Favourite. Chapter 8 Part One

This novel is fictional, you should not look for intersections with historical events. This is a continuation of Nikita Savelyev’s Racing Action Movie, first published on F1News.ru…

Favourite. Chapter 8 Part One

Big changes await the participants of the new racing season, perhaps the most ambitious since the world championship’s entire existence. Mater ended his career – now there is not a single world champion among current pilots. And one of them will fit the crown of the best of the best for the first time at the end of the year.

The Pontini group found the participation costs unreasonably high and the management decided to shorten the race program. Pontini is the fifth car company to retire from racing in less than a decade. Admittedly, they nevertheless promised to continue supplying cars to private pilots.

The rules of the competition have changed. The race distance was significantly reduced, from nearly five hundred kilometers to just over three hundred. In addition, under pressure from oil companies to create unique expensive blends for racing, sports officials have ordered teams to use standardized jet fuel.

Given all the changes, we are in for an interesting and unpredictable season. And who are the biggest favourites?

The undisputed champions of Monetti, now the only car brand in racing, and the fast-rising Carnall. Monetti is supported by two first class pilots – Ronald Powell and Piero Carbone. The Englishman is quite used to the team and the Italian moved from Pontini with a lot of performance. In addition, Monetti can always throw at least four adult riders from the huge reserve at the same time to help the leaders as much as possible.

Under these circumstances, the prospects for the daring British from Carnall look less rosy: the rear of their leader Neville Reed is covered by the recent debutant Leslie Turner and the very inexperienced Derek Sanders. But it is not for nothing that many people call the two-time vice champion of the world Reed the heir to the glory of the unforgettable Master.

Don’t hesitate, we are in for a nothing short of breathtaking spectacle. The January race in South America was canceled after Mater’s departure, but don’t think you have to wait until May, recently the motorsport federation made an unexpected decision: the first stage will take place, as planned, shortly after the new year – just on African soil. Meanwhile, there are only a few weeks left.

Martin had already forgotten when someone in his office dared to raise his voice. Except himself, of course. Yet he forgot when at least someone raised his voice in his presence.

What do you mean we’re not going to Africa? Neville, usually unperturbed, nearly yelled. – If we want to be champions, we have no right to miss even one race. Every point is worth gold!

But he’s exactly in a circle, thought Martin displeasure, but objected:

– Rule changes published too late. And then no one expected the season to start again in January. How to foresee that officials will be tempted to put Africa on the calendar, and even an official stage. You understand that you can’t just fill the fuel tank with regular gasoline instead of our monstrous mixture. The engine needs to be modified. By spring we will prepare everything as best as possible, don’t worry.

Martin caught himself almost making excuses to the pilot. Although Neville is an incredible talent, he remains his underling. And Martin finished firmer:

– The car isn’t ready yet, period. Let’s start the season with the second leg. As usual.

“But is it really nothing…

– Not. We simply get disqualified or we ruin the car.

– Charlie did not solve such problems, can he really not handle any engine? Marcel’s eyes lit up with hope.

The problems don’t end there! I did not forget, we actively used methanol for cooling, and without it our already not the most powerful engine lost several dozen horses, Charlie figured out how to compensate for this by upgrading the suspension, but he needs three, two months. Carrying a car across the ocean in its current, unprepared state is just silly.

I would risk…

“You are only responsible for yourself and I am responsible for the whole team,” said Martin harshly. – I understand very well what costs such a hasty trip can lead to. Carnall is not going to Africa. This is my last word.

Marcel bowed his head.

– Yes, to whom did she surrender at all? – smugly tried to comfort the pilot Martin. – Of the British, everyone refused to go, I consulted.

– Monetti will participate, and these are our main competitors.

‘And how they manage to keep track of everything,’ Martin grumbled.

He automatically reached for the top drawer of the table, where there was always a bottle of brandy – to calm his already shattered nerves. And then like lightning a great idea came.

What if there is a protest? asked Martin excitedly. – On behalf of the British teams. Suppose the date of the race was announced too late. Let them spend outside the leaderboard, if they’re that impatient. I think there’s every chance of ruling it out. Good idea, don’t you think?

Over the years, Martin has become accustomed to writing slanders in several instances. Trading in spare parts is inextricably linked to navigating the bureaucratic seas, especially if you are conducting government contracts or meeting commissions of inspectors.

But for some reason Neville was bored:

No, Mr Carragher. Undercover stuff isn’t for me. I’m for fair play.

Do you think these are coincidences? Rule changes? New phase? Monetti’s missed victory?

– I do not care. There is a race – you must participate. I will definitely go.

– What about performing? On a broomstick? asked Martin gruffly.

“I’ll think of something,” Neville said stubbornly.

“Your business, I won’t interfere,” Carragher sighed. “I reserve the right to protest. Thanks again!

“If only I could respectfully thank you for your care,” Martin complained to himself. “I would have dared to behave like this with my bosses in the 1920s, then they could have slapped them without fuss.”

The hand usually pulled on the handle of the drawer and immediately the chest on the left reacted with a sharp pain. It should probably be postponed. It’s all because of the ongoing problems with Carnall. And got involved! Even in the Second World War, when parts for jet fighters were riveted around the clock at the factory, he did not get so exhausted, but he was the production director, everything rested on him. What a tricky business the flight team turned out to be, who would have thought?!

“Neville, friend, well I don’t have a free car at the moment,” said an apologetic baritone Matteo, the manager of the Pontini team, who so inopportunely decided to retire from car racing, from the receiver. “Three pilots pre-ordered our fillies. Four others are in private hands.

– And nothing can be done about it? asked Neville urgently.

– Absolute. From day to day you have to load on the ship. There is simply nowhere to get ready-made equipment for you – the lively and cheerful guy Matteo himself seemed dejected.

– Is there no machine in the factory?

– We have stopped production of fireballs. Not a single two hundred and twentieth is available – come and see for yourself. If you want, I can find the 205 for you.

– Why do I need a sample from the penultimate year? Maybe think more?

“Neville, my English isn’t that bad,” Matteo’s voice cracked. – If I say there is no car, then it does not exist. Believe me, I respect you immensely, if there was a chance to help, would I dare to refuse?! You deserve the best Pontini more than all privateers put together, but it’s too late. I’m not taking the cars back, what will it look like, judge for yourself?!

– Thanks friend.

Matteo kept apologizing, but Neville had already hung up. The surest option – renting a car from Pontini for one race – failed.

What must we do? Neville stared thoughtfully at the phone. Given the time difference, he jumped up early and began negotiations. The first step turned out to be the easiest. Albeit with difficulty, but he reached the organizers of the East London race and reached a consensus with them – they will pay for the road to Neville and his car. Yes, they also promised good money to go to the start, you don’t expect such amounts from tight Europeans. Here it would be to amuse the pride that his fame has come so far, but there is no time. Without a good car you can only go on safari to Africa. But instead of collecting furry trophies, which personally did him no harm, Neville would rather “shoot” the trophy onto the track.

Actually, there are not that many alternatives. Neville mustered up his courage, uncorked a bottle of whiskey, splashed it on one of his fingers, and gasped. And then, abruptly running into the pool, he took out a phone book, difficult negotiations await. Mr. Carragher, of course, will not appreciate it, but what can you do – he himself is to blame.

== To be continued…