Eastside Los Angeles. 3 PM.
Just when the day seems to be normal, a red Ferrari approaches a small parking spot.
??? 1: "There! Park there!"
??? 2: "Aiyoo, why is parking so hard to find around this part of L.A lah?"
??? 1: "Well, these are the places where the Latinos hang around. You know, the ones with low riders and calling people like us 'ese'."
??? 2: "You're not scared? At all?"
??? 1: "Nah. What about you? You're the all so great Sonny Meng."
Sonny: "Kirk, oh Kirk. You flatter me too much."
Kirk: "Better me than anyone that just wants you approval on how this car needs this o' that."
Sonny: "And there we... go. You know, Kirk?"
Kirk: "Yeah, what now?"
Sonny: "What would i say.. if i was one of the dudes that tested this GTO in the past?"
Kirk: "🤬, i dunno. But one can see you seem to be smiling a lot more than the usual."
Sonny: "Yeah. I'd say: Whatever sorcery you put under the frame: don't change it. It's the problem of most production cars. You see abominations every day that 'improve' a car. I just don't get the idea."
Kirk: "Me neither. There are wings of glory, and wings for the heck of getting them on the car."
Sonny: "Never heard words like that since i was with Sir Ben."
Kirk: "Okay! Enough reminiscing. Let's not keep them waiting."
Exiting the GTO, Sonny and Kirk are headed away from the 288 GTO. But Kirk had other ideas. He approaches a small posse of suspicious men.
Kirk: "You! Ese! Got a moment?"
Latino: "What's up, holmes?"
Kirk: "Just wanting to see if you want pay for keeping an eye out. That. Red car. Expensive Ferrari. Owned by Sonny Meng the Asian-American Badass. Keep it untouched. We pay.. very well. You boys okay?"
Latino: "Si. You got a deal, holmes."
Kirk: "Alright. Thanks so much."
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In a nearby cafe, Sonny and Kirk sit down on a reserved table.
Sonny: "So, you saying these are representatives from the Ayrton Senna Foundation?"
Kirk: "If that's what the E-mail said, then we better be meeting the real deal."
Sonny: "More questions."
Kirk: "Haul ass, Sonny."
Sonny: "Actually, just one. And i want to see how far ahead you are from me. 3... 2... 1... GO! E-mail quality. *finger snaps*"
Kirk: "*quickly* PDF. Signatures of the president and the representative. Virus scanned. No malware. Address verified. Printed 2 copies. One for proof. The other here in my pocket. 2 weeks prior. This place. At about 2 minutes from now."
Sonny: "Bravo! Bravo! Encore?"
Kirk: "Oh, God no."
To Kirk's joy, the representative has arrived.
Representative: "Good day. I presume you are... Key-eirk?"
Kirk was at first quiet, but then talked.
Kirk: "Well, you say it with one syllable."
Sonny: "You can say it with as many syllables as you like."
Kirk: "Not.. that i would want that!"
Sonny: "It gives me and the boys more reason to poke your horse's ass of a head, lah."
Kirk: "Ergh... pardon my associate's.. rudeness."
Representative: "That's fine. Seeing the natural friendliness, it's easy to tell that's Sonny Meng."
Kirk: "Ah yup."
Sonny: "*explosion sound* Sonny the Badass, at your service. King Of the Ring 2 timer. Former Formula 1 racer. World renowned as one of the world's fastest racers, and much much.. *explosion* *echoes* MORE! Thank you, thank you."
Kirk: "He's got balls."
Representative: "I can see."
Sonny: "So, Mr. person from Instituto Ayrton Senna... what'd be the pleasure?"
Representative: "Well, if your accolades don't lie, we have something to offer you. A way to give our institution some light. Can i make sure you aren't in it for the money, because there won't be any pay whatsoever."
Sonny: "Don't worry, lah. I'm an honest man. The man pays the bills and don't spend much."
Kirk: "And we appreciate charity work."
