- My honest thoughts on this week's car summed up rather bluntly, being the worst car of its update (yup, to me it is worse than the Peugeot 3008 Allure). Obviously subject to change, but don't mind if it's the bar I've set for the car..
- I've set comparison cars, and looky looky what we have here. The chad cars that separate men from the men with glorious beards, hairy chests and sexy women. By the way, this week's cheat car is none of those, but probably the NB NSX or the Cayman GT4.
- Meme I set to upload my post on last week's challenge.. of which I'm shocked that I freaking destroyed y'all at. There's a reason why it's not uploaded yet because.. scroll down why don't you.
- It will be embedded with a much more detailed writeup.. Yes, I wrote a story starring the Honda N-ONE RS and it's surprisingly long. Might be 2 posts long. Can't believe that happened again. The meme? Well it's RULES OF NATURE, so yes: nanomemes, son. It's the sole Flashback of the episode, and I couldn't resist.
Expect it by Thursday.
SPD Writes Gran Turismo 7's Car Of The Week: Week 135 - Honda N-ONE RS
PART 1
Gee, SPD..
You are one masochistic moron. You're setting yourself up to be disappointment again and again.
And yet you defy your fears.
Well screw you too, my inner paralysis demon. I figure I need to get something off my chest. And you're not helping.
It's no news to us that Honda has taken a gander at the game that is kei cars: something no other game other than the new TXR has tackled when it comes to current day representation. From the mid-engined BEAT to the S660, I can trust Honda with small compact, but also fun and peppy machines for the city roads. From myself, I daily drive a Honda FIT CROSSTAR: a weird ass hybrid of a small city car with a crossover.
And about that CROSSTAR: I'm expecting that car to come in game sometime soon (with the CVT, oh groan of groans) alongside with a big blue MINI, but let's hop back.. just imagine the day I saw the 1.61 update silhouettes came forth with this as one of the stars. I was quite pleased with it. Plus, we had hoped it wasn't one with the CVT, and thank goodness it wasn't.
But let's not waffle about. Like I said: kids are cruel, and Honda has been making kei cars for quite a long time. All the way back to the 60s, beginning with the likes of the N360.. see where they got the name? The N in that context means Normale, by the way.. you can figure out what that means.
Soo.. the N360 too was quite a revolutionary machine: it was the first kei car to ever have an engine stuffed in the front end (rather the rear) powering the front tyres. Not to mention it using a 4 stroke ahead of the usual 2 stroke that was the norm then. The result of all this? Since the engine was at the front, the engine can cool more efficiently, and weight distribution was optimized better, allowing a rear space for passenger seating and the handling was perhaps what was the best aspect.
Jump forwards to 2012, and Honda thought: I'll f[BLEEP]ing do it again.
And they did: say hello to the N-ONE. Announced in 2011, first opinions say this is the Ford GT to the GT40, only if the GT40 was the original FF kei car. However, it started off with it's power tramsitted through CVT, and the N this time means Norimono. Despite these, it released to quite a spectacle, having both FF and 4WD variants to roam the roads of Japan with cues and desires the original N360 provided with a modern touch.
So, we move on and let's see: here we have the second generation (JG3), badged as the RS version. And according to Gran Turismo 7, RS means Road Sailing.
Road Sailing? Really?
Talk about making a cool sounding suffix sound incredibly lame after effing around and finding out.
Anyways, this RS Road Sailing dumb as heck named version of this N-ONE came with a bevy of bonuses that made it much more desirable for the gearhead in mind: a turbocharger, black trimmings and roof panel, sporty styling, and the best of all: a six speed manual. With 63 horsepower and just weighing in around 840 kilograms, the car promises exceptional handling in a cutesy, but just as swift package for the masses.
It's been 10 months, but.. I've nothing special to say about story writing. It's all filler from here on out. This may end up being the last time I write, and I've only planned a finale on the final week, whatever that may be, and if I even want to get that out. You know I've been thinking of writing a farewell, and all the drafts turns out to be a variation of 'screw you all', even though I harbor no ill will to any of you.
Let's go back to mandatory weekly song! And like a cat finding approval, I put my ears up, because..
Is that a rumble?
Is that one of my favorite songs of all time?
Is it melding towards this car: a kei car I find quite desirable even to myself?
The windy transitional cold season in Japan brings out a chilly, although uneasy wind breezing through Japan's bustling capital. In other words: nothing out of the ordinary's on the table.
And at a certain small and simple home, in a certain neighborhood in the middle of the city..
..a short statured racing queen steps out from under her roof, making a quick note..
Candy: "Ohh.. Minori-chan's at the cafe, which means there's nothing going to interfere with my zen.."
There wasn't a burden in her heart or mind upon entering the outside world.
Nothing was going to stop her making a twirl that put the world around her; the kind of action stemmed from great joy.
This lady: our main heroine, put out a jingle..
Candy: "Sunday Cup.. it's only me and youuu~"
However, like any good heroine, nothing has to be perfect for her.
In this case, it wasn't the bustle of the city, but rather: a someone.
The city's morning vibe managed to gradually shield from her an emerging theme song loudening its presence.
Slowly realizing, her face shifted slowly to a dreadful fury as that foreign noise does its magic and introduces the man behind it all, driving into the large driveway..
She tried to hold it all, thinking to just keep it in, but instead she exclaimed angrily towards the sky..
Candy: "OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUDD!!"
It might be a loud shout, but for the next moments, the neighbors either couldn't care less, or have their own problems to attend to.
One such neighbor would be a skinny and tall European lady, waltzing out of Candy's house with concern in her sights, asking..
Lucia: "Frau Candy! Erhh.. umm.. is something the matter?"
The little lady turned back and replied, not holding back her words..
Candy: "Yes, there is. How much credits does it take for you to help me destroy his face?"
Lucia, given a pointed direction, looks on..
There he was: this half Singaporean, half American man she's all too familiar with, as both a good friend, a great mentor, and most importantly: an excellent punching bag.
She replied calmly, but not without this smirk that starts to develop..
Lucia: "For the schweinhund Sonny.. I'd do it for free."
Seeing her friend crack her knuckles, the little lady shared this sentiment..
Candy: "Excellent. But let's be reasonable women. I think we hear him out."
Lucia: "Hear? A man like him approaching with that disgusting aura of his? This is new to me."
Questions Lucia, as she processes an unexpected want for diplomacy.
Like it was put in her head, Candy then explained..
Candy: "I know, but we had such a long time off, and we have to get our bearings back. Nobody wants to see two girls beat up one guy for wanting to say hi on my day back, you know what I mean? He's Sonny Meng: his fanclub's probably watching him as we speak."
A moment passes, and this German racing prodigy replied.
Lucia: "Why, I am not afraid of some rabid fans, Candy. If you're so unsure, follow my lead. Stay behind me."
Candy: "Oh?"
Out of their huddle, they inched towards the blue Roadster.
Sonny Meng: AKA the Asian American Badass, and unarguably an egoist of no equal, exits his ride, as he shone on the pieces of his that he intentonally warrants to shine.
A character this cool in his own head would imagine an explosion producing just behind.. but the women he kept on like it never did.
The one taking the lead then steps up to announce..
Lucia: "Alright, pig. You better have a good reason to come over and ruin her morning."
Displaying his usual smug look, he talks..
Sonny: "Ruin? Aiya, with the instant jumping to conclusions, ah? Sis, you don't have to be like that lor."
Lucia: "These are conclusions caused by my friend here causing a noise violation in her quaint little neighborhood.. and they are contagious.. towards the ends of my palms, that is."
Candy knows she doesn't sound any ways furious..
..but knowing this person for quite some time, the little lady has a hunch she needed to act, and act she did..
Candy: "Lulu, don't escalate."
Lucia: "What? Don't worry, Frau. I am not escalating. I mean.. you had fights out front here quite often."
The concerned homeowner however didn't like that reply, deciding there's a fire that needs to put this one out..
Candy: "With assassins.. the sort that kill for a living. Those who can do damage with finesse. Safe to say, Lulu, it's that.. you're not in their league."
She casually answers, but 'uh oh' doesn't begin to describe what she's done.
As she blinked, she suddenly found herself on her backside beside broken crumble of reinforced wall..
A sharp but inconsequential pain resides in the back of her skull, with Candy reaching out, as she notes in agony..
Candy: "Wwaah.. there better not be any broken bones.. urghh..."
An enflamed Lucia, reeling a fist that recently landed a great blow, shared her fury..
Lucia: "How'd you like that?! Tell me I'm not in their league one more time, and.."
Turning his thoughts to de-escelation, a worried Sonny spoke..
Sonny: "Luce, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Ginnie told me she just mended that wall wi-"
Lucia: "YOU WANT TO BE NEXT, PIG?!"
Sonny: "NO! MERCY!! JUS-NOT THE FACE!"
Instinctively, he puts himself in an afraid, but resilient position he uses to take these hits..
As his dread followed on what body part is going to need expensive surgery, soon he took a quick peek to realize..
Sonny: "Eh?"
..that the woman with that intent was at another corner of the driveway, in a withdrawal position.
A comment of concern followed..
Sonny: "Luce? You know how much Bern is going to have my hide if he finds out my badass demeanor.."
Candy: "Of you flinching."
Seeing the strangely untouched but dusty Candy Lam who took such a hit, he lets loose..
Sonny: "Shut up you. Now where was I.. My badass demeanor causing her to crack like that.."
Back to a mind that's all about himself, his thoughts quickly shifted ahead to the other woman..
Sonny: "I was going to do some One Step Ahead magic working.. but what's up with that?"
Candy: "We had social lessons with Sophia yesterday. She promised not to lose her temper like that. Can we.. check if she's okay for the race later?"
The Wolfpack pair walked on, but not without discussing..
Sonny: "That so? By the way.. you okay, sis?"
He started dusting off his companion's hair, slowly continuing as she held up no resistance.
Candy: "It's nothing. Really. If you had the likes of tasers, RKOs and spiked bats come at you at a frequent basis, punched at high velocity to collide with a mended brick wall is.. umm.. it's nothing."
Sonny: "You seem unharmed too. Bit dusty, but.."
That was the last straw, she thought, as she turned to assert..
Candy: "Okay, thank you for the free groom, but she ruined my makeup. Aside that, well: that's just luck. Or as Paul would play it.."
The word Paul however did ring a bell in Sonny's mind of self indulgence, prompting him to interrupt..
Sonny: "That reminds me: you give me a sec, ah.."
Eventually, they came just at the right distance, for him to ask..
Sonny: "Yo, Luce. I'll keep my mouth shut if you let me do my thing to the little one."
Lucia: "......"
An expression of his satisfaction follows..
Sonny: "That silence has got to mean a yes. Thanks, baby. See you on track in a couple hours, alright?"
He pats her like a cat would like..
Candy, questioning if that was wise or not, chose not to act.
As they leave, the clouded Lucia remained..
..until she looked upwards, venting out her emotional fumes as she steams off, albeit slowly.
But back to the pair..
Candy: "Well, you got me. What do you have in mind?"
Sonny: "Nothing really. Was wondering if we can have breakfast at your cafe. You know.. I belanja you."
A moment was what she needed to recall that word from Week 81.
Any sense of rejection was a myth now since she knows an frequent on track adversary like Sonny strikes as anything but dishonest.
So she said..
Candy: "Eh, what the hell? But you deciding to come in person rather than your usual silly texts means you have more."
Pulling a (possible) impression of a Cheshire cat grin, he reveals..
Sonny: "Yaaa.. umm.. let me jog my memory.. I know Nash is here.. and he's brought over your good friends in the Mythic Initiative."
Candy: "Figures. That means.. big sis.. she's come over to Tokyo without notifying me at all. How dare they.."
Disappointment and fury then teamed up to sour her face, allowing this egoist a reason to reveal one more tidbit..
Sonny: "And of course I saved the best for last.. you do know it's a team race?"
Now muted in her emotion, she asked..
Candy: "Team?"
Sonny: "Yes milady: team. Noun meaning a group of people working together to achieve a mutual benefit. But it's a bit chilly here.. Cafe first?"
Candy: "R-right.."
The Eunos Coffee Lounge
Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Morning
The shyness of the morning doesn't distract the cafe's day to day going forwards in a medley of what constitutes as 5 stars in the service industry.
From cooks handling food, beans getting grinded, to happy servicemen at the ready to earn their pay.
It was a place where anyone who wanted a good meal to go with indulging its race themed decor.
Though as fate has it, the cafe today remains rather bare, with at most 2 tables occupied.
The co-owner slash little racer has her attentions elsewhere, as she peeks outside.
Her focus remains not by the people passing by, but instead of a certain car..
Candy: "That Alfa's been there forever.."
Thinking nothing of it further, she turns to a certain seating place, however with a view blocked by the self proclaimed badass.
With 'belanja' still not escaped her mental cage, Candy clarified..
Candy: "I still remember what your precious belanja means, but you know this is my cafe, and I do get all my meals for free."
Sonny: "Doesn't change the fact it's belanja still! Just not for you. Some say he thinks orange chicken is politically insulting, and he once lost in a Sim Gear certified The Guts costume contest.. All we know is that he is The Guts!"
He stepped aside..
..and a spotlight would move towards a man, donned in his usual clear black racesuit, being a modal customer sipping from a straw.
No surprises from that long announcement, sure, but a surprise did await in the form of a brunette woman just by, sat as comfortably, but intent wise: you never know with the thickly tinted glasses she wears 24-7.
Candy: "And you placed an order? For Nirvana?"
Sonny: "Isn't it obvious?! Plus you know how much it hurts when I have to do the right thing. She likes it that way. Now where is that Sophia?"
He clapped, and before a reaction can happen, a voice echoed..
Sophia: "I'm here, Signore! Scusa mi.."
Dashing past the front door she came from, she approached and made a greeting among friends, with smooches by their side.
Sonny: "There you are, hot stuff! Back to being with with Guts? How's it hanging?"
Sophia: "Marvelously! Splendidly! Whatever other adjective you have that expresses my joy.. oh, Candy. Look at you.. Mamma mia, you are looking.. might I say a faint bit dusty."
Not taking this accusation of self sabotage lightly, Candy went on to explain..
Candy: "Dusty? It's Lulu's fault... not that I blame her.. she lost her cool."
Sophia: "I see.. today's not the time for that, Candy. I'll have discuss this with her in our next session."
Sonny, irked by this professionalism and especially that it's not in his league, has a thought to turn down the mood..
Sonny: "This girl, ah.. I can see dollar bills behind your round glasses, Sophia."
Sophia: "He forgets my penchant for helping people without restraint.. hehe.. hehe.. oh no, am I drooling.. Mamma mia!"
While they're busy, the little racer now moved to the enigmatic information broker, mildly shaking as she copes with a restraint to addiction.
Candy: "So, any reason why you're here?"
Holstering any sign of withdrawal aside, Nirvana responds snootily..
Nirvana: "Fufufu.. Go ahead then. Shoot at Nirvana at all your mindless theories. To say they will be true or false.."
She leaves her seat: an act that she thinks would be perfect for completing her monologue..
Nirvana: "It is up to I, Nirvana, to confirm."
Nothing like pissing off her biggest rival, Nirvana smirked, and she finds that fact to be true as he intruded.
Sonny: "I'm insulted you asked."
Candy: "Insulted?? How dare you."
With a look that's undeniable still constituted as cool to those around him, he continued to lash out as everyone took a seat.
Sonny: "It's like she forgot the one main rule of that why we have that ugly lanjiau being here."
Candy: "It's been more than half a year, give him some slack."
However, she had a nagging question in the back of her head, and found a relief with a woman as secretive as Nirvana has the reputation to answer almost anything.
She jumped at the opportunity..
Candy: "Someone let slip that our little soiree later turned into a team race."
Nirvana: "Nirvana hears it is of request from Nash. Sophia?"
Sophia: "Amica, well.. Nash is still interested in her as part of the Mythic Initiative... is something the matter?"
There was raised brows and a frown that did say: yes, something in fact is the matter, as the little lady shared a disdained thought..
Candy: "Sophia, I like you, but I remember the first time I mentioned the Mythic Initiative, I was suggested to become lunch to a bunch of cannibals! You know what I mean?"
Nirvana: "That it is a deep and dark secret.. why, of course Nirvana does know. So is the fact your racing teacher is of major part of this group. Consider our presence here as leverage."
Sonny: "Plus you do know I'm one of the key members of that Initiative, sis?"
Still grumpy, she exited that bad memory, and forced this group to relate it to a recent one.
Candy: "I know a lot more than you think, you pompous ass.. So, how does that follow to a team race?"
Nirvana: "It is the fact you are not alone, little fool."
While the logic of it was good enough to stand and explain without an age restriction, what puzzled the little lady was when she figured..
Candy: "You, part of Mythic? Who'll vouch for you?"
Nirvana: "Hah! Nirvana's exploits within The List has that answered."
There's a confidence in her boast, but her head turns when a representative speaks up with a reassuring voice..
Sophia: "And Signore Guts."
Nothing to back her up, she mentally took the easy way out and began to sulk..
Candy: "Right.. I forgot he works for The List sometimes."
The mysterious Nirvana knows that a sulking Candy isn't a receptive one, though she will still listen.
Before that worsens, Nirvana further explained..
Nirvana: "The team race is a dumb idea, Nirvana concedes, but Nirvana has received word that The List has sent some backup for you. To say if he wants a fair race or if he wishes to back you up.. is nothing of Nirvana's business."
The more she rabbles, the more he wants in, thus confirmed as he spoke up..
