Chapter 74: Chapter 71: I Want to Run This Rain Race
In 2008, the entire Formula racing system in China only had two people making noise in the international racing world: Cheng Congfu and Ma Qingye.
Note, this was just a little noise, not that they were very famous.
Other drivers either couldn’t even step outside the national gates or they spent money to force their way out, but their competition results were terrible, and they quit after two years without any sense of achievement.
In the eyes of these racing trainees, they’ve already formed the stereotype that Chinese drivers are noobs, and Chen Xiangbei looks rather old.
This kind of over-age driver who has neither achievements nor potential can get a trial qualification at the Suzuka Racing School? Without a doubt, it’s the usual style of buying seats.
"Pay drivers" in F1 often face controversy, let alone lower-level Formula drivers with varying levels of skill, especially since they’re in a competitive relationship. How could they have a good impression of Chen Xiangbei?
Sawano Hiroyuki’s demeanor didn’t change much. He merely glanced up and down at Chen Xiangbei, then nodded and said in English, "You stand here and listen first."
"Yes, Director Sawano."
Chen Xiangbei responded and naturally stood at the end of the line.
At this time, Sawano Hiroyuki looked sharply at the trainees present and then spoke, "You all know that there’s been continuous rain these past few days, causing Suzuka Circuit to have multiple water accumulations and it’s very slippery."
"According to Honda Racing Academy’s safety regulations, trainees should avoid racing training in rainy weather as much as possible, because your ability and experience are insufficient to deal with such complex road conditions."
"But for Formula racing, rain racing is a comprehensive test of technique, courage, and strategy. Any legendary driver in F1 history must have a peak rain battle that can be recorded in the annals."
"Since you’ve chosen to be a driver, and your goal is to aspire to the Formula 1 hall, then you can’t fear rain racing. You must possess the ability to control ’out of control’, which is why I’m convening driving training today."
"Do you understand?"
"Understood!"
The trainees present answered unanimously; they weren’t rookies. Most of them had karting or lower-level Formula championship titles.
Being able to train at Suzuka Racing School means they have already defeated countless peers. How could they fear the track and rain battle before even racing?
If a trainee with this mindset exists, then they’re simply not fit to stand here!
"Now, according to the rules of the qualifying race, staggered starts for track training, I’m asking you to complete the lap in 2 minutes and 35 seconds."
The Suzuka Circuit is 5.807 kilometers long, and the pole position record was set by the King of Cars Schumacher in 2002 driving a Ferrari at 1 minute 31 seconds 317.
As for the lap time record of the Renault-class regional Formula, it was slowed down to 2 minutes 05 seconds 641, nearly 35 seconds slower than F1.
Sawano Hiroyuki further lowered the lap time requirement by 30 seconds from that baseline.
On one hand, the conditions of the rain battle track are harsh, and the driving speed will naturally be much slower.
On the other hand, these race trainees have almost no experience in track rain battles.
Drivers must indeed confront their fears and challenge themselves, but there’s a gradual process, not just speeding up recklessly.
minutes and 35 seconds is the minimum standard set by Sawano Hiroyuki. A lap time slower than this means the driver lacks the talent and ability for rain racing and is destined to be eliminated in future advancement.
Upon receiving Sawano Hiroyuki’s orders, the racing trainees began their pre-race preparations, leaving Chen Xiangbei standing awkwardly in place.
Without much hesitation, Chen Xiangbei looked at Sawano Hiroyuki and asked, "Director Sawano, can I join the training?"
The saying goes that coming early is not as good as coming at the right time. Since he happened to catch this, why not try the rain at Suzuka Circuit?
With Chen Xiangbei’s words, the racing trainees who were already dispersed turned their eyes back to him.
The expressions on many faces were no longer teasing, but a form of naked ridicule.
This Chinese guy has probably never dealt with Renault racing cars and has no concept of rain racing. He might think the driving difficulty is equivalent to indoor toy karting back in his country!
Sawano Hiroyuki didn’t respond immediately, only turning back to look at Chen Xiangbei with an expressionless face.
