Car of the Week | Porsche 959 '87

[Racer283]

Supposedly the 959 was going to replace the 911's and the 911 was going to be discontinued because the Head Person at Porsche felt that the 911's were losing interest of their customers. We all know that is not true because the 911's are still around. Also a technological feature of the 959 is that it had automatic ride height control. In essence the 959 is the perfect Porsche ever built.

If you want to dive more into the history of the 959 check out the video by THE SQUIDD.

 

[SomePlayaDude]

Adult me knows the car for being one of the many Group B cars that never came to be, as well as the starting point for a certain Prodrive.

Kid me knows the car being chased by police in the French (I guess) backstreets from the game that started the strict Porsche licensing agreement just about everyone hated.

 

[SomePlayaDude]

SPD Writes Gran Turismo 7's Car Of The Week: Week 83 - Mazda Eunos Roadster (NA Special Package)

No roof is no problem, and for this week in particular: I can personally attest to that.


So, after the 'sorta' correlation with the E36 M3, you'd think there's a car I personally have never driven that's in the game?

This is the one exception. A car I've once daily driven for.. I think around 5 years. I'm kinda shocked nobody remembered this important factoid when I reviewed this car in Mini Mexico.

Any other in game superstars? Well, there's the Taycan, but let's wait for the nomination of that car first.

In one time in my life, I have daily driven an NA Mazda Miata. And.. since I've swapped phones more than twice since it's been sold (a 20 year old car is accruing a lot of maintenance costs in a country where they REALLY hate you for owning cars), you're going to have to take my word for it.

But now to the original Miata: in the late 70s, we enter Bob Hall, in no relation to the late Scott Hall (hey yo). Bob was a simple American automotive journalist who had a sizeable time in Japan in his teenage years. I don't know what's his shoe size or favorite color, but a guy like him can define what kind of car he'd like to own, and that would be the old fashioned Europeean based open top roadsters, from the AC Cobra, MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire, Austin-Healeys.. and so forth.

In this time, however, was what many people call the dark ages. For Japan, the value of the Yen would plummet for various reasons, and costs had to be cut. And open top roadsters weren't exempt from this brutality, in addition to recently apparent safety issues. Bob wasn't a quitter, though. After a visit to Mazda, and sharing to the R&D department on what his kind of car would be, he figured.. a failed presentation isn't the last straw. Putting a Triumph Spitfire onto the mountainous Hakone roads with the lead engineer: Kenichi Yamamoto, on the wheel, the spark was lit, and Mazda took into consideration of said idea to heart.

This is 1980. We're going to have the car in 10 years. Moving on.. to..

..well, nothing happened until 1983. Mazda's board detailed that the company will need 3 new additions to the market: a utility van, a kei car, and a lightweight budget sports car.

With the company given the green light, the design was the first thing the car needed to take care of. 3 design choices were submitted: one from an in house Tokyo based studio, another from Hiroshima, and one more from an R&D team based in America. In order, it's mid engined sports car ala Toyota MR2, a FWD compact coupe ala Hyundai Coupe, and a British styled RWD roadster ala Lotus Elan. You know which one they went for.

Needing an idea to help develop this roadster, Mazda outsourced the car's design to IAD: a British based engineering design company from Sussex. Supervised by the American bunch of Mazda, they got a working prototype based off the chassis from Mazda's own FB RX-7, and the engine from the 323/Familia, also specifically getting a request from Mazda themselves to make it sound like a classic British roadster. As testing was to follow, the prototype was sent to America, and some people noticed.

As the car was finished, now it's time I mention the philosophy behind this Mazda and perhaps all other MX-5 models: Jinba Ittai. I mentioned this in my Forza Horizon 5 review of the car and it defines the status of a driver and their car as a rider and his horse. As quoted, this ideology is summarized as "when the car and driver are in perfect harmony, driving is fun".

Unveiled in the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, the Mazda then became the star of the show. From its low price point, charming pop-up headlights, retractable roof, smiling front bumper, and incredible practicality for its size, the car was a winner. You can feel this victory parade still going on to today, with the car carrying a Guiness Book World Record for 'best-selling two-seat sports car' since 2000.

To the details comes a DOHC 1.6 liter inline 4 putting out 117 horsepower to a car that weight less than a ton. This is baby numbers, sure, but what's not baby about this baby Mazda was the amount of special editions that the car got. Such as.. [inhales] British Racing Green, Gleneagles, Merlot, Berkeley, California, LE, Le Mans special, Sunburst Yellow, M Edition, BBR Turbo, SE, Classic, Monaco, STO, Ltd Ed, Monza, Dakar, V-Special, Harvard, J-Limited, VR-Limited, Eunos S-Special..

And.. possibly more. Which explains the amount of trims this car got in past GT games. Thankfully, the one we get now is enough. I think what I like about this car is.. how much of a Sleeper is it going to be? It's a world wide effort we have here, named from the Greek, designed by the British, made for the Americans, and sold under a Japanese philosophy (and brand). And it all started from a guy named Bob.

I can't pass up the chance to write a car I used to own, and again: since it's a car that's personal and oh so special to me, Bohemian Like You should be starting to play about now..

This week's theme song:
Tom Sawyer
Rush
Moving Pictures

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Episode: A High Octane Collective Brews

Spoiler: 1. She knew an eventless soft opening wasn't going to fly (ANALYSIS SEGMENT)

The usual clear morning in the land of the Rising Sun comes as one unusual event for our little racer as she..

..drives down a small ways down her home to arrive at..


Candy's new unnamed cafe
Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Early Morning

After finding her designated parking spot, she exits her car, secures it quickly, and dashes off, holding on to her well groomed hairdo.

Reaching a door of a coffee shop, she pushes, but gently lets it close back, deciding to peek through the front window instead.

Noticing a pair of individuals chattering by the barista bar, she overhears their discussion..


Rodulf: "You know usually, I'd be able to track you down, but it seems I didn't consider finding you in another herd so soon, cyberdam."

Minori: "Oh, you. Always the sort that refuses to think hard. Such an ugly man trait. So who was it this time?"

Rodulf: "Admittedly, I kept tabs with the Crimson one. I only need to ask, then she told me where to find you. Strangely.. no gimmicks."


Hearing of the Crimson End's influence of the Helwalker's presence, Minori rebut grumpily as she wipes clean some cups..


Minori: "The red lady knows where to find me, and yet refuses to act.."

Rodulf: "Perhaps she means to unease you, cyberdam. But I aim for no such rabble."

Minori: "Does Nirvana.."

Rodulf: "No."


They however are perceptive enough to notice Candy's hair bow on the window.

Keeping quiet, the little racer knew this was her cue, and starts entering.

As she approaches, the two killers then converse..


Minori: "Alright, bebe.. be nice now."

Rodulf: "How do you assume I plan not to?"


They exhume their usual bloodthirsty presence, but the little lady's not quite intimidated due to her familiarity with this pair.

She then greets, with a hint of snark..


Candy: "Minori-chan.. you fail once again to fail me. But surprise me? That's why he's here?"

Rodulf: "Little mus! It's been a while. I'd ask you to forgive me, but I am within reason, thanks to her. On business."


Seeing a member of the Assassin's Guild that isn't Emile, Candy goes to asking..


Candy: "It's the only explanation possible.. perplexing. Didn't you say you're on the hunt from the Guild?"

Minori: "Most of the Guild. Bebe, I'm glad he's an exception. You still have that creed to not bother the Trinitia, correct, monsieur?"

Rodulf: "Of course. Let her facilitate my trust for today."


He's a savage animal, but it seems his mannerisms earned a pass from her character, she thought.

Reluctant, she answers..


Candy: "Fine. You don't seem like the treacherous type anyways."


As she hops on one of the bar stools, she declares gladly..


Candy: "We're opening in a couple hours, Minori-chan.. how about the staff you said you'd handle?"

Minori: "Ohh, bebe.. the Helwalker will see you now."


A revelation like that has Candy then reply with more grump..


Candy: "I knew it! He's here for more than seeing you.. I'm docking your pay."

Minori: "Ohh no.. anyways.."


With her eyes set on the reaper, he then spoke..


Rodulf: "Why, yes. I've arranged some.. individuals. 2 men, 2 women, regional members of the Guild; elites, even. Making and serving food is their passion.. as with killing, of course."

Candy: "So, it's like Tokyo Ghoul?"

Rodulf: "Umm.. perhaps? What is a Tokyo Ghoul?"


She then turns to Minori, asking further of her concern..


Candy: "Fine, so what about Minori-chan?"

Minori: "Relax. I'll be fine."


Spoke the cyborg with a reassuring tone..

Rodulf, sparked by her confidence, followed up..


Rodulf: "These people have received instruction about following the Assassin. They are loyalists: haven't even the gall to even try to hurt one of their own, let alone one of the Trinitia with a 8 figure bounty."

Candy: "Stockholm Syndrome at work, I see?"

Rodulf: "Oh no. I'm from Kiruna. The community there.. they don't live in fear. They, and us, live with lives, mined and forged with loyalty."


He then continued however with a grunt.


Rodulf: "There is a catch, little mus."

Candy: "Well?"

Rodulf: "Over time, we'll be using the cafe as.. a base of operations. A safe space. You know what I mean?"

Candy: "So, very much like Tokyo Ghoul?"


Still unsure about the dark vibed hit franchise about super powered zombies in Tokyo, Rodulf put out a quick indifferent turn, and further explained.


Rodulf: "We will handle day to day.."

Minori: "Keep out the business from the java.."

Rodulf: "And also keep your involvment in a minimum. What says you?"


Convinced, she didn't take a long pause to get her answer out.


Candy: "Okay. I'll keep your people safe as you have done for me. And as long as I don't have to pay salaries.."

Rodulf: "Well, I say the Guild's Tokyo branch can proceed."


He didn't show much gratitude, but Candy decided to talk to her employee about this sudden decision, acting disturbed about it.


Candy: "Making deals with YOUR organization, Minori-chan? How come I didn't get a say at this at all?"

Minori: "Umm.. you did. We talked about the shop's day to day, and you gave me the go ahead to do what I please."


Her long term memory failing her, she then submitted, as she sighed..


Candy: "I... did? Guess that's on me, then.."


The front door then suddenly opens, showing a small 5 person crowd walking in the unopened shop.

The savage killer then stepped up, and began speaking to them..


Rodulf: "Ahh! You three. Trevligt att traffas! I see you're all ready. Come along. Let me show you how things are to be done, ja?"


As the staff and their superior head off to the back areas, the ladies then hear a car parking.

While it is the very same Le Car Candy drove back in Week 56, the little racer's concerns are now towards Minori's treatment towards men, and how a wilderness forged Rodulf was able to stand idly by.


Candy: "I've wondered what exactly is a man you like to be around with, Minori-chan."

Minori: "Stop wondering, bebe.. another one approaches."


Soon as her sentence ends, coming in the shop is a certain French aristocrat..


Boniface: "Ginoa!"

Minori: "Ahh bonjour, Bonn!"


She's still blonde and with all the non-Ginoa characteristics on, Candy thought, but her boyfriend saw through it all at an instant.

With a set of friendly kisses that follow, Candy watches on in awe, but not before she gets a quick greet.


Boniface: "Ohh, ma cherie, I'm sorry. I'll come to you in a bit."

Candy: "Don't worry about it."


They come together like brother and sister, as they begin to chatter..


Minori: "How is everything? The home, the business, the racing.. I hope madame found a new toy to play with."

Boniface: "Would you like to know that for Ama's brutish games, the one she goes for often is right here."

Candy: "Hi."

Minori: "Ohh, you are a resilient one, are you, bebe?"


She's unsure to be feeling true or not, as Candy though replied..


Candy: "Resilient, persistent, strategic, f[BLEEP]ing invincible.. as long as these key words don't come from me."


Keeping to his earlier words, he turns to his girlfriend, and stands straight..


Boniface: "Onto business, and well, it is done, ma cherie. Import of your foreign supplies come every working day, and your favorite macarons are flying in weekly."

Candy: "Nice. Oh, Bon.. if there's something you're really bad at, it's disappointing me, is it?"


Her tease is followed with a swelling of red on his composed face, as he begins to stammer..


Boniface: "W-why of course.. m-mon dieu."

Minori: "This is the first I see this.. love blooming on the battlefield."

Boniface: "Now you truly believe me."

Minori: "It's adorable, Bon. No way I can measure up to this level of affection the way I'm headed."


Noticing the emptiness of the locale, Boniface then wonders..


Boniface: "I wonder.. the shop is opening, oui?"

Candy: "Yes. Soft opening. Will not be expecting a crowd of any sorts. Later I'll have my friends from Kyoto handle some advertising so we can solve that."

Minori: "Your stakeholders aren't so fussy, I hope?"

Candy: "Nah. The way Shinigami-san spoke to me, I wager The Guild's keeping controlling stake. Then there's me, Igneus Racing, and as he calls it: the first National of Asian-American Badass Sonny Meng. And he's coming over as we speak."

Minori: "I keep in contact with him, of course I'm not surprised."


Hearing the Assassin's Guild by name, Boniface then asks..


Boniface: "The Guild, eh? I suspect you won't keep your greasy palms around it, Ginnie.."

Minori: "What do you say? I'm a working lady of many talents."


And he turns straight to the other lady..


Boniface: "You said.. Shinigami, if I hear correct?"

Candy: "Oh. The Helwalker, I mean. Sorensen.."

Boniface: "The Grim Reaper himself, eh? Perhaps I'll take my leave. He's a.. friend of sorts you can say."


It's a new fact, but Candy adds two and two together and deduces enough that..


Candy: "Thanks to Minori-chan, the surprise factor just.. doesn't hold up. Define his friendship for me, Minori-chan.."

Minori: "The Richelieu family put up a bounty for a certain Paul Henderson.."


Hearing his name, the little racer followed with an investigative thought..


Candy: "Huh.. I saw him that time in Colorado. He's still alive. And happy even. So.. what came of that?"

Boniface: "We removed it.. only for some other party to follow up on that bounty."

Candy: "Creepy."

Boniface: "Oui, creepy. But also convenient that the Helwalker is on my esteemed family's good graces, so we made a deal, and all you need to know about it is that he won't be bugging that poor barbarian."


Wanting to not keep his curiosity back any longer, he then announces his exit..


Boniface: "Perhaps I should.. bid you ladies adieu."

As expected, the small cafe then opened to not much of a fanfare, despite the efforts of the people behind it.

Small manageable crowds do find themselves getting the service they expected within.

On one of the many tables set up, Candy sits behind a laptop, as she scrolls through a media making program, dragging various pictures and elements to make apparent her new cafe's social media account.

After a few moments, she turns the laptop to face towards others..


Candy: "How's this?"


And her friends on the seats alongside her begins to review..


Hideki: "Nghh.. there's too much wording. The font's fine, just that nobody has enough time to read all this. And.."