Sonny: "It's also that should your big sis decide to destroy both your cars, you're not entirely screwed."
It was a dumb take, but one enough for Candy to exit this short lived slump she seems to be getting into quite often these days..
Candy: "Hey! How could you implicate that.. that's just NOT what I want to hear!"
Nirvana: "They're an organization of clean racers.. only such a putrid thought would develop from filth like his."
He may be living filth from her, but well shampooed hair and especially exceptionally chiseled teeth wasn't giving this opinion any standing.
Her opinion now out and about, she puts that file away and takes out a more pressing matter..
Nirvana: "Do you know what race rules is coming?"
Candy: "Boniface's special Sunday Cup rules. Domestic entry level racers for today. I live here, so I hope you all are armed and equipped."
The analytical Italian however made use of her great thinking, and thus outriddled a riddle..
Sophia: "Ooohh.. it explains why you've brought your 86 and not Pinky. Mamma mia, I should've taken note earlier!"
Candy though turned to the only man around (that's not in a race suit).
Candy: "And you? I can't call THE BEAST domestic, can I?"
Sonny: "Hahaa, I wish, but Sonny Meng adheres to rules and goes around them when they're not specific. You saw the NA Miata, right? The only answer, Candy baby."
It might be a hatred that nearly turned violent once, but Nirvana can't help take that file back out..
Nirvana: "Irritating, aren't you? However, it matters not."
The rejecting of a Roadster shaped threat did get a question out..
Candy: "You don't have to tell me, you know? How about you? A Lamborghini isn't something domestic.."
Nirvana: "You still remember my FK Civic, correct? A.. let's say a very special car even though it's not one of Nirvana's own Lamborghinis."
A subtle, though noticeable raise on her eyebrow hints everyone around that Nirvana has something else on her mind.. or rather: someone else.
Nirvana: "Speaking of special, may Nirvana implore you turn?"
They all did, and after a pause to process, what they saw was the one person they expected to be here, but couldn't due to what happened..
Candy: "Lulu?"
Lucia: "Morgen. I.. umm.. Frau Candy, I'm sorry for lashing out on you.. HE does that to people."
It can't be her good friend The Guts' fault, so they all turn to THAT guy.
Still with a self portrait enveloping his line of thinking, he began to unravel through speech..
Sonny: "It's me or Bern, actually. We're happy to be her punching bags. Shows the badass in me at times."
Lucia: "Whatever. But it seems we have quite a crowd.."
The moment she sat was the moment Candy's glare turned to a flat out question..
Candy: "You never told me it was a team race, Lulu."
Lucia: "Did I not? Ohh, Paul told me to not tell you one word. Und I don't want to disappoint him."
Paul again takes a mention, and Candy can't escape his catchphrase coming by like a bus's advertising.
With that, she added..
Candy: "He's really taking that whole open minded thing really seriously, is he?"
Sophia: "That makes him sort of admirable.. I'm glad to have worked for a man such as himself, you know?"
He might be fully covered up, but there was no discretion on how upset he felt on that thanks to his shoulders sinking like an anchor.
His ambassador, gentle and selfless to her peers, wasn't going to let that be.
Sophia: "Mamma mia! Umm, Signore Guts, it also makes him a good competitor for later! Ah-ha.."
Though his peers did comment..
Sonny: "Guts-a-manger, usually you're not tempted by pressure.. something is up with him."
Nirvana: "The fact his superior is racing against him.. is temptation enough."
Candy: "And you're not pressured?"
Sonny: "Pressure works the other way when I think about it.. not to mention I am quite confident to get the W today.."
Nirvana, blown by a cloud of her rival's delusional senses, reassures.
Nirvana: "This clown better be meaning us."
Candy: "Of course not.. on the track, the world is all about me, myself and I."
Sonny: "Like they say in the McMahon family anthem: you've got no chance! No chance in hell! And I plan to make sure I'll push real hard later on. Tabao for me, baby!"
He stages a grand exit, complete with nothing but a red rug and lights, though ones he only can see.
As he walks the illusory aisle, Nirvana further steels her research.
And where better to start.. well, how about the little lady right there?
Nirvana: "Do tell.. Candy.. does he develop such an ego when he's against the likes of your precious Wolfpack?"
Candy: "No. And I never see it when you manage to get in his head."
That fact was enough for her to make her own exit.
Nirvana: "It seems that I, Nirvana, have learned yet another asset to use against him.. ciao!"
Nobody knows where she's off to, but regardless she too exits.
The hostess knows enough to leave her be, but a sharp DING of a bell changed that..
Candy: "Hey, wait! Don't smoke now! Your food's ready! Where are you going?!"
She departs at haste, but those left, with an allure for good food hypnotizing their senses, have their expectations set..
Lucia: "Since I heard 'belanja', I'm sure he means it's free food. Hammer. This'll help calm me."
Sophia: "Signore, before you eat, you have to remember! Your helmet must be taken off first.."
Now without the burden of hunger to serve as an excuse for lax performance, Candy stands by her large garage door.. one that's small in compare to most other racers, but still large.
She pushes a button, and the door begins to raise slowly..
She didn't fail to see that a classic Ferrari awaits, but she seeks the car just by: Week 16's Demio XD.
Candy: "Hello, Demio. How about another Sunday Cup shaped trophy added to your name today, hmm?"
Undoubtedly a proven performer on the expressways, she enters, lets it roar into life and..
..well, you get the idea.
Tokyo Expressway
Tokyo, Japan
Late Morning
Today's forecast: uhh.. sunny?
Not like it'll be anything else with the sun right there, and the sparse clouds going far and apart, like how energy transfers in a molecular level.
And the roads? Surprise surprise, unless there's a malfunction.. let's not go there.
Let's however head to the inside of this building.
Arrows around, lines drawn, and spaces for cars: unmistakably, this is a parking garage.
But with thanks to a thrifty benefactor for racing, it's been converted for use of the drivers making names atop the highway turned race circuit.
Our heroine moves along inside, perhaps with a purpose.. but no: it's to distract her as she has phone on hand in a call..
Candy: "Again.. I owe you.. Maybe we can.. have coffee and watch a movie? Yes, go ahead and bring Yuuha. Right.. okay bye."
Her business concluded, she puts her phone aside, whilst moving towards the spectator zone..
Candy: "Another run at the rumbling expressway. I need to finish the new Tokyo Xtreme Racer someday."
She may have thoughts to consider such as gaming, but there are ethereal bindings over her career that she still wants tightly sewn.
And said bindings get a pull when..
..the passing of a (perhaps) over tuned, supercharged inline 4 from the face of Jinba Ittai itself.
The car alone didn't scare her, nor was the driver, but add those together and it's a recipe for a bad time, and she felt chills just thinking about it.
A moment sooner, she comments..
Candy: "Whew.. That's top form Sonny Meng in that Roadster.. a car he carries with much passion and skill.. how am I going to get past this one?"
While she copes, an aura emerges..
She readied to face this one, but in many thanks to a theme song humming in the background, the intensity of facing a stranger fades.
This is Nash Kirkham: head of the Mythic Initiative. A somewhat dashing, white-haired man who's aged considerably in contrast to his years, and playfully known by his peers as someone who's nearly a doctor.
Candy's obviously glad it's a familiar face, so much so she forgets he's one she hasn't seen in many moons, and her main concern lies in..
Candy: "I wonder when am I going to get a song to come crashing when I come about?"
Nash: "Fine morning to you, Candy. As for your request.. maybe there comes a time.."
There wasn't anything concrete in that sentence, she figured, until even a word as fickle as time gets criticized..
Candy: "And I cannot read time.. whatever. You know.. Nash, Sophia told me on breakfast.. how is it you're not racing today? I liked it last christmas, when.."
Nash: "I gave you my heart?"
Nash was obviously playing around with some tradition that's long past now, but that gloom and doom face that's as dejected as an 'I Wish I Weren't Here Right Now!' button he faces put all those fun times to rest.
As a confirmation, Candy bluntly..
Candy: "No."
His tone now a hint more serious, he then replied..
Nash: "What? I was putting my McLaren to it's limits? There was a Veyron, I cannot say no."
Candy: "That, and you're afraid to get in the ring with the likes of what people call the world's top scoring Group 3 racers?"
Nash: "You do know I've proven that's poppycock time and time again, my dear."
She couldn't argue with his results driving an antiquated relic on the circuit.
Though, being humbled in that whole context rushed her to change topics..
Candy: "Yes, sure, but with your white hair, I really do want to see you racing again and again before you get.. even more white."
Nash: "Says you with the similarly grey hairdo.."
It wasn't known much that Candy would take great offense when someone makes fun of her looks, and Nash found out the hard way when he gets his collar pulled downwards and his face then shouted on..
Candy: "ASHEN! It. Is. Ashen!"
Nash: "Dear me. Forgive me, I didn't mean to hit a nerve. Verily."
She knew the consequences of a woman facing a man as presented in all kinds of media, and wisely let him free.
Once they're back at standing height, they continued..
Candy: "That's fine. You're just here to visit Moto-san, or what?"
Nash: "Yes, and yes. A visit is due, verily so, but so is this team race Boniface managed to scrounge together. I.. let's say I've a doctor's note that says no high octane racing while this season's on hold."
Finally getting the answer straight and simple, another pout came.
Candy: "Boo."
Nash: "Indeed. But your.. big sis gave me the low down of something else.. trouble when it comes to participating in the race."
One person down in the dumps was bad enough, but the little lady knew two in one room attracts the flies of sadness, if such a phenomenon can even exist.
Exiting her own grief to help with another, Candy stepped up, asking..
Candy: "Oh? What's the trouble?"
Nash: "Moto-san is unavailable for the morning.. and I.. well I must confess: I am not Hamza, and didn't prepare for this. Woeful.."
He proceeded to feel regret, if the sad face and slight slump off the backside was to hint it.
Candy though gladly realized that this hunch of hers had some merit, announcing..
Candy: "Well.. that's fine. The likes of Hamza and Sonny being the kind that plans ahead does mean that talent of theirs rubs off to me. A bit."
Nash: "Do tell."
Putting her phone out, she taps her way to a GPS app.
Watching from above her shoulder, the white haired legend watches, as Candy readies herself..
Candy: "And.. according to GPS.."
Nash: "Goodness, isn't this illegal?"
Candy: "It's a special little app for my old crew of expressway runners.."
And with her knowledge of the city's expressways, she knew..
Candy: "He's almost here. On clockwork."
Like a gazelle in the savannah, she listened out, and not long later..
A vintage Volvo came crawling in, and seeing that it's Week 60's superstar back on the grand stage, those watching know who's in, and what it's capable of doing.
The aged racer spoke up a show of approval..
Nash: "Now I must say.. good show."
Candy: "Why, thank you."
And as the car came to a stop at a nearby parking slot, the driver: Candy's old street racing associate known mainly as Rudeboy, finished locking up the car.
He however wasn't allowed a step further away as he is approached. But he was the one who fired first..
Nash: "Greetings to you too.. umm, I know you mean well. He does mean well, right?"
Candy: "Why, of course. Potty mouth aside, Manh is anything but impolite."
With him present and accounted for like a soldier, Commander Candy then asks for permission..
Candy: "Well, there's only one more thing to say, sir. Put him in the race."
This was the kind of decision to think hard and long of, and after 2 seconds, it is made..
Nash: "Hmm.. I accept. Do impress me, and I think I can consider you to be trained under me and Shinzo's organization."
With a will to relive a history with that name, Rudeboy pounced..
Rudeboy: "Shinzo, ehh? F[BLEEP]ing A, I'm game. You are so lucky, Candy.. I am off day yesterday, meaning... I am top condition now! [yawns]"
Our heroine however grew uneasy upon seeing what she presumes is behind his aviators..
Candy: "Why.. I doubt it, but thanks for that enthusiasm, Manh. You're going to need it."
At an attempt to further grow relations, Nash has The List in mind, and cobbled up a bit of courage to ask..
Nash: "By the way.. you happen to be piqued interest by my protege Jacob.. as a member of The List. I don't mean to pry but.. what's happened in that direction?"
Rudeboy: "That's secret, but to be honest.. maybe I can prove to prospect big boss what me and my Volvo are on my field of specialty. Maybe that mother f[BLEEP]er's here?"
Nash: "Ahh, I see.. he is. Well.. best of luck. I have to go."
He leaves, alongside his prestige and reverence.
And as soon as he's further away, two old friends start to bicker..
Candy: "Manh in the early daylight? What kind of deal with the devil did you have to make for this to happen?"
Rudeboy: "Maybe the same deal that mofo Santana did to disappear."
Candy: "Maybe.. you got to tell me what devil it is you're working with?"
At a higher level..
Two classic frequenters of the Used Car Dealership show it's style before the big rumble is to come..
And their drivers: former touring car racers who don't have a problem with contact.. although they're now in a world where their antics there is highly unwanted.
They're both dressed up and prepared to make great use of the time to get the best out of their cars in the upcoming race.. with one tiny problem nagging about..
Paul: "Ach.. us, team up? Bollocks. Utter bollocks, this be. Such a bother."
Grievances of the Scottish kind however don't fall onto deaf ears, as his unwanted teammate hears on as he utilizes his English degree to read a book he's wanted to finish.
However, he's had enough of ranting, and babbled back..
Boniface: "Bother. You know how odd it is should such a man like me and a brute like you think alike."
Paul: "Oi! Take the heat off me, laddie. It be all Nash's wee idea."
All his focus now go straight back to the book, but Paul follows a desire: and that desire says to heat him up some more..
Paul: "Heard your lovely lassie's on the other team."
Boniface: "That you hear correct, you barbarian. You can see the distress in my voice."
Paul: "I can? Eh? Dunno if you're playing a tease on me or something.."
Boniface: "Tease? Even my mind's all messed up. Oh please."
The Scotsman has more than enough ideas to help with that statement..
But footsteps make themselves heard, and within reason this banter transforms into panic.
Paul: "Bon! Me ears say someone's coming in the truck."
Boniface: "Quoi? Umm.. hurry now, you brute! We must present our rivalry as legitimate at once! To your positions.."
Now with their heads butted, eyes cross, and voices ready to boom, they begin to clash (or so to speak)..
Paul: "YER GOIN' DOWN, YOU PONCE!"
Boniface: "NON! IT IS YOU THAT IS GOING DOWN!"
They were hoping for some form of publicity that'll help with their dwindling reputation.
It could be a reporter for the local news or sports channel..
Or race fans wanting to take some photos.
They don't even mind members of the public: a sentiment they share, which perplexes much in relation to how they look at each other.
The intensity of their voice hints their desire for these bonus views.
However..
Candy: "Excuse me? Is this where the men get sweaty?"
Rudeboy: "Her words, not mine."
This dysfunctional pair who were in their make believe shouting contest quickly let it go with this revelation.
Disappointed, they turned..
Paul: "Oh.. Candy. And that other laddie.. Rudeboy, was it?"
Boniface: "That's him. And how are you today, ma belle?"
She made a quick smile: the way Boniface liked his girlfriend.. only that..
Like she's been practicing, that same smile quickly turned to grimace at a flash.
As soon as the men processed the change, the French richman felt a sensation by his right cheek..
With a new hand shaped mark at said cheek, Boniface recoiled..
Boniface: "Sacre bleu! What the-"
Candy: "For keeping it from me."
Boniface: "I beg your pardon??"
Candy brought one hand and clapped the other repeatedly, wiping it clear of dust.
She then explained, with her mood obviously not at its peak.
Candy: "You know.. the part where I thought it's a friendly race between friends, but rather, behind the scenes, it turns out to be one of Nash's silly little games."
Rudeboy: "Silly? F[BLEEP] me, Candy.. a race with me is not to be treated like a game."
Paul: "Aye. Moreover, It's not going to be silly when the action's red hot."
A quick check of the aristocrat's clothing..
Hair still straight, rose and jewelleries intact..
OK!
After a quick cleanup, Boniface regrettably explained..
Boniface: "This must be about the team race. I.. forgive me. But Nash took inspiration from his example, just so you know.."
He was obviously painting me as a villain, said Paul in his head, as he then explained further..
Paul: "Keep yer dirty grubby palms offa me, you pansy."
Boniface: "Hehe.. non, I'm afraid that is impossible."
Fortunately, Candy wanting to harbor a grudge for something this minor wouldn't be possible.
Her smile comes back, and while the men remain wary, her lightened tone changed that..
Candy: "Well, sure.. I get a little riled up, but a slight change of plan isn't going to ruin the fun for everyone after all."
Boniface: "Hah. I am undeniably happy to see you.. umm.. see it that way. And don't worry: there will be no family business to get between me and you this time. Us and the beauty of the track."
Candy: "Just the way I like it!"
These two came into an embrace, close enough for a kiss..
..but with a crowd nearby, that didn't happen. It didn't stop them from making commentary..
Paul: "Alright. It's all going to be a wee to not safe fer work if we keep this up."
Rudeboy: "I.. umm not feeling welcome. Want to go?"
Paul: "Nah. Just a jest, lad. By the way, I've been meaning to ask, but.. you were with her at a past age.. I was curious you haven't got a hint of tension between this all.."
Rudeboy: "Ehh. It's nothing. I'm married long time."
Paul: "That so? It's a wonder we haven't had a look at yer fair dame with ye."
Now gazed towards Paul, the Frenchman has words..
Boniface: "Leave him be, Paul. It's always your actions that have these kinds of consequences."
Paul: "Whatever. I'm off for some practice in a wee bit. Coming, Rude? Figure I be needing your advice on the expressways."
