A New Beginning

[fndrbndr]

(After a night of flying, Fndr and Lynn arrive in Tallahasse in early morning, but are already very much awake.  Lee picks them up at the airport.)

Lee:  Over here, guys!

Fndr:  What up, man?

Lee:  How was Europe?

Fndr:  Great, man.  There's a Honda Fit coming back that I want to do some improvements on.  Did you get a donor for us?

Lee:  Yeah.  It was a little bit of a garage queen, but I got one.

Lynn:  So it's in really good shape, low miles, all that?

Lee:  Yeah.  Almost perfect maintenance record.  He hadn't done the belts yet, so I talked him down a little.  He wanted $6500.  I got him down to $6k with a hard top.

Fndr:  Awesome.  Let's get the bags and get to the shop, then, I guess?

Lynn:  That works.  I'll come along.  No need to go home yet.

Fndr:  Sounds good.  (Lee looks a little uneasy.)  Don't worry; it's cool.

(The drive to the shop seems like it takes forever.   Fndr can't help but ask a few questions.)
 
Fndr:  So what are we gonna do to this little monster?

Lee:  I'm thinking weight reduction is a biggie.  I mean, it's basically free, right? 

Fndr:  Good point.  It'll definitely help with acceleration and braking, and I guess it won't exactly hurt top end.  What else?

Lee:  Well, I figure we can put in a roll cage and stiffen up the body.  It's extra weight with a high center of gravity, but it's no biggie.  Oh, and tires will definitely help.  We've got some old Toyos from our SM days.  They're not slicks, but they'll get the job done.  I don't think we have enough power to need slicks anyway.

Fndr:  I dunno about that, but it saves a few bucks.  Any power?

Lee:  It could stand a new air filter.  I don't know about bothering with the exhaust or chipping it or anything, though.

Fndr:  Weighing as little as it does, it would probably be hard to keep it in class.  Sounds like a good plan.  What about suspension?

Lee:  I've already ordered shocks, springs, and roll bars.  I figure we might as well take advantage of our tuning skills to dial the thing in.  I know you like the stock gears in the miata, so I just got a top of the line clutch to try to cut the shift times a little.  Also, I didn't mess with getting a new diff for it.  It's the stock unit, but you drove one in SM and never had a problem.  We might upgrade to a Torsen or a race diff later, but I figure there's no need to spend the money now.

Lynn:  Not like there's a lot of money to spend, either.  How much is this running?

Lee:  I'd have to check, but we'll get the car on the track for a little over 10 grand. 

Fndr (anticipating the problem):  By racing standards, that's a budget build, babe.  It's all being paid out of winnings from that last series.  We'll have a little left over, too, so we can put some stuff together.

Lee:  It really is.  I think we did pretty well.  (Lee pulls the Fiat into the parking lot of the shop.  A familiar F150 is also parked outside.)

Doc:  You guys need a hand?  I hear you're headed back to world-class racing.

Fndr:  Something like that.  I thought this was donut day.

Doc:  No, that's tomorrow.  Dateline's in the Pacific, man.  Today's biscuit day.  You hungry?

Lynn:  It's lunchtime for us, sorry.

Fndr:  I think a little breakfast for lunch will be OK. 

Lynn:  Really, babe?  A big, greasy biscuit? 

Fndr:  If you don't want one, don't have one.

Doc:  It's OK.  It's Chik Fil A; they're pretty healthy.

Fndr:  She doesn't really do chicken sandwiches.  It's cool, though.  Babe, there are some hot pockets in the fridge if you'd rather have those, or you can go out and get whatever you like.  We're close to campus, so there's  alittle bit of everything.

Doc:  Just don't go to Tijuana flats, 'cause I wanna do that for lunch.

Lynn:  That's fine.  I'll be back in a few minutes.  Don't start without me.  Can I have the keys to one of the cars?  (Lee tosses her the keys to the Fiat)  Thanks.  (Looking down)  Um....the clutch is on the left...how does that work?

Fndr:  Just like on the bike.  You just have to put the stick into a gear instead of just clicking up or down.

Lynn:  OK.  I'll try it.  (She gets in, fires the car up, and awkwardly lurches from the parking lot)

Fndr:  She didn't stall it.  That's good.  (The guys are looking at him funny)  She's fine with that sort of thing; she just never thinks she can do all the stuff she can actually do.  Give her a month with a stick, and she could probably do an HPDE, anyway.