Ayumi: "It's too messy. And all over the place. You know what: It'd be easier if you let US do this for you."

Candy: "No! I mean.. well.."

Ayumi: "She still refuses to pay us a microcredit."


Still not forgetting the antic following Week 76, Candy struggles to find an excuse, but gets one as she then blurts out..


Candy: "It's that.. well, I'm not hiring social media manager unless I'm sure we get a bigger presence around."

Ayumi: "Gaww, it's a sound argument, Deki-san. Okay, I'll spare you."

Hideki: "On that, I agree. But.. how about.. we negotiate?"

Candy: "If you're asking for money, that's still off the table."


If not money, then service, he thinks, as the shy artist then hatches his plan..


Hideki: "Well, instead.. h-how about we get the breakfast special for free, and you get us to work on this for the morning."

Ayumi: "Oooohh.. when did you get so naughty, Deki-san?"

Hideki: "I took some lessons from Moto-san."

Ayumi: "You did? TELL ME MOREE!"


While the couple bicker on, the little entrepreneur then thought about her half brother..


Candy: "Yeesh, how can you two be so close to.. that ape!"


She spoke strongly as if he didn't hear, but..

Umm...

Let's just say everyone is afraid for a reason.


Hideki: "A-umm.."

Ayumi: "Nn-nani?"

Candy: "What? Was it something I said, or.."


The short statured lady turned around, only to find menacing kanji at full play as she saw the waiter gazing her with fury then speaking..


Hayato: "Candy-chan, you take that deal, or I will dedicate my soul to one up niisan's great Halloween gift."


Remembering that, she immediately lost control..


Candy: "WWAAAAAHH!! NO! NO WAYY!!"


The unexpected appearance of Hayato however did give Candy a small realization of her response, wondering..


Candy: "Was I making a scene?"

Hayato: "Nyeehee.. I guess you were."

Candy: "I guess I've no choice. But before I let you go.. why are you here, Moto-san? I don't remember hiring you."


Ready to answer that, he reaches out for something in his pants pockets as he explains..


Hayato: "Well.. Rin-chan told me. It was like.."


..through the puppets now placed on his hands, ready to talk.

The left puppet, showing a figure with a burgundy bob hair and innocent eyes, began to speak in a voice Rin herself would call insulting..


Hayato (imitating Rin): "Moto-san, my little sis is opening her new desserts cafe at insert address here."


And the other puppet then played along, while this one has the style of Moto-san all over, including dramatic anime eyes..


Hayato (as himself): "Don't care."


While nobody objected for his overly cool, unholy smiling interpretation of himself, the wannabe ninja carried on with the theatrics.


Hayato (imitating Rin): "Moto-san! She's your sister too."

Hayato (as himself): "That's bul[BLEEP]. Just an extension of Shinzo-sama is all.."

Hayato (imitating Rin): "Moto-san!"

Hayato (as himself): "Keep talking, I won't come."

Hayato (imitating Rin): "Moto-san, if you don't come, I'll do (something so nasty I refuse to describe it.)"


Uhh, yeah.. I prefer you keep that to yourself, Moto-san.

Flipping his own puppet's smile, he then rids of his puppet's cool self.


Hayato (as himself): "Alright alright! Fine! You've proven your point."


After tossing the puppets aside, he then clarifies..


Hayato: "I'm no Adachi-chan who can do rakugo, so nyeehh.. this is what you get."


What he didn't expect was a small round of applause from the show, despite it all being a more wacky moment he thought of last second.

With a hint of curiosity, the introverted youngster then had to ask..


Hideki: "Surprises aside.. well, umm.. are you qualified to work in this field, or.."

Hayato: "Of course I do! I mean in disguise, you can say, Deki-chan."

Candy: "You know you're not getting paid for breaking all kinds of labour laws, Moto-san?"

Hayato: "NYEEEHEEHEE! Don't you worry, Candy-chan. Next time I'm around, I'm a guest. So.. two breakfast specials, was it?"

Candy: "With the signature brew. Tell them to use the new golden brand."


He then turns around and makes his way to the staff area.

Noting his sudden appearance, Candy commented..


Candy: "Fast and obedient.. that man can call himself ninja, but he sometimes can truly act like one."

Ayumi: "Oh yes! Too bad the man's got no charm."

Candy: "Don't let him hear you say that. I do want him on our good graces, and not appearing suddenly."

Hideki: "His character is something else, however.. Yumi-san, be a dear and.. get some pictures?"

Ayumi: "On it!"


As the rotary queen races off with her smartphone's camera on hand, the nearby television then interrupts its morning talk show..


BREAKING NEWS


"Sectors of the expressway are being blocked off for maintenance, but perpetrators have been reported.."

"..confirmed presence of troublemakers travelling in high rated speeds across expressway.."

"Patrol cars are being sent to investigate.."

The pair that remains keeps their sight glued on it as they chat..


Hideki: "Look! Something interesting is happening."

Candy: "Like there isn't anything interesting in this cafe at all, Deki-san."

Hideki: "Not yet that is. But.. umm.. look.. the police camera is live.."

Ignoring the commentary, the police cruiser carried on the cleared highway and notices a pair of cars going way above the limit..


Dirty Words (feat. Matt Rose & Bruno Balanta)
The Qemists
Spirit In The System

What took Candy's interest however was the presence of a fully carbon fibre shelled 86 that's well known for those who watch Sim Gear, as she exclaims..


Candy: "That is a certain tamed Racing Animal.. is he having a duel this early in the morn?!"

And he wasn't alone..

Spoiler: ANALYSIS SEGMENT

Ahh, finally. Out of high speedsville and into the town of the iconic slow but incredibly fun. That's the gist of today's self identified rider and horse.

It's not going to be quick, but it will give you a glimpse of what exactly does it mean to be fun. And while it seems long, I'm essentially repeatedly telling myself to not make another two post writeup, and they're still not going to take me seriously. It's a gift, I say. Who saves the weak from the man who saves the weak? Then again, one man's trash is another man's treasure, after all. People are meant to see things different.

But fun isn't the whole thing that made the Eunos Roadster a classic go to choice for the budget convertible 2-door sports car. It's practical. It's well built. It's spacious. I can write you a whole what's what on the car, because I owned one. Albeit the 1993 model with the larger 1.8 liter displacement engine. What differs within, the interior however remains mostly the same. That button under the hazard lights is the most important button, and it's one that only owners can describe.

Is the suspense building?

Well, it's not an important button, but it's the button that reinforces that idea that the NA Miata is a fun car. And it's not like the roads of Japan are getting a bit too peaceful at the time. Well, that button is a toggle to raise or withdraw the pop-up headlights. I'm sure there are a good other cars that follow this idea, but man I like it so much that I had to mention it. And reserve a whole paragraph for it. Why do I reserve a whole paragraph for it, even?

Want some more things I find fun while obvious? Look upwards and by the corner of the windscreen you see an insert: that's how the roof's connected. You pull like this handle on the rear canvas roof, and really work yourself to bring it front, then secure it with some fasteners on the corners. Man, I like pointing out these smaller details. Perhaps the only thing that's different to my own one is that mine was an automatic.

Let's head back to the usual content.

Something this car shares with the ND Roadster is that it's a naturally oversteery car: a trait that's done wonders for Mazda as a good chunk of their cars are like this in nature, with a strange aversion observed on the Mazda Atenza XD. Anyways, this you can notice when you try to bring the car out. Why of course, it's that British roadster DNA in its element. However, one thing to note of the car is that it's rather standing up high. How high? Try 140 mm high on both front and rear springs. This does mean yes: you are going to feel the car roll to the side in higher speeds. A shocker in this case is that you're never feeling fully floaty with the Miata. It holds on nicely, but don't be an eager McBeaver on that all time: you're bound to lose it, and when that happens, it's going to bog down. Quite a good bunch of classics carry this, so it's not surprising we are going to touch on this later with a similar mindset to fix.

Now I direct to the car's powerband, and it's not surprising how straightforward it is unlike other the diesel Mazdas of this region. You know how much of a win it is to have no Bukit Timahs on the graph? Anyways, while it might seem like you need to shift early due to that dip after 7300 RPMs, to me, this rule sounds a lot like the only thing I gotta nag about is revving it to the end: just shift as soon as it blinks, and you'll be fine. So even though you can exhibit this mid-turn, power based loss of grip isn't quite the issue we have on the whole. And if you think being a gear up is helpful.. I say you don't want to shift early here. You don't have the power to climb 2 gears worth to get some mileage out of it. This poor acceleration is also a pin for the tuning section later.

Perhaps everyone's favorite part of the car is next: the handling. Running sky high, and with ample amounts of power gone through a VLSD (which is represented in game with your usual open diff), the NA breaks expectations of these numbers, and turns incredibly well with great responsiveness. So well, in fact, I feel it's 200 PP ahead on how sporty it feels. The lack of weight compounding all this means when you take it around, it's loose, but it holds on tight enough for you to reach where you want with no issue. It's the feeling that I get soo spoiled with it that has me refuse to drive most other cars in this power level. Do note that it does exhibit that strange Mini Mexico quirk that has the car lose pace if you turn all the way in certain times. And despite the open differential, the car tends to understeer in certain criteria, namely in high speed corners and late braking, especially if you remain in the higher revs. Though, these issues are minor, but amplified when you do take the Miata up a hill.

Speaking of hills, change of elevation would be the Miata's weakness that's akin to Metroman's weakness in copper: it's ridiculous and to some degree misleading. Obviously you can't run it up the hill, but on the funny uneven surfaces, it's prone to bounce and the physics that follow can tell you the rest on how jarring it is. This is the ridiculous part. The misleading part comes when these issues are, again, minimal. That's the word again: MINImal. Should uneven tires come to end the car's fickle balance, it's very easy to twitch it again, and get back on course. You'd lose a bit of pace, but I'd lose pace over lose myself into the grass. There's been some naysay about the car acting funny when traveling above curbs as well, so take note.

Braking with the NA Roadster is easy. It is simple. It shouldn't even warrant a whole paragraph. In fact, when you brake the Roadster, the 52:48 ratio means it'll get the front down. Meaning understeer: something I mentioned why you shouldn't late brake the car. But it also means if you are a very aggressive braker, you can get a lot of mileage, though you need to be wary on how you play chicken with the car. A simple rule that hides its complexity.

While the car from its conception to current form is raced commonly, you'd be surprised to hear that car's not a well suited racer's car. What I mean is that while the whole drive's comfortable on stock, it's comfortable. You can have a good time pushing hard, and you will always be not getting the tightest lines or the most optimal exits. But obviously: this is a Roadster! In both real and GT life, tunability is one of its fortes and perhaps why you'd buy one. It doesn't mean what I'll write later is long, but it means there's some meat I have to make obvious with how you want your racing Roadster. I know a lot on what to do, but what the weekly lobbies taught me is that the car's a straight up momentum car. Find your inner driver's sweet spot, taking the lead early and keeping your zen is paramount to results. And being aggressive might not be what you want to be doing: even little scuffles with fellow Miatas are going to knock you down in pace. It's a fighter, but not quite a well protected one. Still, we're all aggressive, though enough of it to not even get any incident out. That's an easy pat on the back.

There's no such thing as the perfect car, but the NA Miata is the sort of car you can't quite feel bad about, because if a real one is capable of this much fluff, you can see how it earned that Guiness World Record status. It should earn a world record for most fun Japanese car, but too bad there's so much competition in that field.

Spoiler: 2. From a crowd to a collective

As the pursuit comes to a close, the police officer then reports in his lack of pace..

While those watching the bulletin wouldn't hear any of that, the ones in Candy's new cafe can predict that was the case.

The rotary queen then mumbles on in awe..


Ayumi: "Woww.. I've never seen the police look so incompetent! Domestic sports cars weaving through traffic and breaking road rules! It's like an action movie.. Deki-san, you think we can.. make an action movie?!"

Hideki: "I-I.. umm.. it's worth a shot? Though, as your accountant and auditor.. we might need more savings than current."

Ayumi: "Swell! I hear that Lyle-san person's a movie actor. He can help us get started! Candy-san can help too! Right?"


She looks to the little racer, who's now deep in thought, but so deep it questions her..


Ayumi: "I mean.. Candy-san? Are you okay?"

Candy: "Hmmmm.. something is bugging me."

Ayumi: "What?"

Candy: "There's very little in our world that can keep up with The Guts.. I have a gut feeling on who that is in the Roadster.."


Before she can deduce as well as the great Herlock Sholmes would, a certain waiter then approaches..


Hayato: "And two specials."


Having laid out the food, Hideki, after a quick adjustments of his large glasses, details in great intrigue..


Hideki: "Woahh.. scathing hot miso soup, succulent pan fried salmon and sauced and scented cooked omurice. I REALLY like what's here."

Ayumi: "Well, thank you very much, Moto-san."

Hayato: "Yeah, sure, bon appetit. Is there anything else?"

Candy: "As your boss for the day, come join us, Moto-san."


Tossing aside the server's tray like a rag doll, he then scoots around and sits on the lone unoccupied seat.


Hayato: "Nyeeehh. Sure!"


As he wipes a few sweats, he then reveals..


Hayato: "Whew. It shouldn't be, but this is more exhausting than my weekly parkour workouts. Guess I'm not cut out for the hospitality business, even if it is some small scale eatery."

Candy: "I didn't even call you here to do that; this is of your own volition, Moto-san."

Hayato: "I know. So, how is the shop's social banner like?"


Hideki then turns the laptop around as he prepares to feast.

Not an artist, Hayato observes, only getting a good impression as soon as he notices..


Hayato: "That's a picture of me, huh? I approve already. The ladies won't get enough of going to the shop where I secretly work at."

Candy: "It was Yumi-san's idea."


As she plans to continue, she then hears..


Candy: "Loud exhaust notes.."


And it prompts her to look outside, seeing a collection of domestic cars..

The one element she's focused on was the red Hachiroku, which she puts out a fanfare..


Candy: "Hooray! Umm.. look who's here.."


Not realizing the cafe owner's been followed, the artsy couple then notes the German girl coming out of said Hachiroku.


Ayumi: "PHWOAAH! A sight for sore eyes!!"


While Hideki instead notes on the Atenza's driver.


Hideki: "Goody! That Red Bull Atenza can only mean it's Kei-san!"

Candy: "And crew. Old friends?"

Hideki: "Uhh.. yes! Ciya-kun and Bern-san are indeed friends."


Seeing another correlation thanks to their fanaticism with the dark one, Candy feels they should sit aside for the time being, and decides..


Candy: "I'll get them sorted myself.. you two should finish your meals."


While they adhered, they reached back to their table with Hayato in wait with more than just a question..


Hayato: "So, my artsy rabble.. how's your small scale racing career like? Group 4 seems so easy, and yet.. nyeeeheehee.. you can tell me."

Ayumi: "Oh you're right: it's tough."