Rudeboy: "Oh, what the f[BLEEP]. Let's go."
And with two out, there's two more left..
While their thoughts share the whole 'further contact of the body is warranted' outlook, Boniface didn't remain on that for longer..
Boniface: "By the way.. I hear there's someone else looking for you.."
Candy: "Oh? Let me guess.. my big sis?"
Boniface: "That wasn't so hard, was it, cheri?"
Candy: "She's the only person I haven't yet seen."
They did split up.. at least it was amicable and not in terms of relationship.
Boniface though, feeling a hint of guilt, took a quick breath and informed his potential spouse..
Boniface: "I would love to accompany you, but.. I cannot stray behind Henderson.. I desire some practice."
Candy: "Don't you worry.. if you want to dance, we can dance later.. if you know what I mean."
He couldn't help but turn back, embarrassed enough that he predicts himself carrying a face full of red.
Boniface: "Oh that I do.. hehehe.. oh mon Dieu, not a single word.."
Candy: "Hehehe."
Now on the search for the infamous big sis, Candy marched towards her definition of a clue..
After staying still with a small collection of cars, Candy makes a deduction.. though, it's one so easy any detective can do it..
Candy: "And that's definitely her Copen. Means she can't be far, unless.."
And to her surprise, the next person that walked was a ready to race alien of the circuit racing world: Sim Gear's mysterious racer known as The Guts..
Though this time, he was alone, and was holding a small electronic device.
Stopping in front of Candy like he was expecting something, a quick pause later and his patience was then rewarded..
Candy: "Guts?"
Nothing but his face on the screen and fingers scrolling through.
The little racer though had a most pressing question.
Candy: "Umm.. hey. Where's Sophia?"
Quickly, this alien would then tap away at lap record pace, then shows toward her on said screened device..
Candy: "'With Nash'. Oh, well, I suppose it's true: she is back with Sim Gear thanks to Pinky."
And while this is the familiar method should Candy go one-on-one with The Guts, our heroine however had a stark realization..
Candy: "Speaking of Pinky.. well.. I don't remember handing you my spare phone yet. And you've already got one handy. Sophia must've taken feedback on how we communicate."
However, not only wasn't this the first time they've communicated, it also wasn't the first time The Guts has that phone.. and that sparked enough red flags for Candy to go red alert..
Candy: "Though, that looks like big sis's phone.. WAIT!"
Akin to a purple notification of a best lap awaiting, he typed yet another message, which shows to..
Candy: "'Gotta dash'. Ohh, right. I'm right, of course. Guess I see where this is going."
A distant rumbling then followed.
The intensity came to this duo's attention rather quickly, and there's no hiding to Candy that the whirring accounts to..
Candy: "Rollerblades.. just get going."
She let him pass, and this tamed racing animal would make a mad dash so vigorous, it'd be impossible for him to get track and field wise guys to turn a blind eye..
However, what came by next was akin to time travel, as seen in Scott Pilgrim.
While the flames weren't there, Rin Nishimura, the (Interpol) Agent of Chaos, makes a great stop, and was obviously burning up.
Candy remained idle as she watched this scene develop..
Rin: "HOW MANY TIMES?!! GET BACK HERE! Uhhh... where is Paul with a lariat to break that breakneck sprint of his?!"
She still remained still, as these flames turn to water.. again a sight to behold.
Rin: "Waaaaa... he spills yet another secret, and my career is D-O-N-E. YOU HEAR ME!!"
Candy: "Rin-san.. big sis.."
There was no preparing the little racer of her big sis going for a familiar gesture..
..the Death Hug that officially got these two unrelated beings together back in Week 2.
Somehow the same depiction of tears that fell became a jolt.. again again a sight to behold.. again!
Rin: "Oh hai, little sis. I missed you, you know?"
Candy: "Guwaaa.. The feeling's m-mutual (Her mood swings are always creepy..)."
Swinging her legs around in struggle, Candy gets a reason to stop as she finds freedom once again after a couple moments..
The agent then had some words to say, spoken at a more modest pace this time around..
Rin: "Well, firstly I want to apologize. It was kind of guiltyy of me to keep you in the dark."
Candy: "Don't worry, big sis.. one look at Boniface's new hand mark on his face might give it away how I feel about that."
A sentence that coy got Rin to stare on for a while.. followed with a sharp gasp.
Rin: "What? Someone's not happy they're being considered as part of otou-san's elite race force?"
Candy: "No.. more to the fact I do want more than what I'm hinted."
Rin: "That's kind of another way of saying we're testing you. It's all.."
Candy: "Paul's idea. I know. Lulu told me."
Rin: "Is there anything Ciya-kun hasn't spilled?"
Candy: "She wasn't the only one that's hinted the kind of malarkey I'm expecting. But.. well.."
For a quick moment, Candy pretended not to care about her sudden injection of doubt, though she can't help but realize..
Candy: "I don't know. Something is missing in this picture."
Rin: "Some.. thing?"
Candy: "More accurately a some ONE."
Again, big sis paused..
Rin: "Paint me a picture."
Candy, at disbelief on what is so obviously not here, decided not to answer straight: a ploy in the making or the fact she hesitates.
Candy: "Well.. he's really tall, really scary, but somehow someone as soft as YOU managed to calm his inner dark side."
Like a bulb that lighted, Rin.. decided to play coy too..
Rin: "Do I even want to answer this question? Hmm.. hmm hmm hmmmm.."
Eventually, she's had enough, asking..
Candy: "Okay, cut it out, big sis. Where's Jake?"
She's got no more games to play, thus Rin makes her reply, now void of coy..
Rin: "He told me he was helping out Lyle-san. And that's it."
Candy: "Must be related to making car sales under market value. But 'salesman' isn't the word I'd like to describe your husband."
However, more mood shifting comes to play, as doom now takes over..
Rin: "No.. he's got other skills. Ones I dread to divulge."
Candy: "Ohh.."
An unknown location within Yokohama Bay
Tokyo, Japan
Even though she's her beloved and their marriage isn't something I want to mess up anymore, Rin doesn't really know where he is..
..but fortunately we're not within that restriction.
Within a usually abandoned warehouse district, illicit activity can happen, even if it is Tokyo: one of the safest megacities in the world.
But what's not normal are piles of bodies.. calm down.. piles of bodies disabled, be it by loss of consciousness, or.. chemical warfare?
A man, with nothing else on his mind but his of own survival, dashes across the buildings, as his men have already failed him..
Thinking of exiting up the roof, he proceeds to find a way up, only that..
The sole ladder for this breaks, filled with bullet holes.
Drowned in fear, he turns around, and behold.. his pursuee stands at the ready, just stowing a concealed weapon: a pistol, most likely.
Without any choice, he begs..
"No! Please! I'm innocent! Swear!"
Jake Ross: "Kept telling yourself that. You're as innocent as a Somali pirate.. you say the kind of crap only you can personally justify."
Their distance closes, and as they surround in a crimson cloud, the poor sap finds himself unable to move..
His words become more desperate: something his tone didn't conceal well enough..
"Okay, it's one car! Just some Italian exotic. It's back now, and you wouldn't got it back without my help. And.."
Jake Ross: "Squirm away all you like with your lies. Stealing merchandise from my friend was the first and.."
This enforcer of the underground.. Jacob Ross.. brandishes from in his longcoat a blade.. one that's been a testament to his violence, but oddly retains a brand new visage.
Jake Ross: "Last mistake."
Assuming to himself repeatedly that it's fine, he's speaks on..
"Ohh.. umm.. nice blade. Must be specially made for yourself.."
Jake Ross: "A machete like this.. made of carbon steel, designed for survival, longetivity. And is classified mainly for agriculture. But for the likes of you, how about.. an instrument of justice? Hmm.. I like that. As did your crew that resisted."
That distance between these men now seems to disappear.
The tall dark one then explained, melancholically..
Jake Ross: "I hear from the lawless Arab world that thieves, when caught, deserve to have their arms lopped off. So I aim to do just that."
"Please just kill me.. but don't do this!"
Jake Ross: "Consider this an act of mercy, only that.. I lied."
And as the deed was to be done, his arm raised high, aimed to the limb stuck in place..
A ringtone, in the tone of The Ecstasy of Gold, eventually played.. Indeed, he was saved by the bell.
The man who set this all up, as he realized, dropped the aura of his inner evil..
Jake Ross: "This better not be.."
..and quickly reached out his smartphone to answer, leaving the paralyzed man to watch on..
Jake Ross: "Yes?"
Jake Ross: "Busy? For a moment, why?"
Jake Ross: "I know. Leave no evidence. I know how to be discreet."
Jake Ross: "That soon? Hmm.."
Jake Ross: "Take a poor sap's arm off.. a lesson for thieves as stated in the Arab world, why?"
Jake Ross: "Y'see, I am still within the vow of not killing.. Hmm.. hey, simmer down, will ya?"
Jake Ross: "Fine. If you think the evidence against is THAT rock solid.."
Jake Ross: "I'll be there. Tell you what: I'll be there before you know it."
Jake Ross: "See you."
And as the call comes to a close, the man in black announces with a whiff of regret..
Jake Ross: "It appears I will not be having your arm for supper. Shame. Get comfortable.. an interested party tells me they are on their way."
"W-what just happened?"
As sirens start to louden, Jake, blending well with the panicking workers making their exit as well carries on..
Walking as if a ballad of a slow guitar, accompanied by chanting and trumpets was the basis of his momentum..
But that all stopped as he arrived..
..to a Honda N-ONE, coded with his favorite colors.
Upon entering, a push of a button brings the tiny turbocharged 3 cylinder to life..
And the driver comments of his lamentacious luck..
Jake Ross: "[sigh] rascals these days has such good luck. How unfortunate. But I guess it's time I get comfortable with the likes of you."
So, when it comes to the 5 roster list of 'cars that will get SPD back to writing his stories', the N-ONE wasn't in that list at all.
And despite all the negativity that remains in me about this.. well, if you don't like what I provide, I am welcome to just ignore you. Feedback on the other hand.. well, I will want that in my system, that's for sure. Knowing the differences is going to be a main factor for me moving on with these.. if I do continue. There's not much space for that left.
Someone has to nominate the 288 GTO one of these days, and I don't know why I failed to do that on the other place.
Now, what does the N-ONE offer from the factory floor? Well, it's your usual flair of kei car goodness: 600 cc, 63 horses, a weight that fails to qualify as a yo momma joke, and a front focused 62:38 weight ratio. Within its special category, the car runs alongside the likes of the Copen and the Gigaccino. But.. well.. there's an elephant in the room, and that comes in the fact of what you see with the N-ONE at a glance. It's a 4 seater compact city car that gives the finger to taxes. And unlike the Copen: I might comfortably fit in one of these.. I did mention I daily drive a FIT CROSSTAR, and that car, while a whole different chassis and engine and whatnot, offers a lot that's similar to this, just in a not kei car restricted bundle. Not to mention if the FIT CROSSTAR does have a sports trim..
[googles]
Nope, it doesn't. So I can throw the similarities of that car with this away.
By the way, the only element I find familiar is maybe the rear seats.. and oh: the dash screen. Even then it's not the exact same. Someone nominate the A80 Supra, and I will find similarities with another Toyota I used to daily drive.. shared parts are quirky to me, and I wish I knew why.
Moreover, you're welcome to see that if it weren't for Honda's placements of certain retro elements such as the lamps and the analogue meters on your dash, you can say the whole car looks and feels like an early era Perodua: Malaysia's well known car brand that local enthusiasts are all more than happy to talk crap about. You see: the Malaysian car nuts relate to the frustrations ye olde Top Gear had with cars of that shape and care. The N-ONE, no doubt, is void of those characters. This I can't promise I can convince you with words alone, but put it on track with a horde of these puppies and you'll see why.
My dad always say that Hondas have this feeling in them: a magic, a bond, this je ne sais quoi.. but only purely from Japan made models. Because there was a time we tried to push a Perodua to its limits, and the engine? Let's say we might have cooked it.
On the imaginary drag strip.. ohh, why are we here? Even with a turbo, without power, numbers here are destined to dwindle. Like, well, an 11 second 0-60, in many thanks to the fact it's as aerodynamic as a block of cheese. But what the car doesn't have as well is a hefty weight; a benefit I will come back to later. On level land, the acceleration is passable at least, but go up a hill and you are going to find yourself begging to the speedo that you really want to go faster, even though you might have dug an imaginary cartoon hole atop the gas pedal.
I'm also questioning the gearbox, see. It's generally way too tall for racing use: the final sixth gear, whenever that comes in handy, tops out at around the 140 MPH mark.. in a car that is expected to top out at 140 KM/H. A bit of a mess, that one is. Now, I know that's probably the gear for cruising on the expressways, but it breaks my heart I'm betraying the perception of the sixth gear in this car. It's usually the chad gear that says: "hey, I'm a number that's rather punchy to this gearing game, and rhymes with sex, so you must respect my authority".
And speaking of authority, keen readers of the power to rev chart may have noticed the drop of torque on late RPMs.. simply put: that's acceleration, you want that. Like a lot of kei cars, that means you short shift. On the lobbies, I do it by the quarter fill, but after a quick study, the optimal place is just before the 7000 RPM/just past half full on the shift lights. The only exception when you don't short shift would be when the car reaches those revs mid corner: usually it wouldn't be able to hold the grip levels to get the shift to happen flawlessly.
I remember that brakes used to be the first thing I always talk about.. just that here, there's not much to talk about. Anyhow, the car has good brakes, with a force strong enough to push the front downwards. At this performance level, that's easily just 'end of story', right? Yeah, well.. I repeat: there's really nothing too special about the brakes of the car. They work, and work good, end quote. Not like you need grooved high tech disks for a car this budget happy. By the way, while we're on with slowing the car down: engine braking the car will do you wonders on turns: they really pep up the car, but you have to be responsible not to abuse this, or you'll be sorry you lost 4 positions on Northern Isle Speedway.
As I specified earlier with braking, the soft springs of the N-ONE is.. well, if you try your best to be rigorous with the bouncing, you'll see that it sits high at 135mm. But there is this magic, once again. You lean those springs and it will groove the car smoothly into the turn, like a condom..
This is the fault of my analogy of the sixth gear!
Okay, more family friendly now: It'll take you around the corner with a lot of love.
Well, I'll have to keep to THAT mindset then.
It's like having training wheels to hold you up when you lean so much. You feel like it might just tip over like the amount of cars I see doing as such in Rennsport. But before we careen into repeated aileron rolls from cars with phoned in physics, the N-ONE holds on tight, and if it displays understeer, that is a lie, you know you put power and forgot to adapt the suspension for it. And if you're still too timid to let it loose, just bounce the revs mid turn: I mean it's a low powered kei car in a sporty trim!
In fact, this car has that phenomenon I describe in Mini Mexico: where if you put the steering too tightly, you'll lose pace. I actually forgot if that's here too, but I have a hunch there is, and I refuse to check. At it's factory form, you are always welcome to push push push.
Now while racing kei cars have always brought the promise of close racing with a hint of rubbing and grass to the max for all levels, now it's time I take on the car's main advantage over its rivals: a partnership with it's motorbike leaned agility and size. It is a car that demands your bravery.
That is the key word for the N-ONE.
You are going to make that skinny set of CM compound cry! You want to get that trail braking to the max! You want to cut as much of the track as possible! You want to accelerate as early as possible! You want to get that angle just right, so you can keep the car running or you will lag behind your sausage shaped compatriots. You can do a Senna if you must, but be sure not to hit someone that looks like an M3 GTR while you're at it. It is a fun car to be angry with on the track, because that's not the emotion you want with something like a Mustang or Camaro. To be honest: while this and my FIT CROSSTAR are two different beasts, I can feel that if I can toss aside that CVT, I too can have this experience in real life.. along with demerit points of varying degrees.
But you might be thinking how would the N-ONE fare against its variety of rivals? To be honest, I feel the car's a bit overinflated in the PP region. It's probably the worst performing kei car in the early 300 region, beating only the Carry and Jimny of which it outclasses. Which means it's a nobody compared to the likes of the Gigaccino. But don't let this observation sway you: because moving across traffic with an agile compact in an illusion of speed is a guaranteed form of exhilaration.. but you ought to move on when you're feel you want to level up, even though you don't really need to.
And it's all in a nice little cheese shaped package. Despite all the mentions to insult the lactose intolerant, I have not made any Sainsbury's Taste The Difference references yet.. nor did I make a livery that's essentially a cheese wedge. We got Tuner's to go, but well.. let's be honest: I'm thinking we don't need me to write that.
But I will.
Returning to the converted parking garage..
Our favorite little racer now gets together with the two newest members of the Mythic Initiative.. or more relatably: her boyfriend and best friend.
The boyfriend however has panic written all over his body..
Boniface: "Allow me to inquire once again.. BOTH of you?"
Candy: "Come on.. I mean.. Jacob can carry me and my big sis at one time."
His eyes usually are never shown enlarged, but in this case, they are.
They come along rather fetching when he spartanly replied..
Boniface: "Monsieur Ross is no ordinary man!"
Candy: "I'd say the same about you, and so far you are proving me wrong."
That was obviously a tease, though Lucia has another opinion..
Lucia: "Frau, you are talking to someone who can chew up the likes of Cierra without issue."
Candy: "Chew her? That's not what I want to imagine.. okay, I'll let you off for now, my love.."
With that goal post finally put aside, the pressure exits his body.
Overdue of that, he returns to his calm demeanor, and shares..
