During the four weeks between Carol's suggestion and the race itself, both felines spend as much time as possible practicing, sometimes together, sometimes solo. Maria starts with one of the Scarves' stock bikes, but soon procures her own, electing to forgo the technicality of paying for it. And her reservation over being too young is extinguished when she finds out that there's a class open to racers as young as fourteen, for which Carol uses a fake ID to successfully gain entry.
Seven days before the race, Carol and Maria get their first look at the track itself. At nine and a half miles long, it starts in front of the Town Hall, passing through the large public park a few blocks away before turning towards Zao's Mall, then returning to the Town Hall via a high-speed inner-city freeway. The fastest class would be expected to lap the circuit in under six minutes; in contrast, the class Carol and Maria have entered would see times around nine minutes on their less powerful machines.
After a morning of sighter laps, Carol and Maria spend the lunch break studying the track map in a quiet corner of the paddock. Both are feeling extremely nervous, yet neither is willing to admit or even show it.
Eventually, Maria can hold it in no longer. "I admit it: I'm scared."
Carol breathes a sigh of relief. "Good t'know it's not just me."
"There's a lot to remember on this track," Maria continues. "And there's some nasty sections, especially this really icky one here," she adds, pointing to a highly technical complex of corners about six miles into the lap.
"The approach to that is very fast," Carol observes. "But then that's part of the fun!" she adds with a grin.
"You're almost as bad as the meanie!" Maria giggles.
The meanie? Oh yeah, Hanna. "I'll be honest, it's not the complex that worries me," Carol admits. "It's this series of fast sweepers through the park that has my fur on end. Lose it there, and…"
"I know what you mean," Maria agrees. "But we don't have to fight for the class win."
"You mean, keep the race between ourselves?"
"Exactly."
"Where's the fun in that?" Carol asks. "Are you really sayin' you don't want that big shiny trophy?"
Ancients darn it! "…OK, I admit I want the big shiny trophy," Maria admits.
"Thought so," Carol smiles.
During the afternoon, Carol and Maria make the most of the limited practice time available to them. By the end of the day, they're approaching podium pace.
Seven days later, it's race day, and the first race on the schedule is the class Carol and Maria have entered. As the start time approaches, the two felines are in the paddock, making a few last minute adjustments to their bikes.
"All entrants for race one, please proceed to the grid," the tannoy echoes.
"No turnin' back now," Carol comments as she downs tools and collects her gear.
"Good luck, and may the best kitty win," Maria replies.
