ZR-X ROUND 1 - PRE-EVENT SHOW

PART 2

FADE IN:

EXT. CRESCENT PHASE, IMPERIAL PALACE - DAY

SUPER: 32ND OF FEENIKS, 250AL

Complex maze of smooth tarmac snakes between the defensive walls with intricate roofs. A smokey haze lingers. Fresh rubber stains the sharp 90 degree corners.

The culprit:

A ’81 AUDI QUATTRO A1 REPLICA

zips around the short rally stage at FULL NOISE. Narrowly misses the TERRIFIED GUARDS on duty. BRAKES SQUEAL - the Quattro crab-walks out

THE EASTERN GATE

ENGINE HITS OVERRUN. The Quattro plummets down the steep driveway. FLAMES POP FROM THE EXHAUST.

EXT. LAKE OF REFLECTIONS - DAY

The Quattro BURSTS from the trees along a manmade lake. Unsettled by the rural terrain. Its reflection mimics the thrilling rollercoaster ride through the hillside to:

EXT. HALL OF MOTORSPORTS - DAY

The Quattro SCREECHES to a halt outside what seems to be an aircraft hanger. A rainbow hue twinkles all over. ROUGH HUMANOID BODYGUARDS surrounds the Quattro.

The door swings open as

LADY MIRA

Steps out, wearing a custom purple and silver racing overalls. She removes the open face helmet and gloves, handing them to a bodyguard. They follow her inside.

INT. HALL OF MOTORSPORTS - DAY

The shoji-style doors slide open -CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. - on the tracks. Warm flames flicker from the floating lanterns. Famous motorsport moments decorate

THE MUSEUM

Built on dark solid beams, lacquered pillars and polished bamboo marble. By the entrance is some of motor racing’s finest machinery:

- Morris Cooper. A classic. Known for punching above their weight against brutal V8s.

- Honda NSR500. One of the most dominate 500cc motorcycles. 132 race wins and 6 championships.

- Subaru Impreza 555. Blue and gold. The famous quote “If in doubt, go flat out” sums it up nicely.

Lady Mira admires each car affectionately. She ascends the spiral staircase. At the top, Jeni and the ZR-X Live crew wait by a small scale of the

NURBURGRING NORDSCHLEIFE

24 hour circuit. 25.3km and 170 turns of driving bliss. The Karussell spins into view on the display table.

LADY MIRA
My sincere apologies for making you wait.

JENI
(Bows deeply)
Not at all, Your Majesty. Thank you for allowing us to conduct and film this interview in your private residence.

The ZR-X Live crew does the same.

LADY MIRA
My pleasure. And, please call me Mira or Lady Mira, if the latter makes you feel more comfortable.

JENI
S-sure, Lady Mira.

Lady Mira gestures for Jeni to sit.

LADY MIRA
Please sit. We have much to discuss.

A MAID sets down two steaming cups of tea and promptly leaves.

LADY MIRA (CONT'D)
Shall we begin?

Jeni steadies her nerves.

JENI
(Nods shyly)
Lady Mira, we’re days away of the inaugural round of the Zeron Rallycross Championship. With your blessing, the crew and I were given an incredible opportunity to wander these magnificent halls, to learn and discover the motorsport history from an extraterrestrial civilisation very different to ours. I’d like to begin by asking: of all the various forms of motorsport concepts, some I’ve never seen or heard of until now, why rallycross?

LADY MIRA
I love the aggressive and combative racing combined with the intense and snappy format... it’s perfect!

JENI
I’m curious if you had considered any other categories? If so, which ones?

LADY MIRA
Road rallies like the WRC was my first choice.

Lady Mira sips her tea.

LADY MIRA (CONT'D)
It’s insane how the driver and machine narrowly escape death in such wild and diverse landscapes, under treacherous weather and on a variety of surface conditions...

CUT TO:

EXT. SANREMO, ITALY - 1981

SUPER: RALLYE SANREMO

An old highlight reel shows a SERIES OF SHOTS:

- A Porsche 911 SC slice through the hillside.

LADY MIRA (V.O.)
... How they can race on unforgiving, tight and twisty stages with no margin for error...

- An Audi Quattro dances up the steep mountain curves. Passing the shaking fists of LUNATIC FANS. CHEERING their heads off or jaw-dropped speechless.

LADY MIRA (V.O.)
... Where the tiniest mistake or misjudgement can be fatal for the driver, co-driver, safety marshals and spectators...

- A car spears off a cliff into the woods. Debris and oil SCATTER.

LADY MIRA (V.O.)
... And for that reason alone, it’s why I didn’t pursue it.

BACK TO:

INT. HALL OF MOTORSPORTS - RESUME SCENE

JENI
Auto racing is dangerous, some forms more so than others, and the risk of fatality or life threatening injuries can’t be entirely eliminated but can be reduced by integrating high-levels of safety features and designs into the rally cars. Both styles of rallying are good choices. However, I completely understand the decision to go with the safer option to prevent any unnecessary deaths. Knowing the potential dangers, did you have any second thoughts or lingering doubts after the decision was made?

