiar roar fades with the sounds of the other engines as Kile walks to a chair in the garage as he opened the top of his shirt before sitting on a chair as he could see and hear the work in the pits...the deep moaning sound of a twin turbo rotary passes and fades quickly accompanied by a banshi-ish ear splitting scream of a V10 a few seconds later...
"...when I stop for a second... I just think...not too long ago I won my first ever street race. Was it by luck really?... or did I show some real skill?...it's similar here... am I only fast because of what I learned?... or is it because the car is fast...am I really skilled enough...?"
Kile continued to contemplate this...as the sound of a V6 that could pass for a V8 came and went...
"...then again... dad did say that the credit for car and driver is about 50--"
...as he felt a hand tap his shoulder...as a Ferrari F40 passed by pit lane.
"Hey Kile."
...he looked up and saw a familiar kid a year or so older than he was of Caucasian decent and stood a few inches shorter than he was with messy red hair, and blue eyes...infact... it seamed to give some suggestion that...
"...hey Archie."
Kile started standing up... noticing he too was in a similar racing suit...
"Yo Kile. So, how's the car treatin ya?"
"Which one?"
"You know which one."
"...I wouldn't be asking if I knew which one."
Archie sighs...as another sound of a V8 passes...
"The Camaro Kile. How's the Camaro?"
"Oh...It's good I guess. But not long ago, I've noticed in that race that it's limits really start to show so obviously."
"Uh... what do ya mean?"
"You've got a car right?"
"Well yeah, it's a corvette just like my old man."
"Well... ever drove a car for the first time and thought how great it was?... then when you race it... it seams like you start to notice things you never did before. It's limits in some cases never seamed more obvious than when you're under pressure. You know?"
Archie's expression became a tad more serious as he nodded in agreement...this was the same for his tone of voice.
"Yeah, I know the feeling. You figure your car must be pretty damn fast. Then you go against others and realize that your opponent isn't stupid with his car and you start to notice things."
Kile nods to this...
"I've been wondering if it's either the car, or my own ability for why I had struggled so much in that race. It's a good car. But I wonder if it is any good against other opponents, or is my skill of any good against anyone else."
"The Camaro is on a heavy note, even if you take out some parts to make it lighter, but it can be good if you know how to use it, And don't doubt your self so easy Kile. You beat Brandon of the strikers. You have any idea just how GOOD he is? He's like America's equal to the White Comet of Akagi aside from Jeager."
"The white comet of Akagi?"
Archie stopped and look at Kile with a bit of surprise in his face...and voice...
"...wait... you mean you never heard of Ryouske Takahashi? THE White comet of Akagi? Whom drives an older generation RX-7... the FC3S? Not even once?"
"...I heard Brandon say something about the mountain Kings of Japan... and some RX-7 driver...would he be one?"
"Not only just one, but of several and perhaps the BEST of mountain racers in the world period. Very fewhere in America or even Europe could stand up to them well. As for winning... that's another story. Less they decide to come over to either place, then it's a different ball game, although noting can be said till one races... still... none of them are are a joke."
"...Ryouske Takahashi..."
Kile thought...
"There's also at least two real fast drivers from the Todo Racing School."
"Todo racing school?"
"Think like the school you have but just a step up in being serious about road racing. Your school is like the US special forces to other schools right? Well there like the equal to the British SAS, one step higher and that makes all the difference. They are very obsessed with going fast, and the drivers from there either become pros and as street racers, semipros that make them very fast. The only guys I can think of right now that could take them on and win on their home turf or vice versa are my old man, your old man and well... maybe that German prodigy guy... I think Michael or something... and a few other racers."
"And there's just a group of them all determined to go very fast?"
"Yeah, One was by the name of Kyouichi Sudou, the other Tomoyuki Tachi. And even between those two, the latter is in a world of his own, only really good pros could beat him."
"...If he's really that fast? Wouldn't he be in Formula 1 or something?"
"Who said he wasn't?... then again he ain't...Beats me. But he's a racer you can't deny that's fast."
"I see...why haven't I heard of him yet?"
"Beats me, then again US TV isn't so interested in outside sports aside from some obvious stuff, though even in Europe he ain't been heard of a lot. A wonder considering how great he is."
"You sound like you raced against him before."
A smirk was on Archie's face...
"I wish, it would be awesome to go against him, I just want to see if there really is a skill gap between our school and the Todo racing school, but not just that, but to see if there's any gap between an American and a Japanese racer."
"Wow..."
Kile thinks about what he said...
"...is this was Brandon meant about the touge kings of Japan?...I've seen a map of Japan... a lot of mountains...so they would have a lot of roads around them. It must be part of their lifestyle to a point. I'm close to a mountain range but... to go against others that made tackling such roads their lifestyle?...and then apply it to the circuit?...or vice versa?..."
This was a lot to take in for the younger racer...
"...and if it is true that if the mountains are tougher than a circut...would that mean if a guy or girl that's been raised on the mountain would be able to..."
His thought train was broken again as Archie started to speak again...
"Oh yeah Kile before I forget. You're going out to Japan to get that Nissan Silvia right?"
