Chapter 39: Chapter 36: Formula Drivers Stand Above the Rest
When Ma Minghan mocked Chen Xiangbei, his expression could be described as gnashing his teeth in hatred.
Yet, thinking about the possibility of Chalo Quan winning later and maybe even knocking Chen Xiangbei off the track, he felt a dark satisfaction in his heart!
When Chen Xiangbei was unloading the car, he had actually noticed the two punks in the Mercedes G55, but he couldn’t be bothered to pay them any attention.
After unloading the car, he and Liang Chi got into the Subaru Impreza and drove straight to the pit lane of Haizhu International Racing Circuit.
Most people who have watched racing know that every large racing circuit will have a special lane for the adjustment and repair of race cars and teams, known as the pit lane.
One side of the pit lane is a barrier wall, and the other side is a row of two-story high small buildings, divided into rooms the size of storefronts. Inside, there are race cars and various parts, which are the repair stations for each team.
The English name is PitHouse, commonly referred to as the Pit in Chinese.
Today at the track’s repair station, some drivers from the Volkswagen 222 Team were training together, and the team manager Ye Yong was analyzing data with Han Han, discussing ways to improve the lap speed.
Ye Yong and Han Han have been partners for many years, not only colleagues but also have a good relationship in private.
So much so that many years later, when Han Han transitioned to being a director, in two "Speeding Life" movies, Manager Ye’s character was actually based on the Volkswagen 222 Team’s manager, Ye Yong.
At this time, Zhang Zhicong walked in first and greeted Ye Yong and Han Han. With many years of CCC professional events, they were quite familiar with each other, so they got straight to the point without much formality.
"Chen Xiangbei has already arrived. Han Han, are you ready?"
"I can go anytime."
Han Han replied calmly. How could a national champion feel any psychological pressure racing against a high school student?
To put it bluntly, considering Chen Xiangbei as a competitor was more of a courteous respect.
In fact, the theoretical gap between the two was as easy as punching the South Mountain Retirement Home and kicking the North Sea Kindergarten.
Han Han didn’t mind and treated it as a way to relax and have fun. However, as the manager of the Volkswagen 222 Team, Ye Yong still couldn’t understand Zhang Zhicong’s "challenge" behavior.
It’s important to know that part of a team manager’s duty is to lead commercial operations. As the star player of the team, and having just won the 08 CCC national championship, racing against a high school student wouldn’t benefit his personal image.
Instead, if there were any accidents, it could cause a serious negative impact.
So Ye Yong once again confirmed, "President Zhang, can that high school student named Chen Xiangbei really race on the track?"
"He can."
Zhang Zhicong decisively gave a clear answer.
Although his stance differed from Liang Chi’s, and he had some doubts about Chen Xiangbei’s ability, outwardly, their attitudes were consistent.
Seeing Zhang Zhicong’s firm attitude, Ye Yong had nothing more to say. He could only nod and say, "Alright then, let Han Han run a lap."
One lap was the risk limit that the Volkswagen 222 Team could accept.
"Okay."
After the parties agreed, Han Han donned the racing suit and walked out of the Pit, coincidentally seeing Chalo Quan and Chen Xiangbei discussing in the pit lane.
Chen Xiangbei’s initial plan was to race against Han Han first, and then run a lap on the track with Chalo Quan.
After all, these were different "grudge matches" to be addressed one by one.
However, when Chalo Quan learned that Han Han was present, he also became interested and wanted to race against this newly crowned national champion.
Chen Xiangbei didn’t mind. Whether Han Han was willing to accept was up to him.
Constrained by the nascent automotive industry, the underground racing scene in the Pearl River Delta was small. In fact, China’s professional racing scene was also small, with almost everyone with some fame knowing each other.
Chalo Quan had participated in Formula 2000, and before heading to Germany for touring car races, he had also trained at the Haizhu International Circuit. He and Han Han could be considered as nodding acquaintances.
So seeing Chalo Quan here talking to Chen Xiangbei, Han Han’s expression was somewhat surprised. How did these two know each other?
But before he could speak, Chalo Quan preempted him by asking, "Han Han, are you going to race this high school kid?"
"Yeah."
"Perfect, let’s race together then. Let me see how much of a rookie this champion is, just like back in the day."
This remark made Han Han’s face change slightly.
The reason Chalo Quan was so arrogant was partly due to his status as a Hong Kong racer. Since vehicle racing started and developed earlier, there was a sense of superiority when looking at mainland drivers as "bumpkins."
On the other hand, there existed a hierarchy of disdain among professional events.
That is, drivers who have raced in formula events often considered touring car racers as mediocre, even if the latter was a national champion.
Or to put it more bluntly, only those who can’t make it in formula racing consider switching to touring car racing!
Take the example of Ma Qingye, who in later years got a glimpse of F1 and competed in touring car racing in China.
As once the top formula driver in China, he participated in F1 paddock testing and practice sessions and even signed on as a full-time driver for HRT Team for the following year.
If not for HRT Team’s funding issues, Ma Qingye might have surpassed Zhou Guanyu, becoming China’s first official F1 driver.
However, Ma Qingye’s F1 test results were extremely poor. Compared to a fellow rookie testing teammate, he was over a second slower per lap. In comparison with the lap times of the King of Cars, Schumacher, the gap expanded to an astonishing six seconds!
F1 lap times are judged by milliseconds. In qualifying, a difference of even 0.1 seconds could mean several drivers could slot in between.
A six-second lag per lap means by the end of a race, you’d be lapped by the winning driver at least three times!
Looking at this F1 level alone, most people surely think Ma Qingye is no good.
But in fact, during his formula training in Europe, Ma Qingye raced touring car events domestically to earn prize money due to a lack of funds.
Whenever he participated, it was a "dimensional reduction attack" on other drivers, sweeping the CTCC races to win the annual championship, a series formerly won by Han Han in the CCC events.
Furthermore, Ma Qingye, failing in formula racing but focusing on touring car races, went on to make history by becoming the first Chinese driver to win a championship in the highest level of touring car racing, the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship)!
This record’s value wasn’t surpassed until 22 years later when Zhou Guanyu scored points in his F1 debut and Ye Yifei won a Le Mans race.
These stories show why formula racing is called the highest temple of racing, justifying the existence of a professional disdain hierarchy.
The vast gap in skill is the foundation of the event disparity!
...
In his early years, when Chalo Quan was racing in formula events, Han Han was just a freshman at the Haizhu International Circuit, someone who had to look up to him.
Now, times have changed. Chalo Quan couldn’t make it in formula racing and has switched to touring car racing, while Han Han has steadily become the CCC national champion.
Yet, Chalo Quan still carried the superiority complex of a formula driver, combined with participating in overseas events, making him feel superior to a bunch of "domestic rookies pecking at each other"!
Facing Chalo Quan’s provocation and insult, Han Han was not the type to be meek. He nodded without much hesitation and said, "Alright, since you want to race, let me show you my current level."
PS: Thanks to the brother for the reward yesterday, and to the brothers for voting.