LADY MIRA
None whatsoever.

JENI
It was all in from the beginning?

LADY MIRA
Absolutely. I threw in all my shells after I ran out of content to watch. I was hooked and wanted more!

They share a chuckle.

JENI
I know that feeling all too well... you just don’t want it to end. It’s been a long and difficult journey, over a decade, to finally reach this point. What were some of the challenges that threatened to put an end to this project?

LADY MIRA
The lack of information and non-existing blueprints made for a difficult start. I spent three years in correspondence with scientists and engineers aboard the orbital, Salvation, learning physics and engineering. In my spare time, I attended driving lessons during the day and dug my nose in history articles on automotive and sporting organisations late into the night...

Lady Mira puts down her cup, reliving the early days with nostalgia.

LADY MIRA (CONT'D)
... and on top of all that, I had no financial support. The profits from selling Terran appliances to the Ancient Realm funded the land purchases, construction of new facilities, employee salaries and the costs of running multiple organisations. In my eyes, the biggest challenge was finding people who shared my vision and passion for what I’m trying to achieve. No matter where I went, I met hordes of doubters and haters ready to discourage me from reaching my dream.

JENI
It must’ve been hard fighting alone for so long.

LADY MIRA
It was.
(Smiles)
But, I never gave up and eventually found a small team of others similar to myself. Their support and encouragement gave me strength.

JENI
That’s amazing to hear and lets stay on this happier note and talk more about the positives.

LADY MIRA
I’d love that.

Lady Mira puts her cup down, just as the GP Circuit spins around.

JENI
What were your happiest and, or, proudest moments?

LADY MIRA
The first proud moment that comes to mind is when ‘Patches’, chassis number: SG-four dash zero, was built...

CUT TO:

VFX. BLUEPRINTS

Various rough sketches of Patches chassis. Compact and wedge shaped. A diagram of the first engine concept from United Engineering.

LADY MIRA (V.O.)
... I remember the sleepless nights creating the blueprints for every component with my team. We tried to retain the original group-four design cues and inspirations but mixed the current technology and safety regulations to make it work.

JENI (V.O.)
What about the happiest?

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CRESCENT PHASE, IMPERIAL PALACE - 243AL

LADY MIRA (V.O.)
The happiest was on the official test for Patches. It was the moment we finally reached the start line.

Crawling forwards is

SG4-0

‘Patches’ an inspired and tribute to the Lancia Stratos. Its IDLE echoes off the walls. Rusted metal panels and scraps riveted to become armour.

LADY MIRA (V.O.)
I battled conflicting emotions throughout the day. I was excited because I finally get to experience what it’s like to be behind the wheel and at the same time, also feared the reality may not live up to my expectations...

A flag drops. The rally car blazes away. Running rampant in the makeshift rally stage.

LADY MIRA (V.O.)
... The People of Earth have a saying: ’Don’t believe everything you see on TV’. I truly hoped it wasn’t one of those cases...

The rally car leaves a trail of destruction and coolant. It SPLUTTERS past the stage end. THE TEAM CHEERS!

LADY MIRA (V.O.)
... but the test proved I was right. I loved every minute of it. The pressure on my shoulders lightened considerably. It was everything I wanted and more!

BACK TO:

INT. HALL OF MOTORSPORTS - RESUME SCENE

A maid refills Lady Mira’s cup.

JENI
Are there any other moment that stands out for you?

LADY MIRA
The completion of the New Horizon Rally Academy was a huge accomplishment for changing the lives of two-hundred young, ambitious and daring orphans.

CUT TO:

VFX. PHOTO ALBUM

A graduation photo of two-hundred strong in gold and white uniforms. Taken outside the academy’s main gate. Jeni stands near dead centre.

LADY MIRA (V.O.)
Everyone has grown to become talented drivers, mechanics, engineers and new employees of what I hope will be long-lasting careers as a part of each person’s life journey.

BACK TO:

INT. HALL OF MOTORSPORTS - RESUME SCENE

JENI
I wouldn’t where I am today if it wasn’t for the academy. It’s changed my life for the better and opened me to opportunities I could never dream of.

LADY MIRA
That’s fantastic to hear. I’m glad you embraced the change and made the most out of it.

JENI
Finally, to wrap up this interview, can you please let the audience know the goals you hope to achieve with the Zeron Rallycross championship?

LADY MIRA
My goal is to create a place where new and lifelong motorsport fans, the general public and hardcore rev-heads like myself can get together, share a interest, smile and have fun. I hope the series provides our current and younger generations, the future of our civilisation, an exciting and fresh way of living life that’s free from bloodshed, yet it’s unique, fun and challenging but just as rewarding.

JENI
That was beautifully said, Lady Mira.
(Bows deeply)
On behalf of the two hundred lives you have forever changed: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will make you proud.

Lady Mira clasps Jeni’s hand.

LADY MIRA
Thank you for having me. You were exceptional today. Good job and keep striving forward. I look forward to seeing you grow into your full potential.
(To the camera)
And I look forward to seeing everyone watching at the track.

FADE TO BLACK.