Sonny: "Exactly. This guy right here *points to self* pays thousands of charity every month of the year."
Representative: "Good. But this isn't just charity. It's also a test."
Kirk: "Test? Sonny, no boasting."
Sonny: "Already doing that, in my head."
Kirk: "Yep, he's ready. Lay it on."
Representative: "If we were some regular charity, we'd give you a shirt to wear or a sticker on your car. But, we have the desire to support the people of our country, and there's no better person out there to take the role."
Kirk: "You sure?"
Representative: "Yes. We've contacted others, but they were too busy or refused. The weight on this one's pretty heavy."
Sonny: "Heavy?"
Representative: "Yes. Heavy. Sonny Meng."
Sonny: "Meh-ng."
Representative: "Okay.. we have contacted the right people to hand you a machine well known as an icon of the past. I present you.."
Showing off a picture of a black F1 car of the past, not one moment was spared to the men that recognize it. Although, the amount of surprise didn't come to an all time high.
Kirk: "That's Senna! And that's his Lotus F1 car!"
Sonny: "Shoot! That's the 97T!"
Representative: "Yes. You'll be taking the very motorsport icon around the world, and challenge the limits of the car. There may be many more people out there with experience, but our institution has discussed over and over again. You're the one."
Sonny: "Well.. that sounds pretty cliche.. And how come you don't contact someone else with more than me: a guy with trophies racing in NASCAR, F1, Supercar leagues.."
Representative: "You're already admitting to your successes, i see."
Sonny: "Yeah, but i didn't plan on dominating any of those leagues, or i would be God, which i ain't lah."
Kirk: "*whisper* I'd say, take it. Helping a charity get attention is a win. Also, the Ghosts want outta the US again after our adventure in London that time."
Sonny: "Hmm..."
Representative: "We'll ensure there won't be any bumps during your world tour. What do you say?"
Putting his thought with the scent of coffee served upon them, Sonny had to make a hard decision.
Standing up to one of his life idols, Sonny thought that the weight to carry would be tremendous as warned many times.
But he thought of the charity. The children that never got to do what they could. It's these visions that locked his choice.
Sonny: "Tell those kids we'll be happy to oblige."
Representative: "Very good."
Kirk: "That's my boss!"
Sonny: "So, when's Senna's 97T coming to the states?"
Representative: "We have different people handling that, but we should be able to get it by.. 2 days, along with the owner."
Sonny: "One step ahead, eh?"
Representative: "We knew you'd oblige, but we're desperate for a race such as yourself. You even have a partner to help. That's more than enough, I say."
Kirk: "Who, me? Oh no. I don't race."
Sonny: "What you talking about, fool?! You can just say you're getting there."
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To Kirk and Sonny, having to expose Senna's good name around the world looked like a nice opportunity to have their names associated with what Sonny calls: "The very badass that got him into racing more seriously."
The next 2 days, Sonny's training was in the form of him going to the gym to do some aerobic exercises. Every F1 driver stays fit to keep with regulation, and Sonny's regiment has him get back into shape for the mean time.
Not a fast runner, nor a man with muscle, but Sonny is as fit as a fiddle.
Physically prepared is one thing, but mentally prepared?
Usually the night before every race, Sonny's inner demon approaches him in the form of his racing mentor. His cruelty and relentlessness gave the Singaporean a mental scar.
With the biggest thing to come, Sonny wasn't the man he always was.
For the first time in his racing life, he was afraid, and filled with self doubt.
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SomePlayaDude Presents..
PART 1: The Stuff Of Legends.
The day of the 97T's arrival to Sonny's Penthouse in Burbank, LA, California.
Having it coming by 5 AM, Kirk heads out of his room, with his attire ready for the day. He sees the sun not coming up anytime soon through the large tinted windows.
With Sonny in thought, he heads up the steps to the room that houses someone similar to a dog with sunglasses falling on slowly.
*Knock*
Kirk: "Son? You ready?"