Hideki: "Mmmhmm.."

Hayato: "If you need some advice, I hear that Swedish guy over there races for Bugatti: the reaper of Group 4. You might learn a thing or two from him.."


Back to the short statured racer's view, just as soon as a certain German girl enters..


Candy: "Lulu!"

Lucia: "Guten tag, frau Candy. Congratulations."

Candy: "Why thank you. And I see you've brought some friends."

Keith: "Friends? Try husband and her best man. Firstly, your big sis is sorry she ain't coming. As is Jake, by the way."

Bernardo: "And secondly, vecchia.. we do have a few surprises."


The day full of surprises so far, Candy opts to reply with a hint of sarcasm..


Candy: "Oh, exciting. My eyes are so closed, wow!"

Keith: "Is that sarcasm, or.."

Candy: "What'd you think? From the likes of the Helwalker managing the place, to my half-brother working shifts.."

Lucia: "This will be pleasant, ja. Bernardo? Come then. Go give it to her."

Bernardo: "Si. Well.."


Using his tricky dexterous hands, Bernardo takes a book out of the tote bag on his shoulders, and hands it to the new owner of the business.

Enamored by the high quality pictures, she reads the title..


Candy: "The complete easy German cafe cookbook! More than 200 recipes from schnitzel to wurst! How classy and thoughtful. It might come in handy in the future."

Lucia: "Phew. Getting it in English is a complete auf den sack, by the way."

Candy: "Well, I will find some use of it eventually."


She turns back, however noticing..


Candy: "Curious. Were those tables still unfolded? That's odd."

Keith: "Oh yeah, here we go.."


Just then, Keith and gang then hold their ears and close their eyes., as if dynamite is ready to blow.

The indifferent little racer however..


Candy: "Umm.. hello? Is there like a loud noise coming, or.."


..wasn't ready for..


Quinlan: "KABLAMMO, PANSIES!"


..yet another surprise, in the form of Quinlan crashing through said tables.

Her sights are set on her cousin Keith..


Keith: "What's cracking, cuz?"

Quinlan: "Blimey, Keith. What's good?! I mean.. it's been a while, how the f[BLEEP] are ya, you drongo?!"


Getting up from the floor of that forceful burst of energy, the little racer exclaims in a mix of surprise and anger..


Candy: "From bricks, tires, boxes and now stacked furniture?!! W-what just happened?!"

Bernardo: "Oh amica! It is, as they say in tennis, fifteen love."

Candy: "That's not a valid answer!"


All that negative energy however went as soon as the tungsten one clarifies..


Quinlan: "Oi, what's good, Keith's lot. Nice quaint place you fellas got 'ere. Bout time I mention it after nearly an hour's wait time."

Candy: "Quinn.. I.. umm.. it's a really bad time?"

Quinlan: "Come again? I think you better explain to me on that, you pint sized shiela."


Still puzzled, a sharp noise takes their attention.


Rodulf: "[whistles]"

Quinlan: "Mister Reaper! Hello! Bad time my arse.."


And as she was to approach her fellow killer, a clash came to be as she receives a signature overhead kick.

Her godly forged body barely able to hold back leg blades these well made, as Yell Dead Cell should come to play..


Quinlan: "Grahh.. only Ginnie can come up with this much power.."

Minori: "Hello, indeed, Quin.."

Quinlan: "Ahh, crikey, it IS Ginnie.."


Not ready for another fight might come in handy for the feminist cyborg, but the Kiruna wildman stepped in as soon as the next blow was ready to collide..


Rodulf: "Okay, maidens. Much as I enjoy wanton violence, this place isn't for you two to be killing each other on. We're on sanctified Guild ground."

Candy: "That, or cleaning and collateral costs will answer to me with.. a mountain load of credits plus interest. Your call, ladies."


As Yell Dead Cell would be simmering down right about now, Minori starts to stand down, slowly as her adversary would do so too.

Feeling dejected of this chance, she speaks..


Minori: "Urff, putain du merde.. What an incredible shame. Truce again, Quin?"

Quinlan: "Fraid so. Cheeky little bogan.."


They may have their backs turned on each other, but the savage killer knows that's more than enough to keep them at bay.

He turns his eyes to the Milanese agent, greeting..


Rodulf: "Why if it isn't Agent Bernardo. Fancy seeing you around."

Bernardo: "G-grim reaper?! Vio, I apologize for the trembles, but.. MISTER GRIM REAPER!!"


Strangely, Keith feels it's time to step in between these men..


Keith: "Yo, you're that Bugatti driver."

Rodulf: "Ja, that's me. You're.. familiar.. ah! You're Ross, correct? If not him, then.. Keith.."

Keith: "Yup. Don't mind my casual stride here.. I'm used to the horror-like vibes you got rolling. Real tense s[BLEEP] you got, bro."

Rodulf: "It must be because.. well, I know your brother. He's quite the terror on track."

Keith: "Terror? Hell, that's what he rolls with, man. And in another meaning, there's heaps more of that with our family, y'know?"


And Lucia too gets busy seeing the artificially blonded Minori..


Minori: "Ahh, Lucia. Fancy seeing you here, mademoiselle.."

Lucia: "So, this is where you've been, Ginoa?"

Minori: "I'm undercover as Minori now.. and yes. Anything else you want to put up with other than telling me my disguise is failing me?"

Lucia: "Und.. actually, nevermind. He's coming over anyways."


Not far bahind, Candy waltzes in..


Candy: "Are you thinking.. that schweinhund?"

Lucia: "Ja ja, who else would I be mentioning? Mann is on his way."


However, if there's a light bulb within the little racer's head, it would've shone bright.

That fact in thought, she heads back to her earlier table..


Candy: "Deki-san, news report?"

Hideki: "So, we've been thinking of changing the banner to this lovely rose tinted white.."


He means well, but the Hong Kongese lady didn't mean that, as she reaffirms her intent..


Candy: "On the TV I mean."

Hideki: "Oh.. Here's the latest: the keisatsu actually lost the cars. Like perfectly off radar. They weren't prepared for foreign license plates too. Searching in the list of districts will begin in the next hour. It's a waste of money and time, I say, but I wonder what's the intent of this.."

Ayumi: "The man driving the Roadster has his top off.. they visibly see these strands of long, wavy black hair, and that's the news report."


All the pieces in place, Candy deduces simply that..


Candy: "Hair like that? The man dueling with the Guts has to be the pompous ass. That and all the other clues direct to him. And if they so come here with a police warrant, this shop is so screwed."

Lucia: "Come now, it's not like they're that.."


As if surprise wasn't the main element of today's episode, just outside..

The loudened exhausts of these time apart Japanese sports icons gave the little racer a means to rage..


Candy: "UUUUGHHH!! I'm sorry, were you going to say 'dumb'?"

Lucia: "Nein."


Oddly in a position that's opposite to one another, the German spoke calmly..


Candy: "It had better be a word that's much more on an enraging level."

Lucia: "I.. umm.. let's go with dumb, ja?"

Candy: "Lulu, now's a good time for you to go Super Saiyan.."

Lucia: "Williem will hate me if I go berserk, trust me on this one, frau."


And if she wouldn't help me, then it's only me, thought Candy.

Dashing out, she spots her fellow Wolfpack, and..


Candy: "SONNYY!!"

Sonny: "WALAO!"


..instantly struck the one with the punchable face with.. surprise surprise, a punch to the face.

As The Guts stands in without an overblown introduction, he then notices his miniscule amorous ally by him, who then speaks with a favorable, but quiet tone.


Lucia: "Herr Guts. How long have we not seen each other? How are you?"


His whole body follows his nods, and Lucia then carries on.


Lucia: "Gut gut. I know it's supposed to be me raining hell over him, but it's not my shop that he's possibly going to bring legal trouble to.."


Placing his arms back to his usual crossed position, he shrugs..


Lucia: "Genau! See, I've been in control of my rage these days! Do tell.. I suppose you've cut ties with Sophia.."


Hearing Sophia prompts a lowering of his shoulders, however..


Lucia: "Don't be like that. Frau Sophia's not quite a bad person. She's taught me quite a bit since we've been.. placed under employ of those men in you-know-what.."


Not moving, Lucia took advantage of a pause and continued..


Lucia: "Well, I still have contact. I heard about that car.. the Corvette known as Pinky. But if we need to take this all to the next level, do let me know if you need some help. Isn't that right, Frau Candy?"


With the tamed racer in her focus, she realizes..


Lucia: "Candy?"


..that her good friend is showing jiujitsu skills nobody could ever predict, putting the self proclaimed badass in a self proclaimed choke hold that cuts off a lot of circulation.


Candy: "JUST DIE! DIE ALREADY YOU SELFISH ARROGANT PIG! HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOUUU!!"

Sonny: "HAIYA, SIS, PLEASE, I GIVE UP! I'M TAPPING, I'M TAPPING!!"

Now gathered in one of the more larger seatings in the cafe, one of the people around receives a bag of ice, and holds it by his neck..


Sonny: "Augghh, my head.. it hurts lah. Thanks, Moto-san. Who taught you that stranglehold, Candy baby? It freaking smarts."

Candy: "Would you believe.. big sis?"

Sonny: "I'll just say yes in cases you still want to isolate my blood circulation even more. Odd she hasn't a go at that on me."

Hayato: "By proxy it's my technique. Her variation isn't as lethal."

Sonny: "A-freking-men.."


He might be here as a joke, but he shows a serious intent as he explains of the situation..


Hayato: "Well, if the keisatsu are bound to crawl over, they're definitely going to shut this place down."

Bernardo: "Zio, how did you know THAT?"

Hayato: "Nyeeheehee.. I overheard those Guild lackeys. Ninja perks. Or I can say Narrator-chan told me, but let's keep the wall standing for the time being."


Holy cow, Moto-san..


Candy: "Wha?"


He, umm.. then continues..


Hayato: "But I suggest we close shop, say it's for resupplying and afternoon prep, keep a skeleton crew, and make sure the documents are clean like a well in a village."


The one hint of law enforcement around then notes with intrigue..


Bernardo: "Hmm.. I like his idea."

Candy: "Yakuza enforcer life benefits, Moto-san?"

Hayato: "Obviously, in addition to ninja reflexes, nyeeheehee.. But that's one idea. Might not be enough.."


Those final words luckily sparked the fiery Bernardo, as he explained..


Bernardo: "How about an Interpol idea, amici? Let's cause trouble elsewhere. Scatter them, and pick them off if needed."

Candy: "It might get violent.. but I'll do anything! So where?"


With quite a moment to enter, the aristocratic wine lover then speaks..


Boniface: "Allow me."

Sonny: "What's cracking, Bonny boy?"

Boniface: "Bonjour.. you look terrible, monsieur."

Sonny: "Yeah, I'm your girlfriend's stress toy now."


It was the perfect time for her to say..


Candy: "Guiltyy~"

Sonny: "(Well, that's a Jess certified impression right there) By the ways, you got a place in mind? Maybe we can ask Rudeboy for a bomb or something?"

Candy: "He's on a peacekeeping mission in Uganda, so he's a no show."

Sonny: "Then I guess the bombs have to come from moi [teeth shines]."


Not heeding the banter, the conoisseur then took a seat and explained..


Boniface: "Well, it so happens I've made reservations on part of the Expressway for Sunday Cup later tonight."

Hayato: "Sunday Cup, at night?"

Sonny: "Look at me, I'm racing these newbies.. at night."


A small chuckle then precedes further explanation..


Boniface: "So, we do have a road. But it's currently open to the public. A little public nuisance will get the highway enforcement thinned out."

Hayato: "Close shop, we get some racing in.."

Bernardo: "Unofficially.."

Hayato: "Unofficially, and hopefully thin out the police? I don't mind anything. Nyeeeh.. how about some insurance?"

Bernardo: "I can pull a string or two if that has to come, zio. If not, we do have the Assassin's Guild."


Candy however can't keep cool, as the victim of her painful pleasure looked and then asked..


Sonny: "Baby, you puzzled? Mind if I ask?"

Candy: "Yeah. Just one: you know you were hunted by the police: why come here?"

Sonny: "You know I have 5 different reasons at the ready, baby, just that.. that.."


His stable, egoist self came to a halt as soon as he sees the little lady beginning to crack her knuckles..


Sonny: "Haiyaa, I know anything I say is going to lead to a punch to the cheeks."


And just then, he felt it: the swiftest fist in the East..

He's known for taking hits like these, but the fiery Interpol agent objects with worry..


Bernardo: "Oh my.."

Candy: "What? His One Step Ahead literally asked for it."

Sonny: "And I suggest we stop... before I get a concussion.. [teeth shines awkwardly]"


Taking a few hits too many, he then falls on the table, slamming his face with such a force it's a wonder he's not going to get more hurt from then on.


Hayato: "Candy-chan, I relate with you on his downfall, but he sues you, and you might be in a world of trouble."

Candy: "He doesn't scream THAT type of character."

Bernardo: "As an individual that knows him for years, I agree on that."

Candy: "But since you insist.. I promise to stop.. but we might as well make a move. So, it was.. cause some trouble elsewhere?"

Spoiler: 3. Sonny's MIATA: most incredible abstract to analyse

As the morning then proceeds, the newly opened cafe comes to a halt in business, as they've planned.

By the rear of the shop, a certain egoist thinks to use his Roadster's mirrors to check for any damage on his face.

Seeing nothing too permanent has been damaged, he thought not to press charges, but the pain still lingering has him remark..


Sonny: "That crazy tiny really done me something nasty, bro."

Keith: "Sounds like a day at the office then?"


Turning around, he meets his best friend's little brother with his usual confidence..


Sonny: "Of course lah. Someday, K-man, you gonna have to step up to my level of attracting danger, whether you like it or not."

Keith: "You're going to walk me through that one day."

Sonny: "Ahh. But before you learn to walk, you must learn to crawl first."


It took Keith a moment to realize the reference..


Keith: "Wait wait! I know this one.. Season 4, episode 9 latter: 'Mrs Puff, you're fired'?"

Sonny: "Atta boy, K-man!"

Keith: "I can't forget that shark, dude! The late Robin Sachs? Za'eed from Mass Effect, dude! But, realistically speaking, how can you be so afraid of driver's ed?"


It's all in a casual flair, but Sonny replied honestly..


Sonny: "My guess is as good as yours. Speaking of afraid.. you hear what Jake did to her.. at Trial Mountain? I mean, to Candy.."

Keith: "Yup. Held up and got her to regurgitate like a Left4Dead Boomer!"

Sonny: "Surprised the horde didn't come for his ass?"

Keith: "YEAA IT SHOULD'VE HAAHAAHAA! Heard it was Jess's idea, and I got involved in the revenge plot."


He held on to his well crafted Zappa, and chose to interrogate..


Sonny: "Already, ah? What you guys do?"

Keith: "You gonna like this: we dressed up that tamed racing animal as Jake. And we let nature run its course."