Boniface: "Well, I suppose I can work my upper body strength one of these days. I know you might be sensitive, but how much do you weigh?"
The two women were, although not quite, ready for this, and rebutted..
Candy: "Bon.. that's one of the many taboo things on what you wish to ask women."
Lucia: "Alongside sexuality."
Candy: "That's good too. Okay, that too."
Lucia: "Mmhmm."
Deserting this idea moving on, he prepares another item to discuss..
Boniface: "At any case.. madames, I figure you are familiar with the competition today? Cars of course.. not counting Sophia's 4C here, that is."
Lucia: "Hmmm.. I think I'll be fine. How about you?"
Candy: "I've looked down the roster, and the only anomalies are with Nirvana's EK, and that GT 86. And your Levin too."
Lucia: "Ohh, I had my taste on choosing what parts go in a hachi-roku with great precision. Both mine and Herr Guts' examples."
The German prodigy's reputation for sourcing and tuning Toyotas is something Candy's familiar with, but she still can't believe how shocked she still is about this reveal.
A question came forth; obviously to hide said shock..
Candy: "Really? Be honest: is it true that whole carbon look is for show?"
Lucia: "Nein, it's not. Plus if you look inside, I can personally refer to you the inventory I recommended to go with it's 4U-GSE. There's little inside that belongs to the original."
Candy: "He's also The Guts. Some say in another ancient language, his name also means menace."
Boniface: "An unusual fact we have is that this is his first Sunday Cup appearance, so I'm open for surprises from that shady mime."
Lucia: "Hmm.."
Thanks to her curiosity angled elsewhere, this group faced another sect of the garage, ending up to another set of racers..
Aside the background noise, a silence was undeniably there, but it wasn't peaceful..
Candy: "You're quiet for a bit, Lulu."
Lucia: "Ja. These two have Ratt written all over them."
In sight of this pair of domestic Japanese tuners haunted by a duo's intense battle with each other, Candy added..
Candy: "I suppose listening to the official theme of Nirvana VS Sonny does put your mind at unease.."
Lucia: "That, and Herr Ross's car. Frau Nishimura told me it's not his Mustang BOSS. Und with the rules set in stone, I know nothing else that he would drive. What could it be?"
Candy: "That is.. a good question."
However, a warning blare filled the place, indicating a car entering..
Candy: "Rudeboy's coming in.."
But the picture above wasn't going to hide the fact it wasn't alone..
Boniface: "Something else follows. What is it? Candy? I'm not familiar with that small fry."
Candy: "Umm.. that's a Honda N-ONE. Blocky kei car for the small, urban Japanese family. This is an RS variant with a turbocharger and manual. The MUGEN badging.. I don't know how authentic that is."
And as it enters the nearby parking slot, an answer arrives, although with more questions alongside it..
Lucia: "Was ist dies? Look inside!"
Boniface: "Qu'est que ce?"
The door opens, and a boot stomps out, quaking the world and the dust that surrounds.
Candy: "The dark one. Of course. I know those boots."
Boniface: "Oui, consider that question answered."
He's a big man, but took no trouble exiting the small Honda.
As he secures the car, he finds himself already surrounded..
Candy: "Wow. I never thought I'd say it, but.. big man stepping out a sporty kei compact without hassle. I think that car suits you."
Jake Ross: "Bul[BLEEP].."
A muted wave approaches, and the man, with his gimmick used against him, puts out a grin, impressed.
He breaks the silence though..
Jake Ross: "So.. this overwhelming silence tells me you're serious. Was wondering what your reasoning will be?"
Candy: "I don't really need a reason.. what'd you say, Lulu?"
Lucia: "Put away the paintjob, and I'd disagree. This is Frau Nishimura's fault, I bet."
Jake Ross: "Not this time, it ain't."
Lucia: "Not this time?"
Arms now crossed, he explains..
Jake Ross: "You ain't far, Luce. It was Moto-san. I know.. take advice from Moto-san?"
Candy: "Yeesh. Advice from Moto-san. Oh dear. I hope it's not about hiding in tight containers or bonsai tree caretaking."
Or breaking the fourth wall without any of you all noticing. That Moto-san can be quite a rascal should it happen.
Mildly perturbed, Jake fired back.
Jake Ross: "Hell if it is. Well, he was giving me some advice to be discreet. I'm a man of big cars with growling V8s, but it cannot be helped. I thought it'd be impossible, but for that time, and that time only, there's not a single word I took out as argument; he had me in his bag."
The Frenchman, still admiring the car, has a critical thought to this solution..
Boniface: "So you bought a small Honda? Discreet, sure, but I would find another car for a man your size."
Jake Ross: "That ain't exactly why I chose it. Fact is I got it for free."
He walked away, as this small crowd watched his back..
Jake Ross: "See, there was this lightweight K-Cup series about a few weeks back.."
Since you all know I'm a memelord: here's a meme I shared earlier this week.
Oh there's that face again, past SPD, you busta. What kind of mind games you playing at this time.
Why, nothing of course. They didn't say about contact with the drivers or flying through the chicane (which will result in a hefty penalty). Which is, initially, the strategy going forwards.
For my weapon: it's an N-ONE, but you've probably seen it in the Wednesday lobby as it died on Alsace.
So, how about challenge difficulty? I guess it's not supposed to be a liberty to be discussed as the Lightweight K-Cup events are rather made for beginners. You're driving cars that are classified lower than that of what Gran Turismo classifies as a starter car anyways.. or any Japanese racing game with any kei car, actually.
Just look at TXR 2025, your starters are Suzuki Swift Sport, ND Roadster and the AE86 Trueno.
In all my runs, strangely, the trouble I would probably have has to be from AIgor Fraga. Returning from his stupidly unfair challenge that targets me to lose all the way back in Week 34, he will be the consistent thorn for the lead in his Cappuccino.
But while the Gigaccino is a force to be reckoned within BOP regulations, here it's just a test of how well have you tuned your kei car, seeing that it, and a few others, can reach a very solid 116 MPH top speed on the back straight.
So we have 3 things to deal with when it comes to tuning your N-ONE:
1) Have it reach, or best that lucrative 116 MPH mark
2) Make sure it can take the high to mid speed turns too because the rules want you to not hit any walls (I approve of pulling the finger to wallriders)
3) Take heed of the hairpin by giving a proper exit strategy.. I mean an exit strategy out of the corner, not a literal one. That one you can just pause the game and quit.
And to top it off, we have to put those within the rules of the event itself: 400PP on comfort softs.
And well: I've done my homework and created the appropriate monster for this event. The only thing is that I'm not sharing anything other than the fact it has no widebody, even though it is one of the best ones the game has ever have in that regard.. Hey, blame the venue. If this was Tsukuba or Seca, sure.
My best time comes down to a 6:25.085. Today's margin of error us about a couple of seconds. I was aiming to smash that 6:25 threshold, which would be if I was more optimal.
I'm unsure about the wall checking, but to Past SPD's credit, the game recognizes this run as clean, so internally the 50% credits boost means I still win.
There are a few things that come from the shared replay that needs mention to those who don't want to click pow, nine thou.
- Now, as I like to bend the rules, it didn't specify if you can't hit other racers. So using them as brakes is fair play.. which is a hilarious oversight that I feel cannot exploit consistently. I can also say the same for the chicane before the final corner: it does give a penalty, but doesn't enforce it so you still get a clean time at the end of it all.. also has to be a hilarious oversight. Though, in all my attempts to smash and grab the W, nothing notable came of it that could garner an advantage. Maybe cut the chicane?
- Due to the strict no wall collision rules, the most difficult part of the whole run comes down to the first lap in general thanks to traffic. Weaving around them isn't easy for everyone, especially when time's on the line. Could be a consideration to use the wide kit or any GT Auto body work, but I'm positive the aero being uneeded is a necessity.
- Aside from adapting to your tune, the short shifting nature of the car makes it also a test of your memorization. This is true for both my tuned and regular factory forms of this car. I often get misses by a couple hundred RPM areas, behind or ahead, my optimal shift mark.
- Here's for all those who want to gauge how you've been doing: In all my good runs, I overtook my race leader, being AIgor Fraga, on lap 2, by the end of the first sector. More accurately just before the ramp down preceding the big hairpin.. something clear as day in the replay.
- You want to know what else you should see in the replay? Oh yes: it's the general performance of how amazing I am dodging traffic on Lap 1. The car being this light has no right to be this agile, and despite me putting down a full ballast.. you can swear it's a sports bike, not a kei car.. all in all, it was such a thrill. ("Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka and vocals by Cynthia Harrell - Snake Eater" plays)
So, am I saying Jake drove a BMW M3 GTR themed N-ONE?
Maybe.. he did have his start with street racing in the East Coast.. this is an inspiration I yoinked directly from Need For Speed: Most Wanted 2005 that I'm not afraid to show time and time again.
That's the beauty of stories.. you're welcome to imagine the truth as long as it follows the pace I provided. Now back to the garage slash pitlane.
Jake Ross: "Moto-san pulled a few strings with his race team, and a few expats with some spare change. Then, he said if I win that prize money for him, he'll shell out that plus winnings to me to get my own car in budget."
The dark one then gripped the tip of his hat: usually a clue that there's more than what's said..
Nothing however arose though..
Jake Ross: "Clearly, I chose the car they lent me."
Lucia: "And what about Rin?"
Jake Ross: "That better be a rhetorical question.."
Displeased that query actually was said like they didn't know him, he however obligated to answer..
Jake Ross: "That silence tells me I should elaborate. Fine. She likes it. Really really likes it. Matter of fact, she brought her Copen, and wanted to have like this kei car faceoff if it weren't for the fact we're racing for Mythic."
Not worried of this super tuned kei car around, Candy, in a phase of curious wander, searches for other things..
Candy: "I'm willing to bet there isn't much miles."
Jake Ross: "Barely clocked a few hundred with all the mods. With that settled, I was thinking of pushing it hard. Bon.. I think there's something here tomorrow, right?"
Boniface: "An open track day, if I remember correctly that is."
Still with all the flak about a big man getting a small car in mind, the man turned to the littlest one around, and asked with interest..
Jake Ross: "I was wondering if you'd ever consider getting a kei for your daily drive."
Candy: "No thanks. My Yaris is perfect, and still is."
Jake Ross: "Perfect, you say? It's not here, however."
Candy: "Ohh, they said bring something suitable for Sunday Cup. Meaning.. something light on power and credits to maintain. Limited run homologation model of a rally car barely is."
You can hardly call him honest, but he can't help but sport an impressed look at her honesty.
Jake Ross: "Well, aren't you an insufferable, yet law abiding little flower. Not the kind that'd go for an easy win, huh?"
Candy: "Wins aren't wins unless you've earned them. You know I'm familiar with that."
Jake Ross: "Right. Those sound like something Shinzo would've said."
It's that name again, she thought, as a burst of guilt that needs to be swallowed came..
Candy: "They.. ulp! Umm, right! They might be."
Jake Ross: "Hmm.."
The other two that didn't say a thing kept on admiring the N-ONE.
Jake Ross: "Like what you see?"
Lucia: "Well, isn't it obvious? An aspiring tuner has to peek, right? Waaa.. there are meters here that don't belong. And that hood?"
Boniface: "Oh ho.. Perhaps this team race isn't all gloom."
Jake Ross: "Carlyle done his work for me. Told him not to swap, and that's that. And speaking of Carlyle.."
She knew of the plump, showy, nice hearted dutchman with a mind for the old-school and big horses.
But him being here isn't what she's ready for.
Regardless, the question then plays..
Candy: "He's not here, is he?"
Jake Ross: "No. Not quite. But his new partner in crime is."
And that man is?
Why, it was in Week 76, but sure disappoint me further.. umm.. it's the (currently sleep deprived) Vietnamese mercenary!
Again, like clockwork, he appears as his superior gestured..
Rudeboy: "Big boss! One checked engine coming right up."
Jake Ross: "Good man. I'll send the credits your way."
Tossing the smart remote, the engine swap specialist got to work..
The little racer wondered though..
Candy: "Rudeboy with another side hustle? I wonder if Yuuha knows about that.. and why am I not involved?!"
Jake Ross: "You're still not in The List.. but since you insist.."
It's just full of filler, y'know? And I can't blame World of Warcraft this time, no siree.
SPD Writes Gran Turismo 7's Car Of The Week: Week 135 - Honda N-ONE RS
PART 2
This pair of main characters, now at another part of the garage, continued to discuss..
Candy: "How about.. flights back and forth from here to California every two months?"
Jake Ross: "Arrangeable."
Candy: "You're able to do that?! For me? I-just how big is this.. chemical weapons operation of yours?"
Jake Ross: "If I had to tell you, I'd have to kill you."
She didn't like how shady this is, as she explained her disgust..
Candy: "Yeesh.. on the surface, this all is some scary scary stuff.."
Jake Ross: "But after seeing you develop that immunity.."
An interruption did however come.. in the form of the intense rollerblading grinding the concrete akin to a couple of chapters back.
It was alarming enough that both husband and little sis had to declare..
Jake Ross: "Let's talk later."
Candy: "Agreed."
As they began to halt, the agent of chaos arrived once again, and started circling like a shark wanting a meal..
Jake Ross: "Jess.."
Rin: "Jake, I know you've been talking behind my back about using my little sis as your guinea pig."
Jake Ross: "Yeah? And you figured that, how, may I ask?"
Rin: "Ohh, I don't know.. I have my new friend here going to work."
That new friend?
The person walked in the scene, and evidenly was this grumpy brunette, identified as Nirvana.
Now dressed in appropriate race attire, she talked on, with her usual mysterious suavity..
Nirvana: "Why, this young lady has provided ample payment for me to spill what's easily a secret I, Nirvana have already gotten wind of. So sorry.. not."
A partnership with Nirvana is a familiar ground for the former MC, and it also means he has the words..
Jake Ross: "Of course she did. Well, it's between me and your little sis. And it's strictly professional."
Rin: "Sure. You know how much test mules get paid, right?"
Jake Ross: "Let me worry about money. I do my Weekly Challenges, just so you know."
Rin: "That's for spending on GT Life, not.. pumping poison into HER!"
The arguement did eventually focuses on..
Candy: "Hi."
..Candy acting cute with a derpy wave: a word she usually didn't appreciate taking an association with.
Rin: "Do you see who you're trying to insert deadly gases and chemical reactions into?? The most adorable little racer the world's ever seen!"
She cares, Candy can tell, but only the person herself can tell the degree of what she can take, and how far that is.
Needless to say, she intervened..
Candy: "She has no idea how resilient I am built.. even though I'm just 4 foot eleven.. and I might need a new house just for trophies.."
Jake Ross: "Regular money's fine too.. better yet: her body is something else. Miss Nirvana can vouch me."
Another moment for Nirvana (while disgusting) is a win for her, as she smugly spoke..
Nirvana: "Fufufu. Vouch? That I can. The little fool has quite the capacity for alcohol resistance, athletic strength, muscle strength.."
And Candy, hearing all those pros, filled up with embarrassment..
Candy: "Okay, stop. I'm a well kept athlete, that's all you need to know!"
Jake Ross: "And more humble than that 'other guy'."
Candy: "Humble? Hah. You realize how much of an ego I can have when the going gets good?"
Thinking first, her big sis then answered..
Rin: "Umm.. not really.. you don't strike to me as someone who shows off, little sis."
Candy: "I don't? Oh, right.. I truly was the sort to only satisfy myself. They should've seen what kind of character I was before.. before meeting.."
A quick glance at a Candy then compared to Candy now had her look down, unwantingly ashamed..
Candy: "I'm embarrassed to look at me then.."
And Nirvana, not a woman with a good heart, tries to console..
Nirvana: "Nirvana looks at you.. you are miles better than who you were when Nirvana tried to have you sacrificed to a higher power.."
Without question, reminder of Week 4 was the moment Nirvana, not only was formally introduced..
..but also rolled 1..
..because.. pan camera please..
Candy: "GURR! HOW DARE YOU MENTION THA-"
Jake Ross: "That's enough."
And before she can rip her to shreds in a way I too would prefer, Jake has other thoughts..
..and what better way to pacify her when the rear collar of her's completely exposed for a quick grab and yank.
Unsurprisingly, because it's a well known fact somehow to every member of the story roster of this being Candy's weak spot, it worked.
However, it wasn't a spot that silences her, as she screams out..
Candy: "NOO!! Puuk gai!! Anywhere! Hold me any-f[BLEEP]ing-where! You can even grope me if you want, just NOT THERE!!"
Jake Ross: "Might I suggest you be far and away as possible before I set her loose?"
Nirvana: "With that fury.. Nirvana suggests that the track beckons, then. Ciao."
The mysterious brunette takes this brief chance to exit.
And just after, this messed up family and their friend went on..
Rin: "Teehee.. a reaction like that confirms that did happen. I pity you, little sis."
Candy: "I.. I.. I don't want any more trauma.. I want to try and win this race.. and then we can have.. I don't know: a party in my cafe?"
She's in negotiation mode, and the man holding the reins..
Jake Ross: "I like that idea. Congratulations, my little Asian flower.. you are excused."
..decided it's the right time to let her go.
Somone as bougie as Candy knew the floor wasn't the place for her, so she quickly went up to her feet, and after a quick dust off, offered..
Candy: "But aside from nasty chemicals.. you do know who I am on the road racing world, and are you sure you don't want me to.. do some last minute calibrations or optimizations on that N-ONE?"
Jake Ross: "Nah.. I'll figure it out. Never needed you in a past era, just so you know."
