Chapter 14 Hurry Sundown
Liam Jennings returned the dipstick to its tube after checking the oil in the 426 Hemi sitting in his white 1970 Dodge Challenger. He marveled at the motor for a moment, the heads and valve covers were very wide, with the spark going right down through the center of the valve covers. Atop it all sat a pair of four barrel carburetors and a massive oval orange air cleaner. Everything about the motor was huge no wonder it had earned the nickname Elephant motor.
"Hey Liam, you ready to go yet? We got some ass to kick up on the Shammel Highway." His cousin Brian called through the open barn doors. "Me an' Critter are just waiting on you."
"Yeah, hold your horses," Liam called back and closed the hood on his Challenger.
Once in the driver's seat he prodded the gas, pushed the clutch to the floor, and with the twist of the wrist the mighty Hemi roared into life. Liam smiled to himself as he grabbed the pistol grip shifter. Outside Brian was standing next to his General Lee Charger. Next to Brian was their friend, and mechanic Critter Jones with his 1968 Plymouth Road Runner, it was bright green and hiding under the matte black hood was a 440 Six Pack. The three Mopar big blocks idled loudly, the Hemi making its own distinct sound against the pair of 440s.
"Alright y'all ready to go?" Liam asked.
"You know we are," Brian said impatiently.
"Well then let's go," Liam said.
Brian responded with a loud rebel yell and slid into his Charger through the window. In seconds all three cars were underway, heading for the Shammel Highway.
•••
Takeshi Nakazato looked at himself in the mirror he didn't look as nervous as he felt. Tonight, he along with the rest of Project D would be issuing the challenge to the best on the Shammel Highway. This was an opportunity to prove himself again, after a victory in Medway he had won a couple of times in Maine but had failed to follow Ryosuke's instructions. He knew that if he continued to let his emotions override what he was instructed to do he might just be demoted, and become a glorified cameraman.
He was ready they practiced in less time on the Shammel Highway then they had in other places, but this was how the rest of the team had done things in Japan. He was ready though, his GT-R was a good match for the course, and there were many places where he would really be able to open it up. The attention the car was getting was phenomenal. Tomiguchi was doing an excellent job; it was always in top form now.
Even though he still felt a little out of place, he was ready to go; he was ready for the challenge. In the driveway the R32 was getting its last minute prep and was just waiting for him.
I'm ready. Nakazato thought to himself. I'm going to win tonight.
•••
Ty Gibson pulled his Calypso Coral Boss 302 up to the house that Jack and Quentin lived in. Their two cars sat out front, the driveway around them still wet from the fresh wash they had been given. The paint gleamed, the wheels looked awesome, and the small bit of chrome reflected the afternoon light. It was going to be a good night; even if they weren't going to race tonight Chris and Bud were sure to put on a good show as they took on the Mopar MoonRunners. Hopefully they were ready, well of course Chris would be he knew that course like the back of his hand, and he wasn't new to racing. Bud on the other hand, boy was he good, and his car was something else entirely, but he was new, he had never been under the pressure of a race against the MoonRunners.
Jack stepped out of the house, and half turned in the door, calling for Quentin. Ty waved as he stepped out of the Boss. In a couple of minutes Quentin had joined his teammates in the driveway, all three cars running, waiting to go.
"A'ight guys," Ty began. "We're goin' up to Denton to have a good time and hopefully see the MoonRunners get their asses handed to them. Let's have some fun, and try not to cause problems, a'ight Jack."
"Who me?" Jack said, putting his hands up in mock surrender.
"Yeah, you. I know you hate them Mopar Mothers, just as much as we do, but keep a lid on it tonight. Chris and Bud have got this under control."
"Yeah, yeah," Jack said, waving off the leader of the F/GM RidgeRollers. "I just want a good show."
"Oh you'll get one," Ty said, running his hand over his shaved head.
"Are we gonna stand here and talk all night, or are we gonna get on the road?" Quentin asked.