Seeing the tamed racing animal behind Keith acting like someone playing him in GTA Online, he then thought of the kind of thing a person like him would do, listing..


Sonny: "Let's see.. stealing her phone, acting muted and probably jumping to a wall and rag dolling.."

Keith: "She figured out what's up, and what followed.. gave old man Alan 2 more years of living. And Paul. And his sister. I didn't even know he has a sister, you know?"

Sonny: "Aiya, you. I should've been there is what you're trying to say."

Keith: "Well duh!"


Their casual conversation was then suddenly interrupted by the sounds of clashing bone and sinew.

The pompous ass knew what's up, and announces his leave..


Sonny: "Uno momento, mister Keith-o."

Keith: "Oh?"


He moves a few meters away, and a quick turn into someone's semi destroyed backyard has the answer.

With more Trinitia clashing before his eyes, Sonny puts out a sigh as he begins to come between the duel of the fates..


Sonny: "Oh, ladies. One of these days, you have to tell me the beef between you three so I can find some form of peace."

Minori: "Oh you! It's a clue: he means to use it as a way in the Assassin's Guild, Quin."

Quinlan: "I hear you loud and clear, but y'all better tell me why am I even bothering?!"


Sandwiched between a deadly metallic blade and arms he wish he had, Sonny decides to put the fighting words away..


Sonny: "Ehh, I thought you babes are on truce, so.. put the tungsten muscles and titanium blades away.."

Quinlan: "Y'know I can't resist. I mean, this truce rule won't work if she's.. say.. the Crimson End."


The annoying little brother then added..


Keith: "End? You mean.. like a.. butt? Like there's a madwoman who sits on red paint or something?"

Quinlan: "Doubt that's what she means with that, cuz."


As Keith settles with handling his cousin from down under, Sonny has some thoughtful words for his ex-girlfriend..


Sonny: "Heard a lot of good s[BLEEP] on your driving, Ginnie. But just in case some patrolman got lucky and notices you, I think you're staying in the shop. Keep us posted for any boys in blue."

Minori: "A fair assessment. D'accord."


And quickly turns to the other two..


Sonny: "And you two should go get ready to roll."

Quinlan: "Yeah. I'll see you later, aight?"

Keith: "You betcha! And you?"


Playing about with his facial structure, Sonny's reply can come as mostly annoying, as he declares..


Sonny: "Ehh.. took a hint that a certain little rose hasn't a clue of my NA Miata. She'll want to hear about it, trust me."

Now alone with his domestic Japanese sports car, Sonny stared away at its optimistic smile..

Tom Sawyer (Instrumental)
Rush
Moving Pictures


As a song began to brew, he too can't help but feel an uneasy optimism from the car fuelling into his own..


Sonny: "Been a while since I took you out for a spin, eh? I think our special guests are coming over so we can start the party!"


And on cue, the special guests do arrive, and the man on the scene gets to work, careful with his words to not get their fists in action..


Sonny: "Good to see you, Luce and 'friend'."

Lucia: "Hallo.."

Sonny: "So, it's only us left?"


With one guests open as she should be to an old friend, the other feels more withdrawal.


Candy: "Aside Minori-chan.. umm.. listen, I wanted to.."


He knows this was coming, and thus he knows what to say..


Sonny: "Apology f[BLEEP]ing accepted."

Candy: "Whu-"

Lucia: "Ohh, Candy.. my love-hate relationship with this pig be darned.. you underestimate him."


The pompous ass basks in his nickname and turns, with a cool hint of speaking how he feels..


Sonny: "As I underestimate this fraulein. Gist is.. well.. I did get a takedown harsher than a copyright strike on YouTube. Only that I need to check on my teeth when I get home."

Candy: "You don't need to.. I know a few good dental surgeons around.."

Sonny: "Let's hope the credits you're paying back aren't so bad."

Candy: "They know me.. so I guess this time I'm 'belanja' you back?"


This language barrier erected did give Lucia a moment to ask..


Lucia: "What's 'belanja'?"

Sonny: "Malay-Singapore way to say I'm treating you."

Lucia: "Ohh.."


And the human barrier now paves way for Candy to finally see..


Candy: "I didn't know you have an NA Roadster."

Sonny: "Mainly because it's not under my name. But Kirk's. It signifies the first collaboration between him and Luce over here. Was it 2 days around Willow Springs?"

Lucia: "As you and Mann Bernardo said then.. 2 fast, 2 furious."


A quick look behind the aftermarket Enkei rims was sports springs colored with a certain brand..


Candy: "These springs are definitely your thing, Lulu."

Lucia: "They're Bilstein. Differential from Quaife. Und the transmission's XTrac. My go-to brands."


Counting prices that rival the base car, she exclaimed with a hint of surprise..


Candy: "That's quite the budget you had to put up with on a Roadster."

Sonny: "I suspect you don't want to hear about the centi supercharger in the hood. Not to mention how mild this all is compared to some others.."

Candy: "And the fact you pushed it to the limit and still have working limbs means.."

Sonny: "Match made in heaven, darling."


As he flaunts, the German prodigy added..


Lucia: "Don't say it's a miracle, Candy. It's a sign we should work together more."

Candy: "Has Kirk ever went racing with it, or.."

Sonny: "He has. Got some good standings the past year. But even though its his training wheels, he's been busy. I gave him 3 different jobs, after all. So it's sitting in my private storage facility.. until today."

Lucia: "His fancy way to say a warehouse in Orange County."

Sonny: "Still not wrong, Luce."


As he keeps his flow going, he lets out a hint..


Sonny: "Doesn't also mean a Miata like this isn't a personal ride for a badass like me.."

Candy: "Personal?"

Sonny: "We talk later on that. Now we gotta get the heat away from our nice unnamed cafe."

Spoiler: 4. Causing chaos in the city (TUNER'S ANALYSIS)

As the group then gather by a rest spot on the expressway, the leader then requests an audience through her phone..

Candy: "May I have your attention.. Bon and Shinigami-san?"

Rodulf: "Little mus.. what's on your mind?"

Candy: "I figure.. in this frantic time is a good moment to think of a name for the shop.."

Boniface: "I believe to leave that to you, but should we ask the others for an opinion?"

Rodulf: "It's our shop, Richelieu.. let's gather an idea as we gather up some unwanted publicity."

Candy: "Hmm.. are you sure we aren't so crowded? Actually.."


She looks out and notices the collection of domestic cars around, and has an idea as she then speaks up..


Candy: "I should excite you all.. and I've just the thing: give me a headcount, if you please?"

Hayato: "Cowardly little introverted Candy-chan.. but since you said please.. here! This is what turns me, and the keisatsu on: competition! You should too!"

Quinlan: "If that bloke sees it like that, my Boosterjet Jimny's gonna roast you bunch like steaks on a barbie!"

Keith: "Hey! Hey! You guys remember my Atenza! My Atenza from Week 49? Remember how quick it was? It still is!"

Ayumi: "OHMIGOSH OHMIGOSH OH MYY GOSHH! I FINALLY GET TO BE A STREET PUNK!"

Hideki: "H-hey, if we get arrested, we're getting automatic acquittals, correct?"

Lucia: "Not from me. I'd say.. it's my in house tune versus your autohaus tune today, freund."

Boniface: "Today, I shall find out how much oomph Le Car has, ma cherie, and everyone else will witness it!"

Sonny: "Say, me and Guts has agreed on a wager.. most kills win. A kill's an overtake, by the way [eyes glare]."

Bernardo: "Police scanners are a buzzing, amici. Let's get to work. Bernardo... AWAYY!!"

Rodulf: "Seems we have a few followers about. I hope they've found us within reason."


As she finishes, sirens and a loudened amplifier sourced voice can be heard by the other end of the tunnel.

Hoping an easy run around the expressway was to be, the presence of that German powerhouse however has the little racer worried as she announces..


Candy: "R-reason? That AMG is what looks to be the first of Tokyo's high speed law enforcement! Let's go go GO!"


Tom Sawyer
Rush
Moving Pictures

Spoiler: TUNER'S ANALYSIS SEGMENT

Ahh, tuning. Let's get to work.

Perhaps the most obvious final objective is to make the car akin to the Gran Turismo unique Touring Car specification that debuted as DLC in the fifth game. Although, that car is a whole other beast, I'd rather not use that as a benchmark; it's essentially setting you up for disappointment unless. UNLESS..


We swap it. First thing to note is the car does have engine swaps, like in real life. Here, we get.. one. One, which is sort of disappointing. The wacky world of automotive pundits put all kinds of things that can power an NA's shell, from a Chevy LS V8, a Honda VTEC, a Duratec V6.. perhaps even an electric motor. There are websites and straight up starter kits for supplying this car with applicable donor hearts, and you read right: WEBSITES, for this car ALONE.

However, the game offers probably the most obvious one: the FD Rotary swap. This is one of those swaps you should do when you 1) really really REALLY want more out of your NA Roadster, and 2) have mastered the car and understood what this baby wants to be fed with, as the power and boosted aspiration it will carry is going to overwhelm anyone who's just going to slap it on without further adjustment. However, this is a realistic swap, and one I don't recommend against, as the FD rotary seems to resonate well with small lightweight convertibles.. being the only cars that can receive this swap. In fact, a quick peek at the powerband is convincing enough for me: as the cars have similar power and torque graph shapes, despite the donor having a turbo, meaning not much has changed to the driving style aside a power boost. More detail will come when that nomination comes around.

Come here, come all, step right up and see the one and only Eunos Roadster (NA) turn from a fun little budget 2 seater sports car, to an even more capable, yet still fun little budget 2 seater sports car. And what we have to address before taking it flying across the trapeze is as follows: rear grip being a little lacking, better tighter gearing and proper adoption for higher power rating.. really, only two things. Like I said: the car's issues are minimal, and we shouldn't do much.. which escalates as soon as power is put in the equation.

The main rule of tuning the NA is: Do whatever you like, but know what you want. It's not quick enough to cause much issue unless you really mess about.

Perhaps the first rule is to put on aero. The Roadster is incredibly tunable, and if you ask me, even in aesthetic, you're never going to get this part wrong. Aside liveries, cursing the car isn't an option; too bad this isn't some Chinese free to play mish mash of a game that.. has a Miata with that front bumper allowing attachable teeth or something.. Anyways, if you still want a nice purist look, the rear spats give you 100 downforce units as is, and that's enough to solve the rear grip, and you're not pushing the power too hard. I'm not stopping anyone who wants more metal on the car.

Going to power, one can do just about anything to the small Roadster inline 4. That includes a choice of either using a turbo or supercharger, and not both. The turbos are, obviously, more popular, and also the more potent one. But the supercharger gives a more modest boost that's more akin to driving the non-aspirated version. Again, you put what pleases you. See, that rule is working again?!

Suspension is next, and some of these can come as not much a surprise. Things like having a more generally stiffer balanced setting is what you want, especially with some downforce around. To get that floaty feel gone, you can lower it down, raise the roll bar levels, and of course get the damping ratios upped so that it can take bumps better. You can have the car's height taller at the front a little if you need more grip, likewise with the spring frequency. If you get the power up, be sure to mess with the rear camber and toe. Add more negative camber and rear toe inwards to deal with potential wheelspin, but watch so that you don't have issues turning. Work with how much grip the car has in your class before messing this in great detail.

Another important change for us to make has us gun for the differential settings. I'm fine with a 5-15-10 setting, but in some cases you want better stability in the cornering, you raise that braking sensitivity up. Not horrendously up like in a muscle car, but maybe 20 or above will do. Any last second adjustments and you can play with the ballast, and focus on shifting it to the front. More power for your PP is nicer too in a car like this.

One last fix: the long gears. This one's easy: generally lower gear ratios. My tip: make it even shorter at the first gears. Don't make it too short that you're stuck at the top rev ranges though.

And.. on a somber note.. as I write this, I have the game running on Remote Play, with the camera going around the car in the Garage. Every detail is as I remember the car with all those unforgettable years the car can run for me. Fare thee well, sweet prince: there's a very good chance I'm not going to write about you ever again (the TC is not on the list of cars I will write).

Moments pass, and as the day reaches noon, the lady in the red Skyline then announces..

Candy: "Quiant. My highway experience has paid off indeed. Gang, I'm in the clear, and heading back to the cafe. That was exhilarating. How about you guys?"

Keith: "Candy! Hey! My Red Bull Atenza's right behind you, and this annoying van! But.. if we were racing, we'd be even."

Candy: "Let's wait for the next Red Bull Mazda spectacle for that."

Lucia: "Frau Candy. I'm behind Keith.. and Herr Guts is beside me."

Candy: "Oh good. Thanks for babysitting the mute, Lulu."

Lucia: "Bitte schon.. no worries, frau."

Bernardo: "Vecchia! We've slipped out unnoticed: a Bernardo work of art."

Hayato: "Nyeeheehee.. I see why you have fun out here, Candy-chan! You must be one hell of a racer then."

Candy: "Then, and now. Not much's changed, Moto-san."

Ayumi: "Waaaahhh.. being a street punk is harder than I thought.."

Candy: "Yumi-san?"

Ayumi: "I've still stuck on a patrol car behind me, but I'll lose him after I head into the city roads. How does HE do it?"

Keith: "Big bro's on a whole different league, Yumi-san. You mind if I help you with some pointers?"

Candy: "Keep us posted. Deki-san?"

Hideki: "Still here, Candy-kun.. Umm.. I'm good, with Shinigami-san.."

Rodulf: "Rrrr... they're sloppy, but I can't doubt they can do some magic in the future."

Boniface: "Ma cherie, we have outsmarted the brutish police. Perhaps I can help intercept for madame Tanaka?"

Quinlan: "Sounds fun, ain't it? I'll come along, then! You can tick us off the list now, sheila."

Candy: "Okay.. that makes up for everyone.. except.."

Sonny: "YYEAAAAAHHOOOOO, MOTHERF[BLEEP]ERS! Mind if I make an entrance? WHOOHAAA!!"

Candy: "That Sonny.. he's rowdier in that Roadster than when he's in his Viper.."

Candy: "Peculiar.."

Spoiler: 5. The glimpse behind the self proclaimed badass

Candy's house
Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Night

Within consists of a small gathering of people hanging about in the little racer's quaint living area.

Though it's all serious business, as discussions fill the air..


Candy: "So.. today's gains.. are five percent above prediction! In fact.. I'm no financier or economic analayst, but with proper work, I'm positive this whole cafe venture is going to work!"


Presenting to Rodulf and Minori, the wild man spoke up, reminding..


Rodulf: "Might I add that we're using it as a safe spot for Assassin's Guild fellows.."


Rodulf then turns his focus towards his cohort..


Rodulf: "Miss Assassin.. I feel the stage is yours. You're the boss for this place. How about some words?"

Minori: "Umm.. yes. At least Quin's gone. But she's bound to be back, so.. the words are: are you sure?"