*no reply, waits*
Kirk: "Hmm..."
*Crick*
Kirk: "Locked.. SONNY! Wake up!"
*no reply*
Kirk: "That's it!"
Andrea: "Early today, Kirk?"
Kirk: "Yeah, Dre. Look.. think you know where he hides his spare keys?"
Andrea: "What's it for?"
Kirk: "We have a gig, and he's gotta be on, pronto!"
Andrea: "At this hour? Huh.. If you have to know, the big man's left about an hour ago."
Kirk: "Wait a sec, did you say he left?"
Andrea: "Mmmhmm. And he don't tell me where he go."
Kirk: "Alright. Thanks, Dre. Keep the house tidy."
Andrea: "Right on."
Headed to the private elevator, Kirk's thoughts aren't happy, intended for his boss.
Kirk: "It's these things that'll make me go kill your ass, Son."
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Headed to the private showroom of Sonny Meng, Kirk has a look around to see the cars that's still around.
Kirk: "The Beast is still here. And so is his Dark Horse.."
Kirk: "And the GTO. And his 69 'maro."
Kirk: "The IROC's still here too? Hmm, don't recognize this car. A recent acquisition?"
With deduction similar to a junior Sherlock Holmes, Kirk deduced one thing. It was pretty bad.
Kirk: "No. No, no, no, NO,
NO!"
He hurriedly headed to the special room where Sonny keeps his GT by Citroen, and his private Formula 1 car.
And as predicted: it's gone.
Kirk: "*yelling* SONNY! You're a suicidal maniac!"
*BELL RINGS*
Kirk: "Ah, shoot."
Kirk heads to the front door, and sees a small race team with a giant semi trailer behind.
Kirk: "Umm.. hello."
Manager: "Greetings! This is the palace of Sonny Meng, am i right."
He only got a nod as a response.
Manager: "Excellent! Now, sign here."
Kirk: "Bu-but i ain't.."
*signs*
Manager: "And here."
Kirk: "Listen here.."
*signs*
Manager: "And here."
Kirk: "But.."
*signs*
Manager: "Alright. Now we need Sonny's."
Kirk: "WAIT! Hold up a sec! You still wanted my signatures?!"
Manager: "What, we'd mistake someone with a ponytail as the so called Asian American Badass? We're not that short a lightbulb. The manager's as important as the man behind the wheel."
Kirk: "Thought you'd be. Thanks for proving me wrong."
Manager: "Now, where's the superstar? We need to send these to the owner: Fredy Kumschick for proof and verification."
Kirk: "Yeah... Mr. Meng has left the building 'bout an hour ago, and i have this feeling i know where he is. You don't mind a road trip with that truck of yours?"
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And where Kirk Ackepoke's instincts took him was to the famed Singaporean's favorite track: Willow Springs.
WILLOW SPRINGS RACEWAY - BIG WILLOW
LOCATION:
Kern County, California, USA.
SIZES:
2.46 miles, 0.47 straight, 164 ft elevation.
Info sourced from willowspringsraceway.com
DESCRIPTION:
"Willow Springs has been languishing in the Southern California desert since 1953, which makes it the longest surviving road-racing course in America. The track's layout, which starts on the desert floor and roams into the adjacent foothills, makes it not only challenging to drive, but provides nearly a 100 percent view of the track from any vantage point. Even the sound of a race car in a test session is unobstructed, making it possible for an astute crew chief to evaluate his car and driver's performance with his eyes closed."
TURN BY TURN TRACK GUIDE:
Turn 1: "Castrol Corner" A rather steeply banked 90-degree left, which ends the longest straight. It is a deceivingly fast turn taken in one gear below top in most cars. Late apex and get back on the gas very early remember it is banked. The right edge of the road is not visible until you pop out of the banking at the exit, making it tricky to use the entire road. This is a very important corner and an excellent place to pass on a late brake.