"I'm ready whenever you guys are," Ty responded. His brown eyes scanned the other two members of the team. "Let's go."
Ty turned and headed back towards his Boss Mustang. Just a few minutes later the F/GM RidgeRollers were rumbling their way towards Denton and the Shammel Highway.
•••
Keisuke Takahashi looked on as Tomiguchi made some last minute adjustments to the motor of the bright yellow and carbon-fiber FD. He flicked the ash from the end of his cigarette, and inhaled deeply. In his mind the course played over in his head, the corners the dips, the noticeable houses and buildings. He exhaled, and then took another drag from his cigarette. Next he turned his attention to his opponent; Ryosuke had said he was to take on Chris, who was nominally the fastest on the Shammel Highway. He drove a Corvette, newer then the one Bill Morrisey had driven against him in Maine, but that didn't really matter. Keisuke knew he would have this race under control. Still he had never had anybody who had realistically challenged him since Project D had started. Sure there had been some very skilled drivers, but once they were actually locked in battle Keisuke knew he was going to come out on top, but maybe just maybe, tonight would be different.
"How's she looking Tomiguchi?" Keisuke asked, and he flicked more ash from the end of his cigarette.
"She's looking good," The mechanic answered as he emerged from under the hood. "You shouldn't have any problem tonight."
"Good," Keisuke smiled, that's what he liked to hear.
"This is going to be a great night!" Kenta said emerging from behind his orange S14. "We're going to show the locals a thing or two."
"Cool it Kenta," Keisuke said with a glower. "We're still not sure if you're going to race tonight. They may not have a fourth driver who feels up to the challenge.
"I know, but I meant Project D," Kenta paused. "But William always said there were four really fast locals."
"He did," Keisuke admitted, a little agitated. "But this kid in the Mustang just knocked one of them off. He may not come out tonight because of his loss."
"Or, he could be looking for another fight to prove he's still good." Kenta persisted.
"Maybe," Keisuke sighed.
•••
Jason Agulnick had no intentions of sitting this Saturday night out. Sure, last week's loss would make him a target tonight, but so would the kid's victory. The top challengers were sure to go after Bud, if Chris didn't get to him first. That would leave the second stringers to come after him. The loss would make them think that they actually stood a shot against Jason, when really the only local who did was Mallory.
Nervous butterflies began to flutter in his stomach; the last thought had triggered them. It was one thing to lose to Bud, but losing to two High School kids on consecutive weekends would be devastating If that happened he would have to start issuing challenges and winning right away to avoid losing all of his credibility.
The little Ferrari Red Fiat gleamed in the drive way, black fender flares shining above the aftermarket alloy wheels. It was almost the perfect weapon for the Shammel Highway, it just didn't have the power. Chris' Corvette was always able to out power him even with the Evo motor. The problem was that it was tough to add more power, there was barely enough room for the motor as it was, let alone a bigger turbo, or freer breathing exhaust. It was a good car, and it had very good balance, very few people could keep up with it when he was behind the wheel.
Jason climbed in and looked over the blue faced factory gauges, the aftermarket boost gauges and a couple of others he had added on. With the twist of the key the 4G63 Mitsubishi motor fired right up, with the slight whistle of the turbocharger. After only a couple of moments of waiting he set off for Yates Road in his mid engine hot rod
•••
Long Straight,
Downhill Fast right.
Long straight, fast left.
Long straight
Uphill, fast left.
Medium straight,
Finish line.
Takumi Fujiwara could almost feel the double thump of the bridge expansion joints as he opened his eyes. Sitting on the bed in his borrowed room Takumi had just finished the Shammel Highway for the third time in the past hour and he didn't feel any better about it. Sure he knew the course like the back of his hand, knew where it went to three lanes which would make it easier to pass if he was behind, and where it went back to two lanes. He knew where the crown of the road would make it easier to hold drifts, and the places where it would cause him to slide off of into a field. He knew everything he could possibly hope to know about the course, but still he didn't feel sure of victory.