Rodulf: "Plenty sure! The tungsten one's good and loyal to us. Mark my word.. consider it my mission should she act otherwise, and perhaps to all that threaten this possible venture of ours."

Candy: "[sarcastic] Wow, how heroic!"


He didn't take lightly to that dishonest tone, as he growls..


Rodulf: "Rrrr.. You think you can say that about me scot free?"

Candy: "Noo! I mean.. keep this going!"


At a raised position from an organization hell bent on ending her, Minori shares happily..


Minori: "Why, merci.. I appreciate, and thus accept the offer. Does it mean I get new living conditions?"

Candy: "You only live 5 minutes away, Minori-chan!!"

Minori: "Bebe, can you explain why we still had to drive there?"

Candy: "We're still dealing with the land owner over reserved parking spaces, and it's just a measure of the crowds.."


With mention of crowds in his head, the savage follows..


Rodulf: "By the way.. I must commend.. your plan worked wonders, little mus."

Candy: "Ohh, well.. I wasn't so sure, but with a veteran Interpol agent around, and yourself.. not to mention we ran into a bunch of locals that have been tearing up the expressways."

Rodulf: "Importantly, there's less skulls I'm in the need to crack. The fewer of those, the better."

Candy: "It's no wonder the Guild looks so highly of you.."

Rodulf: "Tell that to the Shadow Queen."


Hearing a name like the Shadow Queen, the little racer couldn't hold back a laugh..


Candy: "Ahahaha! Is that for real?! Shadow Queen?! I'm sorry.. I'm sorry, but that is something out of Paper Mario, and I can't find myself to take it seriously.."

Rodulf: "You know this person as Nirvana."


As such a silly name can be, said image of that name shatters with reference to the enigmatic Nirvana behind it, as Candy looks as if she had a Vietnam war flashback.

Those aside then comment..


Minori: "Ohh, Rodulf.. you revealed that so soon. Look at her petit mind blown expression!"

Rodulf: "Well, it shows how properly screwed you were when she lost her marbles that day. You end her, and.. we'll come for you. Perhaps parade your lifeless body around.."


She hesitates to carry on with a light heart and spoke with stutters..


Candy: "D-duly noted.. (Damn.. I hate how stupid that sounds, but.. I just can't laugh the laugh no more!)"


Putting the shadow aside from the Shadow Queen, Rodulf then proceeds..


Rodulf: "Now I suppose we finalize the name.. I leave that to you, Candy.. show us what you have."


All on her, she begins to tale..


Candy: "I took your advice, and thought about it when we had to keep the police away from the cafe, and.. I went with..."


..and at that moment, remembers Sonny's swagger and joy on the expressway earlier, attributing to the very car he rode in.

With that in place, she reveals..


Candy: "The Eunos Coffee Lounge.. because however the situation, there are a number of good things you can have in our shop.. be it coffee, desserts.. the vibes.."

Rodulf: "And a safe space. Approved. What says you, Assassin?"


Understanding what she means, Minori weighs in..


Minori: "Tres bien! Well said, no objections, completely and utterly in favor."

Rodulf: "Well, you did good. I'll inform Hamza of this, and.. where is that other stakeholder.."

Candy: "Sonny Meng.. the pompous ass?"


As she notices a silhouette of him missing from the seat he's supposed to take, she realizes..


Candy: "Now I thought about it.. he's hasn't been here when he should be.."

Just outside, said man of the hour's by his car, finishing up a phone call.

As he puts away his smartphone in his pocket, he can hear someone coming out the front door, and didn't even turn to see..


Sonny: "I know what you're thinking, baby.. I know you see Sonny Meng: Asian American Badass as some over the top optimistic figure that bellows out greatness from evey orifice in his body. But like I said in the past: that part of me is getting harder and harder for me to keep up."


He then turns, but Candy herself found that all jarring..


Candy: "Whoa.. to me.. looks like your whole image just melted off or something.."

Sonny: "Consider it melting off for you to see my true form, Candy baby."

Candy: "Yeesh, skin melting off body isn't what I had in mind at all."


As she steps out to the cold night, she announces..


Candy: "Shinigami-san wants to let you know we're calling the cafe the Eunos Coffee Lounge."

Sonny: "Eunos, eh? I know you are going to thank me for inspiring that. Thumbs up from me."

Candy: "That settles it at least. But.."


But indeed comes the fact Sonny is not feeling his usual happy self, and Candy, reading him up and down, requests..


Candy: "Can I be a better friend now? Something is bothering you, and I don't need special visors to see it."

Sonny: "Or your power armor?"

Candy: "Or that."


Those words in his head, he then confirmed one thing..


Sonny: "Speaking of which.. you know that's the source of all our troubles today. It shows how much I need Kirk sometimes, lor. He can do the more discreet s[BLEEP] better than I do.."

Candy: "It's here! And you earlier coming to the cafe was.. uhh! You should've said so earlier!"

Sonny: "Yeah yeah. I'm still feeling bad about it, lor. But let me show you something.."


Reaching for the Roadster's boot lid opener inside the center console, he then shows her, stuffed in the Roadster a familiar box set..


Candy: "You REALLY stuffed all this in the back of a Roadster?!"


And as he lifts it out and drops the heavy case down, there's nothing but awe on her face..


Candy: "That's what I call impressive.."

Sonny: "Of course also risky."

Candy: "That's in the past. I'll stick with impressive, thank you very much."


Breaking a few sweats, he then remembered the prior offer, and decided..


Sonny: "You said better friend.. you know, you don't have to push it to earn my respect."

Candy: "You still haven't told me what's up."

Sonny: "Well, you know this Miata.. I told you it's personal, right?"

Candy: "Not like THE BEAST?"

Sonny: "That's a different personal, beh. This one leans more on the family."


Family.. a sensitive territory for the little lady, to which she adheres..


Candy: "Do.. umm, tell.."


What she instead saw was a more serious form of Sonny, as he notes..


Sonny: "Did you notice.. something about me loving me.."

Candy: "That's impossible for me to NOT notice.. all I think of you is exactly that."

Sonny: "You thought right, baby. Did you know.. that beneath all that self generated love is.. just a man whose misdirected love has failed to reach to those that need it?"


She took a moment to register, and when she did shortly after,


Candy: "...oh. That's not how I thought it'd be.."


She shook.

And it's not a shake that she can take lightly..

The only way ahead is forwards, as she digs deep into this egoist's source of ego..


Candy: "Gosh.. I wasn't ready for that.. but please.. keep going."

Sonny: "You feel it too, right?"

Candy: "Yeah.."


He put out his smile, but something is off with this grin, she thought..


Sonny: "You and I.. we're alike. I mean.. One Step Ahead tells me.. you're an only kid, right?"


She didn't resist telling the truth, as the mental games intensify the moment.


Candy: "Mmhmm.."

Sonny: "Did you develop a self ego that too carries on as soon as success precedes that stage, sis?"

Candy: "I never see it that way. I never let my ego push me."


He sees a difference, and prepares to unload..


Sonny: "Baby, you see me, and you can deduce I'm poisoned to the core! And you think for a moment, it brought me everything I ever wanted. That's true, but.."


He stands and walks away slowly..


Sonny: "Very instant I realized, my parents: the most important people in my world, became second place."


She gripped the center of where her heart is hearing that.

As if a cloud of guilt came from her soul, she spoke..


Candy: "Sonny.. when I keep saying you're the pompous ass, I.."

Sonny: "Really meant it? It's true, you know. But what do you think happened to my closest allies in the journey to greatness?"

Candy: "Closest allies? Don't you mean like.. Kirk, Minori-chan, may I even say Nirvana, even?"


Like Nirvana, Sonny too makes use of a certain method of stare, giving the Hong Kongese a small scare..


Candy: "I.. (He can do a glare of death too?!) I suppose.. the Miata must mean to you as something.. special? More special than them? To involve it akin to family?"

Sonny: "If not the sixty nine Camaro, it would've been my first car. But we had to sell the first Miata. My mama told me.. it was the worst thing she had to do. It's like selling a brother. Then when I got the mills to pay the bills, I thought.."

Candy: "Go get her one?"

Sonny: "Yeahh, you look back at those regrets, and you do your best to do them right! Next thing you know, I had a big Miata championship. Whole collection of Roadsters, Miatas, what have you. I was having the time of my life, then BAM: Cancer, motherf[BLEEP]er!"


He didn't want to detail what is needed to be detailed when he takes center stage in a story..

But he does have a mood to make a quick sneak, describing..


Sonny: "This very NA Miata was the car that got me the big win, and also put up this fickle web in what really is my bloodline. But a dead parent? I was destroyed. D-E-S-troyed! You heard I put it under Kirk's name because I don't got the gall to face the fact my mama is dead. And I hope to prove that wrong one day."


She thought: he's full of positive traits, but if the one negative trait defined him as a person, it means he's forced to run that identity his whole existence.

Unable to cope with that reputation about, she began to weep..


Candy: "Oh my.."


He looked at her breaking apart, and can't let that slide, coming close to console..


Sonny: "It's my tragedy, sis.. and you're the one gushing it out."

Candy: "Can I.. say something?"


She spoke while rubbing her eyes..


Sonny: "Come on then. Your voices are heard in the therapy clinic of Sonny Meng."


But he then realized he'd make a poor shrink, when she didn't say anything..


Sonny: "Haiyaa.. Don't force it.. I'll say something first."


They sit, in a moment where it would make Boniface jealous.

In place, he thinks mainly of them together..


Sonny: "You promise we're not getting together at all, and I'll keep my end of that bargain, baby. Tell me.. you feel you've abandoned your own blood and flesh?"


That question hits hard, but in fact: she has one truth left to say about her parents..


Candy: "No.. in fact, they abandoned me.. and.. after seeing your true resolve, I want to make it right one day."


The man then stands with a hint of satisfaction..


Sonny: "Whew. Sis, it sounds like an adventure ahead of you can come."

Candy: "When it comes, it'll come."

Sonny: "Swell. You're stronger than what they say about you, you know, girl? Actually.."


Coming from one of his jacket pockets comes a case usually reserved for a ring, but as he shows it off, he mentions..


Sonny: "You remember when we first met proper? You guessed correct I am looking for the significant other."

Candy: "That's a good guess, right?"

Sonny: "Hell yeah it is, sis. But don't forget to do your end of the bargain, else this remains in my pocket forever."


As he puts aside his custom made ring carrier, Candy had another thought.. on how this moment all started..


Candy: "By the way.. that phone call.."

Sonny: "Was with my baba. I say I need to move on from our losses and we need to get together again. Was tough, but what kind of badass am I if I ain't a tough one, maa?"

Candy: "Already back to your confident self, eh.. s-sounds nice."

Sonny: "Nice? Ooohh, it's more than that, baby: I'm planning to race him. He owns a shiny race spec ND Roadster. Let's see if I can teach him a few things. But I feel we should head inside. Cold's not good for burning hearts."


He lifts up the heavy case, and hurries back in, and the little lady then follows..

He's also back to his usual self, she thought, as his usual jingle began to rumble away..

But her views on a man who runs on his ego did change, as soon as she saw his heart come out earlier like never before.

Unlike anyone else, the self loving Asian left out a flash of blue from his body: a new sight from the little racer that signifies she can't help but feel his infectious optimism has finally hit her.

Spoiler: 6. His soul still burns on

The Eunos Coffee Lounge
Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Evening

Trying out a recipe for wienerschnitzel from her good friend's cookbook in the cafe, Candy starts to piece apart the breaded pork cutlets.

At the same time, she has her eyes on the television that sparked police interest the past day.

That fact however strangely remained, as she mumbled..


Candy: "Police seems to be all over these days."


"Police has set new highway cameras, and have spotted suspected individuals.."

As the camera heads to a part of the Tokyo expressway that's not crowded, the news channel displays clearly a crowd, and more importantly..


Candy: "It's that Mazda again.. Sonny's Roadster.. don't tell me.."


The two domestic Japanese classics sit idly, with their engines on and ready, while their drivers however conversing with each other.


Nirvana: "Do tell Nirvana: the Eunos Coffee Lounge identity was your idea?"

Sonny: "Me? Nah. I'm a bad ass at making names, but for that gig: Sonny Meng was just the inspiration. That Candy can think up of quite a few things.."

Nirvana: "The fool strikes gold yet again, eh? It matters not. How about we.. as you normal people do: celebrate?"


Ready for another round of pointless racing with one another, Sonny speaks back with fighting words..


Sonny: "I hate your purpose of existence.. but for tonight, I like the way you think.."


However, before the trash talk could progress, sirens blare the area..

And the man guessed..


Sonny: "Your police bribe not working today, big ugly? Aww.."

Nirvana: "To the masters of our craft, it matters not. Start the countdown."


Dance
Ratt
Ratt & Roll: 8191


3..

2..

1..


Sonny: "GO, GO GO GOO!"

The two cars rev high as they could, pushing to the limit..

While it looks the EK Civic has the upper hand..

The existence of a split then seems to head to myth, as they carry on with their now high stakes race.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

The rule from 3 years back (in Horizon 5) stating that all of Miatas automatically being Sleeper still stands, and can I say this is the prime example? The whole idea to contend this week instead is.. how much of a Sleeper?

It's peppy, sporty and cheap, not to mention complex enough to not make it a simple pick up and drive car. There are intricacies at this price point. Very much a definition of a car that everyone who's run it swears by, myself included.

Even though I feel I should get special treatment for having to push and turn one personally, I don't need it to tell you all the car has a special place in my heart. So don't expect me to give it a perfect score, because in my special happy place, it already has.

Spoiler: Biographies for this week's episode

This week comes with this funny grouping of past nominees with their owners. A list that includes the FC RX-7, Atenza, Volvo V40, S660, Le Car (still my Sleeper of the Year), and the Jimny XC. There's also some non-related nominees that are in the race, but I feel need no detailing. Oddly, none of them are the character's signature cars.

Sure revealed quite a lot of future plans for official non COTW story this week. First being the theme between Sonny and The Guts: meant to be used when they clash in Tales of Cinderella.. I shouldn't have said that. Not to mention 2 duels in one episode is a first..

Which brings me to.. oh gosh: my favori-EVERYONE'S favorite pompous ass Sonny Meng is the focus this week. Supposedly there'd be more explosions and whatnot, but I'm doing my best to hold back. You are getting more than one song with him around, and that I will exploit.

I've noticed, since the week with the DBR9 that fancy French aristocrat Boniface has been on perfect attendance. I'll make sure he won't be appearing again for whenever I write next.. unless you managed to land on one of his cars.

Lot of wacky moments this week, particularly that there's not a traditional race event to make use of. This I will keep refining, as I've plans to make it up to the point we nominate the Murcielago.