Doc:  So tell me about this little econobox.

Fndr:  It's a Honda Fit.  It's from that showroom stock series I told you about.  I'm probably going to run it in some other Front Wheel drive classes.  I figure if I prep it out, 125hp means I can fit giant slicks and get the weight down to nothing.  At worst, I can autocross it.  The only really bad thing about it is the differential.  I figure putting a proper diff in it will make it a ton quicker.  I don't even wanna know how much power I burned up trying to carry speed through the corners. 

Doc:  Sounds like you've got a plan together.

Fndr:  Well, in theory, yeah.  In practice, I'll probably just throw a bunch of parts at it and see what happens.  For now, I'm more interested in the E-class cup. 

Doc:  So you're basically giving this car the real TTR treatment?

Fndr:  Other than the transmission and differential, yeah.  We don't want to spend Mercedes money on a $6k roadster right now.  That'll come later.

(Lynn pulls back into the parking lot and stops, the car stalling.): OK, I'm not doing that again.  You know I can't drive a stick.

Fndr:  Not bad for a first try.  Don't worry; you'll get it. 

Lynn (pulling a salad from a Subway bag):  So you've got the car.  Do I get to see it?

Fndr:  Sure.  Whenever you're ready.

Lynn:  Let's see it, then.  I can eat after.

Fndr:  Lee, you heard the lady.  What have we got here?  (Lee opens the door to the garage.  In it sits a Marina Blue 1994 Miata.  The hard top is removed.  The soft top sits off to the side, canvas still on the detached frame.  It looks far too clean to be a race car.)  Was this one of those "never driven hard" cars?

Lee:  Probably.  Dude was a hairdresser.  Don't laugh; he also had a brand new Mercedes. 

Fndr:  Well, I guess the first thing is to do the clutch, belts, hoses, all that, right?

Lee:  That'll work.

Lynn:  So you're fixing the car up even though it's in pretty good shape?

Fndr:  Something like that.  We'll also be pulling out the interior.

Lynn:  So that's why you were saying making it lighter is free.

Fndr:  Right.

Lynn:  I guess those weren't.  (She points to a few parts boxes in the corner of the shop)

Doc:  Again, correct.  Anyway, we're gonna get to it.

Lynn:  You two are.  Lee, can I talk to you for a minute?

Lee:  Sure.  (He follows her off toward the office)

Fndr:  Yeah, he's gotta see the principal...

(Fndr pops the hood, and the two get to work)

[fndrbndr]

(Fndr and Lee are just finishing fastening the top back on the Miata when Lynn walks in.  It's late afternoon, and the open garage bay door is letting in a nice breeze.)

Lynn:  So do we have a racecar yet?

Fndr:  Pretty much.  Top's bolted in, so it's good to go.  Series rules won't let us lop off the top and windshield, so we're going to run it like this.  With the cage, it's tricky to get in and out of, but it's all good. 

Lynn:  It looks like a regular car on the outside.

Fndr:  Yeah.  We can put racing beat and garage valley parts on it later.  For now, I'm happy with it like this.  I'd like to put an E Production kit on, but they're expensive and a little impractical. 

Lynn:  Then we won't be using that, will we?

Fndr:  No, dear. 

Lee:  Well, I guess we just need to arrange for transportation, then?

Fndr:  Yeah.  I can try to put something together after class tomorrow.

Lynn:  I'll get it in the morning if you'll tell me what you need.

Fndr:  There are a couple of car transport places in the Rolodex.  We need ones that will transport to Spain.  The addresses and stuff are in a folder marked "tracks" on the shared files.  You'll find hard copies of everything in the filing cabinet in the office in the garage. 

Lynn:  In the mean time, do we get to set it up?

Fndr:  It's street legal. 

Lynn:  In the morning, early, then?

Fndr:  Maybe in the afternoon.

Lynn:  Or maybe at the track.  I'll make the phone calls and everything.  Lee, here's your homework.  These are the papers you'll need to get a Visa.  You can't come this weekend, but you might be able to get in by the end of the series if you drop these papers by in the morning.

Lee:  Sweet.  Thanks.

Fndr:  You always manage to get a lot done, don't you?

Lynn:  I try.  So when do I get to take a ride?

Fndr:  We can take a ride out 90 right now if you want. 

Lynn:  Let's go!