The course was tough the first part was slower and more technical, where he would have some sort of an advantage, but the second part. It was much faster, longer straight aways, faster sweeping turns, with something tougher thrown in every so often just to keep you on your toes. This he knew was where he would be at his greatest disadvantage, where the power of the American cars would take over the battle. Keisuke and Nakazato didn't have to worry about it as much they each had close to 400 horsepower, enough to keep up with, or outrun many of the cars they had faced so far.
Since driving Molly's Tiger Takumi had gained a little appreciation for his opponent's cars. At home he had never had access to anything like what his opponents drove. Here though, where so many cars had similar motors, especially the one that he would most likely be facing that night. His opponent and the second part of the course was what worried him the most. No matter how hard he tried his opponent might just be able to run away and hide in the second part of the course. Something would have to be done about getting more power out of the 86, but for now there was nothing he could do.
Takumi sighed and pulled on his shoes.
•••
"Hey!" Bud cried as he jumped out of the way of a jet of water. Mallory stood there in her bikini top and board shorts holding the hose nozzle in an en garde position, a devilish smile on her face.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there," She said and her grin broke into laughter.
"I'm sure," Bud managed to get out before he started to laugh as well. She shot another jet of water just to the left of his head.
"Boy, don't these cars look good," Mallory said placing her hands on her hips.
"Yeah they do," Bud looked at the pair of freshly washed Mustangs gleaming in the afternoon sun, their distorted reflections shining in the wet pavement reflecting light and making them look all the more impressive.
"Your car is going to look really good going down the Shammel tonight."
"What about yours?" Bud asked.
"Nah, I don't think I'll be racing tonight,'' Mallory answered. "It sounds like the MoonRunners only want to tangle with you and Chris tonight."
"Who are these guys anyways, I keep hearing about them?" Bud asked.
"Well they've been competing with Ty and the F/GM RidgeRollers down in Monroe for a while. I don't really know them that well," Mallory shrugged. "I've never been down there, just heard about them from people like Ty. Sound like they're pretty good, they've been going back and forth down there for a while."
"Too bad, it would have been cool for us to race tonight," Bud said.
"We'll see what happens," She smile and gave Bud a kiss on the cheek. "Come on let's get some food, you got a big night."
And Bud felt the first pangs of nervousness set in.
•••
Am I going to race tonight? Ryosuke Takahashi thought to himself as he sat in his FC waiting for it to warm up. He was ready too. He'd driven the course and even assessed Bud's talent, and that kid was good. Yet Ryosuke sat in the bucket seat of his car unsure of how the night would unfold for him. There were a number of things to take into consideration. First and foremost there may not be five people to challenge, even though Sung had made it pretty clear that if he wanted to race that wouldn't be a problem. Or it could be that there may not be enough quality talent. This whole thing was still about Takumi and Keisuke, they would have to face the best talent or the whole thing would be pointless.
It would be equally as pointless for Ryosuke to race against subpar talent, he wouldn't gain anything from it, so there would be no point to him facing a second rate challenge. The only way he would race would be if there were enough serious challengers to go around, a fact that Ryosuke doubted.
Ryosuke sighed. He wanted to race, but it didn't seem like tonight would be the night. He would just have to wait until next time. Ryosuke's heart sank, yet outwardly his expression didn't change. The rearview mirror of the FC showed the rest of Project D ready to go behind him. He slotted the shifter into first gear and pulled away, the rest of the team following dutifully.
•••
Chris Duntov was always among the first to arrive at the field on Yates Road, it was one of the perks of owning your own business. He had arrived almost two hours ago, and for a while he sat alone in his black Corvette. The weather was perfect, sure, some would say it had been hot during the day, but that only ensured that it would still be warm enough at night to be good for racing.