Did anyone expect me to write quite deep into why Sonny Meng has an ego? It might sound corny, but it's going to be the basis on how to write his story when that moment was going to happen. I find it engaging when things have depth beneath. This car is the perfect catalyst for that effect, and it's made up on the fly like every week. Note: nothing in the story is inspired by my own personal events, so don't worry: while the car's gone, I don't have a family member lost to cancer. But screw cancer anyways.

What good is a Sonny Meng episode without Nirvana to top it all off. While an intentional antagonist like a good chunk of today's bunch, I swear I need to make his personal kryptonite more.. caustic. That end scene is, picture by picture, a reference to Week 4.

This week's roster wheelspin winner was Rodulf Sorensen. And surprisingly I can write him in very very nicely this episode. Personal pats on the shoulder on that one. I think for this week it's in some way personal pats in quite a few ways.

Spoiler: MAIN CHARACTER - The infamous sweet toothed Lone Wolf: Candy Lam (Sport)

As the main character, Candy Lam is bound to appear in every segment, be it either as the lead role, or as a small mention.

The infamous Sweet Toothed Lone Wolf of Asia, or known worldwide as Le Glace Pacer. While her social presence is significantly poor, her presence on the track hasn't been short of perfection, now under the pressures of being a monetary source of higher powers, as well as her role being the most prime form of woman racers.. But don't let her hear that.

Theme Song: Def Leppard - Bad Actress
Racing Duel Music: Def Leppard - Nine Lives
Gender: Female
Nationality: Hong Kongese
Age: 30
Current occupation: Professional racecar driver
Distinct features: Long, clean, straight ashen hair tied to a ponytail via traditional red braids. A stiff, stoic Asian beauty that starts to show sign of wrinkling, covered by heavy layers of makeup. Thin, rounded diamond face, with various beauty signs of it being worked on unnaturally, especially her unblemished small snub nose, heavily lipsticked mouth and thin brown Asian eyes. Short body with small proportions.
Choice of clothing: Typical modern glossy sleveless Hong Kong dress, but 90% she will have her favorite on, that's in blood red with a white bauhinia pattern on, with matching sandals. Most of her clothes and themes come in red or white.
Cars: Toyota GR Yaris 1st Edition RZ "High Performance", MINI Cooper S, Honda NSX Type R '02, Mazda Demio XD Touring

Even though she's a proud Hong Kongese, Candy is actually born in high society Tokyo, and more exposed to living in a usual Japanese lifestyle. An only child, it was easy to find herself spoiled rotten from a young age, getting what she wants and not caring how it got there, thanks to wealth she inherits strongly. Her father notably was an executive in Toyota's racing division.

A target in her younger ages, Candy's early life was full of trouble from others that are against her being a Hong Kong native in Japan. She never made any friends as a result, and this loner habit of hers remained even after changing schools, going so far to even give her a new alias. While her parents have a strong standing in the society she lived in, she remained in their shadow, because she couldn't find comfort out of it.

Upon reaching her adult days, Candy's first 'milestone' would come when an incident in a high class event caused her to run, leading to a manic police car chase spanning several weeks before she was arrested. The victim of these events would have deep ties with various Yakuza families. While her parents retreated to Hong Kong, Candy stayed in Japanese prison, learning that if nothing needs to come her way, she needs to learn something she initially dreaded to do: manipulate the human mind, a state of thought she was once a victim of.

After her sentence, she regained her freedom, and it didn't take long that was noticed by the city's largest street racing community. Still with her inherited wealth, she started off strong in the streets. Years then pass, in which she eventually proves herself as a top competitor for racing in many top endurance races worldwide.

While her fans are out there in many parts around for being a woman dominating a man's sport, she's not exactly a great social interactor, and is a nobody outside the racing community. With many questions still left unanswered, maybe there are more ulterior motives with the unsanctioned blue MINI project..

Spoiler: Shy, but crafty artistic tuning youngster: Hideki Minami (5)

A shy but determined prospective artist with a variety of talents thanks to his smarts and willingness to learn. Now handling a tuning shop, he's eager to keep his craft fresh by travelling around the world.

Theme Song: Gorillaz - O Green World
Racing Duel Music: Cheap Trick - Everything Works If You Let It
Gender: Male
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 24
Current occupation: Tuning shop co-owner
Distinct features: Short spiky black hair above an oval face. Small, brown wide set eyes, thin almond nose and unpronounced mouth. Faint presence of freckles under the eyes. Always with a skin repair bandage on some part of his face due to acne. Bright skin. Average height and build.
Choice of clothing: Always with large rounded glasses, but is transitioning to contacts due to racing more often. Usually with a combo of a tight t-shirt with a buttoned up jacket/thick jacket based on the season. The lower body is always covered with sports slacks and sneakers.
Cars: Toyota 86 GRMN

Kyoto native Hideki was born into the world without much of a tale. Him and his two sisters lives has been mostly within the city, specifically nearby the cherry blossoms of the temples and shrines around. His early life come to following the footsteps of his scientist father: a man with dreams to make it big within the fields of life preservation. But a quick look concludes that he really only inherited his father's geeky and fast learning nature.

Despite that, the children were more into the arts, inspired by the natural beauty of japan. The sisters moved to being a pop star and actress respectively. Hideki took on arts and crafts, coming from his interest in doodling from a very young age, and reading manga. Strangely, his favorite manga consists of those with cars in them, especially Speed Racer. This doodling eventually gave way to his skills in precision sketching he uses today.

Coming into university with a stellar portfolio, Hideki's time on the side came to bolstering his interests. He bought a guitar and started earning on the side performing for small venues, and took on requests for sketching. And the moment he could, he earned his driver's license. While his muse and art are doing great, he gained a desperation to fill in his want to drive, not willing to save for a car. This led him to the racing community of university undergraduates, often mistaken for stalking the woman leading it: Ayumi Tanaka.

A small scuffle between local hotshots and universities wanting to show dominance in the racing groups caused the otherwise unremarkable and shy Hideki to raise his voice. A challenge was coming, and he had weeks to prepare. This is where it started with meeting and eventually bonding with future girlfriend Ayumi. In the end, he overcame it barely, and earned an inner drive to race, and respect in the local racing scene.

Over time, he graduated, and started a tuning shop with his girlfriend. Still together, and also strong on his side hustles, Hideki's main thought today stemmed from a pivotal meeting with an American in Gion, whose dark side seems to keep getting darker.

Spoiler: An electrifying rotary race pundit: Ayumi Tanaka (5)

An easily excitable young lady, who doubles as a young major art graduate and a master of Mazda's rotary cars, this energetic little bubble opened a small JDM tuner shop with her boyfriend to an initially mild, then great enough success, leading them to journey all over the world to expand their horizons.

Theme Song: The Bangles - Everything I Wanted
Racing Duel Music: Girlschool feat. Motorhead - Please Don't Touch
Gender: Female
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 25
Current occupation: Tuning shop owner
Distinct features: Medium-long, curly black hair tied as a ponytail. Semi sharp oval face. Large, wide green eyes, narrow aquiline nose and a small mouth that can truly expand when she gets excited. Average height, slightly underweight with average proportions.
Choice of clothing: Western influenced dailywear, usually in the form of a crop top and rolled up jeans. Colder climates prompt her to wear a single size winter jacket over it. Usually has a cap or beanie with the kanji Ayumi on it.
Cars: Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD), Mazda RX-7 GT-X (FC)

With an origin from Kyoto, Ayumi is an only child whose upbringing mainly comes from her family's traditionalist views. She didn't mind it at all, as it would mean her life would be family oriented as she grew up. Her father: a traditional calligraphy expert, endlessly suggested his only daughter to move on to the future, but always remember the past: a statement she can't let go of, as it moved towards her leaning for a certain car with a certain engine..

What set her inspiration for her hobbies was a visit to the Mazda Museum in Hiroshima, seeing the roster of Mazda's cars was a passion after the first visit, and it became an annual thing for her. She would eventually get her first Mazda from a wealthy and generous relative in the form of a classic FC RX-7 GT-X. Her peers in university would often see it shake up the track, as she learned to drive and race at the same time. Years in her freshman university days are appropriated to her winning similar class races of various scale, earning her the moniker of Rotary Queen.

With an on track name, she somehow got a bit of attention, good or other wise. Notably, she made a name when clashing with some local Kyoto racers over their heads. It went in her favor thanks to a man who stood up for her: her future boyfriend Hideki. While he didn't impress from the outside, his heart convinced her enough to connect them. Time passes, and with their art majors completed, they would head into finding work. If it weren't for a certain dark horse, who she would idolize and cement his fame in Japan through his unofficial fan club, it would never lead them to their small but eventually flourishing tuning garage based in Fuji.

While her boyfriend Hideki is quite the introvert, Ayumi is a most definitive opposite, having a booming voice, a metabolism for high speeds and gets excitable really easily. And her name as Rotary Queen starts to grow as she would try to get behind the wheel of every rotary powered car she can, eyeing on a new RX car Mazda has been conceptualizing.

Spoiler: The greatest beast of the racetrack: Tamed Racing Animal - The Guts (Sport)

Some say he has an unmistakeable alternate take on the origins of shoelaces, and that he's campaigning a drive to ensure mandatory use of condoms outside of pleasure. All we know is.. he might be a parody of something more legendary, but he sure is one racing animal.

Theme Song: Finger Eleven - Gods of Speed
Racing Duel Music: Celldweller - Unshakeable (BT & SeamlessR remix)
Gender: Male.. and boy are we glad this is known
Nationality: oh crap
Age: definitely around his 20s? 30s, I guess
Current occupation: Speed
Distinct features: Has no hair, and has a mildly chiseled face of a.. unknown if it's Caucasian or Asian look and skin tone. Sharp wide brown eyes, thick grecian nose and unpronounced mouth. Hard to say under his clothing, but its speculated he has a well built body with developed muscles.
Choice of clothing: His signature racing helmet is always on him, but very rarely can be seen without it. Aside from that, he wears whatever the situation desires, usually in shades of carbon black.
Cars: Genesis G70 3.3T, Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo, Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo Group 1, Toyota 86, Chevrolet Corvette (C8)

A mute, socially awkward man of unknown origin and information. All the people know about him is his mythical exploits on the track, being one of the fastest beings on the planet behind any type of car. Not knowing where he came from, some say he was a child of a sinister experiment gone bad. Others say he's the resurrected spirit of a legendary racing driver and brought to the world to show how it's done.

Whatever naysay is related, The Guts' unequal presence on the track is by far the single most dominant feeling of 'Nobody but him is winning this race', and with the rise of talents behind his flag, it's been a proven fact. Usually followed by an ambassador to help communicate, The Guts only speaks through body language, or occasionally with sign language. And if those don't work, he often snatches smartphones and somehow get away with it.

Now under the British car show Sim Gear, The Guts non-racing days have been all about testing cars and showing his ego. But some time ago, since the show's discontinuation, there have been rumors of The Guts being related to The List, but not even group veterans and founders aside the big boss can prove this. Although, the indirect proof of his signature Genesis G70 winning top level street races with his name on it has been circulating.

Spoiler: The omnipotent Asian American Badass that needs no introduction: Sonny Meng Xian Zhen (5)

Bohemian Like You plays

Once part of the greatest street racing crew in the UK, Sonny's now a key player in The List's day to day finances. While these days, he's started a long running racing career, leading to a gigantic bounty of success. This egotistical, proven all around badass comes forward as the most divisive top racing figure in the USA.

Theme Song: Rush - Vapor Trail, The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You
Racing Duel Music: A Silent Truth - Chariot (Daycore)
Gender: Male
Nationality: Half Singaporean, half American
Age: 32
Current occupation: As he would state it: a mother[BLEEP]ing racing celebrity
Distinct features: Curled, black medium long hair, always semi-shiny. Handsome, diamond Asian like face and skin tone, with a long stubble combined with a Zappa. Narrow angled grey eyes that shine when he wants to, subtle upturned nose, and hair surrounded mouth. Overcompensating perfect teeth that glares when he wants to. Slightly taller, semi slim build, with mild developed muscle.. also that gleam when he wants to.
Choice of clothing: Usually in biker style clothing, including leather all around with an undershirt.
Cars: Dodge SRT Viper GTS, Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Ferrari 288 GTO, GT By Citroen Road Car

While he might have a Singaporean father, his work as a presidential bodyguard means Sonny's an all American citizen. Birthed in Washington, he moved to California when he was still very young. There, he would meet the eventual leader of The List, and befriend him, being his social contact that would relate with him as that man would darken. On the contrary, Sonny remained as optimistic as he always has been.

But his optimism didn't carry over to his education, where he was often the main culprit of racism as an issue there. It was then he would learn, then utilize his famous mantra of always being one step ahead. By using his birthday gift: a 69 Camaro, he would cause what he would dub as the best graduation day ever: getting just about every nemeses in his school driver license suspensions, while he gets away scot free. Due to this epic win, his egoist side would rise from then onwards, possibly never reaching a ceiling.

It wouldn't stop there. Applying to study in London found itself to be a costly move, and he would bring said Camaro over the Atlantic to begin street racing in those streets just to break even. And past that, UK's top street racing crew known as the Prophecy would take attention, and adopt him as the first ever mentored student, known as a Chosen. Even though Sonny did graduate with middling honours and is ready for adult life, he chose to spend his earnings to chase his hobbies, and to everyone's surprise: it would end up being his life's work, with his unshakeable ego and skill would put him in the podium spot of any racing field he touches.

In addition to his successful racing career, he took on the role as The List's main income source, internally codenamed "Chimera". In recent years, Sonny's momentum has been halted when his mother passed, and now has a mission to find the Mrs. Meng to succeed even further than just his wealth and fame. These days, while he might be the badass he claims, he's also bound to lure in all sorts of trouble, such as the bad luck he's known for among his divisive peers, alongside his, what he dubs: 'favorite hostile secret admirer' in Nirvana.

Spoiler: All knowing, all seeing and all enigmatic: Nirvana Kellen (6)

A definition of the mysterious benefactor to the American dark side, nobody truly knows who, where, what or how this Nirvana person came to be. Aside being one of California's biggest earners within its black market, the only thing people know about her is that you never want to be on her bad side..

Theme Song: Nirvana - All Apologies
Racing Duel Music: Peaches - Boys Wanna Be Her (Tommie Sunshine's Brooklyn Fire Retouch)
Gender: Female
Nationality: Unknown, presumably American
Age: Unknown, presumably in her late 30s
Current occupation: Black market information broker
Distinct features: Medium long straight brunette hair, with the left side slightly longer on the front. Broad and tall diamond shaped face, with heavy eyeshadow and deep red lipstick. Wide and narrow green eyes, thick button nose and lip sticked mouth. Eyes always covered with a bespoke pair of sunglasses. Wears a pair of ruby gemmed earrings. Tall, slender figure.
Choice of clothing: Isn't one for a certain clothing style, but her daily go to includes a designer cropped jacket and blouse. Underneath usually is seen with dark, long skinny jeans, with tall leather boots underneath. Never without her prized golden necklace, carrying the iconic Nirvana grunge band smile.
Cars: Lamborghini Diablo GT, Honda Civic Type R (EK), Lamborghini Countach LP400

If there's a dark American secret or two worth knowing, there's a very good chance it either came from, or is already been privy by the mysterious, unusually beautiful chain smoker known as Nirvana. While she's not hiding any association with it, it's unclear why she took up the name of a once popular 90's grunge icon.

