----('A Martian Winter - Angel Vivaldi' plays)----
Dark morning skies of the AM hours laid above, showering the land with darkness. Leaving the lamp posts of the highway responsible to light up the asphalt. The highway was near empty, with only a large delivery truck that soldiered on its journey at that irregular time.
A truck driver yawned as he pedaled through the late-night roads. On his left hand, was a can of high caffeinated coffee that only tasted like engine oil as his taste buds wore out. His right hand was on the steering, maintaining the truck in a straight line through the endless stretch of asphalt of the night.
His eyes were squinting, only a matter of time before closing dangerously shut. The coffee wasn't working as he hoped.
All before he heard an oncoming noise of engine notes...
********
Then came a noise of a deafening fly by. A loud, sort of metallic roar, vibrations of the soundwaves enough to shake him awake. The truck driver jerked upwards, as he watched a lone gloss white Subaru BRZ disappearing into the straights of the highway. The Boxer four-banger echoed gradually in volume as it got further, sounding like a trumpet in the distance.
Louis shifted into fifth gear as he flew down the straights. Taking advantage of the little traffic on the road to push full throttle. Feeling the air cut through the aero chassis outside him, the tires gripping the road, and the vibrations from the motor.
Red taillights showed in front of his way. A sluggish late-night cruiser in an old Toyota Camry, heading to wherever its destination was at its own pace.
Louis gripped the steering tight to move out of the way. Turning to the left at a 90-degree steering angle, losing a little traction, before he let off the gas for a moment to let the tires grip up again.
It was rookie driving, but he was having a blast. Neither was he seeking to enjoy the destination.
Rather enjoying the journey all the way, over two times the speed limit.
________
Lift off the gas, brake, clutch, downshift, and steer. The black-hair followed these principles whenever going about the corner on Sepang. Using the best line in his head throughout, which he only knew was an inside entry to an outside line.
Louis had been using such a technique in Sepang during track days for 3 months, honing the basics first. He still goes for runs during the lunch break where he had the whole circuit to himself.
Trail braking into the next turn, the black hair only got faster upon exit. His throttle responses were on point, knowing the exact places to floor it.
_______
The same white BRZ showed again, tearing up the late-night highway roads. Highlights blared, the engine roared, the air around him swooshed past.
A grind crept on his face, this feeling, one that he has forsaken before, he had now appreciated once more. That high moment as he traveled 220km/h on a pure highway straightaway. He felt powerful, invincible.
He felt like he never wanted to let it go, nor feel like it could get any worse. The rush never bore him, it was only getting better as he got faster.
_______
In the afternoon, the black-hair worked around the clock helping his colleagues at work. Fetching them various parts or tools they request.
He helped Kenny as both of them worked on the BRZ after-hours. The car getting its first upgrades. They started by replacing the stock driver's seat with a new aftermarket RECARO RS-G bucket seat. All deducted from Louis' paycheck.
_______
After coming down the main straight where the pit lane and grandstand were stationed, Louis decided to push the car harder, reaching top speeds of 200km/h down the straightaway at sixth.
With a cigarette in hand, standing behind the tall safety fence. Kenny watched from the pit lane as the white BRZ came into a fly-by. His eyes aimed at the car the entire time as it neared the corner.
Losing ground and reaching braking points fast. Louis eases off the throttle and lets the car glide before passing the 200-meter brake reference.
________
Half a year went by as quickly as Louis has gotten into a schedule in life. Work in the day, race at night, and track on two weekends in a month as the circuit opened. He was able to keep this double life secret from Rachel and his mom. But he was still having a blast nonetheless. Every day was something to look forward to.
Placing in a new twin-turbo kit for the BRZ, this was the BRZ's first boost in power in 8 months. Increasing the numbers to 260 horsepower.
________
The BRZ flew by the 150 and 100-meter mark. Signaling the black hair to slam the brakes. The calipers squeal, brake discs glowed red, and the car slowed down.
His eyes darted behind the helmet as he steered to counter the first corner once again. Applying intense footwork on the throttle.
Even though barely audibly, he moved his tongue onto contact with his upper teeth and made a tutting noise. Signifying his disappointment. It was stressful to keep in mind the different throttle levels going past a turn.
For him, it wasn't fast enough.
________
A few months after the turbo upgrade, Kenny finally got his hands on an aftermarket 600 CC fuel injectors and fuel pump. This shot the BRZ's horsepower numbers to 360.
He also added physical water and oil temperature gauges on top of the tachometer despite the already featured digital system on the center console. It was to help aid Louis better in increasing his attention span on the road with the added power, therefore decreasing the need to look over his left at the console.
________
After a year, Louis finally got to ride alongside the other occasional track drivers in the circuit. To share a track now with ten to twenty other cars proved a challenge, one that he was willing to take nonetheless.
He scored his first overtake when a Honda EG6 messed up the acceleration out of the corner. Passing cleanly through the open space from the inside on the straights.
Proving himself to be capable of joining the big boys, Louis pushed himself for more overtakes. One-upping his goals as every track day passed over the months.
________
The black hair was now pretty knowledgeable on working the basics of a car. Changing brake fluids, identifying problems with spark plugs, and every simple problem that occur in most cars of customers that visit Kenny's workshop faced.
On occasional after-work nights, he would join his colleagues in watching live broadcasts of Motorsport. Understanding the hype he once questioned a year back. The garage office on late evenings was much louder than before with cheers of excitement.
________
Another 12 months would pass as quickly. One particular track day would be most significant in his overall improvement.
He was chasing a gray 350z Fairlady upfront for almost 3 laps. The Nissan coupe managed to keep up with disciplined maneuvers around the corners, being safe and patient. But every time, the white Subaru would barge in from behind and tailgate its bumper like crazy. Louis was relentless.
They matched in speed and braking movements. Opposite methods in approach but still had similar speeds throughout.
After passing into the fourth lap on the beginning straights. The Nissan braked at the 100-meter mark and attempted to take a safer entry into turn one by going at a wide angle and cutting into a late apex.
Louis entered the 200-degree hairpin bringing his car into the apex early. That which caught the Nissan off guard when the black-hair managed to squeeze himself into the center of the track before the turn. Overtaking it immediately into the hairpin late braking.
The BRZ understeered, signaling Louis to slow down roughly and angled the steering through the turn. From the hard braking, he waited as the tires gripped, and then managed to steer the car at a V angle midsection and propelled himself into the apex of the turn one again. The car would already be positioned at a wide angle before the next left corner, called turn two.
The BRZ picked up speed and gunned down into the inside apex as quickly. Noting the slightly lower elevation of the road coming into turn two, Louis waited for the suspension to compress and grip up the tires before flatting out the accelerator. The white Subaru gunned down out of the corner flawlessly, leaving his rival falling behind.
Kenny watched the scene unfold, leaning his upper body on the railing of the empty grandstands. Half burnt cigarette hanging on his lips.
"He's ready,"
========
To be continued.....