If that was a challenge, the feeling that just built up in the little lady was no question agitation..
Candy: "You! Don't you dare slap away my kindness now, dark one.."
He stood high an mighty to that, reacting with nothing, though the reasoning of his fearlessness was indeed commented from someone who's a bit further aside..
Rin: "Do I, or do I not want to remind her how she first met him? Heehee.. just so tempting, yet so.. evil."
The devious Rin-san takes out her phone.. and checks that recording still there.. sinisterly smiling: something quite out of character for her, even when she's alone.
As the morning started to reach its conclusion, something, along with the sun in the middle of the big blue skies, began..
From behind the screens of the marshals, they witness a randomly arranged rolling start starting off the festivities..
To the white haired legend and many many more, a classic golden age hit like One Vision was no short of perfection, as he laments..
Nash: "Oh, Alan.. if that old codger was here, he'd love to see this."
His attention though now goes towards a certain Italian lady, mingling around the group of spectators, but still dressed casually.
Reaching out, he queried..
Nash: "Pardon me, Sophia.. what are you up to? Are you doing your.. coaching thing?"
Sophia: "With Signore Guts? No, not today. It wouldn't be fair if I was.. I'm just a spectator to these festivities!"
Nash: "Right. Looks like they're going to make a rolling start before they begin, alright.. although."
Indeed, something else caught this aged man's eye..
It might be just a tuned Honda N-ONE RS, but Nash.. after a quick reassurement of his eyes, blurted out as if he saw a ghost.
Nash: "Lord above.. Jake. That car of choice.. was it intentional?"
Sophia took notice, and prompted..
Sophia: "It seems you have been startled. What's wrong?"
Nash: "Oh, nothing, my dear! It's nothing at all. Yes, well.."
A brief panicked pause was followed with cherisment..
Nash: "You are a splitting image of him at times.. veritably, today is one such day."
Here we have the segment that looks to be how did SPD manage such a (I guess) reasonable time at that fruitless Single Player Challenge.. I've yet to wonder why I dubbed it as such.
Maybe it's because we had these challenges in the past that actually gave people free nominations. And well, since it's really going to be a nothing burger to do these nowadays, past SPD's insight makes some sense now. But I think it's better, or I'll take these too darned seriously.. which isn't what happened this week (despite the utter destruction I caused).
Now, while the N-ONE hasn't gotten an engine swap that'll help it get out of the realm of the easy peasy lemon squeezy, I think in the GT Auto department it's a solid 4/5 recipient. The 2 points of that comes from the widebody alone: a tribute to the Honda City II Turbo, AKA the Bulldog. That word is a great hint of what Honda do I want in game: a quirky 80s hot hatch that came with a free Honda Motocompo at back. Yup: a free 2 stroke foldable motorcycle.
But aside that, the car does carry it's fair share of body mods: something you can find in a lot of cars that come in these updates the past year. We do have winners and losers in this category too, and the N-ONE is undeniably a winner. I mean: 4/5 is no 5/5, but in my book, that's a win. At the very least you want to nab the front lip because you want that tongue out like it's about to have it's first ever serving of Ai-Cha. Or in a more serious note: FWD car love front downforce, even though the base car does have overturning issues..
For Neptune's sakes! We're in Tuner's; we are going to harden the springs eventually! Go ham on the parts, and you can get as much as 100 (200 with widekit) on the front, and 350 (250 with widekit) on the rear. Past 100 on either side is already way too much, way I see it.. All this, and they are setting this car up to get the 2&4 motor, I bet you that.
Now, since the car is turbocharged, it has the added benefit of pumping a lot of extra power. A lot means double, and double of 63 still isn't much, right? Well, do I have to remind you the car doesn't even have a ton underneath, and not to mention if you go full ballast like uncontrolled mukbang content, you'll barely chip that single ton boundary. Now, turbo choice is pretty much as complex as your first move in chess.. you'll want to do the right move or you will not get the best strategy moving ahead with driving the car. Notably, each type of turbo will change where you want to shift, considering if you don't use the power restrictor. Low RPM wants you to short shift by the halfway mark, Mid RPM still remains, and with a High RPM you'll shift just before the fat lady sings.. I mean the shift light blinks. Yeah.. I know, I was going to find a way to slot in a your momma joke too, but your momma has to be more intelligent to even notice there is one.
I think the problem with a car that handles and reacts really well is that nothing much has to be changed: just adjusted to the level of speed you're going. Make no mistake: the fully adjustable parts are king in a car like this, just look at the SPC with the Peugeot 205: a car I find problems pushing out the best of it's ability because we can't change the diff. And even though this is an opinion that's recent for me, I find myself dropping the use of tuners on this site like a bad habit because 1) I actually learned thanks to some trial and error, in addition to YouTubers like Fossil Fueled (someone I'm familiar goofing with every now and then on this site) and HokiHoshi. These are a pair of legends who put an extra chunk of contrast on what does what. And 2) I realize tunes usually don't adapt well to all drivers. It's the tuner who wins the races with these, and we don't unless we put our asses on the line instead and do something about the tune that makes it work for you.
There's also that piece of drama that has someone monetizing the change of data in a video game. That leaves a sour taste in my mouth in general. So if I'm going to be the hero of me driving my cars, I want to be the one that puts on the cape and superhero outfit, then saving people with no bul[BLEEP] tied behind. Sometimes you have to not listen to others, and set your own goalposts. You are the one responsible for your own genuine joy.
So, with this car you generally want everything hardened, with a tinge of extra stiffness at the rearside. And that's it, really, for road racing springs. Now, we can fight as warriors. Hand-to-hand! It is the basis of all combat. Only a fool trusts his life to other tuners. Wear the shoes you made for yourself!
Now, while you may ask: SPD, what's your tune look like?
No, I'm not going to share the numbers, but how about some pointers? Well, to start we have a nasty case of front down and rear high up, as well as having springs so hard the car feels like a frozen cheese wedge when curbs are involved. My cambers are 3.5 on both front and rear, because front grip is important to me, and I want to make the trail braking more steady with such a bombastic spring setup along with things like the +4 brake balance.
Other tips include.. get this: having a really long first gear. It's going to make the car stink a bit more at launch, but on the hairpins, you'll see how sorry your competition are when they see this N-ONE exit the hairpin without major grip issues. This is without downforce, and with it, you will be flying out of those turns like a swordfish.
Guess what else? The car is light, right? So, if you feel there's too much action on a certain part, don't be afraid to pump up the roll bars and ballast. This in tandem with downforce will mean the body roll is less, and that's more control.. if you really need that little extra bit of control on the vroom vroom that you zoom zoom with that is. And I find there the use case for racing brakes to be.. incredibly niche on cars that stray under 500PP. So drop that if you want more zoom.
Phew. And when I'm done looking at this car, I find myself: they're right: this IS a modern day Austin Cooper. A nimble beast that doubles as a great base form for tuners, and it will show its best character even though you really put all kinds of cybernetic augments inside.. the car has a soul, and no matter your budget on Understeer, you can't hide it.
I say it's the Jetstream Sam of kei cars.. hit it, boys!
Sonny: "Jake's driving a cheese wedge, and he's on ATTACK! What did Lyle do to that thing, bro?"
Nirvana: "That rowdy Interpol agent can race. [scoffs] So it is true: racing against that fiery Lexus would be a risky endeavor."
Paul: "Whee.. nice car, lad. Just a wee bit not Golf shaped is all.."
Sonny: "Paul.. lucky for me you're always the kind of guy who gets his comeuppance eventually. How soon would that be, oh wise One Step Ahead of Sonny Mrng?"
Boniface: "Au revoir, ma belle. I apologize for this.. I will see you at the finish line!"
Candy: "Oh Bon.. I don't know what you think, but I can just feel.. the presence of a gentleman.."
Sonny: "C'mon, make way for the Mythic superstar!"
Paul: "Bloody no way he's managed to come back!"
Jake Ross: "Well I'll be.. that Roadster is something else."
Paul: "SONNYYY!!"
Sonny: "And the drake.. capitulates! You're next, big man."
Rudeboy: "That is not a highway runner, and yet.."
Lucia: "Hammer! Now, to press on to Henderson.. schnell!"
LAP 2
Jake Ross: "No hard feelings, Guts."
Sonny: "Walao.. that is one hella impressive push."
Jake Ross: "A pity you chose not to make this easy. I accept that."
Rin: "That rascal phone thief and Son-Son on the same team.. that is not a combination I want to stomach, eugh.."
Paul: "Eh? Bloody hell, that's Williem's move! A bit too close for comfort there, Jesus."
Lucia: "And not a scratch! Wunderbar! Imagine bruder's face when he sees this."
Nirvana: "The little fool has slowed her pace. Perfect. Now to show them why the name Nirvana is to be feared."
Lucia: "Verdammte, I thought I had you!"
Paul: "Lassie.. it be not over yet."
Sonny: "Jake braked? It ain't in him to just do that. But still, it's killing time!"
Jake Ross: "This man.. vexes me."
Sonny: "Yeaheh! How you like me now?! I'll take your mute ass doppelganger next!"
Sonny: "This guy, ah.. not making this easy. Vintage Guts."
Paul: "That's another one! Bugger me, she's confident."
Lucia: "Aww, Paul. I'm sorry.. Now we have to hold this one, hachi-roku."
Sonny: "Tsk.. there's no One Step Ahead on that botch, bro.."
Paul: "Think this is just fer fifth place. Aye.. it's a team effort, but this is one hell of a contest we got running, Nash."
LAP 3
Candy: "Mama Nirvana's out for blood.. I don't like it one bit."
Sonny: "Hahah! If there's a Marvel VS Capcom 4, I'll kick your ass there too, Guts!"
Jake Ross: "Insist on blocking me, and look what's come.. what game are you playing, Guts?"
Lucia: "GUTS! Idiot! What was that block?!"
Sophia: "Mamma mia! Guts! W-what are you doing?!"
Nash: "A bit of contact.. that CF has better be cosmetic, or we're going to cut our salaries."
Jake Ross: "That is quite.. fortunate."
Lucia: "He'll get what's coming, Herr Ross.."
Nirvana: "Oh, little fool. Just another stepping stone for I, Nirvana, on the road to victory. Ciao!"
Candy: "Ulp! That was.. some well controlled braking. I.. concede."
Jake Ross: "Go get him, Luce."
Lucia: "He slowed for me.. he wants me to get Herr Guts.. Why, Jacob? I don't need your pity!"
Paul: "Excuse me, lad."
Jake Ross: "S[BLEEP], I'm not going to get anywhere, and he knows.."
Lucia: "Hallo. Ich bin zurückkommen."
Sonny: "You braked too early, sis. Sorry, but that is how the cookie crumbles.. and Sonny Meng takes another place!"
Rin: "Uuuuuhh, that was a costly mistake.."
Paul: "Eh? He's not making it easy. A wee bit too defensive for my taste."
Lucia: "HAMMER! Now it's your turn to be blocked, you black schwein!"
Paul: "Achh, thas a good girl. You softened the animal up fer me. Better I thank her later."
LAP 4
Boniface: "Those brutes must be contesting each other at the back or something. If only I can do my wine reviews mid race."
Sonny: "Y'know, Candy.. I lost count on how many times I have killed you on track.. I wish it was funny."
Candy: "Ugghh.. he must be laughing behind that helmet.. how dare he; I knew I was wrong to not beat him up earlier."
Candy: "And that's Nirvana VS Sonny in play. We're about to lose them. Good thing this is a team race, or.."
Lucia: "What is it with people believing these tiny cars can race?"
Rin: "Ciya-kun~ You seem fired up! Let me be your opponent!"
Sonny: "Bitch, let's dance!"
Nirvana: "Fufufu.. you wish to dance, bitch?"
Paul: "Like I said, lassie: it's not over yet!"
Lucia: "Scheisse, he IS persistent."
Boniface: "Sacre bleu, I let down for one moment, and look!"
Paul: "No hard feelings, me lassie. Yer good, but for today I be the better warrior."
Rin: "He's on the same team, I know.. but WHY do I feel like exploding?!"
Boniface: "The List pair known as Nirvana and Sonny.. your challenge is noted and accepted, but too bad it will take you nowhere."
Nirvana: "He will do nothing to only become witness to Nirvana's majesty.. behold!"
Nirvana: "Fufufu.. victory is, indeed, mine."
Boniface: "Argh.. now I must take this seriously.. at such a perilous moment!"
Paul: "Outta me way, lassie."
Rin: "Little sis.. hang in there!"
Candy: "What a driver.. it's no wonder I looked up to him.."
Rudeboy: "Such a nice f[BLEEP]ing sun out. Too bad I'm soo [yawns] f[BLEEP]ing tired right now."
Jake Ross: "Some says he can race, and some also says he can block. All I want to know is why he's the top Europe seed in Group 3.."
Rin: "Waa... where is she getting all that fire?"
Lucia: "That tiny car isn't going to do you favors on a highway scuffle.. someone like you ought to know that, ja?"
Nirvana: "He wishes to play.."
Boniface: "Sunday Cup in Tokyo is MY race.. I wouldn't hand the trophy over to the likes of you.. barbarian!"
Rin: "AAAHHH! First you steal my phone, now you steal my dignity!!"
Jake Ross: "I swear, Guts, you are a bad omen to my beloved."
Sophia: "Should Nirvana get the win, the Away team gets the victory, Signore."
Nash: "Hold on, my dear.. in that Giulia, I know Boniface has something up his sleeve."
Boniface: "Alle! Go my precious!"
Nirvana: "Intriguing.. so he's been holding back this entire time?!"
Boniface: "MAGNIFIQUE! AHAHA! What a surge of adrenaline. Mon Dieu.."
Nirvana: "Hmph.. this is not the end."
Sonny: "I've seen this sudden cause before.. can't believe it's been forever since lor."
Nash: "Well, Sophia. I told you."
Sophia: "That was a rush. Mamma mia, I think my BP's gone up considerably just watching!"
Yes.
Yes is the answer.
What you gonna do?
The Eunos Coffee Lounge
Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Evening
How did the cafe do today?
Well, the net income was, well it's not important..
What is, is that the cafe's signage turns to closed, but the noise inside hinted it's mostly closed.
Rather, a private party, filled with food trays, cafe specials and various artifacts that scream PARTY laying about.
In one of the many private rooms, a wine loving aristocrat has his mind on the well shone trophy placed square on the table..
Boniface: "Victory is sweet and tarte.."
He drunk more and more of a glass, filled partially with an indulgence that a man like Boniface can only describe and detail.
Noting away in his handbook, he writes with the pen attached..
Boniface: "Grapes laced with hints of regional sweetness.. a blend that reminisces the likes of.. Nippon. Sweet scents of.. hibiscus, fresh air.. and tobacco.."
He re-read to test his well versed English, and had no difficult spotting an obvious problem..
Boniface: "Tobacco?"
Crossing that said word cleanly, it didn't cross his mind what caused this fault.
And his suspicion was right: a mystery brunette approached..
Boniface: "Madame Nirvana? You better be here to not take your grievances to my face."
They were stiff, unrelatable, and without any association..
Aside estranged. This wasn't the kind of combo that would get along.
But like with a lightweight rally legend Alfa taking the win, expectations are meant to be broken, as Nirvana talked with an amicable tone.
Nirvana: "Why, no. Nirvana is here to present sportsmanship. You, stiff racing aristocrat of Sainte-Croix, ran a good clean race. Nirvana approves Richelieu. Particularly how you hid your true face all this time."
Boniface: "Merci. And may I say.. now I have witnessed the truth about the rumors of your reputation in Los Angeles."
Nirvana: "Fufufu. A truth in the future you will bear witness a challenge you may not be able to defeat, now that Nirvana knows your secret."
Boniface: "A future that befits my ongoing legacy on being the very best. Well.. excuse me for a moment, as I wish to be alone. I bid you adieu, madame."
Nirvana: "Ciao."
She leaves, but not before a quick glance of the eyes..
Candy: "Nirvana.."
Nirvana: "Little fool."
Boniface now faces off another woman, but one that's not only much shorter, but also more appealing..
His more lightened tone goes along with the lightened mood.
Boniface: "Well, ma cheri. I apologize for not giving you quarter. But I am as always Sunday Cup champion, and there is no way I am letting such barbaric thought such as pity envelop me on the road."
Candy: "Hey, all that heat in your head's just going to make your boasting all that much hotter."
Boniface: "Ohh, goodness me. Don't you speak up with that tone of yours.."
Candy: "Or what?"
She crept up closer, and like animals wanting to mate, what distance they have with each other just simply vanished.
As hands connect, so do their plans to be intimate..
Boniface: "Or we do.. like the animals would.. is that what you're seeking?"
Candy: "So naughty.."
Even though the lights aren't working perfectly, he sees enough to comment..
Boniface: "Red like an apple. Now.."
Before their desires fruit, they however notice something else in the darkness..
Boniface: "That is Nash's mute racing driver. How long were you here?"
He made no reply, as if he didn't exist, but he's undeniably there, even if right now he hasn't gotten his usual announcement declarations.
The couple, now a bit further apart, though has to speculate..
Boniface: "I presume quite long. So, it appears.. unless we are to be exposed, we have been blocked, Candy."
Candy: "Umm.. we can have our private time later."
Boniface: "Why, sure."
Candy: "And before I forget: congratulations."
As Candy leaves her lovely man to his wine review, she walks out, to the open space that was once riddled with tables.
She however was looking for someone.. someone that serves as a main particular for the not yet released writeup of Week 111..
Who can that person be? In this small crowd.. finding him might be nearly impossible..
