"We've gone through the proper procedures...", I begin.
"I know", she immediately cuts me off. "Whatever. Do as you please. Next week's car is ready for you to thrash around and die in if you're eager".
Instincts beget asking, "What is it?" But it's only as the words were leaving my mouth did I remember her unhelpfulness with car descriptions.
"See for yourself next door. It arrived from your residence when you were splashing about out there risking millions of dollars. The engineers are prepping it as we speak."
As I rounded the pit divider wall, I was greeted by an all too familiar sight. Familiar not only because it was a shape I've seen ever since I was a kid in all its jagged polygon glory of the PS1 days, but familiar also because I've raced this exact car here before. In fact, it's mine. Bathed in Championship White paint, with portions of exposed carbon fibre outside and in that would make a painted Pagani sit up and take notice, it has few decals on it to pay tribute to the RA272. No one else could design a car to look as boring as me and yet be so proud of it at the same time. But, with a car as naturally beautiful as the NA NSX, I think it speaks for itself without a livery. It's like a girl that's just naturally beautiful, no need for makeup, no need for flashy clothes. I love it for that.
"My baby... what... why- How?", I voice out my confusion as my brain fails to process anything.
"As I've said, it's this week's car. It just arrived from your residence."
"Yeah, but how did you-"
"You didn't read the fine print when signing up for COTW, did you?"
"...fine print? There was fine print?"
"We have access to your house and all the cars you own."
"WHAT?"
"Seeing as this is your car, you're free to do what you will with it."
As if it wasn't already clear from this being my car, I love this car to bits. I think it's one of the best sounding, best looking race cars I've ever had the opportunity to drive in the last 2 or so years. Though, being totally spent from my previous stint, I elected not to take it out into the rain just yet.
"That's quite surprising. I hear you're quite fond of this car", Esther remarks.
"Ahh, you read the review in my résumé?"
"It's my job to, yes."
"What do you think of the car?"
"It's fine."
......
"Can I sit in it?", Esther suddenly breaks the awkward silence in the garage with more awkwardness.
"Uh... sure...?", my words fumbled out my mouth before I could think in bewilderment.
"Thank you."
"There's no seat on that side."
I walked up to the right side door and slot my still gloved hand into the horizontal cubby hole to lift the latch. The door of the NSX opened with the immediacy, familiarity, and muffled clacking of an old, problematic joint cracking in an old man's body. Missing a road car's mechanisms in its joints to hold an open door in place, the ultra lightweight, carbon side door topped with perforated resin windows would flop about aimlessly without me holding it in place for Esther as she gingerly twists herself into a pretzel getting into the GT500 machine. The seat had to be swept clean of the TAKATA restraints before she could sit on the raked side of the bucket seat, slide backwards into the seat itself, and then her closed legs rotated into the footwell. She drapes the harnesses over herself, but with a bandage skirt, there was no securing the crotch belt of the 5 point system.
"Tell me about this car", she continues, as though oblivious to the awkwardness that's almost gassing me.
"I thought you read the review."
"I don't remember the details."
"Uhm... well... this is a replica of the NSX that Nakajima Racing, sponsored by Epson, competed with in Super GT in GT500 class back in 2008. Mechanically identical to that car in fact, since Gran Turismo organisers are spitefully strict with what you can or cannot modify on the car. Even though this car is useless in their nonsensical 'Group 2' category of GT, I keep it compliant for reference purposes. That means I don't even get to fix the constantly flickering rear camera screen, or even bring it closer to the driver side. Or the tachometer that's reading a whole thousand revs higher than what the engine is actually doing. You can even see the original number of the car on the 'passenger' side of the car: Number 32. There's a lot wrong with this car I wish I could fix."
Esther's eyes follow my description of the car as I point out the interior flaws in the not yet started car, not saying a word.
"I miss when GT500 cars were actually based on the production models, though. Starting in, what was it, 2014? All GT500 cars were made identical under the skin, with only their exterior differing between the competing manufacturers and teams; what they call 'silhouette cars'. That's just so lame to me. Saps all meaning from the racing, and the wins and losses for me. This 2008 car, doesn't just resemble an NSX; it IS an NSX. It sounds very close to the road going Type R I have at home, has the same colour, shares a few strengths and weaknesses. The cars it competed with were different from it, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. As a spectator sport, that's just so much more fulfilling to watch; you could see, hear, bits and pieces of your car, and even those of your friends', on the racetrack. There was an emotional stake to it. You could relate to what was happening on the screen. This is a dinosaur, granddad of a car, this. Not only because of the racing regulations that changed, but also because Honda doesn't make brilliant sports cars like this anymore. I especially love the roof snorkel of this thing, I don't know why. It just gets me. The fact that Honda had to sell 5 NSX-R GTs just so these race cars could have them is just SUPER cool to me!"
