- 528
Note: This is fictional story losely based on real race in GT4
Part I - The driver
Tuesday
It's sunny late afternoon and I'm sitting in my office bored out of my mind. There had been no excitement in my life for past two years since I hang up my racing gloves. It proved to be just too much trying to run private racing team as a one man show. I ran out of money, sponsors and eventually out of options.
On days like this I often find myself daydreaming about racing.
A phone ring brings me back to reality. Call display shows +81, what the hell ? That is not even in North America.
Hello ? I answer the phone, expecting to hear apologies for dialing a wrong number.
Hey Mike, its Jake. Jake Jeffries.
Im confused. What could a mechanic I barely know want from me ?
Where are you calling from ? The phone shows some crazy numbers.
Well, I hear Jakes calm voice saying. Since the last time you saw me, I got a job in Japan. Im a pit crew chief for small racing team.
What does it have to with me ? You are not calling just to brag, right ?
Let me finish. One of our drivers broke his arm and we got very important endurance race coming up. I remember you from old days when you ran those beaters against guys in factory supported rides and somehow managed to win. I know you havent raced in a while but I thought maybe you would like this opportunity.
Millions of thoughts are running through my head and I hear myself saying: Why me ? There are hundreds of guys that can drive the car for you.
Jake replies, Not really, everybody else is tied up in some contract. And also we dont need someone who can drive a car, we need someone who can win that race
By then I have already made the decision in my head.
Sure, Ill take it. When is the race ?
This weekend, we will pay for your ticket, hotel and all other expenses. Think of it as a vacation
Friday evening
Jake picks me up at Narita airport near Tokyo. I shake hand with the guy and fall asleep right away in the back seat of his Honda Accord wagon. He wakes me up three hours later in front of the hotel in Motegi. I want to ask him about the race but he tells me to get rest first and helps me check-in.
Saturday morning
Jake calls me from the reception and I start bombarding him with questions.
What car do you have for me ? How long is the race ? How many cars on the grid ? Common Jake, tell sm something
You will see thats all I get from him.
We get out of the car fifteen minutes later in the paddock of the Twin Rings race track. Jake takes me inside and I see the car for the first time. Actually I see two cars. Two Honda S2000 roadsters. I have only driven the S2000 once when they first came out in 1999. Just one ride convinced me they would make great racers. Nearly perfect weight distribution, front engine rear wheel drive, rev happy engine with 9000 rpm redline.
You will be driving the white one, Jake points to the car standing next to its yellow sibling. Lets take it for a spin, he adds.
I climb through a roll cage into the driver seat and Jake takes seat next to me. I push the start button and hear the engine to come to life with deep growl.
This is not stock S2000, is it ?
Fairly stock, Jake replies. Its modified by Mugen, Hondas own racing development department
I drive towards the pit exit while I listen to Jakes instructions. My hands are shaking with excitement. This car feels so solid and strong compared to the old front wheel drive CRX I used to race.
Most drivers link turns three and four into one turn. Exit speed is very important. No distance markers here, you will have to memorize your braking points by tire marks on the track, Jake leads me through the track.
I finish two laps and drive back to the pits to drop Jake off.
Ok, now you are on your own. Run ten laps and come back here. The rest of the team should be here by then, Jake says.
I take off and start circling around empty track. The car rides on street tires and doesnt have much downforce. Still I find it pretty easy to drive. Im getting to know the track and at some points I try to find the limits of the car. I run wide at the blind S curve but the run-offs are pretty wide here so I just put two wheels on the grass and pull back easily.
The engine responds really well. Thanks to the close ratio gearbox I have no problems keeping it in VTEC range over 6000 RPM where the most aggressive cam shaft is engaged. Although Honda claims 50:50 weight distribution this car feels little front heavy.
Ten laps done I pull in to the pit lane. Teams stall is pretty busy now. I count at least six mechanics and one man in grey suit. I crawl out of the car and Jake introduces me to this serious looking man.
His name is Hanayama and he is the team owner. He doesnt speak English so Jake has to translate. Mr. Hanayama bows almost unnoticeably, wishes me good luck and quickly leaves.
So how do you like the car ? Jake asks.
Its pretty quick even on these street tires. What are we running for the race ? I answer with question.
This is it. The race is limited to street legal tires. Fortunately Bridgestone is one of the sponsors so there is nearly unlimited supply
So Jake, will you finally tell me what this race is all about ?
I guess its time agrees Jack, This is an eight hour shoot out between some of the top Japanese tuner cars. We are representing Mugen, Trial is here with their 03 Celica, Toms X540 Chaser, Nismo runs their road version of R34 Skyline GT-R LM and our biggest rival is Spoon with another S2000.
Ok, who are the other drivers on our team ?
Drivers ? Jake looks surprised, There is you and Bob. Actually his name is Hidefumi but I just call him Bob
And the other car ?
I just told you, its Bobs. There are no other drivers.
Now its my turn to look surprised. Are you telling me we have to run for eight hours straight ?
Thats right, Jake grins. I never said it was gonna be a walk in the park.
