OPEN ON:
EXT. MEDIA ZONE - DAY
Jeni and her media crew occupies a corner near the entrance. Away from the horde of JOURNALISTS. A couple of drivers arrive on scene.
JENI
Welcome back, viewers. We just witnessed the first shakedown of the Zeron Rally-X Championship. Before we dive in and dissect what happened, we should check out the results:
CUT TO:
VFX. SHAKEDOWN RESULTS
A detailed timesheet of the lap times from the drivers. In the order of fastest to slowest.
- Tero - Apollo Racing - 44.053
- Nao Satou - Red Pearl Motorsport - 44.495
- Kenji Mutsu - Terra Autosport - 44.757
- Ichiro Ryuu - Terra Autosport - 44.758
- Gen Tasaki - Apollo Racing - 44.917
- Whitney Larson - Lyra Rally Team - 45.014
- Emily Hè - Red Pearl Motorsport - 45.475
- Ray Harvey - Lyra Rally Team - 46.018
JENI (V.O.)
It was the first time the drivers, teams and cars were given the chance to attack and drive on the limit without any engine restrictions, and effects were noticeable immediately. The track times were demolished by an astonishing two seconds.
BACK TO:
EXT. MEDIA ZONE - DAY
JENI
I’m currently in the Media Zone, where the eight drivers will come through and share their thoughts and feelings about the event and how their session was.
Aki slips through the entrance to join Jeni. He’s beaming.
JENI (CONT'D)
Joining me once again, back from the commentators booth is Aki Suzuki. Aki, are you surprised by the results?
AKI
Yes, a little if I’m being honest. Of all the drivers, I never expected Tero from Apollo Racing to top the charts with an impressive forty-four second lap. That’s two seconds faster than the previous lap times we managed to achieved leading to this event.
JENI
A huge thanks to United Engineering for removing the engine restrictions and allowing the cars to hit maximum RPMs. The engines can now rev up to the eight-thousand five-hundred redline.
AKI
It’s not as simple as that and there’s the driver’s ability to consider as well. Everyone involved in this sport knows that Tero’s full of surprises. You’ll never know what he can or will do. It’s normally his teammate, Gen Tasaki, who likes to chase the fastest times in these sessions. I found it a little strange for him to be a second off the pace, considering he didn’t spend half the time in the garage like Tero did.
JENI
When you put it like that, it does seem odd how the roles have reversed. Hopefully we get to find out the reason because Gen is currently with Austin on the main interview platform.
CUT TO:
EXT. MAIN PLATFORM, MEDIA ZONE - DAY
It’s busier than the red carpet at the Oscars. Strobes flashing nonstop. Grinning at the camera is
GEN TASAKI
Looking fresh in a new set of Apollo Racing’s polo and pants. Loving the attention he’s getting. He waves to every person that calls for him.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
Gen, how incredible's this vibe and atmosphere?
GEN
I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life. I could get use to this for years to come.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
I have no doubt you will. Tell me, how was shakedown for you?
GEN
Can’t complain. We spent the majority of the time making sure everything was working correctly and managed to get through our program. The goal's to reach the finals and score points.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
You were a second off your teammate’s time, crossing the line with a forty-four point nine. Does it give you any confidence knowing the car is capable of that speed?
GEN
Absolutely. I have trust in my engineer and crew that we’ll be able to extract the same performance from our side.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
What can we expect, result wise, from you in the qualifying heat?
GEN
I’m sure our preparations are good so hopefully we can survive, if not win the heat.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
Thank you for your time, Gen. Good luck this afternoon.
BACK TO:
EXT. MEDIA ZONE - RESUME SCENE
JENI
I like what Gen said ‘the goal is to reach the final and score points’. That’s quite a sensible approach, don’t you think, Aki?
Aki chuckles.
AKI
It’s too sensible and out of character for him.
In the background: Dex and Tero drag their feet into view, arguing. Dex has another pile of food.
JENI
Shall we talk about Red Pearl Motorsport because I think their sessions were exactly what we’re expecting.
AKI
Second and seventh. Two separate programs as always, splitting the task between the drivers to collect as much data as possible. If anything, I think the other teams are picking up how Red Pearl do things.
JENI
It didn’t go all too smoothly for Nao though. I heard reports that she suffered a brief moment of overheating.
AKI
Better now than this afternoon. I’m sure the mechanics will check the entire car and fix or change anything that looks suspicious.
JENI
To tell us more about their session, we have Emily on the line with Mikko.
CUT TO:
EXT. MAIN PLATFORM, MEDIA ZONE - DAY
In the spotlight is
EMILY HÈ
Late teens, dark facial tear streaks and a data nerd. Still in her red and silver race suit. A pair of goggles, worn and old, partially hides the dark spots around her neck.
MIKKO (O.S)
Emily, we are one session into your official debut as a rallycross racer, how do you feel?
EMILY
I’m excited to start this new chapter of my life, it’s what I’ve been training for the past few years. We’ve watched the old Terran footages for hours on end, it’s amazing to finally experience everything for real.
MIKKO (O.S.)
What’s your biggest take away from shakedown?
EMILY
My biggest takeaway is how far off the pace I am compare to everyone else. If that’s the pace we’re racing at, there’s work to be done.
She waves the Chronicle.
MIKKO (O.S.)
Do you know what’s the cause for the lack of pace?