Despite being in the game for approximately a decade, Nirvana's role as an information broker has been volatile for involved parties. Regardless of the risk, it's a very fruitful business that allowed her to make up a luxurious, albeit mysterious way of living. Every day passes with her face on at least one association wanting her death, be it from minor greivances or major groups, with rumors saying even involving the darkest organizations within national governments. But by being directly connected to the Assassin's Guild means that threat is non-existant for her. It's strongly rumored she is the one completely external individual with the unstoppable, absolute Trinita L'Assassina on speed dial, as various wealthy crime bosses that had her targeted once had their groups dissolved in a week.

Anyone knows Nirvana is one mysterious figure that probably intentionally overdelivers her speech with speaking in third person, combined with odd lingual skills and backed with an odd accent. While it's obvious she's hiding everything about her, there's no hiding her services mainly being stationed in Los Angeles. There's also no hiding that she likes to drive an old Lamborghini Diablo, and it's seen frequently street racing at night. Her presence often causes the racing at night to be mostly calm, a sign of her connection with the local police.

A worker of secrets, Nirvana also knows how to keep them, and over the years, she begun to even use them for her own benefits. While not exactly the most expensive of secrets, using The Outlaw's identity allows her to blackmail her way into The List, now part of them as code name "Enigma". But running with the self proclaimed fastest crew isn't the goal. She uses it as soon as she found out racing celebrity Sonny Meng serving as the group's backbone, and also being directly related to its leader. To her, Sonny is the one person she deems her nemesis. Nobody but the just as similarly egotistical Nirvana only knows why this grudge came to be.

Spoiler: Part Senna, part Deadpool, part Shinobi, all ways swift and deadly: Hayato Matsumoto (6)

Fourth wall breaking fan favorite racer of the current Super Formula era, Hayato's achievements haze the many dilemmas and twists he's found himself in. A former Yakuza enforcer that doubles as an just as silent and swift ninja wannabe with a unfavorable young personality to back up his race track talents.

Theme Song: The Crystal Method - Play For Real (feat. The Heavy)
Racing Duel Music: The Crystal Method - Play For Real (feat. The Heavy, Dirtyphonics Remix)
Gender: Male
Nationality: Half Japanese, half Brazilian
Age: 30
Current occupation: Race car driver
Distinct features: Dyed dark purple hair in the shape of a ponytail. Wide, diamond shaped face with pale skin. White tinted eye contacts, flat thin nose and a slim mouth exhuming a dangerous smirk. Average height, slightly thin build. Heavily tattooed body due to his past within the yakuza.
Choice of clothing: Dark colored, and always covering his skin. Commonly wears trendy clothing, nowaday's its a designer sweater hoodie with 3 quarter denim pants, tall shoes and a belt. Never seen without his traditional made ornamental katana and its sheath behind, presumed a fake to just about anyone who don't investigate.
Cars: Honda NSX (NB), KTM X-BOW R

History was shady, but first records show Hayato was born in Nagoya with a mixed Japanese Brazilian bloodline. Notably, his family carries strong ties to the shinobi warriors of Sengoku Japan, giving him an idea on what kind of person he was going to grow as. However, he was a rebellious soul who could hardly get anything going in curriculum. That journey as a ninja would have to wait until one day, he would personally go on a journey to retrieve an old relic hidden in a deathtrap shaped like a home. He might have succeeded, but the problems started. Said relic was a priceless katana, and word got out, his family and clan were slain or went missing, including his family, who had an abrupt but heartfelt goodbye, not knowing where to go.

After reaching adulthood, Hayato made his way through life with a girl he met. It was thanks to her he got involved in Yakuza affairs, being the sole daughter of a top family enforcer. He would learn their ways, brandish their stripes and worked his way up the ladder. On the side, he applied for a junior Red Bull course in racing, again because his girlfriend said so. That eventually grew as he was noticed by two important individuals: an infamous street racing delinquent, and the head of the multi million organization known as the Kirkham Foundation. With their offers, Hayato had a new goal: to be deemed an icon, as someone significant.

Years pass, and Hayato leaned back to the criminal element strong. But as he grew in strength, that went to the test as the family he served was the same one that terrorized his teenage days. As his connections to the relic he used came to light, blood flooded rivers as he fought his way up to get the answers he needed. All was said and done, but one final test remained: the woman that lived with him all those years pledged her allegiance against him, and in a final struggle, he cut her where she stood. Past all the heartbreak, he would remember her by selling the relic katana to the government, then having a master blacksmith forge a whole new sword: the same one he carries at all times on his back. He branded the sword as 'Yoko': the girl he lived with all his adult life til then.

Now with those bloody ties severed, Hayato stands now a strong contender for the Honda Racing Corporation. While his focus lies on Super Formula nowadays, he's been seen testing out Honda's Group 3 division. And there's a good chance he might be travelling the world, eager to be showing his honed racing skills.

Spoiler: A fiery Interpol agent with a stash of skills and antics: Bernardo Bellini (5)

Veteran racer of many fields, and a policing agent of a small investigation squad that studies the potential criminal element developing within the FIA. To the public, he's just an Italian funny man who enjoys pulling pranks and regularly teases his many peers and colleagues, with a similar enthusiasm in being the greatest of his policing work.

Theme Song: Santana - Everything's Coming Our Way
Racing Duel Music: Deep Purple - Burn
Gender: Male
Nationality: Italian
Age: 34
Current occupation: Interpol agent
Distinct features: Long gelled back dark brown hair. Macho rectangular face. Droopy green eyes, with a rigid shaped thick nose and well shaped thick lipped mouth. Lower face is covered in a thin layer of hair. Semi-tall, semi built body.
Choice of clothing: A buttoned up t-shirt, his smart watch and his tight but flexible jeans is what's consistent. His overall fashion style is simple and convenient, as he never overdresses.
Cars: Lancia Delta HF Integrale, Lamborghini Huracan

The runt of 4 children in a prominent Milanese family, Bernardo lived the high life from day one. However, that high life came with a price. His father and mother were capos of a large mafia family, and the children were raised to succeed them. Bernardo only wanted one wish: to live a normal life with all this wealth rather than fight it off on the streets. He even was unsure his family, sucked into the life of crime, was even part of being a family with him. Even though that fact remained as he learned along how this works, the family life was good for him.

He never really worried about that until he gotten into adulthood. Turns out his parents were using their power as capos to build their own wealth, but knew that they would eventually be found out. Instead of keeping it, Bernardo finds himself escaping with a hefty share to the UK, where his first move was to contact local police to assist. Taken in by his honesty and how he forsaken the inherited money, they decided he can be used to soften the mafia families. To do so, Bernardo eventually gotten himself into higher education so he can become a decorated officer. This period was a pivotal one, meeting a darkened man, his optimistic friend, and a pacifist military commander. This is where he believes his real family starts. The short 3 years with them got him his signature trait: to be a nasty cheerful prank.

Post graduation, Bernardo became a decorated soldier against crime. Promotion after promotion, he eventually got to Japan as part of Interpol, beginning an investigation between various Yakuza families making suspect safe bets to make hoards of money off various sources. Not only was this the time he met his future wife, this is where he gotten himself into GT racing, personally trained by select figures. He didn't make a huge success, but her eventually landed a position as a race manager for a new fledgling team with his wife. This effort would mainly be on and off, as his newly initiated role to investigate the FIA's events remain his focus.

Spoiler: A potent, but aggresively temperamental prodigy: Lucia Weiss (5)

Known by anyone who's anyone in the Nurburgring racing community, Lucia is known by many as a shining example of a prodigous talent of both the garage and the track. Know even more, and one can find wearing these ridiculously large shoes is a tomboyish short fuse, always ready to blow sky high.

Theme Song: Robbie Williams - Different
Racing Duel Music: Garbage - Control
Gender: Female
Nationality: German
Age: 23
Current occupation: Race car driver/team manager/racing mechanic
Distinct features: Blonde, straight shoulder length hair. Thin diamond face with small cheeks and sharp chin. Smooth shaped blue eyes with some thin make up under. Thin, average to tall body height with slender features.
Choice of clothing: Trendy and chic. Whatever she wears, it's always flexible, tight and revealing on her limbs. Common sightings include either a combo of t-shirt, puffy vest and shorts, or a mini dress, all with sandals. Reasoning is that she doesn't have to make drastic changes when needing to get in her mechanic or racer's getup.
Cars: BMW M4 Coupe, Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33), Toyota Corolla LEVIN 1600 Apex (AE86)

Eifel born Lucia was never into the car game as she started off living. With her only sibling: a carefree cool and sporty brother, she came into the family when races around the Nurburgring was already a family tradition. And her family's also carrying deep ties, with a race commentator father, mechanic mother, and her sole uncle living in the family, racing for Porsche. Her relatives were also mostly male, toughening her masculine side unintentionally.

Unlike her brother, Lucia never got into the sport at her teenage days. Being forced fed this ideology initially has her rebel, but eventually develop into her mean streak she still carries today. Having a terrible time growing up, she was bitter, and often quite shy, never showing her face for her family in the times the spotlight came. That all changed as soon when her brother, a fledgling Nurburgring Taxi driver, brought her to a few taxi runs and showed the joys of the car as it reaches the limits. This would be moment she started getting along with her family and their racing traditions, starting with said brother.

Heading to the UK to reinforce her new found interests, she's become involved in the developments of the legendary Group C driver known as The Bristol Harbinger. With his ties still strong in the racing world, Lucia's tutoring and lessons brought her to Toyota for a few years to be a part of their apprentices in racing teams. Diversity wasn't an issue, and she wasn't alone in the female foreigner department. She would then bond with an extremely timid and awkward beret wearing American tuning genius, and a Hong Kongese lady who would eventually become the famous GT racing woman known as Le Glace Pacer.

Before they parted, Lucia promised these two women, them and her now formed a friendship together as Toyota's Tenacious Ternion, that she's going to be as good as they are. Those words these days are harder to reinforce, with troubles keeping pace in the workshop and on the race track. But she's still very young in her career; she knew giving up would let this ternion down, as well as her family and friends who would honestly back her efforts.

Spoiler: Stiff, clean racing aristocrat slash wine connoisseur: Boniface Richelieu (6)

An aristocratic, but overall simplistic French gentleman, carrying awards in literature as well as a well versed connoisseur of wine. But his biggest achievement is none of those, but of racing in the GT leagues, most notably being a dominating recurring champion of the Supercar Festival Leagues.

Theme Song: Yes - It Can Happen (Cinema Version)
Racing Duel Music: Yes - Love Will Find A Way
Gender: Male
Nationality: French
Age: 28
Current occupation: Race car driver
Distinct features: Clean combed back black hair, with a large white stripe in the center. Baby blue eyes, almost always seem closed. Thin mustache, wide upturned nose and mouth with regular skin tone. Slightly thin build with average height.
Choice of clothing: Fine suits are his wardrobe's modus operandi. Comes in many forms, but his favorite combine a silver slim fit suit vest and matching pants. Expensive accessories from a Rolex watch, fountain pens in his pockets, golden pins of various fancy shapes, and a pinned handcrafted gold trimmed rose (doubles as a hidden knife).
Cars: KTM X-BOW R, Alpine A110 (2017), Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce, Maserati MC20

Secretly referred to the as the family's little Bon Bon, Boniface is the last of 3 current generation of the infamous Richelieu of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon: a family whose wealth surpasses many that of just about anyone in Europe thanks to their stake in developing nuclear products, particularly electrical power and energy developments worldwide. While the middle child handles this business without remorse, and the eldest sister being a very well known bounty hunter for the Assassin's Guild, Boniface himself gets his family name famous in sport, notably in race cars.

Unlike his Paris born sisters, Boniface was born when they've already retreated to Sainte-Croix. But from a young age, he was often sent to the capital to be raised by relatives, schooled in the most lofty of education institutions. As he grew up, he didn't get along with others of his age well, but rather preferred to be among other adults, eventually acting and getting along with them. While his maturity rised, his manners remained sloppy and smug, thus why he usually calls similarly aged persons barbarians, brutes, or whatever synonym he can figure out.

These connections would eventually lead to two of his life's greatest passions. Race car driving, and wine. After high school, he went on to quickly pursue them. Eventually, he would become a famed touring car racer, notably as the sport's purely clean racer with a near perfect clean race record. His interest in wine would lead them to his other life as a wine connoisseur, releasing weekly reviews to his online website. An open learner whose recently graduated with a Major in English Literature, Boniface's current focus is to help his family's financial issues, with its problems stemming from his sister's newly diagnosed complications in her heart.

Thanks to burying the hatchet with his long time Scottish rival, he's found yet another path to take in being the recurring champion of the Supercar Festival. But those skills are put to the test as he inadvertently made his way into the ranks of The Prophecy as their newest Chosen.

Spoiler: Emotionless, unparalelled, unrelenting, uncaring: Rodulf Sorensen (6)

The most feared bounty hunter in all of Europe, maybe the whole world. An unstoppable wild killer, whose emotions are, to him, just a setback to the bigger picture. But there's more to him than just a savage, remorseless shell honed to kill.

Theme Song: Yngwie J. Malmsteen - Perpetual
Racing Duel Music: Yngwie J. Malmsteen - Gates of Babylon
Gender: Male
Nationality: Swedish
Age: 36
Current occupation: Bounty hunter
Distinct features: Balding swept back parted blonde hair. Notable skin damage, scarring and blemishes on his aggressive, top wide then lower thin oval face. Small patch beard. Tall, and fairly muscular on a thin body.
Choice of clothing: Thick leather gloves and steel tipped industrial boots covered by industrial coveralls, usually only worn by the leggings. Tight fit striped shirt, padded with protection. A fur jacket covers the top when weather is cold.
Cars: Bugatti Veyron 16.4

Known mainly as the Hel Walker or the Grim Reaper. Rodulf is probably one of the best, and just as merciless and ruthless bounty hunters known to man. But his humble origins from Kiruna have been rather normal. He was a shy, but cool star basketball player in his small community growing up, and was prepared for a life going pro on just playing sports. There, he learned that teamwork has been a core part of achieving a goal. But all this does is reinforce his feelings as a man who works and operates alone. This is because as he was to exit high school, he would play his last match with his team before being the sole survivor in a plane hijacking, indirectly caused by, as he found out personally, a terrorist organization.