Turn 2: "The Rabbit's Ear" A fast 450-foot radius 200-degree right. Some banking and a slight uphill raise aid adhesion until the exit where the banking ends and the road levels out. Most cars like to run slightly inside of the middle of the road, apexing gently about three-quarters of the way into the corner. Spend some time balancing the car for this turn because a large percentage of your time is spent here. Too much under steer and you'll scrub speed and have to lift to apex; too much over steer and you'll have to ease off the power.
Turn 3: "The Omega - Uphill" In most cases the same gear is used from Turn One until downshifting for Turn Three the slowest turn on the track. Braking deep into Three is important because can you overtake here. An uphill well-banked 100-degree corner, Turn Three is again faster than it looks. A late apex and early throttle squirts you up the hill and into the difficult right-hand double apex Turn Four.
Turn 4: "The Omega - Downhill" Climb the hill and hug the right until the road starts to level. Now allow the car to move to the left side in preparation for a late apex because the turn tightens and heads steeply downhill.
Turn 5: The right-hand jog preceding the left-hand Turn Five complicates the braking zone of Five. No matter how deep you go into five, the car is still loaded from the jog and traveling steeply downhill. Be willing to forego the perfect line into five; you can't get to the extreme right if you've gone in really deep. You can make up some of this lost ground by hanging a left front wheel in the dirt at the apex. At the exit the road starts uphill; you'll get some stick here so get on the throttle early.
Turn 6: "Monroe Ridge" On the short uphill run to the right-hand Turn Six, don't bother getting to the extreme left before the entry. In a fast car, it is difficult and in a slower car completely unnecessary. In the middle of this fast turn, the road goes from uphill to downhill so you have to deal with an almost complete loss of stick for an instant. Short shift up and apex early to get most of the work done before the car goes light. In a faster car, it may take some time to gain confidence, but lose time here and you'll suffer all the way into Turn Nine.
Turn 7: "The Kink" - Seven is no more than a gentle bend in the straight. Stay left for the entry to eight unless you are trying to block someone's inside line into eight.
Turn 8: In a fast car right-hand turn eight is one of those places where your right foot seems to have better sense than your brain. In most cars it is a no lift comer, but it's kind of scary at first. Enter Eight early and drive around the inside with no pronounced apex. Before the road straightens, let the car drift to the outside of the road.
Turn 9: Leaving Eight you just have time to glance at the tach to check your top speed before entering one of the world's worst Turn Nine. This turn is very hard to get right, but essential for good lap times. It is a top gear turn in most cars, a 90-degree decreasing radius right turn with an exit you can't see until you get there. Enter from the left, but move right slightly in the early part to give yourself some room for error. There is a strong tendency to apex too early because it feels safer. Try to avoid this because you'll have to lift at the exit. Pick a reference that identifies the apex for you. You should be approaching full throttle before the apex in even the fastest car. The exit brings you to the outside of the pit straight and the end of your lap.
Like any difficult track, Willow Springs requires lots of practice. But remember, your crew can see and hear every mistake.
TRACK RECORD: 1:06.050 - Michael Andretti, Indycar, 1987.
TIME TRIAL WITH DEMO CAR
Dodge Viper GTS '02, SH, stock, ABS 1 only: 1:24.969
AYRTON SENNA RELATED EVENTS:
None.
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The thing Kirk sees arriving at Willow Springs an hour later is the fog warning. And the presence of his gang: the California Ghosts.
Kirk: "(Oh, he's a dead man..)"
Approaching the men he recognize as partners, Kirk was not happy.
Hawt-Rod: "Guys, he's here."
Skull: "Act natural!"
All whistling to a similar tune, it's no doubt suspicion runs in their veins.
Kirk: "Alright, boys. Where's the boss?"
Skull: "Don't mind us. He ain't here."
*F1 sounds*
Kirk: "You can't win this negotiation, Skull. Don't make me ask your brother!"
Raw: "Golly! That's me! That's me!"