"Huh...? oh wait... that?" He thought...
"Yeah. Why?"
"Well... I think I'll be coming too."
"Really?... why?"
"My old man is coming, and I don't want to be left behind again. Plus it'll be a good experience."
"But where both racers..."
"Only as long as people will know, and plus if we bring our cars, but I don't think we've got to worry about that, plus, we woun't be just racing."
"But woun't people want to challenge us because in their case where foreigners?"
"Not if they don't think where racers. Not less you give off some aura that says you're a racer."
"Aura?"
"Yeah...my dad always talked about how some really skilled racers just give off some aura that displays their confidence and ability, especially over car control."
"Oh..."
"...well... less someone just notices some aura, I don't think we'll have to worry much aside from the fact IF we do take our cars, they'll be noticed as foreign models and thus someone may want to take us on... or just taunt us because we have American cars."
Kile thought about that...
"...do people just make fun of cars just because of where they're from?... regardless of anything...?"
Before he decided to try and ask Archie...
"... ...is it really that bad elsewhere? You just happen to have an American car and some guy just figures somehow despite not seeing it go, they just think it sucks?"
He asked... Archie paused for a few seconds before he started to speak back...
"...not really. It's not so bad, it's just some people refuse to keep their mouths shut. Not like American cars are the world's best. But to just make fun of them off of stupid stereotypes is rather ignorant. But regardless people will say our cars are useless for mountains, much less anything for corners, and figure anything they can throw at us will be our undoing, especially on the downhill of any road...
...Some will say we can't even match much of any corners. An it goes on, I just ignore that shit to be blunt. They're just idoits to think that way."
Kile was a bit taken back by his friend's well hitting use of the S word as his tone became a bit more searous...and word by word sounding with more passion and will...as if the person had something to stand up for as he continued speaking...
"...and unless the said person is someone to prove and not some idiot, I would ignore them. But if it is someone of credibility whom thinks... 'oh they are no good!'... maybe I would take them on, and show them what they can do.
Be it elsewhere and even here with everyone thinking you can find salvation in a Nissan or a Toyota or a Honda. I mean, don't get me wrong, they are awesome cars, like the 300ZX 32, the GTR32...the Supra...the NSX or even the Civic SiR. I just like my car, and I've got no problem with other cars.
It's just the attitudes some people carry, that's what I think. You don't know what's going to happen till somebody races, winner or loser...but the thing above all else though is car over driver. But it doesn't matter how good a driver is if the car can't handle worth a shit. Problem is though most cars here are only good for strait lines, but there are those exceptions that would blow away anyone's prejudgement of any car..and if they still talk shit, there outright morons."
He takes a deep breath...
"...if noting else... a car's performance is still on the discretion of the driver. You can talk shit about cars all you want, but if the fight is down to drivers, the walk will have to stand up to the talk, and if you can't do that, you'll just shift into the creak."
"...I see..."
Kile tries to think about what his friend just said...
"...guess I'm not alone in what I think after all. I mean I knew it, his dad admits it, my dad admits it, even my mom agrees with me a bit. You don't know until you race..."
"...I never knew you felt so strongly about it."
"I never had the nerve to say like that, you're like maybe one or two others aside from my old man."
"Who would it be after your dad?"
"My mom."
"...Oh...Archie. Just ...how did you learn how to drive so well?"
"Me?... I came out from the same school you did, and plus my old man let me go out a few times without anyone watching on Karis. I've only been in this a year longer than you have. Even so, I just want to say, it's a very though racing world out there on the circuit, it's just as much pressure on the street if not more."
"I guess... then again this is my first real circuit race. I'm feeling just as nervous as when I started that street race just a few weeks ago. Except now there's maybe close to 50,000 watching us compared to maybe a hundred."
"Hey, it's an important race considering some super exotics are also a show up, also some top notch drivers."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Don't sweat it man. You'll be fine, it'll come in time."
"I guess..."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the DOHC V8 just as the Corvette pulled in slowly before it came to a stop, the engine was cut quickly as the pit mechanics wheeled it back into the garage as John steered the right way to be sure of it as the car was backed into the garage again. John opened the left side door and got out in a similar way Kile had done so as he took of his helmet and took off the mask before walking over to him.
"You're a bit right. The rear is lacking a bit of traction. But a fix in the camber should solve the problem in addition to the rear stabilizer being set on a higher level. You'll still stuffer some oversteering tendency by wheelspin but you'll be able to throw down power a little earlier. My suggestion though is to be a bit easier on the throttle, and that might help, especially with tire management."
"Okay."
"This may be a high revving engine but you've still got a lot of torque at lower engine RPMs, you have to let the rear tires get up to some speed before you just simply go full throttle."
"Okay dad."
"Take it out for another spin, and try to get a good time. It may be the practice run but if we rank up some good times, we'll be sure to be noticed."
Kile could only nod as he got back in the car and turned on the engine before a half minute later heading out to the track...
