Debutant. Chapter 17. Nerves of iron. Part 2

This novel is fictional; there is no need to look for intersections with historical events. This is a continuation of “Debutant” by Nikita Savelyev, the first readers of which were readers of F1News.ru…

Chapter 17. Nerves of iron. Part two…

Four days after the last test day

“Thank you for everything, Edward,” Henry thanked his now former boss warmly, squeezing his hand tightly.

“Good luck,” Baker smiled warmly. “Don’t forget: we always have a place for you.”

– Thank you, but you know my ambitions.

“What a pity that our sudden collaboration turned out to be so short,” Sandra sighed and looked at Henry knowingly. Of course, the team owner’s wife also came to say goodbye.

– Look, Sandra, a real Yankee. Recently no one knew him, except the pilot Monetti,” said a satisfied Edward, as if he had personally wooed Henry from the Italians.

“Only for one race for now, and even that in sports prototypes,” Henry looked down modestly.

“I think we’ll hear about you again, and I’ll become famous as a talent discoverer,” said Mr. Baker importantly.

– I will try.

Henry finally gathered his best racing qualities and showed the first time in the tests, which, combined with the sympathy of Senora Tomasi, allowed him to get the coveted cockpit of the scarlet car. The start of the twenty-four-hour marathon of sports prototypes in Florida would take place after the penultimate stage of the World Open Car Championship in New York State.

“Aren’t you really offended that I’m going to do one race for Quincy?” – asked Henry.

– Come on, I asked him to marry me myself.

Edward, for once, showed a rational approach and did not spend the last of his finances on a foreign tour – to America and Mexico it was too expensive and the return was questionable. If Henry had had his way he would have refused too, why ruin his track record with another sketchy race? But Monetti was not happy with this approach, and thanks to Baker’s connections, Henry was given a temporary place on the team of another privateer, Anthony Quincey. Okay, one race will end one way or another, but Henry will not go to Mexico, for the last leg, and in addition to the homeland of Manuel, who would never be remembered.

“It is of course a shame that the end of the season will be without Baker,” Henry tried to sweeten the pill.

– It’s okay, but I’ll start preparing for the new season earlier. Our current chassis is hopelessly outdated, I am selling it. Besides, one of them was bought with your money,” Henry noticed the concern in Baker’s eyes.

“I’m fine with half the profits,” Henry waved his hand carelessly.

“As you know,” Baker breathed noticeably more freely.

“The rest is to pay my upkeep,” Henry shrugged. – You send a check.

– I always knew your soul was wide open! I will try to spend my money wisely. Do not doubt! We will also show that it is too early to write off private teams. Really, honey?!

Henry caught Sandra’s sad look. But she would have gone with him if he had asked her to marry him. And now it’s not too late. It’s true that this will completely finish Baker off. His wife and his dying team are all his joys. But will Sandra be happy in the company of adventurer Henry? And in general, does he have the right to destroy the lives of these great people because they have done so much for him. What did he do in response? Did you give me some good races? Either way, no one but Edward will remember them. And disappeared to Monetti. No, let everything remain as it is. And the comic bubble will not even know to whom he owes his family happiness. He can continue to torment the peloton fruitlessly from the back and experience vain illusions that his team will achieve something. What if? We have to help him at least a little, otherwise he’ll just keep poking around pointlessly.

“Wait,” the words rolled off the tongue naturally. – I don’t need any proceeds from the sale of the car.

– You are sure? Bakker was surprised. – This is a lot of money.

– Certainly! – Henry barked. – Put everything in a new chassis. Buy one, you don’t need two cars – you don’t have enough power. We have already seen this. But the best!

“The best is this year’s champion Crocus,” Baker’s eyes widened. – Are?!

– Why not? Make a deal with Charlie Rodwell now before others beat you to it.

– Are you serious?! Put everything in one car?! – Baker began to get used to this thought.

– Precisely. Your team has no other chance.

– But he’s right! Simply handsome! It’s so simple,” Edward choked in delight.

“We still have to sell you the right chassis,” Henry cooled his enthusiasm. – And set correctly. And buy a powerful engine.

“Wow, if we succeed, our team will shine with new colors,” Baker exclaimed, and even Sandra smiled for the first time during their conversation.

– Please note that motorcycle regulations will change soon. I thought: where can I get a three-liter engine? – Henry asked curiously.

“So that’s a year from now,” Baker waved his hand carelessly. – Everyone will be racing on something. Our friends from engine building companies will definitely come up with something and not let it go to waste.

Henry mentally sighed – this is what Edward is all about. With this approach, he is not destined to break into the top racing elite, even if he acquires the most championship cars. Too bad, a true racing enthusiast, simple minded and simple minded. The ghost, as usual, shouted something in protest: there was no point in doing charity work, they signed a contract with him for only one marathon. And money, even that kind of money, would be useful. But Henry ordered the nasty voice inside to shut up: We will make money again. And he personally did everything in his power, at least a little gratitude.

“I have to go to the airport, there’s a taxi waiting,” Henry looked pointedly at his watch.

– Crazy happy to meet you! “I’ve never met such an enterprising racer,” Edward touched and went for a hug.

“Hi, Henry,” the most unexpected woman in his life smiled sadly.

Before getting into the car, Henry resisted the urge to look back at the people who brought him back into racing. But this is not the time for sentimentality; a new phase awaits in his flowery career.

== To be continued…