Part II - here
Part I - The driver
Tuesday
It's sunny late afternoon and I'm sitting in my office bored out of my mind. There had been no excitement in my life for past two years since I hang up my racing gloves. It proved to be just too much trying to run private racing team as a one man show. I ran out of money, sponsors and eventually out of options.
On days like this I often find myself daydreaming about racing.
A phone ring brings me back to reality. Call display shows +81, what the hell ? That is not even in North America.
Hello ? I answer the phone, expecting to hear apologies for dialing a wrong number.
Hey Mike, its Jake. Jake Jeffries.
Im confused. What could a mechanic I barely know want from me ?
Where are you calling from ? The phone shows some crazy numbers.
Well, I hear Jakes calm voice saying. Since the last time you saw me, I got a job in Japan. Im a pit crew chief for small racing team.
What does it have to with me ? You are not calling just to brag, right ?
Let me finish. One of our drivers broke his arm and we got very important endurance race coming up. I remember you from old days when you ran those beaters against guys in factory supported rides and somehow managed to win. I know you havent raced in a while but I thought maybe you would like this opportunity.
Millions of thoughts are running through my head and I hear myself saying: Why me ? There are hundreds of guys that can drive the car for you.
Jake replies, Not really, everybody else is tied up in some contract. And also we dont need someone who can drive a car, we need someone who can win that race
By then I have already made the decision in my head.
Sure, Ill take it. When is the race ?
This weekend, we will pay for your ticket, hotel and all other expenses. Think of it as a vacation
Friday evening
Jake picks me up at Narita airport near Tokyo. I shake hand with the guy and fall asleep right away in the back seat of his Honda Accord wagon. He wakes me up three hours later in front of the hotel in Motegi. I want to ask him about the race but he tells me to get rest first and helps me check-in.
Saturday morning
Jake calls me from the reception and I start bombarding him with questions.
What car do you have for me ? How long is the race ? How many cars on the grid ? Common Jake, tell sm something
You will see thats all I get from him.
We get out of the car fifteen minutes later in the paddock of the Twin Rings race track. Jake takes me inside and I see the car for the first time. Actually I see two cars. Two Honda S2000 roadsters. I have only driven the S2000 once when they first came out in 1999. Just one ride convinced me they would make great racers. Nearly perfect weight distribution, front engine rear wheel drive, rev happy engine with 9000 rpm redline.
You will be driving the white one, Jake points to the car standing next to its yellow sibling. Lets take it for a spin, he adds.
I climb through a roll cage into the driver seat and Jake takes seat next to me. I push the start button and hear the engine to come to life with deep growl.
This is not stock S2000, is it ?
Fairly stock, Jake replies. Its modified by Mugen, Hondas own racing development department
I drive towards the pit exit while I listen to Jakes instructions. My hands are shaking with excitement. This car feels so solid and strong compared to the old front wheel drive CRX I used to race.
Most drivers link turns three and four into one turn. Exit speed is very important. No distance markers here, you will have to memorize your braking points by tire marks on the track, Jake leads me through the track.
I finish two laps and drive back to the pits to drop Jake off.
Ok, now you are on your own. Run ten laps and come back here. The rest of the team should be here by then, Jake says.
I take off and start circling around empty track. The car rides on street tires and doesnt have much downforce. Still I find it pretty easy to drive. Im getting to know the track and at some points I try to find the limits of the car. I run wide at the blind S curve but the run-offs are pretty wide here so I just put two wheels on the grass and pull back easily.
The engine responds really well. Thanks to the close ratio gearbox I have no problems keeping it in VTEC range over 6000 RPM where the most aggressive cam shaft is engaged. Although Honda claims 50:50 weight distribution this car feels little front heavy.
Ten laps done I pull in to the pit lane. Teams stall is pretty busy now. I count at least six mechanics and one man in grey suit. I crawl out of the car and Jake introduces me to this serious looking man.
His name is Hanayama and he is the team owner. He doesnt speak English so Jake has to translate. Mr. Hanayama bows almost unnoticeably, wishes me good luck and quickly leaves.
So how do you like the car ? Jake asks.
Its pretty quick even on these street tires. What are we running for the race ? I answer with question.
This is it. The race is limited to street legal tires. Fortunately Bridgestone is one of the sponsors so there is nearly unlimited supply
So Jake, will you finally tell me what this race is all about ?
I guess its time agrees Jack, This is an eight hour shoot out between some of the top Japanese tuner cars. We are representing Mugen, Trial is here with their 03 Celica, Toms X540 Chaser, Nismo runs their road version of R34 Skyline GT-R LM and our biggest rival is Spoon with another S2000.
Ok, who are the other drivers on our team ?
Drivers ? Jake looks surprised, There is you and Bob. Actually his name is Hidefumi but I just call him Bob
And the other car ?
I just told you, its Bobs. There are no other drivers.
Now its my turn to look surprised. Are you telling me we have to run for eight hours straight ?
Thats right, Jake grins. I never said it was gonna be a walk in the park.
Part II - here
, good job CRX nut.