Candy: "Where can he.. ahah! There's my pompous ass emcee.."
She screwed me!
HOW DA-
I mean.. well, this man.. bespoke leather jacket and waved shampoo'd black hair and all, relaxes by the bar, his eyes fixated to the news on the telly..
"The race ended in great spectacle.. Richelieu-san stole the victor from an unknown adversary!"
Sonny: "One of these days, I will beat that Frenchie in Sunday Cup.. there's always next time."
A man so egotistical has no right to take his loss so humbly, she figures.
The mood desires no ploys or trickery, as Candy takes the seat besides.
Sonny: "Oh, what's up, sis?"
Candy: "Just finding where you are.. I see the whole party's going smooth.. so, does this mean.."
Sonny: "I think beating us in a very close team race means Nash is feeling good to proceed with developing the Mythic Initiative. Not to mention he's considering you further."
Candy: "Which is another way of saying nothing has changed. For me. What a waste."
Hearing this plea, the egoist reaches out..
Sonny: "You want me to vouch?"
Candy: "Thanks, but I have a feeling he'll let me join your fancy club without your help in the future."
Sonny: "Sure. The first national bank of your's truly still remains if you need it."
The thought of that now settled and cast aside, the pair got off their seats, and a quick survey came, surprising seeing them both act similarly.
The boss then asked..
Candy: "So, is everyone here? I know Manh's running late, but.."
Sonny: "I'm here is all the news you need."
Candy: "Annoying. You sure as hell didn't answer my questi-"
Candy, now a victim of a sudden bad fall, lands face first.
Loaded with pain, and a nagging want to get up, even though she can't do so quickly, there was something she could do at an instant..
Candy: "UWAAA!"
Sonny: "Baby, what was that?"
While the staff hurried to get her back up, Sonny went sleuthing and saw..
Sonny: "That's a hole. I mean not THAT hole.. a hole in the floor. Haiyaa, don't mishear me, bro."
And now on her feet, the little lady, with some pain thankfully fleeting away, spoke in agony.
Candy: "Ughh.. I'm not hurt.. just remind me to get that fixed one day."
Sonny: "Of course. Just put up warning signs lah.. safety first, baby."
Candy: "Yeah.."
A question obviously was due..
Sonny: "So.. umm.. if you know lah.. how did that get there?"
Candy: "Well.."
It was a few months back..
Quinlan Bradley.. a musclebound killer known as the Sports Diva from Down Under, experiences the strangest anomaly of someone's first day working in the cafe..
The work report for the day would include grinded beans, served food and a wannabe ninja: goes by the name Hayato Matsumoto, causing a ruckus with a katana strike thundering down on someone else..
That someone else was no ordinary man, but Isamu Adachi: a most wanted touge king whose manhunt within the Assassin's Guild considers him a kill on sight target.. explains mainly why he's off the radar at nearly all times.
Not knowing that is the prosthetic godhand Adachi, the part time waitress shouted as metal clashes with metal..
Quinlan: "He stopped that blade?!"
As RULES OF NATURE starts to play out.. the strike causes sparks to fly..
Hayato: "NYEEERGHH.."
Adachi makes a daring push to rearrange the intended cut, but the blade returns, though at a different angle..
Isamu: "HMPH!"
The staff and co-owner watching notices a surge of electricity, charging through his arm and then body: a sign of pain, and power for Adachi.
Isamu: "YAAAHHH!"
Candy: "How in the-"
This newfound power allowed him to hold the bespoke katana..
..and swing it upwards, along with its wielder..
Driven by his senses, he crouched, muscles tensed and energy gathered..
And a great leap followed, causing the woodboard floor to erect the hole the little lady's foot fell through today..
Quinlan: "Alright! Bloody fantastic! Split him wide open!!"
Isamu: "RRUAAAAAAHHH!!"
What happened indeed was pure wanton violence.
It was something out of Dragon Ball: kicks and fists flying mid air..
Getting this explanation as the staff taped up the floor, Sonny, still unclear with the whole action scene unfolding, requests clarification..
Sonny: "So let me get this straight: Sam was suddenly attacked by Moto-san, shrugged off his blade thanks to his robot arm, threw him up to the ceiling and landed an aerial rave? If it was more radical, maybe he was like Nero in Devil May Cry 5 without the Red Queen?"
That was dumb, she thought, but there wasn't anything she wanted to say against it. despite the insanity and radical nature of a man beating another man in mid-air.
Ashamed and wanting to dismiss this actually did happen, she admitted..
Candy: "Erhh.. c-close enough (the imagination of this man!)."
And as the floor was finally covered with an overflow of tape stuck over and over, the egoist still had doubt..
Sonny: "I'm surprised nothing else of value broke but this floorboard, sis."
Candy: "Not to mention it was Adachi-san jumping off the floor that caused it.. the victim."
Sonny: "Sam is the victim? He's actually wanted by the Guild, soo.. that's on him, really."
The moral decisions of Adachi were to be discussion onwards.. if not for Rin dashing in to check..
Rin: "Hey! Little sis! Are you alright?"
Candy: "Uh huh.."
That nod was the assurance she needed.
Because she came with another reason: a call, rather..
Rin: "Umm.. can you do me a quick favor? I'm looking for.."
Candy: "Your phone? If you can find Boniface, I think The Guts is.."
That was the obvious call. But right now, that wasn't that call, leading to this objection.
Rin: "No! More important!"
Candy: "I give up, what's more import-"
Sonny, watching on with a sneaky little giggle, answered before he burst out..
Sonny: "It's Jake. Aiya, you ah!"
Candy: "...of course.. OF COURSE! (now it's me who forgot!) I am so SO sorry, big sis.. I was so fixated by Moto-san's antics that one time."
That's their brother, and with a sense of responsibility, Rin too wanted to know..
Rin: "The floor? You really haven't gotten that mended yet?"
Candy: "No.. but I don't think Jake has any reason to be far from the cafe. I'll find him."
Sonny, with a mind not to let this little lady outlast him in getting things done, announced..
Sonny: "And I will fix the floor with the power of my kung fu."
Candy: "My ass you would."
Sonny: "Alaa, sis. If I'm not the Asian-American Badass, I can be the almighty Sonny the super omnipotent! Come, I show you.."
Nobody around had time for this.
Even you and I.
So Candy, fixated on trying to get a request completed, requested to..
Candy: "Mace him."
Sonny: "Wha-"
And the Interpol agent, who was indeed ready with pepper spray, was all too happy to use it..
The intense spicy feeling brought a man way way over his head down to the floor.
He then began to roll, eyes covered and played out a struggle..
Sonny: "AUGGGHHH! AUUGGGHHH! AUUUGGGGGHHHH!"
And when I mean played, I mean.. well, darn it, he's playing.
He however isn't quite so interested to keep this up, letting know to his good friend's wife..
Sonny: "Good thing I got tolerance for this.. I mean AUUUGGGHHH!!"
Rin: "Tolerance? Teeheehee.. this must be for flirting? Son-Son, you are a buster!"
Candy's first instinct: head outside.
And lo and behold: the man she seeks is outside, braving the windy cold.
She struggled to seach for a reason, until she saw he wasn't alone.
Curiosity stole the show, and Candy took advantage of that by hiding behind the car, listening..
Jake Ross: "That was a spectactular f[BLEEP] up on my end."
Nash: "What are you babbling about? Aside from Manh maybe taking a nap, you all showed me the stuff of legends."
Jake Ross: "I came with an expectation of a good result. It didn't come. That's all. I'm fortunate my poor pace isn't for bigger stakes."
Nash: "Good on you. Don't let yourself down like that."
The fixation of Jacob setting a goal wasn't in Nash's thoughts then.
Not heeding the chill, the white haired legend spoke with interest..
Nash: "By the way.. did you know what I saw?"
Jake Ross: "You saw what? Come and entertain me, Nash. What is it?"
Nash: "Shinzo's spirit. Do tell: you chose the N-ONE because it reminded you of him."
What came was a smile: a hint the bullseye was struck.
Jake Ross: "Your sharp mind's still intact."
Nash: "I'm getting older, not dumber, Jake."
He's delighted and approves of his discovery, but a need to explain came up. Nash, with hands held together, shared..
Nash: "Besides, I've known you for years.. I'm not some usual muppet. Figuring someone like you takes more than just a well fed brain."
Jake Ross: "Ain't that the truth."
The men then gradually turn to the kei compact..
Nash: "But the car.. the N-ONE. Why not just take my old friend's Bulldog?"
Jake Ross: "I was, but I don't got the right. By default it was Jess's.. until.."
Nash: "Until.."
An answer came, after momentarily taxing his thinking as he delved briefly in the past.
Jake Ross: "I recall.. Nami spoke, told me that there's a third child that he wanted to hand that car to. If not Moto-san.. you suspect that would be.."
Nash: "Candy."
Jake Ross: "Candy's what I thought too."
Nash: "He must've really loved her. Shinzo.. chap, why would you hide her from us?"
Jake Ross: "Don't know.. I hear from Rudeboy that she's like a real father figure to her. The only one."
Nash: "Is that so? That muppet's also told me there was a falling out somewhere."
Jake Ross: "All the reason the love's more genuine."
They repositioned, now leaning by the light city car, and with a person in mind to reminisce..
Nash: "You still remember how he was like?"
Jake Ross: "Hmmm.. in front of me, he's.. gentle. Soft spoken. A hint of humility and warmth."
Nash: "That's a lot like the person I imagined him to be."
Jake Ross: "But you should hear what Rudeboy has on him: he's more like a rascal. A bandit. Not afraid to stir the pot.. A troublemaker without any regard for the law. A true outlaw."
Unsurprised, Nash however was unprepared..
Nash: "That must be the true him. And I thought I was finished knowing a man like him.."
Jake Ross: "The kind of traits that makes me wish.. that's my pa'."
Nash: "Can I guess this is where your inner rebel sparked?"
Jake Ross: "Hmph.. nah. That's.. different. We speak about it another time.. I think I hear.."
Now done with leaning, the dark one's hand gestures signals to follow, and not far, they see the little lady..
..sitting silent, as she sniffles up all her sorrows in the cold.
Jake Ross: "Weeping tears."
She too was a victim of his passing, and Jake took this moment to lend a hand: something he wished he could do to the man binding them together.
Reaching out to grab, he then lifted her up.. but not before announcing.
Jake Ross: "Well.. I'm sorry we made you worry."
Candy: "You? Say sorry? What happened to 'it ain't in me'?"
Not content with this snark, Jake, with a mind to tease back, swung his jacket aside, causing the machete hiding to be hiding no more.
Naturally..
Candy: "HUWAAAAAHH!!"
..she screamed and fell back..
The one man watching all this, with a face covered in palm, laments..
Nash: "Crikey.. please tell me you didn't mean to."
Jake Ross: "Jess will never stop pestering me if I take even a drop of blood of her 'little sis'. So this is fair game."
The woman gets back up by herself this time, but the men had a notion to leave the cold outside..
Jake Ross: "Well, I guess we better head in. I hear Sonny's got the karaoke machine ready."
Candy: "Oh no you don't."
She's blocking the way.. a comical effort was the thought shared by these two men.
Though, the time for action has passed, and they weren't pleased that's what needs to be done.
Jake Ross: "You want something. I know it's related to how my mint N-ONE relates to Shinzo's Bulldog. The one that you just found out have every right to."
Candy: "Yes sir. That. How did that happen?"
Jake Ross: "Beats me. I know the man well, but I don't know how or what he thinks at times. Maybe he sees something in you more than his own daughter."
To Candy, the logic was, no doubt, sound, but debatable moral wise.
Candy: "I don't doubt that.. you don't want to know the things I would do to hear him say he's proud of me. I just want that. That's all."
Jake Ross: "You too have a tale of parental pain."
Those words did get her to wince back in pain.. even as she knows her own parents still live to this day..
It really was a topic that a mere thought would internally tear her to shreds.
Candy: "Hmm.."
Nash: "That's not a no. You poor thing, you."
He may be called the dark one, but to his friends and family, he gives out heart the world usually never sees from such a person.
That was no exception with this announcement..
Jake Ross: "How about tomorrow I.. well, let's bring these silly sisters into the N-ONE on the track day tomorrow."
Nash: "Hey now. I would like a run too. And so does Moto-san. The name Nishimura Shinzo binds us; we should return the favor."
She quietly nods: and that alone proves the idea was good, maybe better.
Jake Ross: "Then it's settled. I was thinking we can have a few parade laps.."
Candy: "Ohh.. nice! Umm, swell.. can I go first?"
A selfish request came, prompting him to challenge..
Jake Ross: "Why?"
Candy: "Because I'm definitely his chosen one."
Nash: "Why, absolutely. Verily so."
That's two votes for, and the cold numbed his mind enough he didn't want against..
Jake Ross: "What the heck. But I got a gut feeling you're going to have to fight with your big sis on that."
Candy: "If she's going to make a dispute, don't worry; I can take that softie."
As she let the men through the back door, she was to enter, but..
She sees someone dashing in the alley: a familiar face, too.
Rudeboy, just arriving and dressed more casually than his mercenary getup, stopped and took in some of the cold evening air..
She stopped him, with a query..
Candy: "Manh? There you are."
Rudeboy: "Ahh.. mofo Candy. What's good?"
Friends came together, but Candy, with this new fact buzzing by her head like a bee, asked..
Candy: "Manh.. did you know about the Bulldog?"
Rudeboy: "What, phew.. about the Bulldog?"
Candy: "It's a long story. Maybe I'll fill you in later.. did you run here from.."
Rudeboy: "Yah.. 5 kilometer dash through city and public f[BLEEP]ing service. I, umm.. can I ask for favor? Something I want for later.."
Candy: "It's not driving you back to your apartment, is it?"
It's said that the night was created as a refuge, to rest..
However, Tokyo is a bustling city whose night life, as exhibited in various places around the city, would stand and oppose that saying.
It birthed the idiom that Tokyo is indeed a city that never sleeps.
Take these individuals: warriors of the night whose machines live to burn up the cold night air..
Rudeboy indeed lives this creed for a very distinct portion of his life, and as he burned the streets with his WRX STI on full blast..
Tonight, he and his crew had a very special guest..
While Candy did have another car at the ready for this occasion, today she takes her Signature Car to the twists and turns of Tokyo's most populated, and fastest, roads.
Whether it's style, speed or a notion to showoff, the cars all have one objective in mind.. to be the one true dominator of these streets: the king (or queen) of these skylines.
There wasn't an exhaust note or tire squeal or the chatter of its people that can convince the little statured Candy Lam to go astray again: this is the life she wants to relive, and after today: it's going to take more than what she's faced to stop her.
This one was exceptional on the handling department, but then again: it had to contest with the Gigaccino: a staggeringly dominant car. However, it handles better than any MINI I've ever put my hands on in any driving sim or similar. Slightly, that is: the Countryman feels good in every game I drove it in.
Maybe an engine swap later, and I will forever cherish this superb form of an FF monster. Right now, the N-ONE remains at best second place, as for myself all kei machines thus far haven't toppled the JB64 Jimny.
How would I elevate a kei car with a 6 speed manual? More power is of course a given, but how about what I like the most in the FIT CROSSTAR that's missing here: cup holders in front of the air conditioning vents? Cold drinks are the bee's knees, yo!
Well, halfway through finishing up, I spruced up my writing style.
You know, this is the part I don't want to talk about anything until I get that finale up. What's in the finale? Well, to be honest, it can be anything. It really depends on the car.
But now for some fun: if you like to see more of this without me having a random ass epiphany like this one, someone has to nominate one of the 5 cars that I call the cars that will force me back to writing. Those cars are, as I'm just hinting straight up:
The main character's Signature Car.. just scroll up; it's right freaking there complete with theme song.
A beloved car I nominated at Mini Mexico that had actually made me enjoy the Cathedral Circuit experience.
Nemesis.
A Gran Turismo fan favorite.
One of the classic cars that had quite a good showing at this episode's race.
You are hilariously lucky I managed this. I'm still playing that World of Warcraft private server rather religiously, y'know?
This week's race was actually one of the best races I've ever held. Aside from that fat beige Volvo, anyone was up to win it. It was full of overtaking. All I did was be like around 10 seconds ahead, and watch everyone go ham on each other.
Was the chapter redacted of content? Not really. I actually got a lot of filler in place. There were supposed to be other characters here. Ginnie is the obvious one, but initial drafts has Fiona, Hayato and the Mythic Elders also present, this latter being Clark, Giles and Alan.. and you saw two names that hasn't been introduced: Rudeboy's wife Yuuha, and Rin's mother Nami.
I was also going to somehow shoe in Peggy. Because I find her rather amusing to write. Case in point my initial writeup for Week 111.. the whole episode ends with her buying Candy a bed..
..made for sex. All because she got sexually offended by Peggy who somehow managed to put all manners of aphrodisiacs in her morning ramen, and enjoyed the experience before getting tased off by her amnesiac compatriot.
To be honest I love (unintended pun) that script so much, I wonder if I'll even release it? The draft's actually completed. Just need pictures and narration.
As the main character, Candy Lam is bound to appear in every segment, be it either as the lead role, or as a small mention.
The infamous Sweet Toothed Lone Wolf of Asia, or known worldwide as Le Glace Pacer. While her social presence is significantly poor, her presence on the track hasn't been short of perfection, now under the pressures of being a monetary source of higher powers, as well as her role being the most prime form of woman racers.. But don't let her hear that.