Just under an hour later...the final free practice runs had ended and the qualifying began...the combined driving efforts of Kile, Archie and John ended up with the Stingrays well secured in the top 5, just in front of a Mc Laren F1, and a RX-7 FD3S, in addition to a Rilley and Scot Ford and Ferrari 333SP, and behind a Ferrari F40 GTE and a Nissan 300ZX Z32. This was reported to Jack as he gave the lap times...
"Okay... here are the times. Leading the pack will be a Nissan 300ZX... at 1:45:098...driven by Collins and Rubert... 2nd is a Ferrari F40...1:45:590 driven by Janus, Ricardo and Lamar...our place is 1:45:680...Kile set this lap by the way..."
Everyone except Kile gasped... Kile himself appeared rather suprised...his eyes wide open and mouth nearly open by the news...
"I set the fastest lap for our team?..."
"Woah Kile... that's some kick ass driving you did out there to get a time like that."
Archie said with a smirk...
"...yeah...I guess...I can't believe It...I thought either my old man or you would do it..."
"It wasn't by a lot... just around .001... Archie got just a tad slower...and was tied with your old man Kile. But still...good job there."
Jack commented...
"...uh... thanks..."
Kile replied... unsure on how to really react...John only had a barely noticeable smirk on his face...
"...his training is slowly paying off...he's starting to mold into a fast racer. I mean the car did half the work, but Kile did the heavier half this time...and his track roots are starting to finally take hold in the ground..."
"Well, this means we'll be third. But be careful, behind you is an FD3S with searious power under the hood and the same is said for the Mc Laren F1. Don't let your guard down on the Rilley and Scot Ford right behind that either and the same for the Ferrari 333SP. It's gonna be a tough race, especially with the driver lineup."
"I see."
"Don't sweat it Kile. We'll do well in this one."
Archie added...
"Yeah, long as we stick to a strategy this race is winnable."
"I guess so...but I guess we'll really find out for the race."
"Yeah."
With that... they all set about getting ready for the race as the next day was warmup... Archie this time around had set the faster time around the track... an hour or so... before the race start... the cars were lined up down the main strait.
All of the car's engines were off as the pit crews were doing some last minute checks... Kile sat in the driver's seat of the car with a helmet... hyperventilating as he looked ahead. John walks over to the car's left side and notices his son's nervous breathing...
"Hey... Kile." John called out to him as he turned his head to John's direction...
"Y-yeah?"
"You're hyperventilating Kile. Calm down. You're going to be okay."
"A-are you sure? I mean... I could--"
"If you think you're going to crash... you will crash. Don't think about crashing and you will be okay. Okay?"
He nervously nodded...
"O-Okay..."
"...Let me remind you. Even if you are reaching higher speeds compared to a mountain road on the downhill... this kind of racing is a lot safer compared to the mountains. Although tragedy is still something ineveadble, it's not as harsh here. Not always anyway."
He continued in a slightly softer voice...
"Just keep your head as cool as you can, and don't get too wired up. You'll never be able to focus and that's what you need no matter what, where, how and why you're here. Now calm down and just drive. Drive and remember what's been taught to you. Just remember what you've learned and apply it to the best you can here. You can, do it, you just have to believe in your self as well. If nothing else, as they say in baseball or any other sport, it dosen't matter just if you win or lose, It's how you play the game. Even if you lose this race, if you give it your all... there will be noting to be ashamed about. Just try and remember that."
John left deciding to let those words sink in his head... he looked back ahead... first at the steering wheel before blinking...
"...I guess dad's right...I just have to believe in myself. It's like that race before... I just felt I had to push on, I didn't want to give up... a part of me believed I could win. I still don't know entirely if I did win completely on skill...or even halfway...if you could even gauge a margin if victory by skill or luck or whatever. I just have to do the same here. Plus... I guess I just have to give it my all..."
He thought as he sat back in his seat waiting for the race to begin.
End of part 1 -
Why you ask am I cutting this at 4000+ or so words (not counting any notes or mention to name chapters or 'End of part 1' etc... and any possible changes to that word count after I wrote this)...? well there you go, that's a lot to read, I might have some patience to read this but I doubt others will... and plus the whole thing as it stood before I did any futher editing when I wrote this was around 7025... a lot I'd figure to read at once. So there you go again.
One thing I felt really, really unsure about putting this out is the fact it gives an impression I'm still pissed over something. But no, by the time this was origionally written I was well over whatever, even if something may show otherwise. This is just a guys' feelings over a situation. This ain't even specefic to one person or group either... since I've seen it for myself that at times some cars seam to not get as much respect as others. Not just American cars as well.
I'll just put it this way shortly... I've found myself defending Honda Civics and Lancer Evolutions, and M3's (and I like the M3, all of them a lot, espically the E46 CSL...) just as much as I would a Vette, Focus (though technically it's really European) or Viper to name a few. It may sound like at times I have a bias against other cars, but I don't, least on country anyway. Now if were talking automatics and manuals, that's another issue entirely (expalins why few Mercedes are worth buying to me, if I'll ever even afford one, depiste liking the AMG E55...and AMG CLS to name two), point is I'm not prone to some bais, least not easily anyway (then again over the issue of car transmissions) if anything.
The rest is at my DA account, nuff said.
Till later