Car Racing without Money-Chapter 231 - 119: The Terrifying All-Around Driver
Hearing Chen Xiangbei’s words, Emily didn’t move, her eyes filled with admiration!
The speed and control that Xiangbei just demonstrated, not to mention the trainees in the youth training program, even the coaches who have achieved rally results, probably don’t have such skills.
"Xiangbei, why don’t you switch to being a rally driver? I think you could drive in the WRC!"
Emily threw out this sentence; Chen Xiangbei indeed gave her the feeling of a WRC-level driver.
It’s strange to say that a Formula driver still competing in lower-level races possesses skills almost at the top-level rally drivers; it’s simply too irrational, this world is crazy!
"I’ll drive Formula well for now."
Chen Xiangbei replied with a smile, and he could actually understand Emily’s idea.
In this world, many drivers are skilled in different types of racing. Take the current "DTM King" Ekstrom for example, he ran karting and junior single-seater races early on, and the results were pretty lousy.
Logically, this would belong to a driver without talent, but Ekstrom turned to touring cars and took everyone by surprise, winning the most prestigious title in touring car racing, the German DTM championship.
And he even defeated the cross-border King of Cars Schumacher twice in touring car races!
The rally talent that Chen Xiangbei just showcased unquestionably leaves an impression far above that of Formula, which is why Emily said such words.
Maybe sensing Chen Xiangbei’s lack of interest in switching, Emily replied with a tinge of regret, "Xiangbei, if you race in rally, you would definitely become a genius driver."
"Even if you don’t switch, you can practice when you’re free, maybe you can compete in this year’s ROC National Cup, and it’s on your home turf in China."
ROC National Cup?
Upon hearing this familiar term, Chen Xiangbei fell into contemplation.
The ROC National Cup, also known as the Race of Champions, invites world champion drivers of different racing types to cross over to compete in an event, fulfilling the fantasy in global fans’ minds of a battle between Guan Yu and Qin Shubao.
Just like countless fans must have fantasized about whether an F1 champion or a WRC champion is more impressive?
To get an answer is simple, just let the King of Cars Schumacher race against rally legend Loeb!
Not just four-wheel racing, but even two-wheeled motorcycles can cross over, for instance, letting a world champion of Le Mans or Indy race against the "God of Motorcycles" Rossi in a pinnacle duel.
And compared to regular "club" driving in car races, the Race of Champions is grouped by country, bringing a completely different sense of honor to drivers.
Just like comparing the championship of League of Legends S tournament with Asian Games championship in games.
In terms of technical gold content, the S tournament is definitely a bit higher, but many people want to pursue the glory of the Asian Games championship.
Additionally, the 2009 ROC National Cup was held at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Yanjing, China, which could be considered Chen Xiangbei’s home ground!
"Hopefully."
Chen Xiangbei gave an ambiguous answer.
For a driver, being able to focus on driving one car well is already very good.
The drivers crossing over in the ROC National Cup are mostly accomplished seniors, with no pressure on achievements.
Chen Xiangbei, still a newcomer in the Formula field, would find it difficult to participate in the ROC National Cup.
Faced with Chen Xiangbei’s consistently rational response, Emily also calmed down from her excited surprise, realizing that her idea was indeed somewhat naïve.
Opening the car door, the two exchanged places, and they steadily drove to the hotel entrance along the standard main road.
"Thank you."
Chen Xiangbei thanked Emily and got out of the car with the momentum of pushing the door open.
"Xiangbei, good luck in tomorrow’s race!"
Watching Chen Xiangbei’s departing figure, Emily quickly shouted.
Chen Xiangbei made an OK gesture without looking back and walked straight into the hotel entrance.
As soon as he entered the hotel lobby, Lu Xiaoman suddenly appeared out of nowhere, jumped up, hugged Chen Xiangbei’s neck, and joked playfully, "The little guy’s got some sense now, went to the Brawn GP headquarters factory and met a little blonde beauty on the side?"
But Chen Xiangbei didn’t have the energy to respond to Lu Xiaoman’s banter, her action just pressed on the muscle of his left shoulder, the discomfort made the corner of his mouth twitch.
Realizing the abnormality in Chen Xiangbei’s expression, Lu Xiaoman also put away her playful attitude and seriously asked, "Has the shoulder muscle strain relapsed?"
"Yeah, the intensity of the qualifying race was too high, and the recovery time is not enough."
In fact, muscle strain is not a big problem; any athlete is bound to encounter it a few times throughout their career.
But Chen Xiangbei doesn’t have time for proper recovery, especially with the intense confrontations in the qualifying race, and the absolute control needed for the last slipstreaming Star Circle.
Tomorrow is the main race, equivalent to continuous turning without stopping.
"Then let’s try ice packs in the rest room first."
Right now, the only way to relieve the situation is ice packs to prevent muscle swelling. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
"Okay."
Chen Xiangbei nodded, then followed Lu Xiaoman to the hotel rest room.
But when the two pushed open the door, they found Odetto already sitting inside.
"Xiangbei, I’ve received letters from Honda’s headquarters and Brawn GP Team, congratulating you on officially becoming an F1 team’s test driver."
Although Super Aguri already became the Super Dream Team, and the Honda F1 Team became the Brawn GP Team, the technical staff are still the same, the influence of the Honda faction hasn’t completely dissipated.
Even though Staler publicly announced it during the qualifying race, when Odetto received these two letters, he was still overwhelmed with emotions inside.
Nobody expected that this Chinese newcomer, Chen Xiangbei, would really reach the F1 level so quickly.
"Odetto, were you waiting here just to congratulate me?"
"Just a test driver, when I become an official driver, wouldn’t you have to come again?"
Hearing Chen Xiangbei’s joking response, the corners of Odetto’s mouth slightly upturned.
Seems like no need for psychological construction, this kid now has enough confidence in himself.
"Of course not, just a coincidence."
Odetto replied very proudly, then got up and left smoothly.
Watching Odetto’s departing figure, Chen Xiangbei also put away the smile on his face and accepted Lu Xiaoman’s therapeutic massage and ice pack.
...
Overnight, the time came to Sunday’s main race.
Unlike previous pre-race preparations, as soon as Chen Xiangbei arrived at the parking lot of Donington Park Circuit, he was surrounded by a group of fans, many holding posters and photos from who knows where, hoping to get his autograph.
Yesterday’s qualifying race’s link and breaking the track record Star Circle completely gained Chen Xiangbei external recognition.
More importantly, the announcement from Staler about the test driver directly ignited the racing circle!
After all, no matter how good the Renault-level races are, they are far less influential than an F1 team.
Chen Xiangbei becoming an F1 team’s test driver has, to some extent, already made history in China’s racing, and he will soon become the first Chinese driver to sit in an F1 cockpit.
For Chinese racing fans, those once unattainable expectations are no longer dreams, Chen Xiangbei is steadily and methodically turning them into reality, and they must support and witness the birth of this miracle!