[fndrbndr]

(Spain.  The drivers' meeting will be in this room in a few hours.  Fndr is sitting at a table in the back, working on the laptop.  A lanky man walks up behind him.)

Joey:  I think I know you.

Fndr (without looking up from the laptop):  There are a lot of familiar faces around here.

Joey:  Not from Ridgeland High School, there aren't.

Fndr (looking up):  Joey?

Joey:  Yeah. 

Fndr:  Guess neither of us has slowed down any, huh?

Joey:  Well, you never sped up.

Fndr:  I just never slowed down enough to get caught.  I didn't know you were running this series.

Joey:  I could say the same to you. 

Fndr:  What are you running?

Joey:  Focus RS.

Fndr:  NA Miata. 

Joey:  Isn't that a girl car?

Fndr:  Only the girls that don't want to brake going into the turns.

Joey:  So the ones who crash?

Fndr:  Better than some missile puller.

Joey:  We call them "factory-backed race cars" on this circuit.  That reminds me, I have to go brief the crew before the meeting.  It's a pretty sweet car, and they've got it dialed in pretty well.  Some of us don't buy our cars with the pennies left in the couch.

Fndr:  Yeah, some of us work on them ourselves, too.

Lynn (walking in as Joey walks out):  Who was that?

Fndr:  Joey Davis.  An old friend/rival from high school. 

Lynn:  Sounded more like a rival to me.

Fndr:  Eh, it was a strange friendship.  Anyway, seems he's been on the circuit a while.  I don't know why I didn't recognize the name before now.

Lynn:  Maybe because J. Davis isn't exactly a rare name?

Fndr:  Maybe.  Anyway, I've been looking at the data logger from our run back home.  Seems like we could tighten things up a bit.

Lynn:  That's good, right?

Fndr:  Yeah.  We almost bottomed out a couple of times, and this track has its share of little rises. 

Lynn:  Do we have time before the meeting?

Fndr:  Yeah.   (closing up the laptop and heading out to the garage)

[fndrbndr]

(Last lap.  Fndr is right on the tail of the Focus, pushing hard.  Lynn is on the radio)

Lynn:  You can brake later than he does.  It's like he's not as fast as he was early in the race.

Fndr:  Maybe his tires are overheated.  I'm filling up his mirrors.  He'll give me a chance.

Lynn:  You can't keep up with him on the straight, though.  You have to pass him in the turns.

Fndr:  I know.  I'm lighter, and I've got better tires.  I should be able to get him. 

Lynn:  Here's your chance.

Fndr:  Yeah, he always brakes early here.

(Davis tries to brake late, almost loses it, and kills a lot of speed going wide.  Fndr passes without incident.)

Lynn:  Floor it!

Fndr:  It is floored.

Lynn:  Go faster.

Fndr:  Working on it.

Lynn:  He's gaining. 

Fndr:  I'm taking the inside line.  He can't pass me outside, but he can squeezeme if I try to give him the inside. 

Lynn:  Good....There's the checkered flag!  Take a couple of laps and bring it in.

Fndr:  See you in a few, dear.

(After a victory lap, Fndr pulls into the pits.  There's a small winner's circle celebration, then he begins putting things away for the trip home.)

Lynn:  So that was good.

Fndr:  Yeah, I had fun.

Lynn:  This puts us in first place in the points, right?

Fndr:  Yeah, but it's only week one.  We'll see what happens.

Lynn:  Well, the next race is in Sedona, so Lee can come.  I got his paperwork sent off, you know.

Fndr:  Awesome.  Do you know when we'll know something?

Lynn:  Not really.  His "legal troubles," by the way, weren't much worse than yours, just a couple of drunk disorderly charges about a decade ago.

Fndr:  I didn't ask; figured it wasn't really my concern.

Lynn:  Well, hopefully we've got an actual team together now.

Fndr:  What do you mean?

Lynn:  I'm learning how to spot for you, and between the three of us, we should be able to run a pretty good race, with you and Lee handling the setup work.

Fndr:  Here's hoping. It's still not enough to run the endurance races.  At least, not without bringing in some extra help, like Doc or somebody.

Lynn:  Well, come on.  We have to go to the podium press conference.

(The press conference begins with Fndr, Davis, and Muller seated beside the series director and a few other big wigs.  After a few basic comments, the fireworks start.)

