Car Racing without Money-Chapter 425 - 172: Driven to Madness in the "Bird’s Nest
Celebration!
The entire Bird’s Nest Stadium with 80,000 spectators has erupted into a complete celebration!
Having never won a world championship, and securing a spot as the host nation underdog, they were considered the weakest national team in ROC history.
Yet they managed to defeat powerful racing nations like the main British team and Australia, securing a spot in Group A with two victories, and now they will face the Group B team in the semifinals.
However, compared to Group A, which includes the relatively weaker Australian motorcycle riders, Group B represents the true pinnacle of racing, with the German and French teams being formidable opponents like ultimate bosses.
No matter whom they face, the chances for Chen Xiangbei and Han Han might be close to zero!
But that no longer matters; reaching the semifinals has already exceeded pre-race expectations.
The initial expectation of the spectators was merely to win a small match!
"Teacher Sha, it’s been so long since we’ve seen such an exhilarating scene, Chen Xiangbei has really let the domestic audience and fans experience the true essence of speed and excitement."
Li Bing, facing the overwhelming atmosphere of 80,000 spectators, spoke with immense emotion.
In China, professional racing events truly began with international interactions following the first "Hong Kong-Beijing Rally" in 1985.
As for the budding of the Formula racing field, that came only after 2000.
In most instances, the scenes of domestic racers competing against foreign experts have often been reminiscent of being overwhelmed in various ways.
At events of the caliber of the ROC National Cup, even the thought of winning seemed out of reach.
Chen Xiangbei not only won but also won beautifully!
"Indeed, this scene is reminiscent of last year’s Olympic Games."
"The appearance of Chen Xiangbei is like fireworks lighting up the night sky, igniting the entire Bird’s Nest National Stadium!"
Sha Tong chimed in, completely awed by Chen Xiangbei’s performance.
This young man managed not only to challenge the strong but also to defeat them, leading the China team to the semifinals single-handedly.
"Teacher Li, with the semifinals draw up next, do you think we can continue to push forward?"
With high expectations, Sha Tong asked Li Bing.
Compared to himself as a CCTV reporter and host, Li Bing, being a full-time racing commentator, naturally had more accurate judgment.
Previously, he dared not imagine China winning.
But now, excitedly fueled by passion, Sha Tong harbors "wild" dreams.
He wants to witness another miracle!
"Very difficult."
Li Bing remained level-headed, noting that the French team includes the nine-time rally champion Loeb and last year’s touring car world champion Mueller.
And although Loeb is a rally champion, he has also participated in F1 test driving in recent years, meaning Chen Xiangbei can’t use the "cross-border" tactic to capitalize on his strengths against their weaknesses.
The German team is even more daunting, having been the reigning champions for the past two years, with legends like Schumacher making them invincible.
Additionally, the semifinals format has changed, with victory now requiring the combined total times of both drivers.
This means Chen Xiangbei and Han Han’s combined lap times must be less than that of the German or French teams to win, removing the possibility of relying on individual effort to single-handedly dominate the event.
The ROC National Cup has this system in place, in part, to prevent scenarios where a teammate drags down the team.
After all, sometimes one peak racing god alone cannot conquer!
Upon hearing Li Bing’s candid response, Sha Tong’s hot-headed emotions cooled slightly.
He nodded in agreement and said, "Indeed, it’s very difficult, but I choose to believe in miracles."
That’s right, Chen Xiangbei has already created one miracle; who’s to say a second can’t be born?
After a brief intermission, the ROC National Cup held the semifinals draw ceremony.
This time, Han Han represented the China team on stage for the draw, and as soon as he saw the colors of the flag on the "Poland ball," his expression turned serious—they had drawn the German team!
Being the defending champions and the strongest national team with King of Cars Schumacher, it was practically like a death sentence for any team they faced.
Even if they could leverage the "cross-border" advantage and somehow defeat Schumacher or one of the German team’s drivers.
They still could not rely on overall performance to defeat the entire German team.
Because the name of the other driver is Sebastian Vettel!
No other country could simultaneously field such an intimidating lineup as the combination of an F1 seven-time champion and a four-time champion.
Even the strongest British team couldn’t achieve this.
"Xiangbei, surely we can’t just say it’s a good result this time, can we?"
After getting off the stage, Han Han said with a wry smile.
"Why not? It is indeed quite good."
"Facing the strongest German team, how can it be good?"
This time, it’s not Han Han being "defeated before the battle," he truly can’t see anything good about it.
"Would we definitely win if we drew the French team?"
Chen Xiangbei did not answer directly but asked in return.
Hearing this question, Han Han was slightly stunned, unsure how to respond.
It does seem that there isn’t much difference, as facing either of these two teams meant slim chances for both himself and Chen Xiangbei.
"In that case, drawing the German team at least allows us to compete alongside the King of Cars."
It was then that Chen Xiangbei gave his reasoning, his tone filled with aspiration.
For any professional racer, Senna and Schumacher are unavoidable icons in the racing world.