Sung had been next to show up in his Big Bad Blue AMX, but it wasn't long before a steady stream of high performance cars were making their way into the field, and jockeying for parking spots. Bud and Mallory showed up just before Grizz, Scott and Matt, and it wasn't much longer before the F/GM RidgeRollers showed up, their team sticker complete with lightning bolts emblazoned between the F and G.
Even before the MoonRunners arrived Chris could feel the energy in the air. It was unmistakable, tense, expectant, and electric. As he looked around the field Chris could see the usual suspects, but there seemed to be many who he had never seen before. It was more crowded than usual, cars came in with more than just a driver and passenger, stuffed, and in the case of one old, but good looking station wagon, beyond the legal limit. Something big was going to happen and everybody knew it.
"Hey guys," Chris said as Bud, Mallory and their friends walked over followed closely by Ty, and the other two members of the RidgeRollers.
"Sup man," Ty said. "Have those Mopar mothers made they're challenge yet?"
"Nope, but they're here," Chris said nodding in the direction of the three Mopars, hoods open, their owners apparently off checking out other cars.
"I'm sure it won't be too much longer," Chris said looking to the West, where the sky was just beginning to change color.
"You guys grind them into the dust," Jack Gavin said, only barely concealing his animosity while he patted Bud on the shoulders a couple of times.
"Bud and Chris will show those guys a thing or two!" Matt launched into one of his excited tirades. "They're the fastest out here on the Shammel Highway. Nobody is going to knock them off. Anybody who thinks they can take you guys has another thing coming."
"And what about you?" A voice called from not too far away. "Could you teach anybody here something?"
Matt froze, his excitement turned to embarrassment.
"No, I'm just starting to learn the Shammel Highway," He admitted quietly.
"Alright then, we won't waste our time with you," the other man paused and looked quickly around the group. "I'm Bo Jennings, of the Mopar MoonRunners."
Murmurs ran through the crowd. Even though this was what everybody had come to see, and were expecting there was still that moment of surprise.
"We're from Monroe, and unlike the RidgeRollers, we don't lose," Bo paused, looking directly at Ty, and his teammates. "We've come here to challenge. . ."
Bo Jennings broke off at the sound of more high performance cars on the move, not the deep V8 rumble that was most commonly heard around Denton, but the buzzing sound of small displacement motors, foreign motors. Along with almost everybody else in the field Bo turned towards the entrance in time to see a handful of Japanese cars enter the field followed by two Ford vans. The three lead cars all wore carbon-fiber hoods, and the pair of RX-7s had wings. Before Bud could continue his challenge a man hopped out of one of the vans and jogged around to the front.
"I'm Hiroshi Fumihiro, of Project D," He began as the rest of the team began to climb out of their cars. "And we're here to challenge the fastest drivers on the Shammel Highway."
"Who the fuck does he think he is!" Bo roared turning around to face his cousin Liam.
"Brian," Liam said softly. "He told us who he is."
"You're too late jerk!" Bo shot back. "We've just challenged them so you've just got to wait until we're the fastest here."
"I don't know about that," Sung said, quietly but just loud enough so Bo would be able to hear him.
"What?" He said incredulously.
"You never issued the challenge," Sung said simply.
"Yeah, all we know is who you are and that you're from Monroe," Mallory said stepping forward. "At least we know what Project D is here for and who they're looking for."
"Fine!" Bo said. "We're the Mopar MoonRunners and we're here to challenge the fastest on the Shammel Highway." He said, mocking Fumihiro the whole time.
It was very quiet for a few seconds as if people were afraid to speak because it might upset the night and the epic event that promised to follow.
"Oh my god, oh my god!" Matt gasped through clenched teeth.
"What wrong with you?" Bud asked quietly.
"This is so cool," Matt said and grabbed Bud around the shoulders.
"You're the Rotary Brothers," Chris said as he looked over Project D. "You're from Japan."
"Yes we are," Ryosuke said. "How have you heard of us?"