EMILY
I didn’t set up the car correctly and went in the wrong direction. It’ll be fixed by this afternoon.
MIKKO (O.S)
And finally, do you think you’ll be standing on the top step of the podium tomorrow?
EMILY
If everything goes well today, I can’t see why not.
MIKKO (O.S.)
All the best for the event, Emily.
BACK TO:
EXT. MEDIA ZONE - RESUME SCENE
AKI
Emily’s going to be digging deep into the data right after her media duties. It won’t sit well with her until she’s back on it.
JENI
Luckily, Emily and the Red Pearl mechanics have time to sort it out and get both Sora Vegas closer to that magical forty-four flat... Do you know which pair are extremely close in their times? Terra Autosport’s Kenji Mutsu and Ichiro Ryuu. Both drivers are separated by one millisecond.
AKI
That’s what I want to see! Teammates battling for outright speed.
JENI
In the Epsilon too, which is known for its snappy tail end and how unstable it’s over the bumps. Based on the unforgiving Lancia Stratos from twentieth century Terra.
AKI
The perfect driver’s car and hard to tame. Only a few managed that feat and one of them is currently with Austin.
CUT TO:
EXT. MAIN PLATFORM, MEDIA ZONE - DAY
The lens angles upwards and shifts wider to fit
ICHIRO RYUU
into frame. Unashamed of showing the crimson veins on his muscular arms.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
Joining me is Ichiro Ryuu from Terra Autosport and pilots the number eleven Epsilon. Can you tell us what happened on your last lap of shakedown?
Ichiro GRUNTS.
ICHIRO
I clipped one of the hay bales in the chicanes.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
How bad is the damage?
ICHIRO
Only cosmetic. We only need to replace the front bumper and we’re good to go.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
Some drivers have mentioned how they changed their approach for shakedown. I’m wondering if you’ve switched up your approach as well?
ICHIRO
Interesting. What are they doing differently, if you don’t mind me asking?
AUSTIN (O.S.)
They are focusing on set ups rather than outright speed.
ICHIRO
I haven’t. It was just another session for me and followed our routine program. We ticked a lot of boxes.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
Is one of the boxes ‘I’ll win’?
Ichiro smiles.
ICHIRO
Maybe.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
I guess we’ll have to see.
Ichiro nods.
AUSTIN (O.S.)
Thank you for your time, Ichiro.
BACK TO:
INT. MEDIA HUB - DAY
Aki and Jeni sit on stools back in the comfort of the studio.
JENI
We have a special guest!
Joining them, sitting on the far right is
RAY HARVEY
Eating up the attention. Late teens, charming, rosettes on his beefy forearms. A purple and white team jersey stretched flat across his muscular build.
AKI
Welcome to the studio, Ray.
Ray bows at the camera.
RAY
I’m glad to be here. Thanks for having me.
JENI
Ray, we’re here at the series opener after years of learning, building and structuring. You’ve completed the first session of many to come. What are your thoughts or feelings?
RAY
This is incredible. The atmosphere’s intense and there’s more pressure than usual. I have moments of deja vu but I’m sure I’ve never experienced or lived through. It’s unreal.
AKI
And how’s your day so far?
RAY
Shakedown was faultless. I completed five joker laps in race trim and the car’s running without any issues.
JENI
Speaking of issues, you’re one of the lucky drivers to get through shakedown without any drama, but your teammate...
CUT TO:
INT. LYRA RALLY TEAM GARAGE - EARLIER ON
The #33 Sora Lyr SCREECHES to a halt. Smoke rising from the front wheels. Mechanics rush to diagnose the issue.
JENI (V.O.)
... suffered some sort of issue. Could you tell us anything about it?
WHEEL GUNS WHIR. Off comes the tyres, rolling away.
BACK TO:
INT. MEDIA HUB - RESUME SCENE
Ray looks disinterested.
RAY
No idea. You’ll have to ask that side of the garage.
Aki and Jeni’s smile freeze... Beat.
JENI
... I’m sure one of our pit reporters will updates us soon.
AKI
You’ve mentioned you focused on race trim. Will you be able to chase down Tero?
RAY
We won’t be racing at that pace. He’ll fall back within reach when we’re all battling for position.
AKI
What if you find yourself in the lead, can you outrun them when they’re chasing you down?
Ray smirks.
RAY
I’ll make sure they’re never coming through no matter what.
JENI
We look forward to it. A lot of drivers believe they’ll come out on top. How confident are you in winning the event?
RAY
I don’t care what anybody else has said. I’m going to win and there’s nothing they can do about it.
AKI
I like your... confidence.
JENI
All the best to you, Ray. Lets take a look at what’s coming up next:
VFX - AFTERNOON SCHEDULE
- QUALIFYING HEAT 1 - 17:30 - Consists of 4 laps, including 1 compulsory lap.
- QUALIFYING HEAT 2 - 17:45 - Consists of 4 laps, including 1 compulsory lap.
JENI (V.O.)
Back to back qualifying heats that’ll get your hearts racing and blood pumping. The moment we’ve all been waiting for is nearing so please join us for the action...
BACK TO:
INT. MEDIA HUB - RESUME SCENE
Aki and Jeni seem more relaxed.
JENI
... and when we come back, we go racing! See you this afternoon.
Aki and Jeni wave ‘goodbye’.
FADE TO BLACK.
