Favorite. Chapter 3 Part Two

This novel is fictional, you should not look for intersections with historical events. This is a continuation of Nikita Savelyev’s “Race Action Movie”, the first readers of which were the readers of F1News.ru…

Favorite. Chapter 3 Part Two

In the study, Carragher first lit a cigar, Rodwell took cheap cigarettes from his pocket. Neville suffered, even if it is a racer and not a keeper, but it is better to save the lungs. And without it, there are plenty of bad things in life.

“I’m an engineer by training, my passion is airplanes and cars, I’ve been crazy about all kinds of technology since I was a teenager,” said Rodwell recklessly. – First I chose the sky – even once served in the royal squadron. But eventually he returned to Earth. My first workshop was in a barn and my business started with a capital of only thirty pounds. But now…

“More on the job path later,” Carragher interrupted. – Charlie is the director of a small car company, they produce equipment for club competitions and semi-amateur races. Crocus. Couldn’t hear.

“Of course,” Neville nodded respectfully. – The youth series is full of your cars, they are small, agile and have excellent handling.

“Thank you,” Rodwell bowed his head. – And now we are working on the creation of a road car to combine both speed and comfort. Suitable for lovers of fast driving, and at the same time you can enjoy the road, and not sweat from stress, tormenting the gear lever.

“Interesting,” Neville agreed.

“It is much more interesting to start improving our machine as soon as possible,” added Carragher.

“As you say,” Rodwell said, embarrassed. – I’m ready to express my first thoughts. Sketches in the margins, so to speak.

Charlie rummaged nervously in the deep pockets of his jacket for a while and finally pulled out a piece of painted paper that Neville recognized as an ordinary napkin.

“This is the silhouette of Carnall. Do you recognize? Charlie picked up a pencil from the table and began tracing the picture with it. – What is it? On the nose?

“Radiator hood,” Neville shrugged.

– And why is it as big as a whale’s mouth? Narrow the nose – reduce air resistance.

“Suppose,” Carragher said.

– Now … Why do we need these shutters, rivets, this ugly joint of panels?

Neville and Carragher stared almost head-on at the makeshift blueprint.

– Get rid of everything! The fewer non-functional parts on the housing, the better. Let’s make it as smooth as a young lady’s skin, Charlie was inflamed. – The air will flow softly and gently around our beauty, not clinging to a lot of obstacles.

“Do you want to compensate for the lack of horses by reducing air resistance?” Neville guessed it. “But wouldn’t it be better to deal directly with the bike.

“And we’ll get to him,” Rodwell waved him off. “But you don’t underestimate the power of aerodynamics.

– How much do we gain by removing the extra hatch? Tenth of the circle? Ridiculous,” Carragher said.

“You shouldn’t be like that,” Rodwell was offended.

– The shape of the car has little influence on the speed – this has been known for a long time. Powerful engine is the guarantee of success

– Personally I think the car should look like an airplane. Look at their noses and ours. And the hull? Aircraft manufacturers still have a lot to learn.

“Interesting,” Carragher said. – But with the engineers fighting over the engine, I will not tear.

“Of course, of course,” Rodwell said. The engine is the heart of any car. You just don’t have to rely on its power alone, as has been done for decades. A car is a complex machine. Is the technical idea great – to hold the device more forcefully and press the gas pedal to the floor. Don’t make it too simple and don’t be afraid to experiment. For example, how do we make a frame? We weld together a steel tube frame and then sheath it with metal plates. Right? And we’ve been doing that for years, isn’t it a dead end? Can use aluminum, make the body simpler, stronger and more compact.

– Aluminium? Neville asked incredulously.

“Exactly,” Rodwell said.

– But steel offers protection for the rider and can withstand high loads, isn’t aluminum too thin? Marcel was surprised.

– I agree, the idea is damp, – Rodwell nodded. – You have to think carefully here.

“That’s interesting, of course, but I’d like to think more down-to-earth,” Carragher added. – I’m not ready for major changes in the hull yet, but I’ll listen to your suggestions, go and inspect the body myself. And I go out and take a walk. It is hot here.