"I was stationed with the U.S. Navy. I remember seeing you guys in magazines and hearing your names all over the area where I was." Chris turned to Sung. "You didn't tell me your friends were the Rotary Brothers."
Sung shrugged, "You didn't ask."
"I'm flattered you remember us," Ryosuke said.
"Are we gonna race or what?" Keisuke scoffed.
"Well you're not racing until we've gone through the locals first," Bo Jennings piped in.
"Shut up Bo!" Jack Gavin called, "Be a good host and let them race. Didn't you're mom teach you about being a good host."
Laughter erupted throughout the crowd, and Bo's face began to turn red.
"So what are we going to do then?" Chris asked. "We've got two teams challenging the fastest on the Shammel Highway, but nobody mentioned who they really want to race. So what are we going to do?"
"A tournament," Matt said. "Like the NCAA basketball tournament."
"Seriously?" Bo asked as the crowd began to murmur expectantly. "How many people?"
"Well we don't want it to take too long," Chris paused. "How about 16?"
"Sixteen?" Bo almost asked again, as the crowd got louder as they realized the implications of 16 drivers.
"Hey," Ty said pulling Jack and Quentin close in a team huddle. "You guys want in?"
"Hells yes!" Jack said. "Let's kick some Mopar ass!"
"We want in!" Ty called loud enough for everybody to hear.
"Me too!" Jason called.
"We want in!" Grizz called.
"Project D's in!" Fumihiro yelled.
"Us too, us too!" Bo called realizing what was going on.
"Looks like you've got another problem on your hands now," Sung said with a smile.
"Yeah," Chris paused. "So it looks like more than 16 people want in on this." Agreements were echoed from all over the crowd.
"I got a notebook in my car!" Matt yelled and sprinted for his Camaro.
"Who's got a hat?" Chris called, and he started to get excited, he smiled, almost uncontrollably this was going to be fun, not only would the MoonRunners be in the mix, but also Project D, and the Takahashi brothers.
"Thanks Matt," Chris said taking the notebook. "Everybody who wants to put their name in line up in front of me. Here's how this is going to work. We're going to make a bracket, seeds 1 through 8 on each side. The seeds will be determined by the order the names are drawn, the first two names drawn will be the top seeds on either side, and we'll go down the line from there."
Paper began to tear; names were scribbled on the small ragged squares and stuffed into an old baseball hat. Those who weren't putting their names forward began to talk excitedly, running through the countless possible matchups and the ones they thought would be the best to watch.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Chris called over the crowd, becoming the MC. "Your number 1 drivers. Sung if you please."
Sung drew one folded scrap of paper, and then another.
"You're first number one seed, and local boy Bud Moody," People began to congratulate him, Mallory smiled and gave him a hug. "Your other number one, Takumi Fujiwara."
The members of Project D looked and congratulated Takumi. They had all entered, Ryosuke, Keisuke, Kenta, Takumi and Nakazato. But even though they knew as a team Project D would have the best chance getting at least one member into the tournament, there was also the outside that none of them would have their names drawn. Ryosuke waited tensely. Somewhere in that old baseball hat was a piece of paper with his name neatly printed on it. He had just as much chance of being pulled out as anybody else, and that was just it, chance, just like he had done in Maine. He wanted to race, desperately but in Maine, he had left it to chance, here he had no choice, and as much as he wanted to race, it was beyond his control. His name could easily be one of those left in that hat, destined to watch this impromptu street racing tournament from the sidelines.
"Alright, facing Bud in the first round is," Chris paused. "Quentin Reese of the F/GM RidgeRollers., and facing Mr. Fujiwara, Jason Agulnick."
"Let's keep it moving!" Bo Jennings called out
"Your number threes," Chris looked at the first piece of paper, then fixed his gaze on Bo. "Bo Jennings of the Mopar MoonRunners and . . .Mallory Iskendarian."