Reporter:  Question for Davis.  You jumped out to an early lead, but weren't able to hold on.  What happened?

Davis:  Racing happened.  (Turning to Fndr)  You didn't win this race.

Fndr (a little amused):  I'm sorry, I'll have to disagree with you there.

Davis:  No.  You didn't win this race; I lost it.  And it won't happen again.  (back to the reporter)  In all seriousness, the front tire pressures got a little too high, and the car started understeering.  The appropriate changes will be made.  That might mean setup, and it might mean personnel. 

Reporter:  And Fndr, your thoughts on the race?

Fndr:  I was just glad the race was basically incident-free.  It saves me a lot of trouble on the turnaround, not having to install a new body kit.  Davis has factory backing, and he showed why today.  He ran a great race.  He made the car wide when he needed to, and protected his line. 

Reporter:  So you just filled up his mirrors?

Fndr:  Well, I couldn't get by.  Like I said, he ran a good race.

Davis:  We'll see what happens next time.

Race Steward (interrupting):  Thank you for coming.  I'm afraid we have no time for further questions.  Your press packets will be ready at the door in about an hour, or you can get them electronically in about ten minutes. 

(The steward motions for Davis to follow him, and leaves the room hurriedly.  Fndr wades through the reporters to go back to the paddock and finish packing up.)

[fndrbndr]

It was a quiet two weeks at TTR.  A couple of track days meant plenty of testing and tuning time.  Friday, after colloquium, Fndr jumps on a plane for an overnight trip out west.  He grabs a few hours of sleep on the plane, and is ready to go when Lynn picks him up at the airport.  Saturday's testing goes without incident, and Sunday Morning, Fndr picks up breakfast and heads to the track, Lynn sleeping in the back of the car.  When Lee arrives, Fndr has already finished breakfast and started a final check of the cross weight of the car.

Lee:  What up, man?

Fndr:  Nothing, bro. 

Lee:  You ready to go?

Fndr:  Just about.  I'm going to run a few warm up laps; I'm dropping half a pound out of the left front to try to get a little more stable on the oval.  I was getting some high-speed push at the end of the day yesterday.

Lee:  that's worth a shot. 

Fndr:  Anyway, cross weights look good.  I'd drop the ride height, but we're close to bottoming out when we go onto the oval. 

Lee:  You're already doing fine in the twisties.  Any idea how you'll keep up on that straight and the oval?

Fndr:  Probably not too well.  I need someone to draft off of, but if Davis is in front of me, he'll just pull away. 

Lee:  Get changed, man.  We'll see what happens when we get out there.

Fndr grabs his driving gear and slips off to the small changing area in the drivers' area.  After a brief drivers' meeting, he heads back to the paddock.  Davis stares him down the whole time.  Fndr doesn't say a lot before heading out for warm-up laps.  He is quiet when he gets back to the paddock.  As he pulls onto the starting grid, Lee comes on over the radio.

Lee:  Man, you're running about the same lap times as the Focus, maybe even a little faster.  You're quicker off the line because of your weight, but he'll catch you on the straights.  Try to get ahead off the line; you're starting fourth. 

Fndr:  I know.  I'll run up onto the oval.  I should be able to get in front.

Lee:  Yeah.  Glad this isn't a rolling start.

Fndr:  No kidding.

Lee:  OK.  Ready....Go!  Green, green, green!

Fndr floors it.  The Miata hooks up perfectly.  Going to the outside, the Tiny Terror slips into first.

Lee:  OK, don't get any lower than you have to!  If you start scrubbing speed, you can straighten out, but don't lift!

Fndr:  I got it.

Lee:  OK, you're leaving the oval.  Watch yourself; that Focus is right behind you.  Try to build up your lead here. 

The Miata carves the corners perfectly.  Every apex is dead on, and every braking point is precise. 

Lee:  Beautiful.  Now remember, you can take that chicane in third, and don't lift going onto the straight. 

Fndr:  I got this.  Let me know if Davis is coming up behind me.  The Miata flies through the chicane and is approaching the back straight.

Lee:  Floor it!  He's behind, but he's got twice your power.  He'll be on you fast.  Here he comes.....

At the end of the straight, Fndr eases onto the brakes and takes the miata into the corner.  Davis's Focus has to brake earlier, but takes a late apex to get a run on the smaller car. 

Lee:  Watch it, man; he's right on you!  Push this section and get a little bit of a lead going onto the oval.