Carragher crushed the conversation, pulled back his shirt collar, and rose first from his chair. Neville followed the chief into the cool winter air. It really doesn’t hurt to breathe after a stuffy, smoky office. On the street, the face immediately smelled of freshness and the smell of ozone, as happens after a recent rain.

– Everything is fine? Neville asked cautiously. – You even turned white.

Are you an Aesculapius? snapped Carragher. And Neville took a respectful break.

Even if his boss is clearly not in a good mood today, you can’t deny him business sense. Neville is no longer the romantic young man who was behind the wheel almost a decade ago. Even the most talented pilot is powerless without a fast racing car. And if it can’t be created except through hard work and sometimes tough decisions, then there’s nothing you can do about it. Let’s walk this path.

“Do you think this rough synthesizer of ideas can handle it?” Carragher broke the silence.

“I think we should slow it down in time so it doesn’t gush too much,” said Neville. – Well, he looks like a smart guy.

“It was recommended to me by understanding people.

Is it really time to change traditional methods?

– I have no idea! But we need a non-standard move to beat the damn Italians. And I did. Whether I was right, time will tell,” said Carragher. – In any case, this will not be my first mistake, yes, and not the last.

Both the driver and the director fell silent again, each thinking of something of his own. The vast area in front of the factory buildings seemed deserted. Lunch is over, dinner is a long way off, and loafers are not welcome here. They are even afraid to smoke again.

Suddenly there was the sound of an engine. Something weak – Neville determined by trained hearing. And of course he was right. A brand new little two-door coupe rolled toward them. Toys, of course, but for living in a modern city they are required – compact and practical, it is most useful to squeeze into narrow gaps and perform maneuvers on crowded streets.

A bright blue car, casually parked, missed a cast-iron lamp by centimeters. Marcel noticed an ugly scratch on the starboard side – apparently the eye was not one of the unknown driver’s virtues. Marcel also noticed the pained expression on the chief’s face.

The riddle was immediately solved, however, the miniature door swung all the way open and Evie fluttered out. Cheerful and blooming, in a beautiful light blue cloak and fashionable hat.

“Hello, Daddy,” Evie threw herself on her parent’s neck with exaggerated joy.

“Even without calling,” Carragher offered his cheek in embarrassment for a kiss.

“Neville, have you forgotten this outback?” Evie didn’t tighten her hugs and turned to the racer.

“Good afternoon,” Neville nodded.

– Came to distract the old man? growled Carragher.

“Don’t even hope,” Evie cooed. – What to do here? Your employees are permanently frozen, you can’t even chat with anyone. I’m just out for money. We want to go to Paris with friends this weekend.

– Again? Carragher was outraged.

“You’re behind the times, Dad, do you know how much decent cosmetics cost?”

And I don’t want to know…

“By the way, I still haven’t forgiven you for not letting me go to the States on New Year’s Eve,” Evie pouted.

– Some more?! That said, forget it. Especially after you spend Christmas, no one knows where.

“You would have let me go beforehand, and I would have behaved like the most decent girl, and so – reap the rewards.

Neville slowly backed away, not wanting to get involved in family quarrels.

“Imagine Neville, Dad said he’s investing all the extra money in the race team now,” Evie called to him. How much would my trip cost? No less than two wheels? Or three.

Neville forced a smile, hoping to slip through the open hangar door.

“Don’t be silly, Evie,” Carragher said, looking around at Neville.

Evie, behind her father, stuck her tongue out at Neville and blurted out:

– Let you repaint your jalopy in emerald, but oh how far it is from a real jewel. And the poor girl would be glad to see America. Neville, don’t you feel sorry for me? Are you as callous as your father?

But Neville had already slipped through the doorway and didn’t need to react to the boss’s daughter’s overly sharp tongue. They really need money now, just like air. And in America, of course, to visit and he would not refuse. In which races he did not try his hand: in open cars and in “bodies”, in cars and motorcycles, in ring and rally, in marathons and in the mountains. But the ovals have not yet conquered. Four turns is not difficult at all, but the speeds there are pretty serious. Nothing, give it time and we’ll get there.

== To be continued…