Que "Twilight Zone" music, and allow your vision to warp, as if two large water droplets land smack dab on your pupils, rippling your vision to the boundaries of your consciousness. The edges of your vision do the opposite of Top Gear, and fade to white.
The ripples subside, your vision clears. You wish the same for the music score, but, lest, today is not your day - tomorrow doesn't look good either.
You are greeted by a large apparition - without the scariness.
The Ghost of Suzuka.
I first met the ghost of Suzuka on the lower level of the George Washington Bridge, the main artery from New Jersey to Upper Manhattan.
A Black M6 was blaring down at me, in the right lane, just a few feet from a several hundred foot drop to the Hudson river. And I thought...
It's already 4:00pm. I left work early, and was racing home in order to squeeze in my GTP Event 3 races. I had had put them off for long enough, and now, I had no choice but to tackle both my challengers, one after another. GTP_Synwraith and GTP_Sauber_F1 both 6 hours ahead of me, were waiting for me, to see if I would keep my promise. It was now or never, and I knew that if I didn't show in time, they would be off to bed, and I would be doomed for a pair of DSQ's. (I know, I know, Kevin and Jack are really nice guys and they would have probably sorted something out, but I'm trying to build the suspense...Stay with me.)
53 MPH, right lane, 3 car lengths in front of said black, sinister M6. Clutch in, floor the gas, drop it to 2nd, and sidestep the clutch. 6800 RPM and rising. 7800 RPM and rising. 8250 RPM, clutch in, gas out, grab 3rd, drop clutch, chirp from front tires. 80 MPH now. Breathe.
I was listening to jazz. A stellar musician by the name of Robert Glasper, who incidentally, I met in a NYC jazz club just a few weeks prior. I timed my downshift with his piano chorus - which resulted in an immediate cut out of the beautiful piano. The acceleration had jerked my iPod out of the glove box mounted iPod dock.
From the absence of jazz came a voice. I was being warned. It was already 4:00pm. My first race with GTP_Synwraith, Maz, was scheduled for 4:30pm. That gives me a half hour to get down 170 blocks of New York City traffic. The voice was telling me "There will be traffic". That was always the case. Sure, there is congestion - but more than you would think - even with the reverse commute.
Turns out, there is an accident. Two dumbasses hit eachother in the right lane, maybe 1/4 mile before my exit. There being no shoulder, hundreds of angry commuters fight for position in one of the left two lanes. I make it through, clear roads until my exit. 10 more minutes until I park my car. It is now 4:45pm.
I run to my apartment, fling open the doors, as I hear the voice again. "He probably went to bed already." I tried to come home at the normal time, the day prior. But while it was only 7:00pm for me, Mazhad gone to bed. I saw the history of his frustration in T&L's Skype conversation. For an hour he had waited, patiently, for my arrival. But his exhaustion got the best of him. I knew that today would then be my only option, and with such a sleep sensitive person, I couldn't be sure that Mazwould stay awake.
Imagine my relief to see him online as I booted up my equipment. We agreed to a few practice laps - without which I would have been toast. A 5 minute transition from traffic in NYC to 150 MPH braking on Suzuka is not kind.
I had followed the 750PP threads for weeks. I never found the pace that I was meant to find. Stuck in the 57's. Never had one 56 lap. But with drafting, I knew it wouldn't make a difference. We both knew that this race would be an epic one. And for 9.9 laps, it was exactly that, and more. 2 or 3 overtakings per lap. Triple wide trying to weave through traffic. Slight contact in all of the heated moments. But at 9.9 laps, on the back straight, exiting Spoon, I saw the Ghost of Suzuka. She was hovering in my view, as my car accelerated past the 110 MPH mark. I was in the lead, but only by a half second. I was sure Maz had the legs to make the pass. And unless he got stupendously distracted, he would have the race. He would defend the inside line down into Casio, I would be shoved outside, and he would win. Which, in all honesty, he fully would deserve. Breathing down my back, in a superior car, with a superior tune. Faster in a straight line, faster in the bends, I was lucky to have lasted this long.
But for the last 0.1 lap, I was a complete idiot. I knew that if I did what was predictable, Synwraith would win. So, I become unpredictable, and lost my cool. And frankly, being ashamed, I will leave it at that. Maz was the faster driver, the cooler driver, and the better sportsman. And I couldn't have said the same for me. Maz recieves the win.
She haunts me now.
I feel dirty. I feel ashamed, but the night must go on. GTP_Sauber_F1 is waiting in the chat lobby, watching as Maz and I discuss the epic 9.9 laps, as the 0.1 lap does not deserve conversation. Yet the same circumstances that applied towards my race with Maz. Massive time difference, and now it is properly late for Sauber. I have no choice but to enter into my second race, mere minutes after my first one.
And I am still haunted. Dirty. Though while my defeat was my own punishment, the Ghost of Suzuka was scheming. She hadn't had her revenge. I disgraced her.
And in the third lap of my race with Sauber, she unleashed her deadly weapon. Butterflies.
Everywhere. And I was weak. The distraction set in. She had commenced her attack. Front straight, 3rd lap. It was too late. Sand got in places sand ought not go. Sauber drove on.
Back on the track. Sauber wasn't fast like Maz. I started planning my comeback. What should I do? Plan for his mistake, or go pedal to the metal? I choose the latter. Dirty tires suck.
Another lap goes by. Fastest of the race. I wonder if Sauber will crash. Maybe - maybe not. I'm probably already screwed. Maybe if there is traffic........
Sand, Degner 2. Now I'm done. I finish the race, a whole front straight between me and Sauber.
The Ghost of Suzuka has punished me. Her butterflies have distracted me. I am not worthy. Maybe next time.
Damn she's hot though.
Edit: Wow