Favourite. Chapter 10 Continuation. Part 1

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 10 Continuation. Part 1

– What’s her weight? – Ray examined little Thomson closely.

“Three hundred and eighty, out of fuel,” Neville replied.

“Monetti is two hundred and fifty kilograms heavier, and Pontini even more,” the American was stunned.

– Approximately.

“You’re almost a hundred behind in horses,” Ray summed up.

“That’s right,” Neville sighed.

Ray wandered around curiously, taking a closer look at the bizarre structure. Indeed, Neville’s miniature green car looked like a toy compared to the huge rival cars.

– Ask the most asked question lately – have you lost your mind? Marcel urged comrade.

“Why get angry for nothing,” Ray said seriously. – The track is very winding, a powerful engine is not so important. I wouldn’t reject you.

“Even though you speak out of courtesy, it’s a balm to my bruised ears.

Indeed, in theory, the rear-mounted engine gave certain advantages: in a light car, the braking distance is reduced and the grip of the wheels increases, it accelerates faster and it is easier to stop it. True, according to the results of the training, Neville was right in the middle of a modest platoon – the sixth.

Light weight adds to the handling, but still can’t make up for the most serious lack of horsepower. However, there was another consideration that Marcel kept to himself: reducing the length of the race by almost forty percent. However, the conservatives grumbled that the stages are now becoming a kind of childish game – think three hundred kilometers. But a light car had a ghostly chance of going the entire distance on one set of rubber. Neville shared his thoughts with Quincy and they decided to take a chance.

– Do you know what is a serious disadvantage of such a design? Ray thought.

“There are so many that I even get lost,” Neville shrugged.

– A long massive nose with an engine inside protects the pilot, and your little one looks very thin from the front. Any collision in it has consequences.

– And before the start you decided to remind? Neville grimaced. I’m not superstitious, but I’d be embarrassed…

– Yeah, I… I’m just, – Ray was embarrassed.

– Come on, everything is fine, but it’s better to keep silent again.

“Actually, I think about safety all the time. After all, sitting upright, as in a conventional car, the rider is not protected by anything. And suddenly a coup d’état is in any case the worst injuries. And then… well, you know.

Enough Ray!

Yes, I’m not afraid. Vice versa. What if a metal arch was mounted above the pilot’s head, so that he would absorb the impact of the asphalt in the event of a capsizing car?

“First your bow will crumble into a cake, then the pilot’s head,” Neville doubted.

– You only need to pick up the material.

– How many inventors around me lately, – Neville was moved. “I’m already offended that I didn’t come up with anything myself. It’s time for the national anthem, get in the cars!

The orchestra played loudly, the trumpets buzzed, the timpani beat, the drums thundered. For a few minutes, Brownian motion froze on the starting line. Marcel diligently stood next to his car. He is the only one on the quiet starting grid who diluted the red range of the participants – Monetti pilots and privateers on Pontini. In fact, quite a few decided on a long-distance trip in January.

Their stay on the African continent reached a climax. The riders had plenty of time to enjoy the vast beach with beautiful white sand and admire the colorful reefs. There was time to chat about the city: they examined the historic buildings of the town hall and the wool exchange, followed the life of the intricate inhabitants of the deep sea in a huge aquarium, appreciated the huge stuffed prehistoric fish in the museum, which was displayed in Considered extinct in time immemorial, but was caught in the net by the local fishermen twenty years ago. What can we say about the endless evening celebrations. But everything is behind us. There is only racing forward.

Neville looked up at the sky and shielded his eyes from the bright sun with his hand. Due to the terrible heat, the organizers felt sorry for the participants and postponed the start to a later time. The afternoon heat subsided a little, but of course it was not possible to get rid of the hell completely. It only gets more or less cool with the onset of darkness. It will not be easy from a distance, but when the time came, they feared difficulties.

Neville gave a curt nod to his current few associates: the small team’s director, Anthony Quincy, wore a snow-white suit and hat reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century colonialist, his two mechanics in plain overalls didn’t look so sophisticated, but they looked like experienced witty guys, and more of them and not obligated.

In the first positions are two Monetti. Pierrot grinds one cigarette after another – smoking will soon no longer be possible. Ronald is quiet and focused. Unnecessary fiddling with the helmet strap. For him, this start is very important – the first race with a new, very serious partner. The struggle for influence in the team.

Unexpectedly for himself, Neville caught Ronald’s attention and raised his palm to the pilot Monetti. Once, competing in youth races, they quietly encouraged each other before the start with such a simple gesture. It even became a kind of ritual. And then they grew up, and somehow everything was forgotten by itself. Yes, and you won’t always find each other at the prelaunch flea market.

Ronald raised his hand in response. Neville nodded encouragingly. Let the team be dear to Carbone, but the fact that you stay there all year is worth a lot. Everything will be fine for you, my friend!