Kirk: "Come on, Raw! That's the boss in that F1, right?"
Raw: "Yup!"
Everyone else slapped their heads.
Skull: "Nitwit.."
Kirk: "Just wonder why's he got this behind my back, eh? Set up the comms."
Crank-Shaft: "About that.. he didn't bring comms."
Hawt-Rod: "We fitted new slicks and refilled a few moments ago too. It'd be a while till he gets back."
Kirk: "And he must've paid the keepers to have him running in this fog? A fog that kills?"
Looking at each other in confusion, the gang shrugged.
Skull: "Sonny called us over to watch his back. No questions asked."
Kirk: "Good grief. I gotta tell him the Senna men are here!"
The gang gets all excited about the 97T.
Kirk: "Just.. don't touch it yet, alright?"
Ghosts: "Yes sir!"
Leaving his gang behind, Kirk moves on to witness the F1 racing on track.
Being his closest friend, his feelings mix between rage, worry and amazement.
Skull: "*yells* 55.736 seconds!"
Kirk: "Holy... i've never seen anyone go round the Big Willow under sixty!"
Crank-Shaft: "Hey, Kirkie. Got a minute?"
Kirk: "Yeah, if you help me figure out how to bring him in."
Crank-Shaft: "Sure thing, buddy. I do what i can for the Ghosts."
Kirk: "Come on over, then."
Crank-Shaft: "It's about the boss."
Kirk: "Lay it on to me."
Crank-Shaft: "Since it kind of put the gang on scare patrol, it has to be mentioned."
Kirk: "Hold up. Scare?"
Crank-Shaft: "He must've been somehow spooked or whatever."
Kirk: "Ah.. that's what's happening? Alright. I gotta confront him, and we're going to have a serious talk about this."
Crank-Shaft: "You sure?"
Kirk: "Sonny's still young at heart, and he's as much human as anyone who's unrealistically badass. Even the toughest shells carry the softest meat."
Kirk moves himself to the road.
Crank-Shaft: "Boy! You'll kill yourself!"
Kirk: "Like Senna, this man's focus is always true. But if you said something's not right, he should be able to stop, seeing what's coming."
Kirk saw what was laid out for him. A reckless move, but he needed to comfort his friend. He stood like a cowboy, looking at the F1.
Kirk: "*draws cross on body* Lord.. please stop this darn thing."
It draws closer, and just a few hundred meters away, the driver sees it all.
Sonny: "....Kirk?! What the-"
And thus, his prayers come up answered.
With such a spinout, Kirk had worry. He rushed straight to the F1 car. The helmet removes, and Sonny stands out unscathed.
Kirk: "Sonny?! We have matters and you practice in the thick of fog! What's wrong, man?"
Sonny: "Hey buddy."
Kirk: "Don't 'hey buddy' my ass, Son. I'm worried. You in some sort of mental breakdown or what?"
Sonny: "Ah.. ermm.. Just snapped a thread. Even though I'm some kind of killer racer the world loves and adores, I'm never going to be the next Senna!"
Kirk: "What the? We ain't doing it because of your stupid ego!"
Sonny: "Yeah, but i live with that stupid ego lah."
With no realization, the rest of the Ghosts creep up closer.
Kirk: "I know you have for the years I become your biker brother. We've got more at stake than the fact you got waning confidence to drive the legendary Senna's F1 car."
Sonny: "Yeah, with the charity, the children, and worst: i gotta fill shoes for Senna!"
Kirk: "Look, Sonny. I'd kill myself if we refuse the Instuto Senna's offer. That's how much i want you to do this. We're together on this, and so are our boys."
After a moment, Sonny can't help notice the team behind Kirk: both the Ghosts and the men handling the 97T seeing the situation.
If Sonny could barely let Kirk down, to cope with letting everyone else down would be the end of his reign as today's racer that shakes the world.
He gets out of the car, and reluctantly had to do it.