With all ties gone due to his death being presumed, the still young Rodulf learned how to survive in the cold Swedish wilds, from living off the grid, and eventually kill. Knowing enough of those who buried his past in the snow, he would begin a long and hard pursuit of these individuals, and he would learn to hone his killer instinct, put aside his sympathetic personality and get stronger after each kill. The cold bloody war would end as he would end the terrorists by his own hand. However, due to the leader being bound by a certain organization's protective contract, the just as feared Assassin's Guild would take action and send their best assassins to find and apprehend him. Mercilessly, Rodulf didn't think twice and put him on their radar when he sent these assassins back to their masters in boxes.

And he wouldn't stop there: he rampaged his way to the inner circle of this organization and by stroke of luck they instead managed to calm him and inserted him into the group to protect themselves. Now, the life of high stakes killing begun anew, with his specially armor plated Veyron being the testament of his nearly decade reign. The Guild would then place a major base within Kiruna, specifically near Rodulf's older stomping grounds.

While savage and likes to hold grudges, those who do luckily know Rodulf can find a quiet man who thinks to himself a lot, and while scars are all over his body, he can be quite aloof, menacing and anti social. While he's feared and protected, Rodulf can sometimes be found racing legally in the FIA in Group 1 Bugattis. He would make use of this relationship to bolster his driving talent with his own car. Some rumors speak of him clashing with a few racers personally, but nothing has happened on this end. Right now, he has his eyes on The List, with an eager gaze towards the man behind the strings..

Spoiler: Successor of a great family's legacy with doubt in his role: Keith Ross (5)

The current era successor of the well known Ross racing family of Ventura Bay, California. A casual player who takes his journey step by step and reeling in the experiences to be this future force of nature his brother already is..

Theme Song: Airbourne - Ready To Rock (Black Dog Barking)
Racing Duel Music: AC/DC - Rock Your Heart Out
Gender: Male
Nationality: American
Age: 26
Current occupation: Race car driver
Distinct features: Partially scruffy, blonde combed back hair. Diamond face with rough edges. Blue eyes, hard edged grecian nose, and wide, deep mouth. Average height with slightly thin build.
Choice of clothing: Wears a zipped up sports jacket at all times, but contents vary from racing teams, anime or American football logos. Under all that's always a t-shirt with blue denim jeans and matching sports shoes.
Cars: A whole collection of them, but is 95% of the time seen with his Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (C6)

Like his brother, Keith too was born in the sunny side of coastal California. But there, the similarities end. However, while his brother distanced himself from his family after a certain event, Keith was the only exception to that rule.

Carrying a nice flowing blonde hairdo, Keith grew up as if he was more normal than that of his only other sibling: not in military school and instead in your usual elementary. Considering his father's reputation, Keith became a strong contender for the family's legacy as soon as he was bred into it, from entering racing schools as soon as he was able, to even forcing, then growing an interest in his father's signature car: the Corvette. It's not unusual for Keith to show this interest strong towards his friends and classmates, wearing racing memorabilia as his usual fashion statement.

Befriending a certain Asian American Badass and a small fat nerd with a flair for the young internet imagery, the once wimpy Keith took his influences from their actions, coming out into adulthood with his geeky yet cool flair of his, and took his future to the track after high school. While initially flourishing in the amateur leagues, an opportunity came for him to take part in Super GT for Honda. Unknowingly, alongside his nerdy friend, he's accompanied by a set of characters whom his brother set up with to watch him, eventually befriending them. Said group includes an Italian Interpol agent, his German hot head sweetheart, and the Bristol Harbinger.

Despite scoring high overall, and eventually getting into GT racing, rumors spread of Keith being too pampered, and the presence of his brother's intervention to the racing scene bound to come. Then, it all came down to Keith officially named the successor of his family's racing heritage: a name he strongly objected to at first, but then he didn't relent to represent when encouraged by his brother who he endeared so much all his life. And due to recent events, the Ross brothers dream start to flourish after today..

Spoiler: Feminist cyborg slash top of the line killer of all killers: Ginoa Fantoccia/Minori Wada (5)

A technological marvel with a sharp finesse in her life ending work that got her the moniker of the Killer of Killers. Formerly the most sought out assassin for hire, she now lives in refuge under a guise, hoping nobody would find her unless you have a problem and no one else can help..

Theme Song: KMFDM - Professional Killer
Racing Duel Music: KMFDM - Virus (Pestilence Mix)
Gender: Female
Nationality: French
Age: 30
Current occupation: Maid? (obviously in disguise, she's actually the self proclaimed greatest assassin in the world)
Distinct features: Black, medium well combed right side bob, aggressively blonde when portraying her maid Minori personality. Smooth triangular face. Thin green almond eyes, thin tall nose with wide tip, and narrow mouth. Slight perky, blemished cheeks. Shiny white teeth that seem unnatural (actually bombs). Bright caucasian skin, with average height, weight and proportions. Small creases over arms and legs (actually hidden blades).
Choice of clothing: Your usual frilly maid outfit (definitely not intended). Outside, she's usually wearing a dark colored halterneck blouse/tank top, with black jeans and comfort slippers. Wears a red butterfly clip (actually a hidden knife), a golden set of bangles on her left hand (actually a hidden taser), and a large banded watch on her right (hiding the barrel of a hidden gun in her arm)
Cars: Ferrari F40, Renault R4 GTL

Perhaps the most well known member of the Assassin's Guild that serves as the example to not follow for any prospective killer due to her actions of infamy. Taking on a rural upbringing just out in the hillsides of the Pyrenees, this killer to be had a name, and being the only child of a family. Taken by an unknown sickness, her father left the family, forcing her to migrate with her mother to find better pastures. While they found refuge within a millionaire's estate, the man was a predator by the definition, taking his mother to satisfy his pleasures while the lone child would run away finding that truth out with intents to exploit it. Being on the lam by child police and this richman's associates, she learned to not only hate men, but also to hide and survive.

She would then meet one of the very few men she can respect: a Catholic priest who took her in. Informing him of her farmland origins, the christened Gino would come through living on and off the sanctified church grounds, using this time to hone her athletic and martial skills. However, as she came to adulthood, the men in pursuit of her finally caught up, and further her hatred of these people by not only destroying anything she comes to contact with, but also using their influence and wealth to frame her for that act. To get back at these people, Gino would conduct the perfect crime: one she's been planning ever since her arrival. To get this near impossible task done is to help kindle her inner perfectionist, but put her on the most wanted list in the country.

Her escape all the way to the southernmost side of the country got the attention of the Richelieu family, who would massively profit of these crimes indirectly, and thus led to their favor for her. Befriending the profit minded alpha and her wine loving little brother, the once again renamed Ginoa had revenge in her heart, now striking anyone who would exploit the poor, declaring herself a self serving assassin based by the Richelieu's turf. Her most pivotal moment in this career came when she was to bring to the end of an experimental surgeon: the man who would grant her artificial augmentations of her body who apparently was a high ranking member of the Assassin's Guild. This eventual clashing would lead to her joining, as well as the birth of the Trinitia L'Assassina that stemmed from their efficient, effective service.

Within this organization and thanks to the jealousy of the Richelieu matriarch, Ginoa finds herself travelling all over the world, even mastering a roster of languages, but these days finds herself hiding away in the center of Los Angeles, unwilling to step out of this shadow for the amounts of deathly gazes awaiting to end her. She did however learn two more important life lessons thanks to a few close friends, inclusive of The Black Flash, her short gang leader lover and an angry fellow known as The Messiah: vengeance is a strong motivator, and similarly so is love.

Spoiler: Abs of tungsten, smasher of walls, breaker of molds: Quinlan Bradley (7 COTW)

Hailed as the Sports Diva from Down Under, Quinlan's a bona fide master in the physical contest of contests. A recent graduate of the world racing league's B License, her great muscles isn't the only secret of hers she's keeping tabs on.

Theme Song: Judas Priest - Hard As Iron
Racing Duel Music: Toyah - Thunder In The Mountains
Gender: Female
Nationality: Australian
Age: 33
Current occupation: Sports personality, prominently as a tennis player
Distinct features: Long bright orange hair, often tied in a pair of split braids. Wide almond shaped pale blue eyes, thin but thick skinned slab nose and small mouth. Her caucasian skin's always shiny. Semi-tall and has a defined muscular, built body.
Choice of clothing: 'A show of her greatly honed skin when she can' is her motto on this, usually wearing a sporty tank top with tight sports shorts, with a jacket either worn or wrapped around her waist. There are sporty shoes and sports sunglasses to complement.
Cars: Lamborghini Urus, Renault Sport Mégane R.S. Trophy, Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, Suzuki Jimny XC


Gold Coast born Quinlan was the second of a whole horde of children. She never had an issue getting past the ropes of life with her siblings, who frequent the beaches there. Thanks to her father's role as a pro surfer, and her mother being a lifeguard of one of the many beaches there, Quinlan had no issue with meeting people and also getting to know the active lifestyle she gets frequent exposure from. Reaching puberty, she however gained one other interest due to her body somehow developing muscular. Compounded by how ridiculed she was in school of her size, she knew this was the calling she needed to stand out and shield her ego: through strength.

Without a remarkable education, Quinlan went straight into sports, getting scholarships for various sports academies and fields. However the result, her jolly character seems to be a perseverant one where she never has a notion to give up in any slight. Though, behind all this muscle was still this psychologically inept woman, who would be taken advantage of by certain criminal elements in Australia. It didn't take long for her to think enough is enough, leading to a mental snap and a new aggression began from there. To the public, it gave them a positive role model to follow, and for the underworld a new killer threat thanks to her behind the scenes actions towards.

In one clash, she was put in a bind, but was saved and proceeded to clean up a large sports corruption scandal thanks to the Assassin's Guild, specifically from a feminist cool cyborg, with another sadistic blood knight. Joining in as an athletic powerful giant, these women would end up being known as the Trinitia: a triple threat of women that would be deemed unstoppable should they come together, though in their heads and ideals that's not quite the case, enough to cause a hostile rift.

Jumping from sport to sport, she recently gotten her hands into racing cars. Though, her growth seemed to be drastically larger than your run of the mill racer. Rumors report that she seems to have contact with the infamous Outlaw, though no direct reasoning has been confirmed.

Quick dump on cars I didn't give a score yet


Honda NSX CONCEPT-GT

Song: Europe - Love Chaser
— Group 2 mainly consists of a whole collective of silhouette cars that are designed to be the very best of what's capable in what can constitute as a touring car. As I perceive the whole 2016 GT500 roster under the context of the Three Musketeers, the Honda NSX is stylish, charming, and sexy, not to mention dashing and daring: a lot that you can see in representations of Aramis. Regardless, as with D'artagnan in the RS 5 Turbo DTM has shown, all of these musketeers are certified Sleepers: that 850PP isn't for show, and it doesn't take much to allow it to challenge echelons we didn't even expect for it to match.
Sleeper.

 

[XSquareStickIt]

I thought I'd be waxing poetry about the NA Roadster, delving into unhealthy detail about its specs, or pulling out obscure history about the car, but quite honestly, none of it matters right now because as of v1.52 of Gran Turismo 7, the NA Roadster is undrivable at speed.

The NA Roadster may only have 117HP (87kW) and weigh a mere 940kg (2,072lbs), but its springs are so unbelievably soft that they feel completely broken. Much debate is going on about the rather new physics model we GT7 players received back in v1.49, with one of the sticking points being how cars behave and respond when their springs are under severe compression, in particular exhibiting unnatural, exaggerated bouncing under such circumstances. As one might expect, this issue affects a car more the softer its springs are, and the Roadster's broken–feeling springs make it nothing short of a hazard to drive fast, even in our lobbies where all cars are reverted to stock, wide bodies are completely disallowed, and only the featured car's default tyres are permitted. To give some context: the worst I've done with the notorious Porsche Carrera GT in our lobby races was brake too late for Les Combes and run wide into the runoff. It was extremely tricky to drive, but I never once used the word "undrivable" to describe it. In comparison, I spun clean off the track and/or crashed hard into a barrier thrice in the Mazda over the course of the week's races. It is undrivable at speed.

Due to the NA comically overreacting whenever its springs reach the end of their compression travel, it's violently allergic to raised rumble strips; even gently grazing one is liable to send the NA sideways. Dismounting raised kerbs at even moderate speeds will send the NA bobbing side to side and front to back simultaneously, as though an origami boat in a lake right after someone threw a pebble in. Particularly notorious is the inside kerb of the right hander just before Hohe Acht on the Nordschleife, where Vic and I both nearly lost our cars after lightly touching it in the sprint race, and during free practice after, I promptly spun my NA on that same corner. Hell, forget something visible or tangible like kerbs; the NA can lose itself if its right pedal is pushed too hard. During our Saturday lobby at Tokyo Central Clockwise, I was doing around 140km/h in 4th gear when I took Turn 2, a slightly downhill, sheltered and relatively dry section of the track. I gradually tipped my steering wheel some 45° for the flat out corner, and despite the car's low power, the NA broke sideways on me. I seriously doubt any car fit for production in any era should be doing that sort of nonsense. As if that weren't enough on its own, the car completely refused to be saved, and the only reason I didn't go for a spin was because I hit the wall. It's bad enough to genuinely give me flashbacks to GT7's obscene launch day physics.

Nordschleife replay link
#cotw #mazda #mx5

Tokyo Central Clockwise replay link
#cotw #gtplanet #roadster​

The worst part is, watching that replay back, I noticed players on the regular DS controllers doing the exact same thing right behind me, and their NAs didn't even threaten anything, while I went for an unrecoverable spin. It genuinely makes me suspect that the NA's issues are a lot worse when being driven with a wheel. I was flabbergasted when SPD praised the NA as much as he did in his write–up, because holy cow it is UNDRIVABLE on a wheel.

I may return to give this car the full write–up in the future if the physics ever get an overhaul. In the meantime, the AE86 twins, S13 Silvia, either of the ND Roadsters, or even a Kenmeri GT-R are excellent lightweight FR alternatives with similar performance if you're driving on a wheel.

Spoiler: Some Photos

To repent for badmouthing a Mazda, please allow me to reclaim my Mazda Stan badge by flaunting my Roadster collection:

Mazda R&D Yokohama NA Roadster:

The real thing:



Mazda R&D California NA Miata:

The real thing:



Tom Matano's NA Roadster:
(Tom Matano is one of the designers of the NA)

The real thing:



MX-5 Le Mans Edition:

The real thing:



Roadster Hydrogen Rotary:

The real thing

Obelisk's NC Mimi, except it's an NA:

The real thing​

 

[Obelisk]

I really did not like the 959 when I used it for career races, and the lobby just confirmed my dislike for it.

Don't get me wrong, the thing is a rocket in a straight line, but something is off with its PP rating - it's low for what the car is.

Neutral.

 

[Yard_Sale]

Somehow managed two consecutive “clean enough” laps around the Ring. Heel-toed my way to a 7:40, and a 7:36 respectively. Having a hard time trying to figure out if the 959 is the ultimate beater, or ultimate Driver’s Car?