Fndr:  I think I got it...

Lee:  You do.  Just floor it.  He's coming up on you.  Expect him to pass on the oval.

Fndr:  I know.

The miata hits the oval.  The Focus is not far behind, and soon, they're neck and neck.  On the straight, the Focus catches up.  Davis dives inside, then goes outside to set up the turn.  As Lee shouts profanities into the mic, the miata is spun.

Lee:  What the hell!?!?!?  Let it slide down, then go!  You've got cars coming up behind!  You can't get back on the track!

Fndr:  I'm on it.  Dammit, what was that?

Lee:  It was Davis.  You've got plenty of time left to get back in this.  Just keep driving your race and get as much of this back as you can.  We'll kick ass later.

Fndr:  Nah, I'll kick some ass now if I can catch him.  Either way....

Lee:  You're clear!  Go!  You're in sixth!

Fndr pilots the miata well, and manages to get most of it back.

Lee:  White flag!  You're in third!  Nice job!  Now get after him!

Fndr:  I'm working on it.  Brakes are driving me nuts, but I think I can give him a run for it.

Lee:  You can...just don't worry about passing him til you catch his ass.

Fndr:  Working on it....

Lee:  OK...try to draft your way through this straight.

Fndr:  I think I can get around once we get into the twisty stuff.  Just hope I can make it stick. 

Lee:  Outbrake this guy at the end of the straight.  I've been watching, and his brakes have been fading.  Hopefully this straight doesn't give him time to cool them.

Fndr:  OK.  I'm in his slipstream. 

Fndr outbrakes the VW in second heading into the turn.  A good run heading into the last complex, and second is secured.  Fndr pulls into the pits to survey the damage.

Lee:  It's not that bad, dude.

Fndr:  Just give me a minute.  (Fndr pulls off his helmet and gloves as he steps out.)  There are dings all over, but nothing major.  I'm pretty sure we'll need to give the brakes system a thorough looking over.  It's gonna be a long Monday.

Lee:  Now you have to go have a press conference with that ass.

Davis (walking in):  I'm here.

Fndr:  Not for long you're not.  What the hell was that?

Davis:  We've both run better at the other's track, and we've both lost once.  Guess it's down to Silverstone.

Fndr:  It could have been, but you wanted some unfinished business.  I gave you room.

Davis.  Yeah, not enough.  As far as anyone knows, you tried to squeeze me off the track.

Fndr:  Yeah, anyone who didn't see the race. 

Davis:  Anyone.

The press room is abuzz when the drivers enter.  The reporters don't wait to get to the good stuff.

Reporter:  Question for Fndr.  What happened at the end of the first lap?

Davis:  I'll take that.  I tried to pass cleanly, and he didn't give room.  I tried to keep things clean, but when you have an understeering car on the inside and an oversteering one on the outside, things happen.  I'm glad he's the one who spun instead of me, but it was just racing.

Fndr:  The hell it was!  The only way you could up under me like that is on purpose. 

Davis:  Look, it's racing.  It happens.  Get over it.

Fndr:  Look, you and I both know what's going on here.  You didn't want to race me.

Davis:  I'll race you anytime, anywhere. 

Fndr:  Demolition derby doesn't count.  If I want those, I'll do the HPDE (Hopper Psychotic Driving Event) stuff.  This is supposed to be professional racing. 

Steward:  Once again, I'm afraid I'll have to call this conference off a bit early.  We, um, certainly wouldn't want this to get out of hand.  We're out of time.  If there are grievances filed, you'll all be made aware.  Feel free to ask questions to the various drivers in the paddocks.

Fndr wasn't in much of a talking mood as he packed up in the paddock.  Whenever a reporter came by, Lynn told them as politely as possible that TTR wasn't doing interviews at this time.  Even Lee knew better than to try to make conversation.  Fndr got the car rolled up into the trailer and finished changing.  Fndr headed to the shower to get cleaned up.  After a half hour or so, he came out, dressed in a shirt and slacks.

Lee:  So, guess we should eat?

Fndr:  I'm hoping for a beer or six.

Lynn:  Guess I'm driving.

Fndr:  Thanks.

[Blooze]

That Davis is a butt...

$

[pistolpig]

Nice work, Fender, loved reading it 

[fndrbndr]

Thanks...I keep meaning to finish it up.