Before I knew it, I was already rambling on and on about the car, oblivious to whether someone was actually listening or not. Maybe this is why I have so few friends.
"It's insane; back then, GT500 cars actually made around 500PS of power; this one makes 517, though, looking at the power curves, I'm sure this thing could've made slightly more than that. Nowadays even GT3 cars are making around 600PS, and GT500 cars aren't far off. Though, honestly, the chassis is just about tearing itself apart with 517PS. It'd take a madman to think it should have more power. But, lo and behold, the committee at Gran Turismo championships decided to bump it up to 122% at one point to get it to 'compete' with the 2016 cars. I don't even know how I survived racing this thing, to be entirely honest with you."
Esther grabs the shoulder straps laid over her, as she looked for a moment to get out of the car, but was effectively immobolised by both her formal wear and the deep seats. "W-why would you race such a dangerous car?"
"I love it. This car is fucking magic, I tell you. There was a time when I was really down, when I had a lot of doubts about my ability as a racing driver. Racing was becoming super dry at best and frustrating at worst. I still quit formal racing anyway, but had it not been for a drive in this car, I might've quit more than that. It pries a smile from me each and every time I drive it. I ADORE the sound this thing makes. I love how stupid fast you can corner in this thing with its aero. It has a lot of character, this car. As a race car, it's of course fast and planted, but it also has a nasty side that keeps you on your toes and makes sure you never fall into complacency. It's such a unique blend of reliability and suspense nothing else has given me. It makes even the nimblest of GT3 cars feel like understeery pigs. It really spoils you with how it drives. I love that the sequential shifter on this is a stick shift. Really makes you feel like you're grabbing more speed towards you when accelerating, and pushing speed away from you when you brake. And the SOUND when you downshift... oohh... I love the fact that it's right hand drive too. Makes it feel that much closer to home for me."
"Is this the 'shifter?'"
"Yeah."
"Can I try pulling it?"
"Go ahead. It's not on."
She pushes and pulls the bare carbon knobbed sequential shifter a few times gingerly, yet even with such gentle and indecisive movements, the stick clicks with conviction at the same point each and every time. It also gave me the time to really admire the exposed linkages, cables, and mechanisms linked to the shifter, as it's not something I've ever thought to look at.
"I might never understand you guys", she says in what sounds like a downtrodden tone.
"That's fine."
"Even though I'm an editor for the automotive press?"
"This is a stupid sport, really."
"I see."
*********************************************
The next day was just as wet and gloomy as the last, but that just conveniently means that I get to compare my NSX against the Zonda R more directly. Only one model year separates the two, and both are non street legal track toys (in my hands, anyway). The Honda doesn't even have three quarters of the power of the Zonda, but it has the braking performance and the aero that I wanted out of the R, not to mention a suspension setup that actually involves springs rather than what felt like solid bricks (of bare carbon fibre) that was fitted on the R.
Even on my warm-up lap, it was immediately clear to me that the NSX is a much easier car to drive in the wet. I think even my first flying lap was already faster than my fastest ever in a R. When it was all said and done, my fastest lap in the dinosaur car was a 2:38.799, more than NINE SECONDS faster than the Zonda. I know my run in the Zonda wasn't the cleanest, but NINE SECONDS is a lifetime in the world of motorsports.
However, even though it's faster and easier to drive fast, the NSX is every bit as dangerous to drive as the Zonda, if not more. While the Zonda is scary because everything has only a hair width's margin, requiring your immediate and precise controls, the NSX with its weak chassis is liable to simply give up on you mid corner, entry or exit, even in the wet. It especially despises road imperfections and having its balance upset, such as rumble strips, for example. It's a car you never want to tilt too much mid corner, as the car seemingly breaks into two unrelated, not communicating halves, or even four quarters, the moment its balance is upset and too much force goes through the body. And when it happens, there is very little, if anything you can do from the driver seat to correct the car. In the Zonda, the only component that can fail is the driver. In the NSX, it's both car and driver. And the fact that the NSX is easier to drive in spite of that I think speaks volumes to the capabilities of a GT500 machine, and the purity, the unforgiving, beautiful nature of the Zonda R.
Maybe in the dry, the Zonda's power would overwhelm the GT500 machine at a high speed track like Spa. But, circumstances presenting, that's a test that would have to wait for another day, at best.
