This takes place a little bit after this fanfiction: AHF #24
Weiss has been bugging Ryoko too let her try out her racing simulator (by bugging meaning Weiss brings it up at least once every time they meet.) Ryoko finally caves and takes Weiss (with Scharlachrot in tow) too her house too try. Since Schar did open wheel (Formula 1), Ryoko gives Weiss something totally different...
Weiss: Driving in circles Commander?
Ry: Ovals aren't circles Weiss. Math says so...
Weiss: Math isn't....
Ry: Shut up Weiss.
Weiss: *embarrassed* okay....
Ry: Now just because they "look" like circles, each drives differently. Banking angle, surface aging and turn radius are all different in some way
Weiss: okay.
Ryoko picks a track from a realistic list and sets Weiss up quickly before handing the game over too her. Ryoko stress too take it easy at first before going faster. Being who Weiss is, she does what she is told. Surprisingly Weiss keeps a steady wheel during her practice as she increases her pace. Ryoko has move her line in the corners up higher until Weiss is basically rim riding around the track.
Ry: (Well okay then.) Now for a race but instead of using the general setup, YOU make your own. Practice, Qualify and Race.
Weiss: Okay Commander.
Ry: I'll spare you a full length race and go for one fuel run plus a bit more.
Weiss starts her practice session and well it doesn't go well. Spins a lot and crashes a lot.
Weiss: Erm....... huh........ how.........
Ry: Perplexed?
Weiss: Well......
Ry: A hint?
Weiss: Sure.....
*Ryoko gives the hint but only in a whisper. And Scarlachrot can't hear it*
Schar: What did you tell her?
Ry: Something only Weiss will understand.
Schar: Ah..... what?
Whatever advice she give Weiss starts doing better but still is slow. Ryoko asks Weiss if she would like too change tracks. She agrees so she changes the track where "handling isn't as important but speed is." The track (Talladega) is very wide with a lot of room for 1 car but as Ryoko would put it "It gets more interesting when more cars are out." So Weiss waits until some cars go out and then follows them and gets an education.
Weiss: Interesting...
Ry: That is called Drafting. Or Slip stream if you aren't American. Staying behind those cars give you an advantage but so does those following you. Timing of runs is up too you.
Weiss tries passing others but it doesn't go well. However she is learning about what she can and can't do. Her practice session is over before she is fully comfortable. When it is her turn too set her spot in the field Ryoko tells Weiss that the first lap is throw away but it is important too set up her 2nd lap. She starts mid-pack.
Ry: Alright Weiss. Time for the real deal. Put the headset on, i'll turn up the force feedback and sound. You are on your own. Listen too the spotter and Crew Chief for information.
Weiss nods and she starts off on her pace laps. She sets herself a goal (unlike what Ryoko did for Scharlachrot) of just finishing the race. When green flag flies Weiss finds herself in the middle of 3 wide racing but she doesn't panic and gets out of it. With the track being so wide Weiss is able too find a line of cars and stays with them. Her patience pays off as when guys in front of her start racing she makes up spots and is in the lead draft. After a while things settle down and Weiss just rides around, though still learning about what she can do and can't do. Right before pit stops start a crash happens. Weiss pits like most of the field and after she does Ryoko goes and talks too her.
Ry: You still got a shot. Just be smart and do what you can.
Weiss nods and gets herself ready for the push too the finish. The race restarts and intensity goes up. Weiss is surprised and is shaken out of the lead pack. It takes her until roughly the end of the race until she catches back up (leading a pack of her own). The final few laps are crazy and Weiss does her best but like most races at Talladega a big crash isn't far away. Weiss gets swiped up in it and catches her by complete surprise.
Weiss: The hell!?
She tries too get the car back too the finish line but the car is killed and isn't moving.
Weiss: What happened?
Ry: Racing happened.
Weiss: I'm minding my own business then all of a sudden the wall is coming at me.
Ry: Replays will help you understand.
Everyone watches the replay. Weiss gets all that she needs and it clearly wasn't her fault.
Schar: Looks like you got clipped there.
Weiss: Yeah. Couldn't go any lower on the track...
Ry: Stuff happens. That is racing.
Weiss: Can I do more Commander?
Ry: Sure.
Ryoko sets up Weiss with a Short track (Martinsville) and surprisingly enough Weiss does very well and quickly masters the art of "using the chrome horn" and has no problem being on the receiving end. Then is road course racing, which Weiss just has simple fun with.
Weiss: With all this power and weight these cars are a handful. They move around so much.
Ry: Enjoying yourself?
Weiss: *smile* Indeed.
Ry: Still have one more test though Weiss...
Weiss: What is it Commander?
Ry: Ovals. The only way you are going too feel accomplished too do well on an Oval. Study up.
Weiss takes the night too study and watch past oval races on the internet. Petra asks why and Scharlachrot responses "Just let her be." The next day Weiss is already for her final test...
Ry: Okay here is all about the money.... fictional money. 1 Million dollars worth too winner. 2nd is big step down. But you too race your way into the big race. The set up is all you. Good luck.
Weiss sets up her car how she wants it and during practice is fast. When the race starts Weiss is near the front. She does not win but is high enough too go too the extra race. She fails here she fails period (at least too her). In the 2nd race Weiss is much more aggressive and ends up finishing 2nd. High enough too advance for a shot at the big pay day. For the final race has 4 segments, 30, 20, 20 and a final 10 lap dash too the finish. But there are eliminations for the three segments prior. Weiss makes it through the 1st segment. In the 2nd segment Weiss causes an accident, while in on purpose it is something that could have been avoid. She passes the 2nd segment. In the 3rd she decided too be more aggressive (not stupidly so). It pays off with her finishing near the front. When the final segment starts Weiss finds herself out front when a crash happens behind her. During the caution period people behind her pit while she stays out.
Ry: The hell are you doing!?
Weiss: I can hold them off.
Ry: huh?
Weiss: I can do it....
Weiss gives Ryoko a look of confidence. Ryoko grabs a headset and tells Weiss she will spot for her for the dash too the finish. On the restart Weiss gets a good jump. Lucky for her and people who pitted are racing eachother but her luck soon runs out as one escapes and begins too chase Weiss down.
Ry: One got free Weiss he is coming.
Tires difference is clear. She is quickly being caught but Weiss is driving into the corners as hard she can on the tires she has.
Ry: 2 laps left Weiss.
Weiss has been caught and the person right her back bumper. She ignores her mirror and just focuses on the road ahead.
Ry: White flag!!!
Entering Turn 1 Weiss paints the white line with the left side of her car. The car behind quickly closes up.
Ry: 1 back..... half back, quarter...…. right there!!!
The back of Weisses car steps out. With skill she steers into the slide, never lets off the gas and drives out of it. Her opponent backs off and lets her get some breathing room.
Ry: He is off ya!!! Bring it back Weiss!!!
Weiss enters the final set of corners, the person behind makes a final charge but isn't close enough and Weiss takes the checkered flag (and fictional million dollars).
Ry: Well congratulations and here is your not real million dollar check.
Schar: *smirk* Nice work Sophie.
Weiss: *smile* Well thank you.
Ry: Video games are not a good indication of talent but you got the will too win that is for sure.
Weiss shakes everyones hand and Ryoko takes them back too Rosenburg. Petra ask them what they did they just say "Learned what risks too take and when." Petra is confused but doesn't ask much more about it.
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