Sonny: "Well.. it looks like i got no choice. Set us up the 97T. I want to make Senna smile! CHOP CHOP!"
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Soon, the turbocharged V6 that made an era of F1 comes to life.
*SOUND*
And the man to make history comes with suit at ready. He climbs in, and sees the old gadgetry.
Sonny: "If this was from the medieval times, this thing be the black knight lah."
With the fog warning gone, Sonny moves out to see a crowd, and stops by them.
Sonny: "So, you want to wish me luck?"
Manager: "I don't have to. Just be wary of the throttle. It's not much different, but it's not like your car. This is a mechanical masterpiece, and carries nothing to help but by being the quintessential driver."
Kirk: "The Ghosts of Dark Horse Tuning checked that everything still works. And since you know this track in your head, we won't be doing a guide. Have fun."
Sonny: "You know i will. And another thing."
Kirk: "Yeah?"
Sonny: "To be Senna, I'll have to bring out the 80s in us. Think we can do that, Mr. Author?"
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Take On Me
A-Ha
Take On Me
Exiting the pit lane, the 97T gets some speed back in it's system.
Kirk: "Now we have comms. Don't be stupid again, Son. How's the music?"
Sonny: "Shh! Let me feel so Bohemian Like You..."
In any F1, the driver keeps focused by only letting him and the machine connect.
Sonny's progress towards relating along a legend's car won't take too long, being a man experienced with today's machines.
Manager: "Good going. There's no one else i'd say to that you're the right man for the job."
With the car bottoming out and tires all warmed and ready, Sonny calls the shots and decides to go all out the second he could.
Kirk: "You b:censored:! Tell me you're kidding when you're so fulla self doubt!"
Keeping the throttle at bay, and taking heed of the bumpy nature of the track, Sonny moves through Big Willow faster than anyone ever.
Getting used to having a round steering wheel when driving F1s, Sonny thought of Senna more and more, putting himself in his seat.
Racing, competing, it's in my blood. It's part of me, it's part of my life; I have been doing it all my life and it stands out above everything else. ~ Ayrton Senna
Manager: "Who has the guts to bring the most out of the 97T at a very hazardous track for race cars. His abilities are mythical!"
Kirk: "I can second that."
Sonny: "Shying away. I'll be coming for you anyway! Taaake ooon meee~"
Scratching the track after one last push, the car crosses the line.
Kirk: "Time!"
Skull: "55."
Kirk: "...."
Skull: "Point 586! .2 seconds quicker than the last one."
Kirk: "What says you, Son?"
Sonny: "YEAH! I'M THE GREATEST! NOT ANYONE CAN TOP ME!"
Kirk: "He's excited."
Manager: "He may be no Senna, but i've never heard that much energy in any racer."
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The morning of action concludes, and the Ghosts compile for one thing.
Kirk: "So, we doing this?"
Sonny: "No doubt. You tell the boys we're taking Senna's name around the world. And i think we can start at Europe. I'm paying for this road trip. I want to let the world know that people are suffering, and I'd do anything to help this charity."
Kirk: "Hehe."
Sonny: "Why you so cruel, lah?"
Kirk: "Never would i see that the meanest badass in racing becomes the guardian angel."
Sonny: "Stow it!"
Kirk: "Hahahah!"
FIN PART 1
LOTUS 97T "AYRTON SENNA" 1985
FORMULA GRAN TURISMO 2005
Power (HP)
1049/11k rpm
935/17.5k rpm
Displacement (cc)
1492
Unknown
Weight (KG)
540
550
Torque (ft-lb)
517/9.5k rpm
304/15.5k rpm
Power/Weight Ratio (kg/HP)
0.51
0.58
Distribution
50:50
48:52
Aerodynamics
1500-2000
700-900
Written by SomePlayaDude - 28th June 2014
Content based on (very heavy, head there at own risk):
Legacy Of The Dark Horse
Dawn Of The Mythic
Sonny And The Beast