Chen Xiangbei earned the trial qualification at Honda Racing Academy due to Sawano Hiroyuki’s strong advocacy.
You should know that the academy’s races and electronic engineers all held a skeptical attitude toward the car data sent by Miyamoto Shigeru.
Yes, all of them!
The reason lies in Chen Xiangbei’s car data, which is "fake" to the point of being excessive. A broken CFR2000 car, converted theoretical lap time, already surpasses the FIA certified Renault standard car.
It’s just like when Chen Xiangbei used a Corolla to beat Shengminghui’s AMG; data that violates common sense and logic naturally doesn’t have much credibility.
But Honda Racing Corporation has been providing technical support to Huasi Sports for many years, and both parties already have a certain foundation of trust. The other party has never had a case of falsifying driver’s data before.
Moreover, Miyamoto Shigeru’s personality is also well understood by Sawano Hiroyuki: this guy sends the latest car data tirelessly every day, even if he wanted to fake it, he wouldn’t be so stupid to do so.
Sawano Hiroyuki thought for a long time and then decided to give Chen Xiangbei an opportunity, just like when he gave Sato Takuma a chance back in the day.
"Rain racing is very difficult. Do you think you can handle it?"
"I can!"
This is the answer Sawano Hiroyuki wanted. A driver must have absolute confidence in themselves, even if that confidence appears arrogant to others.
If Chen Xiangbei hesitated at all, or if he gave an answer like "I think I can", "let’s try", Sawano Hiroyuki would not hesitate to refuse him.
However, before Sawano Hiroyuki could respond, a mixed-race trainee next to him mocked, "Hey, Chinese Kid, just to let you know: if you haven’t passed the trial, crashing the car means you’ll pay for damages. Did you bring enough money?"
These words caused the trainees present to burst into laughter. They understood the double entendre behind it.
This mixed-race trainee was not only mocking that Chen Xiangbei would crash, but also suggesting his trial qualification was bought with money, implying this rookie driver is not fit for rain racing!
"What’s your name?"
Chen Xiangbei’s expression didn’t change much, merely asking coldly.
To be honest, he’s experienced similar scenes in his past life many times, or perhaps every Chinese Formula driver has experienced this more or less.
Even someone as famous as Zhou Guanyu was initially treated differently by Ferrari Driver Academy, and after entering F1, he publicly wrote about experiencing racial discrimination.
Keep in mind these were issues more than ten years later, by then the national strength compared to 2008 had qualitatively changed, yet the label of being weak and easily bullied still couldn’t be shaken off.
His rich "experience" told Chen Xiangbei that faced with cold stares and ridicule, find the one who’s the most active in it, and no matter what way, you must defeat him!
Only in that way can you avoid whining like a wimp everywhere.
"My name is Matsuboto Brown, you don’t agree?"
The mixed-race trainee arrogantly replied; he was the champion of this year’s Asia-Pacific Karting Championship, his strength gave him enough confidence to challenge Chen Xiangbei.
Chen Xiangbei didn’t waste another word with him, instead, he looked at Sawano Hiroyuki and said, "Director Sawano, no matter how fast Matsuboto Brown runs later, my lap time will be at least 5 seconds faster than his."
seconds?
When these words came out, the crowd wasn’t shocked or surprised but laughed even harder.
This Chinese rookie knows what 5 seconds means? The difference between F1 and F2 in Formula racing might not reach 5 seconds!
"Trying to use this method to trick Director Sawano into letting you train?"
Matsuboto Brown replied disdainfully, sometimes words that are too outrageous lose their offensiveness.
Seeing this, a smile appeared on Chen Xiangbei’s face.
He directly approached Matsuboto Brown, stared into his eyes, and said, "How about we play big then? Whoever loses leaves Honda Racing Academy, alright?"
Chen Xiangbei’s tone was calm, and from the proposed condition, theoretically, Matsuboto Brown has a sure win.
But for some reason, staring into Chen Xiangbei’s eyes, Matsuboto Brown felt an invisible pressure, which somehow made him hesitate to agree immediately!
How is this possible, why is there hesitation, could it be fear?