Theme Song: Def Leppard - Bad Actress Racing Duel Music: Def Leppard - Nine Lives Gender: Female Nationality: Hong Kongese Age: 30 Current occupation: Professional racecar driver Distinct features: Long, clean, straight ashen hair tied to a ponytail via traditional red braids. A stiff, stoic Asian beauty that starts to show sign of wrinkling, covered by heavy layers of makeup. Thin, rounded diamond face, with various beauty signs of it being worked on unnaturally, especially her unblemished small snub nose, heavily lipsticked mouth and thin brown Asian eyes. Short body with small proportions. Choice of clothing: Typical modern glossy sleveless Hong Kong dress, but 90% she will have her favorite on, that's in blood red with a white bauhinia pattern on, with matching sandals. Most of her clothes and themes come in red or white. Cars: Toyota GR Yaris 1st Edition RZ "High Performance", MINI Cooper S, Honda NSX Type R '02, Mazda Demio XD Touring, Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31), Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé
Even though she's a proud Hong Kongese, Candy is actually born in high society Tokyo, and more exposed to living in a usual Japanese lifestyle. An only child, it was easy to find herself spoiled rotten from a young age, getting what she wants and not caring how it got there, thanks to wealth she inherits strongly. Her father notably was an executive in Toyota's racing division.
A target in her younger ages, Candy's early life was full of trouble from others that are against her being a Hong Kong native in Japan. She never made any friends as a result, and this loner habit of hers remained even after changing schools, going so far to even give her a new alias. While her parents have a strong standing in the society she lived in, she remained in their shadow, because she couldn't find comfort out of it.
Upon reaching her adult days, Candy's first 'milestone' would come when an incident in a high class event caused her to run, leading to a manic police car chase spanning several weeks before she was arrested. The victim of these events would have deep ties with various Yakuza families. While her parents retreated to Hong Kong, Candy stayed in Japanese prison, learning that if nothing needs to come her way, she needs to learn something she initially dreaded to do: manipulate the human mind, a state of thought she was once a victim of.
After her sentence, she regained her freedom, and it didn't take long that was noticed by the city's largest street racing community. Still with her inherited wealth, she started off strong in the streets. Years then pass, in which she eventually proves herself as a top competitor for racing in many top endurance races worldwide.
While her fans are out there in many parts around for being a woman dominating a man's sport, she's not exactly a great social interactor, and is a nobody outside the racing community. With many questions still left unanswered, maybe there are more ulterior motives with the unsanctioned blue MINI project..
Tech savvy geek with a forte in extreme sports. While her chaotic nature always gets her into situations unwanted, her overall innocent and kind upbringing gets her to be responsible of being the only one capable of lighting up the complete darkness in her husband's inner struggles for a final identity.
Theme Song: Muse - Guiding Light Racing Duel Music: Eurythmics - Would I Lie To You? Gender: Female Nationality: Japanese Age: 29 Current occupation: Interpol special operative Distinct features: Medium, layered bob burgundy hair. Athletic, slightly wide diamond face. Brown hooded eyes, thin almond nose and a small mouth. A natural beauty with a small layer of makeup that exists only to hide her eyebags. Thin profile with an average height, and above average proportions. Choice of clothing: Always wears a bespoke pair of sporty earphones. Never with a distinct fashion style due to her clinging as a master of disguise, even though she's more of a master of imitation. Most of a time she's with a sporty crop top, denim skirt with tight sporty arm socks, leggings and sports shoes. Cars: Lexus LFA, Lexus RC F, Daihatsu Copen, Daihatsu COPEN RJ Vision Gran Turismo
Rin started off life in Tochigi. Not even years in, she has been diagnosed with a minor mental defect which hampered her thought processes. While it didn't get in the way of her everyday living, it prompted her parents to remain her a single child. It did get her to do the occasional odd and unusual behaviour. Aspiring to be the family's model child, she didn't let her setbacks bring her down. A top grading student with impressive feats in athleticism, and to remain incredibly pretty; you can say all these good things about her, it's supposedly impossible.
With her mother, love was unconditional, but her father seems held back. Further on in her teen life, she would find out aside his day job that he's a well known, on and off street racer. The relationship would sour further, but that changed in the aftermath of when she decided it's time to see if she can do better. Acing her driver's test was one thing, but immediately sneaking out and winning a Clubman Cup event in Motegi was the next.
Rin would head to the UK instead of local institutes for higher education, but it was a guise as her father wanted to protect her from local troubles stirred by his actions. Away from home, this would be a pivotal era for her development. An old friend became her starting point in racing. She would meet certain individuals, including her husband to be. But also came a criminal group that wanted to exploit her near perfect genetics, with these events causing mental damage, and giving way to her chaotic shifts in mood.
She would make her escape in marriage, prompting her to stay in California. The paranoia didn't stop there. On the first chance she could, she started working as a police officer, even deciding to adopt identities and learn imitation. But her fears did arrive. They staged an accident, and before she got taken away, she escaped, leaving everything behind for a long 7 years. This time was used for her to anonymously hone her racing to a whole new high, protected by Interpol.
And gladly, that time is over. But a lot has changed. Most importantly: her father has died. Initially succeeding him by joining FIA GT racing, she failed to inquire an investigation on how he left a legacy behind in the form of Candy..
They said if there was a God in the worldwide street racing scene, Jacob Ross' moniker as The Outlaw was the very thing He and anyone else in said scene would be unequivocally afraid of.
Theme Song: Metallica - Disposable Heroes (Remastered) Racing Duel Music: Gary Numan - I Am Dust Gender: Male Nationality: American Age: 33 Current occupation: Rookie racer, in guise of his top street racer moniker Distinct features: Balding marked, medium swept up brown hair. Roughened up with a few cut scars, but smooth, thin chiseled, and somewhat attractive diamond face. Aggressive, azure down turned eyes, thick grecian nose and serious, semi-thick lips. Tall build, with a fit build carrying developed muscles. Those muscles would artificially expand further when he becomes The Outlaw. Choice of clothing: Black is the name of the game, usually with a custom tailored suit vest under a dark long wool jacket. Never seen without a black bespoke pinch front cowboy hat, with an engraving: 'Oderint dum metuant'. As The Outlaw, he would add on a thick specially crafted bulletproof attire, and a breathing apparatus that steams out an unusual drug should he need it. Cars: A gathered collection, but mainly drives a Ford GT '06, or a Ford Mustang Gr. 3 Road Car (as The Outlaw)
As the firstborn of a rich Californian racing legend, racing was definitely in his blood and Jacob had that opportunity for succeeding his father, joyous and determined this is the future for him.
But in his youth, something happened to his young psyche, and to say it changed him would seriously put it mildly.
The details remain sketchy, and it remained a sensitive topic within his family even to today. It drove a wedge between him and his parents far enough that he wouldn't be the same after his teens. These events harbors the influence of him becoming a fearless, serious somber man with said fear as a weapon of his own.
Now that the weight of succession is beared to someone else, Jacob carved his own destiny. Mixing his passions of the past with his more darkened methods, he toughed through the many grueling years to become the self proclaimed, undisputed fastest street racer of the US, through being a founding member of The List, aliased as The Outlaw: a drug enhanced, nigh unbeatable driver with a penchant for deceit, destruction, disrespect and fire, usually all combined. It's said that there are unspeakable tales of terror that happens to those who oppose The Outlaw: the identity he protects dearly, so much that over time, he's developed a vengeance to those that threaten this visage and those close to him.
Eventually, he married someone: a youthful Japanese girl who would be the greatest ray of sunshine he could ever get. But even that was a marriage that wouldn't last, as both became a target from greater powers. After a long 7 years, that threat now extinguished, he resumed the bumpy, happy life, hoping to outrun the past he knew wouldn't catch up. These days, Jacob has recently registered as a rookie FIA racer, with initial plans in his head saying to take it slow. All seems dandy, until certain events including the rise of his wife's old enemies resurface, enveloping him in the darkness where he then believes is the only place he belongs.
And if his fans and followers are familiar with his talents that developed his legacy, know that his history with a clenching darkness has caught up to him. It's unsure whether his known heroic side has fallen, merged, or even co-exists with his persevering dark side.
A charming, yet somewhat semi-careless Italian maiden of race team management. Eager to help other people's problems, Sophia is highly sought for any racing team, if a bit picky or exclusive. Was the only person on Earth that can represent a certain tamed racing animal as his ambassador, but now yearns to represent all she can.
Theme Song: Velvet Revolver - Sucker Train Blues Gender: Female Nationality: Italian Age: 32 Current occupation: Race team manager Distinct features: Medium, bunned up combed black hair with a bright turquoise ribbon. Thin diamond face with narrow green eyes, a petite ridged nose and mouth. Never without her signature round large eyeglasses. Average height with thin build. Choice of clothing: You'll never see her without her ornamental bangles, a formal blouse and matching skirt. Always with a blue to turquoise theme. Cars: Alfa Romeo 4C Gr. 3 Road Car
Being the sole daughter among her 3 younger brothers of a Milanese entrepreneur, Sophia initially came out as a big sister to inherit the family's riches when the time comes. To ensure this isn't gone to waste, she was raised with extreme care, bred to be the successor of the family money and ensure it grows. As such, she's bound to overwork her soul into getting what is the best for her family's future.
Initially with struggle, Sophia eventually became the ace in her class, achieving various awards in many fields. But what she didn't like was the fact it brought jealousy into the mix from her peers and siblings. She took into her heart that she would rid of this negative thinking, and after exiting school started a small tutoring school. It might seem innocent, but the whole point of that is to develop Sophia's skills to understand other people. Not to mention money due to the high society clientele around that part of Italy.
Before going for her PHD, Sophia's family formed a partnership with a friend to finance an up coming European hillclimbing series all over the continent. It was then she met an old friend she once tutored, now an Interpol agent. But it also allowed Sophia to test her skills in managing a league this large. With a mix of right and wrong, and the latter slowly disappearing, Sophia decided not to pursue her doctorate and instead tutor others in this new passion of racing cars.
Years pass, and she's suddenly under the wing of British car show Sim Gear, representing their tamed racing animal. Sophia's race tutoring carries weight in many top race teams around the world, mainly Asian based Toyota, Mitsubishi and Hyundai. While that bridge has burned, her talent still remains..
Some say he has an unmistakeable alternate take on the origins of shoelaces, and that he's campaigning a drive to ensure mandatory use of condoms outside of pleasure. All we know is.. he might be a parody of something more legendary, but he sure is one racing animal.
Theme Song: Finger Eleven - Gods of Speed Racing Duel Music: Celldweller - Unshakeable (BT & SeamlessR remix) Gender: Male.. and boy are we glad this is known Nationality: oh crap Age: definitely around his 20s? 30s, I guess Current occupation: Speed Distinct features: Has no hair, and has a mildly chiseled face of a.. unknown if it's Caucasian or Asian look and skin tone. Sharp wide brown eyes, thick grecian nose and unpronounced mouth. Hard to say under his clothing, but its speculated he has a well built body with developed muscles. Choice of clothing: His signature racing helmet is always on him, but very rarely can be seen without it. Aside from that, he wears whatever the situation desires, usually in shades of carbon black. Cars: Genesis G70 3.3T, Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo, Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo Group 1, Toyota 86, Chevrolet Corvette (C8)
A mute, socially awkward man of unknown origin and information. All the people know about him is his mythical exploits on the track, being one of the fastest beings on the planet behind any type of car. Not knowing where he came from, some say he was a child of a sinister experiment gone bad. Others say he's the resurrected spirit of a legendary racing driver and brought to the world to show how it's done.
Whatever naysay is related, The Guts' unequal presence on the track is by far the single most dominant feeling of 'Nobody but him is winning this race', and with the rise of talents behind his flag, it's been a proven fact. Usually followed by an ambassador to help communicate, The Guts only speaks through body language, or occasionally with sign language. And if those don't work, he often snatches smartphones and somehow get away with it.
Now under the British car show Sim Gear, The Guts non-racing days have been all about testing cars and showing his ego. But some time ago, since the show's discontinuation, there have been rumors of The Guts being related to The List, but not even group veterans and founders aside the big boss can prove this. Although, the indirect proof of his signature Genesis G70 winning top level street races with his name on it has been circulating.
Once part of the greatest street racing crew in the UK, Sonny's now a key player in The List's day to day finances. While these days, he's started a long running racing career, leading to a gigantic bounty of success. This egotistical, proven all around badass comes forward as the most divisive top racing figure in the USA.
Theme Song: Rush - Vapor Trail, The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You Racing Duel Music: A Silent Truth - Chariot (Daycore) Gender: Male Nationality: Half Singaporean, half American Age: 32 Current occupation: As he would state it: a mother[BLEEP]ing racing celebrity Distinct features: Curled, black medium long hair, always semi-shiny. Handsome, diamond Asian like face and skin tone, with a long stubble combined with a Zappa. Narrow angled grey eyes that shine when he wants to, subtle upturned nose, and hair surrounded mouth. Overcompensating perfect teeth that glares when he wants to. Slightly taller, semi slim build, with mild developed muscle.. also that gleam when he wants to. Choice of clothing: Usually in biker style clothing, including leather all around with an undershirt. Cars: Dodge SRT Viper GTS, Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Ferrari 288 GTO, GT By Citroen Road Car, Mazda Eunos Roadster (NA Special Package)
While he might have a Singaporean father, his work as a presidential bodyguard means Sonny's an all American citizen. Birthed in Washington, he moved to California when he was still very young. There, he would meet the eventual leader of The List, and befriend him, being his social contact that would relate with him as that man would darken. On the contrary, Sonny remained as optimistic as he always has been.
But his optimism didn't carry over to his education, where he was often the main culprit of racism as an issue there. It was then he would learn, then utilize his famous mantra of always being one step ahead. By using his birthday gift: a 69 Camaro, he would cause what he would dub as the best graduation day ever: getting just about every nemeses in his school driver license suspensions, while he gets away scot free. Due to this epic win, his egoist side would rise from then onwards, possibly never reaching a ceiling.
It wouldn't stop there. Applying to study in London found itself to be a costly move, and he would bring said Camaro over the Atlantic to begin street racing in those streets just to break even. And past that, UK's top street racing crew known as the Prophecy would take attention, and adopt him as the first ever mentored student, known as a Chosen. Even though Sonny did graduate with middling honours and is ready for adult life, he chose to spend his earnings to chase his hobbies, and to everyone's surprise: it would end up being his life's work, with his unshakeable ego and skill would put him in the podium spot of any racing field he touches.
In addition to his successful racing career, he took on the role as The List's main income source, internally codenamed "Chimera". In recent years, Sonny's momentum has been halted when his mother passed, and now has a mission to find the Mrs. Meng to succeed even further than just his wealth and fame. These days, while he might be the badass he claims, he's also bound to lure in all sorts of trouble, such as the bad luck he's known for among his divisive peers, alongside his, what he dubs: 'favorite hostile secret admirer' in Nirvana.
A definition of the mysterious benefactor to the American dark side, nobody truly knows who, where, what or how this Nirvana person came to be. Aside being one of California's biggest earners within its black market, the only thing people know about her is that you never want to be on her bad side..
Theme Song: Nirvana - All Apologies Racing Duel Music: Peaches - Boys Wanna Be Her (Tommie Sunshine's Brooklyn Fire Retouch) Gender: Female Nationality: Unknown, presumably American Age: Unknown, presumably in her late 30s Current occupation: Black market information broker Distinct features: Medium long straight brunette hair, with the left side slightly longer on the front. Broad and tall diamond shaped face, with heavy eyeshadow and deep red lipstick. Wide and narrow green eyes, thick button nose and lip sticked mouth. Eyes always covered with a bespoke pair of sunglasses. Wears a pair of ruby gemmed earrings. Tall, slender figure. Choice of clothing: Isn't one for a certain clothing style, but her daily go to includes a designer cropped jacket and blouse. Underneath usually is seen with dark, long skinny jeans, with tall leather boots underneath. Never without her prized golden necklace, carrying the iconic Nirvana grunge band smile. Cars: Lamborghini Diablo GT, Honda Civic Type R (EK), Lamborghini Countach LP400, Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce
If there's a dark American secret or two worth knowing, there's a very good chance it either came from, or is already been privy by the mysterious, unusually beautiful chain smoker known as Nirvana. While she's not hiding any association with it, it's unclear why she took up the name of a once popular 90's grunge icon.
Despite being in the game for approximately a decade, Nirvana's role as an information broker has been volatile for involved parties. Regardless of the risk, it's a very fruitful business that allowed her to make up a luxurious, albeit mysterious way of living. Every day passes with her face on at least one association wanting her death, be it from minor greivances or major groups, with rumors saying even involving the darkest organizations within national governments. But by being directly connected to the Assassin's Guild means that threat is non-existant for her. It's strongly rumored she is the one completely external individual with the unstoppable, absolute Trinita L'Assassina on speed dial, as various wealthy crime bosses that had her targeted once had their groups dissolved in a week.
Anyone knows Nirvana is one mysterious figure that probably intentionally overdelivers her speech with speaking in third person, combined with odd lingual skills and backed with an odd accent. While it's obvious she's hiding everything about her, there's no hiding her services mainly being stationed in Los Angeles. There's also no hiding that she likes to drive an old Lamborghini Diablo, and it's seen frequently street racing at night. Her presence often causes the racing at night to be mostly calm, a sign of her connection with the local police.