*********************************************
Kyotou
MustangLover2015 was giving me grief nearly the whole race!
Meanwhile, Vic be chillin' behind us both, popcorn in one hand while getting used to the car...
Yamagiwa, with its long, sweeping, fifth gear corners, is an exhilarating test for high downforce cars, but a nightmare to follow others round in. This furthers my opinion that these cars are awful to race with, but are amazing to drive on their own.
Get him offa me, Vic! (...wait, do I really want Vic hounding me instead?)
Fuji
HOLY WOW I didn't save the replay for the Fuji race... Vic was in a really amusing split livery GT-R 2016, with handicaps to power and mass to match our NSXes. As Vic himself noted, the car was not competitive like that, even if it's currently the go-to for Gr. 2, and the 2008 NSX, the worst in the class.
Suzuka
"STOP BOTHERING ME MUSTANG!" - Me
"YOU GET OUT OF THE WAY THEN!" - MustangLover2015
"Go back to your retirement home, OLD MAN!" - MustangLover2015 (citation needed)
A very strikingly pleasing livery rocked by Nismo. There are so many iconic GT500 NSX liveries, and it's always such a joy to see a replica. I know nostalgia pandering makes me sick, but I can't help but to be a sucker for nostalgia all the same.
Racer in a standard livery car to supply some contrast!
A stranger showed up in a Mobil 1 NSX. As difficult as it is for me to pick a colour for the road car, I'm almost willing to say that GT500 NSXes wear white best, even though the overly powerful sun in these noon settings make white cars EXPLODE on film. Also, those are some SICKENINGLY convincing side intakes!
Seaside
Vic ran away with this one again, so enjoy the, what, two photos of him actually in the company of the rest of us before he sped off into the sunset.
Still, the race at Seaside I think was the most fun one for me, as it came down to a 3 way duel for third between me, Nismo, and Mustang! Nismo swiftly NOPE-d out of the 2008 NSX and got right in the 2016 NSX, similarly handicapped in power and mass to match our 2008 NSXes.
"You gave me quite a scare! You were 0.9 seconds behind one moment and RIGHT THERE the next!"
While we were squabbling (without contact!) at the first chicane of Seaside...
A wild Mustang appeared!
Don't forget where that livery came from, you fat disgrace to our family's honour!
Mustang is taking no prisoners that day! He's going right for Nismo!
Red Bull Ring
Working the stick sequential on a pass!
Rob spreading the wisdom every week.
Meanwhile, on the end of lap 2...
Yeap, this thing is an inconsolable beast at this stage. The car makes you THINK it's not beyond saving, but it is.
For all my experience in this car, this still happens to me. God I'm stupid and slow.
Final Lap, Turn 1...
Vic: You're next, Pickle Rick! You *bleep*!
Pickle: You *bleep*...! Vic!
Vic: Ho ho, you're approaching me? Instead of running away, you're approaching this Vic you see before you?! Even your grandfather, who told you the secret of my -REDACTED-
Pickle: If I don't get close to you, I won't be able to overtake you.
Vic: Ho ho! Then come as close as is necessary...
Pickle: ORA ORA ORA ORA!
Useless Useless Useless Useless!
Pickle had gotten quite proficient at taming the NSX in the 4 races prior, but ultimately, it wasn't enough to hold off Vic. It was still really impressive to see just how much he improved as the races piled on, though. Usually, I taper off instead of getting better, eheh.
*********************************************
I had a surprise visitor: Esther. She popped by in a casual white dress to check in on me. It's rare to see her in casual wear, for once.
"How's your hand?"
"I'll live, but the review's going to have to wait."
"About that..."
"Yeah?"
"Have your opinions on the car changed?"
"Nope."
"Even though it put you in a hospital?"
"Yeah."
"But why?"
"You can love something even if it's flawed, you know? Does it make me a bad person?"
There was a long, excruciating silence as she looked at me dead on, almost with anger, almost with sadness. I couldn't quite make out what it was.
"...no", was her final reply.
"You're all the same", she follows up with, looking away.
It was my turn to look at her quizzically.
"Never mind. Anyway, I come bearing a message from Nismo. He says, 'One sided relationships don't work out'"
"...thanks. I know."
"Then get it together."
Is there really any value in a racing car that doesn't win? Or a racing driver that doesn't win?
Editor's note #1: So much for not writing stories again.
Editor's note #2: Technically he died at Seaside Lap 1, but canonically it'd make more sense if he died only at the last race.
No comments:
Post a Comment