Chapter 3: Some Good Wood

October 12, 2020. Saturday

There were many teams that showed up to race on the track they had never raced on. Jacqui's team was wearing the name "Detroit Racing". A lot of spectators have come to the festival. John had arrived and parked his car on the other side of their pits. He got out and went in the pits. The team was a group staffed by some British blokes as techicians and Nascar guys as the pit crew. He saw Jacqueline talking to an old man. He didn't recognize him, but he approached them anyway.

"Hey Jacqui." John greeted.

"Hey John, how are you?" Jacqui greeted back.

"Good." John said.

"John meet Peter Miles." Jacqui introduced.

"Wait... Miles?" John said.

"Yep. Miles." Peter extended his hand. They shook hands.

"Sir, it's an honor." John said.

"Ah, nonsense. I've seen many talanted drivers, but you have exceeded all my expectations. When I saw you at that race in your Nissan. Looked like my father's driving a lot." Peter said.

"Wait... like you father?" John asked.

"When I saw you take that hairpin, I thought, damn this guy knew the car. You only have that experience with your Nissan, but once you get in that Shelby, you'll have to get used to that. It's a completely different car." Peter explained.

"Is it more terrifying through the corners. Because it's a chicken farmer we're talking about." John joked. Peter laughed.

"Ok, you have 6 laps. You are the last number, so you are in the last position, you have to work your way out through the competition.

All racers were now preparing to get on the track. They slowly moved out of the pits, not accelerating out of the exit. Goodwood was also being broadcasted by TV, so there were three presenters on scene, Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson.

"Hello and welcome to The Festival of Goodwood in America, where we have vintage racing and a lot of old-timey stuff. I'm Richard Hammond, this is James May and Jeremy Clarkson. To start this weekend we have arrived at the Waterford Hill Circuit." Hammond began.

"Yes, in fact we start off with the cars that were build in the 50s and 60s, muscle cars and sports cars to be exact." James May continiued.

"We have quite a collection. There are some Fords and Chevys, particularly that 2nd gen Camaro will prove to be quite the contender on the straits and is lighter than most of their competitiors and the driver Harry Freeman is a top tier class driver. I bet on that." Jeremy explained.

"I bet on that Caterham, driven by Tom Dillon, will do well because we have quite a lot of turns in here, which will give some room for high speed overtakes." James said.

"There are some newbies from the scene of street racing particularly that 1965 Mustang GT350. That car is driven by John Prescott, a famous persona in street racing. His Nissan Godzilla was especially dominant against big muscle cars. I have no idea how he got here, but if his skill is proven he will win with his eyes closed." Hammond noted.

"Hmm... Yes Hammond, but let's not forget that it has only 250hp against 500. I shall come out victorious." Jeremy proudly announced.

"But your Chevy is too heavy for the corner and that Caterham will already be at the finish line and the driver will be drinking champagne, all the while your car still will be on the first corner of the last lap." James argued.

After a smitting lap, every car accelerated off. John remembered Miles's advice. The car proved to be agile through the corners thanks to its aluminium body panels and was just as fast as the big heavy muscle cars on the straights.

"You should be able to keep up with the big boys, get ready to overtake on the corners." Jacqui said.

"Roger that." John said.

The race was already at the 2nd lap's last turn and John really put his foot down. A Ford Galaxie and a Chevy Impala were taking the first corner on the outside, and the nimble and fast Mustang overtook them from the inside and charged ahead to a Catherham Se7en and a 2nd gen Chevy Camaro. Up ahead was a right into left then again right entering a long stretch. He went behind the Camaro in the corners, who was quickly overtaken by the Caterham, but it had no chance on the straight that was coming up. After overtaking the Camaro on the outside of the last turn, he overtook the tiny Se7en and went after the rest of the competition which was already building a distance.

"John Prescott is making big steps, he is gaining up on the rest of the gang. Harry Freeman will have some serious competition on his arse" Hammond noted.

"You're doin good kid, but it'll take some laps to get to the leader." Peter said.

"Don't worry, they wont get away." John replied.

3 laps into the race and he caught up to the leading 4 cars, a Jag E-Type, Aston Martin DB3, Caterham Se7en and a 1st gen Camaro. He charged at the last 2 overtaking then on the first turn of the last lap and then he had to deal with the last two. He overtook the Caterham on the straitghts and had to deal with the Camaro. John was pushing him hard.

"There is no way that Mustang can beat my Camaro." Jeremy said.

The last turn was ahead, and the Camaro did a mistake, entering too fast in the corner, which gave John a chance to break through and he crossed the line and took podium.

"HAHA! YES! The Clarkson is not victorious!" Hammond said.

"But the camaro looks better! Even though it looks horrible" Jeremy argued.

"Yes it does, in John Prescott's rear view mirror, where it belongs! Haha!" Hammond mocked.

Jeremy and James were displeased and were looking forward to carrying physical revenge on Hammond, all the while John was being congratulated by the whole team, including Miles and Jacqui. Some racers even came to have a nice chat with him. It was a begining of a new life for John.

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