A worker of secrets, Nirvana also knows how to keep them, and over the years, she begun to even use them for her own benefits. While not exactly the most expensive of secrets, using The Outlaw's identity allows her to blackmail her way into The List, now part of them as code name "Enigma". But running with the self proclaimed fastest crew isn't the goal. She uses it as soon as she found out racing celebrity Sonny Meng serving as the group's backbone, and also being directly related to its leader. To her, Sonny is the one person she deems her nemesis. Nobody but the just as similarly egotistical Nirvana only knows why this grudge came to be.
Once a troubled drunk whose success in touring cars was washed aside, Paul gained a new sense in life after dropping the bottle and working on his family. But a new inner Scottish bloodlust arises, and he's making troublesome dealings with it going uncontrolled as his spotlight shines being the current FIA figurehead.
Theme Song: U2 - Hawkmoon 269 Racing Duel Music: U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name, Alpine Stars - Jump Jet Gender: Male Nationality: Scottish Age: 34 Current occupation: Race car driver Distinct features: Scruffy medium brown hair parted at the center. Wide, slightly tall brown eyes. Thin hooked nose with semi-thick, but narrow mouth. Non distinct marks of red all over face due to alcohol addiction in the past. Thin brown soul patch on the chin and a very discrete goatee. Oval triangular face. Thin, but with developing muscle on body, with average height over bright skin. Choice of clothing: Always with a plaid design flatcap, but his favorite's a gray one with green accents. Attire varies, but the general look with him consists of a long sleeved polo shirt, thin jeans, and leather shoes. Cars: Aston Martin One-77, Volkswagen Golf I GTI
Born the son of his professional golfer father, and his housewife mother, Paul was born a free spirit, the second of the family's Wembley born children. Notably in their childhood, Paul would represent the manly, more physical side of the new generation, while his older sister would pick up the books and become the brains of the family. That principle still remains today, where Paul would use his sister's advice to conquer any obstacle, and his sister would use him for her own goals.
Paul initially wanted to become a golfer like his dad, but as he grew up, the appeal of the sport didn't stick with him as he would eventually transition to racing karts in his teenage days. While various reasons came to mind such as the meeting of certain racing figures, and his interest in engineering grew, the real reason was, just like any growing man would do: impress a lady. The girl he fell in love with was into said go karting scene, and it so happens her father was The Bristol Harbinger: a famed Le Mans endurance racer from the mid 70s. Still, being close to his own father would mean his golfing skills are just as fine as his racing.
Becoming a family man at the height of his career would bring out the worst in him, as this era of Paul would end up being an overly aggressive competitor in touring cars. Worse, he went into drinking, and it would corrupt what's left of his good side, developing fits of rage and even moments where he would have a weakened spirit. But even if things got worse, the bottom of it all never seemed to develop. His family stayed, he's never gotten in big trouble, and even if he got his racing license suspended, he could still find ways to support his family. He believes in some form he's lucky, and that was exemplified when he became the lucky owner of an Aston One-77.
After a series of events involving a conspiracy, assassins, a nuclear heart, and his long time rival's heel face turn, Paul would start rooting out what was wrong with him, dropping the bottle and becoming what he calls a newer, better him. Having the most successful of comeback tours, Paul would become the face of the UK's GT racing scene, and become the standard of Group 3 racers on the whole. While this is a tall task, Paul now has a new catchphrase to keep an open mind, and so far it's not failed him yet.
Known by anyone who's anyone in the Nurburgring racing community, Lucia is known by many as a shining example of a prodigous talent of both the garage and the track. Know even more, and one can find wearing these ridiculously large shoes is a tomboyish short fuse, always ready to blow sky high.
Theme Song: Robbie Williams - Different Racing Duel Music: Garbage - Control Gender: Female Nationality: German Age: 23 Current occupation: Race car driver/team manager/racing mechanic Distinct features: Blonde, straight shoulder length hair. Thin diamond face with small cheeks and sharp chin. Smooth shaped blue eyes with some thin make up under. Thin, average to tall body height with slender features. Choice of clothing: Trendy and chic. Whatever she wears, it's always flexible, tight and revealing on her limbs. Common sightings include either a combo of t-shirt, puffy vest and shorts, or a mini dress, all with sandals. Reasoning is that she doesn't have to make drastic changes when needing to get in her mechanic or racer's getup. Cars: BMW M4 Coupe, Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33), Toyota Corolla LEVIN 1600 Apex (AE86)
Eifel born Lucia was never into the car game as she started off living. With her only sibling: a carefree cool and sporty brother, she came into the family when races around the Nurburgring was already a family tradition. And her family's also carrying deep ties, with a race commentator father, mechanic mother, and her sole uncle living in the family, racing for Porsche. Her relatives were also mostly male, toughening her masculine side unintentionally.
Unlike her brother, Lucia never got into the sport at her teenage days. Being forced fed this ideology initially has her rebel, but eventually develop into her mean streak she still carries today. Having a terrible time growing up, she was bitter, and often quite shy, never showing her face for her family in the times the spotlight came. That all changed as soon when her brother, a fledgling Nurburgring Taxi driver, brought her to a few taxi runs and showed the joys of the car as it reaches the limits. This would be moment she started getting along with her family and their racing traditions, starting with said brother.
Heading to the UK to reinforce her new found interests, she's become involved in the developments of the legendary Group C driver known as The Bristol Harbinger. With his ties still strong in the racing world, Lucia's tutoring and lessons brought her to Toyota for a few years to be a part of their apprentices in racing teams. Diversity wasn't an issue, and she wasn't alone in the female foreigner department. She would then bond with an extremely timid and awkward beret wearing American tuning genius, and a Hong Kongese lady who would eventually become the famous GT racing woman known as Le Glace Pacer.
Before they parted, Lucia promised these two women, them and her now formed a friendship together as Toyota's Tenacious Ternion, that she's going to be as good as they are. Those words these days are harder to reinforce, with troubles keeping pace in the workshop and on the race track. But she's still very young in her career; she knew giving up would let this ternion down, as well as her family and friends who would honestly back her efforts.
An aristocratic, but overall simplistic French gentleman, carrying awards in literature as well as a well versed connoisseur of wine. But his biggest achievement is none of those, but of racing in the GT leagues, most notably being a dominating recurring champion of the Supercar Festival Leagues.
Theme Song: Yes - It Can Happen (Cinema Version) Racing Duel Music: Yes - Love Will Find A Way Gender: Male Nationality: French Age: 28 Current occupation: Race car driver Distinct features: Clean combed back black hair, with a large white stripe in the center. Baby blue eyes, almost always seem closed. Thin mustache, wide upturned nose and mouth with regular skin tone. Slightly thin build with average height. Choice of clothing: Fine suits are his wardrobe's modus operandi. Comes in many forms, but his favorite combine a silver slim fit suit vest and matching pants. Expensive accessories from a Rolex watch, fountain pens in his pockets, golden pins of various fancy shapes, and a pinned handcrafted gold trimmed rose (doubles as a hidden knife). Cars: KTM X-BOW R, Alpine A110 (2017), Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce, Maserati MC20, Renault R5 Turbo
Secretly referred to the as the family's little Bon Bon, Boniface is the last of 3 current generation of the infamous Richelieu of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon: a family whose wealth surpasses many that of just about anyone in Europe thanks to their stake in developing nuclear products, particularly electrical power and energy developments worldwide. While the middle child handles this business without remorse, and the eldest sister being a very well known bounty hunter for the Assassin's Guild, Boniface himself gets his family name famous in sport, notably in race cars.
Unlike his Paris born sisters, Boniface was born when they've already retreated to Sainte-Croix. But from a young age, he was often sent to the capital to be raised by relatives, schooled in the most lofty of education institutions. As he grew up, he didn't get along with others of his age well, but rather preferred to be among other adults, eventually acting and getting along with them. While his maturity rised, his manners remained sloppy and smug, thus why he usually calls similarly aged persons barbarians, brutes, or whatever synonym he can figure out.
These connections would eventually lead to two of his life's greatest passions. Race car driving, and wine. After high school, he went on to quickly pursue them. Eventually, he would become a famed touring car racer, notably as the sport's purely clean racer with a near perfect clean race record. His interest in wine would lead them to his other life as a wine connoisseur, releasing weekly reviews to his online website. An open learner whose recently graduated with a Major in English Literature, Boniface's current focus is to help his family's financial issues, with its problems stemming from his sister's newly diagnosed complications in her heart.
Thanks to burying the hatchet with his long time Scottish rival, he's found yet another path to take in being the recurring champion of the Supercar Festival. But those skills are put to the test as he inadvertently made his way into the ranks of The Prophecy as their newest Chosen.
Once a youthful, late 90s racing powerhouse with family fortunes secured his good life as the strategic and composed mastermind behind the Kirkham Foundation of Medical Sciences. This Manchester native is settled for many lives worth of riches, racing world influence and overall standing in his many fields, but he requires the help of a few worthy others to achieve the goal of housing the fastest racers on the planet.
Theme Song:Coldplay - White Shadows, Coldplay - Paradise (Epic Orchestral Cover by Carl Abelgas & its_draconix) Racing Duel Music:Electric Lights Orchestra - Prologue + Twilight Gender: Male Nationality: British Age: 41 Current occupation: Corporate director Distinct features: Medium sized, clean cut straight grey hair with white edges. Wide oblong oval face, with hints of wrinkling. Thick narrow nubian nose with often dried out mouth of average size. Slightly tall, very fit build covered by strongly pale skin. Choice of clothing: No real preference outside of what's British. Functional is what matters. He's often with designer clothing that make him look and feel youthful, such as a puffy jacket over shirt and jeans, bright tracksuits and if anything is formal, it's brightly colored. Cars: McLaren F1, Abarth 500, BAC Mono
Nash was birthed in his current home turf of Manchester. A rich upper classman of Whalley Range, Nash might be born with wealth on his pocket from day 1 due to his father's role as the figurehead of long time pharmaceutical megacompany: the Kirkham Foundation. But he wasn't quite blessed in other ways. His mother passed from childbirth, and his father's not long for the world with a terminal illness. With connected family unwilling to support this dying cause, Nash was left with the family fortune from age 10. However, his father's advice never left him: he's to only trust himself, and never to let anyone give them a chance to take away the family riches.
With that advice in mind, he's left his lofty life of a giant mansion with servants on every whim to enroll himself to the best, with loyal corporate figures acting as his legal guardians, ensuring he would come up to grow as the future of the company. His trust issues would plague him until he would scuffle with a boy who would grow up to be the UK's street racing pioneer known as The Messiah. Said boy would change Nash for the better, being the first person he would open to, and declare as his brother: a role still going strong today. His bitterness towards others would end, as this period of comforting his always angry brother would give way to Nash's overall kind spiritedness coming out.
Reaching adulthood, Nash balanced out his new role as the Foundation director with the life he yearned to find, and he looked hard. Upon suggestion by his brother was track racing, and while his brother was unfortunate, Nash went on to be a GT racing icon after his debut years, meeting many others in this career. But the good times never last, as he was diagnosed by a rare form of albinism that caused his body to age quicker than usual. While his foundation went far to develop a cure, nothing fruitful arose. His undying dedication to this cure had him hit the books, so hard that it earned him great honors in medical sciences and economics. As he would take on an American protege to give his racing wisdom, he's uncertain of his fate, and adopted a successor to give down his company due to an old friend's promise.
These days, Nash's undiagnosed condition prevents him from racing in his name, despite being in peak physical form, but he's usually out and about racing various top racing fields as the Mysterious NZ. And if he's not co-hosting Sim Gear with his brother, he's scheming away his latest big dedicated project known as the Mythic Initiative. Now with six in tow, he's hoping to rid the discord caused by his own protege entering a dark chapter, hoping that the choice never has to come..
A top tier expressway bandit defines the Rudeboy's racing talent, but this excitable Vietnamese security agent defines himself as the man who put Tokyo Expressway on the watch list for FIA events, and that's just one thing.
Theme Song: Slash, Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators - World On Fire Racing Duel Music: The Mowex - War (feat. Marcus Klavan and Matt Litwin) Gender: Male Nationality: Vietnamese Age: 32 Current occupation: Security advisor Distinct features: Medium dark brown braids tied to a ponytail. Tall, sharp diamond face. Brown, sharp asian eyes. Wide hawk shaped nose, and average downward mouth. Muscular wrinkling on his thin cheeks. Narrow, thin handlebar mustache and tied up goatee. Reddened patches of skin over face. Average height, but with a slim build, while muscular underneath. Has a tattoo of a red Vietnamese star on his forehead. Choice of clothing: His clothes are always tight fit flexible. It's always a standard issue security outfit that he usually goes to work with, that includes a long sleeved buttoned up shirt, slacks, combat gloves, boots and a combat vest. Various jewelleries are similarly present, such as an amethyst nose ring, his platinum wedding ring, and ruby studs on his ears. In some form carries grenades on him, be it a sole one in his pockets, or laid out his combat vest. Cars: Toyota Crown Athlete 'G', Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STi (GD), Volvo 240 SE Estate
As an only son, Manh was born out in the villages just a few clicks away of the great beaches of Da Nang. Life for him wasn't hard, however, as his parents were both army veterans that survived and got honours for serving during the Vietnam War. Never usually with any of his parents, or any close family as he grew to a teenager, Manh lived his life simply, helping with errands with tourists on the beaches. His hard work, despite not getting schooled properly, ended up helping him get extra funding for his own purposes, as well as maintaining his family's sole non-scooter: a Volvo 240 Estate.
Growing up, he got main exposure to the many criminal groups that reside around Da Nang. During this time, he not only learned essential survival skills, but somehow had a penchant to use the word 'mother f[BLEEP]er' very frequently. This ended up not only getting him favors from the local crims as a known figure that brings excitement, he also was granted the Rudeboy name he still clings on to today. The Rudeboy name however began to circulate as a feared name as soon as he found another interest in making makeshift bombs, stemming from him training dogs to detect mines in the army. This however turned for him as a moment to think, as he wonders if his parents are heroes, why are they risking their own to pursue the good life.
To avoid further criminal infamy, the wealthy parents decided to send Manh to Japan, but he knew that's not his future. Standing with failing grades aside phys ed, he was to return, but enjoyed life in Japan so much, he had to find an excuse to stay. Searching hard, he got a spot working for a small security firm providing both mercenary work and manpower for safety. It's do or die for Manh, but his influence in the gangs and the military paid off, giving him commendations and he rose up the ranks. Bringing his family after their retirement, he would proceed to marry a young lady he worked with.
However, his adventure in cars began when his wife would introduce him to the expressway racing in the night. How he got into this league was like when he learned how to make bombs: unrelenting. Entering the field of racers wasn't easy, but to him: he's never bothered with an easy life. Also rising these ranks, he would become the second in command of a crew that carries purely only non-Japanese racers, to give them a safe space to be aside the locals. One such person he took interest during this time was a short Hong Kongese lady with great fame on the circuit.
Eventually, time passes, and as the leader of this crew he's in for years, he wonders if he can reach further.
The results for last week's challenge, the Optimal Nightmare Challenge, are in!
Driver\Time
Sect. 1
Sect. 2
Sect. 3
Optimal Lap
K31thc0m
34.158
40.943
46.276
2:01.457
Vic Reign 93
34.621
40.833
45.956
2:01.898
INCREDIBLY close finish between two of our fastest drivers, separated by less than 4 tenths of a second! Vic did cut the last chicane as I suggested, while K31th did not. Who's the real fastest? I'll let you draw your own conclusions...
We're on the home stretch of COTW GT7, with this being our last month of (regular) operations! @Racer283 has been one of our longest participating member, having hosted an incredible 4.5 years of GTS COTW. And for his last regular pick, he wishes to revisit a classic...
Well, fudge it. Let's welcome under the COTW spotlight again, the Porsche 356 A/1500 GS GT Carrera Speedster '56!
AND under the COTW microscope for the first time, the Porsche 356 A/1500 GS Carrera '56!
Two cars to be tested across two game versions!
Rear engined, compact, lightweight, mass–produced barebones sports car bearing the Carrera name, available in either a coupé or convertible forms—all Porsche staples today. The car that first fit these descriptions was the 356, which (according to the in–game description) has been dubbed the "GT3 of their day". 97HP and 107HP might not sound like much, but without all the modern tech keeping these rear engined bathtubs in check, they are properly scary to drive as–is, not to mention you could swap in a twin–turbo 959 engine into both of these...
Join COTW's funerals in the Single–Player Challenge and/or our Weekly Lobbies to find out just how vengeful the godparents of widowmakers are!
Join Our Weekly Lobbies!
Our weekly lobbies are ongoing as usual, and anyone (not a dick) is welcome to join us in racing 356s under BoP conditions!
Click on the hyperlinks to convert the times to your time zone, and feel free to add the hosts as friends on PSN to make searching for the lobbies easier!
BoP/Settings Disabled: On (Cars will temporarily be reverted to stock settings, WIDE BODIED AND/OR ENGINE SWAPPED CARS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE!)
Tracks: Randomly selected by lobby participants (~5 mins practice, ~7 mins sprint)
PP Limit: 380PP
Car: No Limit
Tyres: Comfort Medium
~Single–Player Challenge!~
The 356 Speedster is actually the first car anybody playing GT7 has to drive, even before buying their first car! And that's because it's the car featured in the first Music Rally of the game.
Go the furthest distance possible on the first Music Rally mission, and remember, YOU CAN'T SAVE A REPLAY OF MUSIC RALLY, so remember to screenshot your final distance as the time runs out!
Farthest distance reached wins!
Of course, we always welcome opinions, tunes, liveries, photos, videos, or stories about the car here on the the thread!
Where in the heck do you put fuel into the 356...?