"Facing Bo Jennings, is Kenta Nakamura of Project D, and facing Mallory. . .Scott Karsberg of the Shammel Highwaymen."
Mallory looked across the crowd and caught Scott's gaze, 'Sorry' she mouthed, and Scott shrugged knowing he would have another chance to prove himself but wasn't likely to get past the first round.
"Number fours," Chris said, losing some of the ceremony. "Myself, Chris Duntov and . . . Ryosuke Takahashi of Project D."
Both men would have been surprised at how similar their reactions were, but for different reasons. Chris was grateful that he would be involved, nobody, would ever be able to claim to be the fastest on the Shammel Highway without beating him, or at least the person who beat him. It would be nice to know that he would at least have the opportunity to compete for the title of King of the Shammel Highway.
Ryosuke on the other hand was glad just too finally know he would be competing again. There was no going back, his name had been called, and so far he was only the third member of Project D who would be competing. Keisuke and Nakazato could still be called, but the odds were against them.
"Grizz Grave will be facing me, and Tyrone Gibson will race Ryosuke Takahashi."
Ryosuke looked around the crowd for his opponent as he recalled the information Sung had given him. Tyrone was the leader of the RidgeRollers and he drove a red Boss 302 Mustang. He spotted the person who would most likely be his opponent, a young African-American man, about his own age.
"The last four," Chris called out. "Liam Jennings, and Keisuke Takahashi will face Takeshi Nakazato and Jack Gavin. Good luck to all of the drivers, for all the others, enjoy the show. Driver's see me."
It was only a few minutes before everybody was gathered around. The group mixed a little, but team members stayed fairly close to each other. There was some general sizing up of the drivers as everybody tried to figure out there first round opponents, looking for any clue, any tell for a weakness that could be exploited.
"Alright guys," Chris began. "We've found ourselves in an interesting predicament here, let's see if we can't agree on some ground rules here."
Chris looked around the group, receiving mostly affirmative nods, except for Bo Jennings.
"Who died and made you king?" Bo blurted out.
"Me," Chris said. "I'm the King of the Shammel Highway, if you beat me, next time you can make the rules."
"Cool it Bo," Liam said. "He hasn't even said anything yet."
"Thank you," Chris said and turned back to the larger group. "Does anybody need any practice time?" He looked specifically at Project D, and the MoonRunners, but nobody said a word.
"Alright then, we can't do all the races tonight, we would have the cops down on us in no time. We'll do one side of the bracket tonight, the other side tomorrow. Then we'll swap nights next weekend. The final two drivers from each side will face the person in the opposite bracket. The top two will be first and second, depending on what seed they are. If we didn't do it this way we could go on forever doing this. Got it?"
"But the seeds weren't determined by skill, only luck," Bo protested.
"Right and if we had all summer we could figure out, but we don't," Chris said. "If you don't like it drop out."
"I'll just have to show you guys a thing or two then," Bo shot back.
"Sounds good to us," Ryosuke said.
"Alright, we also have some big power differences between the cars. In the matchups where there is a big difference the less powerful car will get a headstart."
"Couldn't we just do a cat and mouse race?" Kenta said
"What kind of gay shit is that?" Jack scoffed under his breath, eliciting a scowl from the youngest member of Project D.
"We don't have time to do this position swap if the first round doesn't decide the winner," Chris said. "We'll figure it based on horsepower, like they do in drag racing."
Most of the drivers nodded before Chris continued.
"Any sort of intentional contact will get you disqualified since this is a tournament we need to make sure that there are at least some rules," Again Chris took an extra second to fix his gaze on Bo Jennings. "Sound good?"
"Sure," Ty said. "We can deal with that."
"Us too," Grizz said.
"Sounds good to us," Ryosuke said.
"Yeah, alright," Bo said.
"Ok then, why don't we pull our cars over here so the people can see all of the competitors," Chris said and the drivers went to move their cars.