The ceremonies are over. It’s time. Neville poured water from a plastic bottle over his head and tugged on the tin helmet until his skin cooled pleasantly, but not for long. Closure under the chin, healthy glasses on the eyes, leather gloves on the hands. He’s ready. Ahead of two hours of continuous battle.

3 laps after the start. Bernardo Argili

There is not the slightest canopy on the boxing line – relentless rays of the sun are everywhere, so Bernardo, the manager of the Monetti team, specially approached the painted strip that served as the boundary of the starting line – the passing cars were showered with a serious stream of wind.

The race debut did not go as smoothly as expected. Fortunately, Powell at least held on to first place, but Carbone rolled back and released Georges up front on a private Pontini and Neville Reed on a funny little Thomson. The third team pilot Fabrio was lost to the peloton in the second half.

Not that Bernardo was very concerned – this is just the beginning. But when Monetti headed to Africa, it looked like this stage would be a breeze for the team in the absence of competitors. But practice is somewhat at odds with theory.

However, the race is long, there are plenty of opportunities to recover. And the car this year is simply a sight to behold. They took into account the mistakes of the past and brought an updated car for the first leg. The advanced model of the engine demonstrated excellent speed on the straights, the seriously lightweight chassis design was distinguished by excellent handling, and in tests the car was known for its commendable reliability. All reasons to believe – and this season should prevail.

Eventually, Reed’s green dwarf started falling behind and Carbone started crushing him. Although the track is twisty, a weak car can’t get ahead of the powerful competitors that much. Come on, Pierrot, recover before the overslept start!

What a heat it is. Bernardo rolled up the sleeves of his shirt above the elbow and unbuttoned the button on his chest. Now to a cool pool, delicious cocktails and beauties in intricate bathing suits… Oh, where is it all?!

However, the riders are much more difficult. Here’s who you don’t envy.

10 circle. Marcel Reed

The light sleeveless jacket seemed soaked, sweat trickled down his face, his mouth was dry. But this is the very beginning of the race. Racers hate racing in the rain, but what a treat a light shower of heaven would be right now. We must endure. At the moment, only the most famous shaman causes rain here.

No matter how Marcel resisted, he had to give up positions – after a successful breakout on the first lap, he had already rolled back to sixth place. And the next opponent is on its way. Still, the colossal difference in power is palpable: before turning into a straight line, competitors gained decent speed, and Neville couldn’t do anything with it – they have too much advantage.

It would be a shame to give up the entire abyss at the finish. But it’s still too early to get discouraged – the car, although not as fast as we would like, but all the mechanisms work properly, the tires are in excellent condition and it turns very clearly – without the slightest demolition. Some horses so he would show them off!

34 circle. Bernardo Argilli

So far everything is going relatively well – the Monetti riders occupy first, third and fifth positions. But for some reason the last eight rounds showed an unpleasant downward trend. What is this? Are the tires wearing out sooner than expected? One by one the pilots reached the pits. Bernardo stepped off the starting line and backed off. This is one of the most exciting moments, the faster the stop passes, the smoother the mechanics work, the less time the rider loses.

Race leader Ronald Powell came into the pits first. The mechanics immediately rushed at the car like ants, immediately installed front and rear jacks and hastily changed the wheels. At that moment, the pilot jumped out of the car – such an impression, he got out of the river, his shirt darkened with moisture, he even squeezed it. Ronald first eagerly sucked on the bottle of water. A few giant sips and it’s empty.

– More! – the racer scratched, a new barrel was immediately put in his hand.

Bernardo took a closer look at his old tapes:

– Tires are not very worn.

“I can’t see from the inside,” Ronald snapped, looking up from his drink.

“Times are falling,” Bernardo said anxiously.

– Strong?

– Half a second on the circle. On every.

– When shifting to higher gears, the revs drop into the pit and on straights the car does not accelerate at full power.

– Experiment with switching. Just don’t touch the rev limiter – it will only get worse.

– I think so.

The wheels are changed and Ronald jumps up again. Bernardo managed to touch the hood with his hand and immediately withdrew his hand quickly. He hissed in pain, as if he were trapped in coals. No doubt the engine warms up during the race, but not as wildly.

– Take care of the engine! cried Bernardo with all his might. – Severe overheating!

Bernardo automatically measured the stop time on his watch – thirty-four seconds. Not a record, of course, but overall it’s enough.

Soon Carbone and Fabrio stormed onto the garage lane. They have the same problems, albeit not as serious. Blame the stupid heat and thin air at high altitude. In practice, the riders didn’t do such a long series of circles and there was an illusion that everything was fine. Now I would like to spare a little technique, but the opponents do not let themselves relax.

However, all is not yet lost. Pilots have been warned, they will change their driving style a bit and the air temperature will drop a bit. Oh how tempting it would be to occupy the entire top three with only red cars!

== To be continued…