Car Racing without Money-Chapter 466 - 185: F1 Bahrain Season Opener (Part 2)

Chapter 466: Chapter 185: F1 Bahrain Season Opener (Part 2)

If there’s any racing event in the world that can abandon all monetary interests and the darkness of paddock politics, it must be the Isle of Man TT.

The reason is simple: unlike other motorsports, the Isle of Man TT had no prize money in its early years; the riders participated at their own expense.

The sole purpose of coming to the Isle of Man was to use their lives to pursue the glory of being a "knight."

Many riders regard the Isle of Man as the final battle of their careers because once they get on the TT track, their lives are handed over to God.

In the history of the Isle of Man TT, nearly three hundred riders have perished on the track, not to mention the countless numbers of spectators, staff, severely injured, and disabled.

It’s purely a choice between life and glory, with nothing to do with money and interests.

When you choose to challenge for glory, it’s equivalent to putting your life aside.

Even though Chen Xiangbei is an F1 driver, he has to admit that the Isle of Man TT is like the last piece of pure land in the racing world.

Preferring to crash into pieces rather than slowing down might just be the best portrayal of the Isle of Man TT riders!

"Xiangbei, after watching the Isle of Man TT, I truly understood your love and learning for racing."

"Speed is the romance belonging to the drivers."

Looking at the infatuated expression on Zhou Yanjing’s face, Chen Xiangbei just smiled.

This kid’s state is just like his own back in the day, able to stand in front of an F1 poster and stare at it for half a day.

There’s still a chasm between passion and profession, and it’s hard to break through.

Often, the most painful thing in life is turning a hobby into a profession.

"Xiangbei, hop on, I’ll take you for a spin and show you my driving skills."

With that, Zhou Yanjing tossed a helmet over to Chen Xiangbei.

"Sure."

Taking the helmet, Chen Xiangbei hopped onto the back seat of the motorcycle.

To be honest, this feeling was quite peculiar to him. He never thought one day it would be Zhou Yanjing taking him for a "spin."

As the engine roared to life, the motorcycle sped down the streets of "Racing Valley."

There wasn’t much speed or passion, just a normal ride; the nature instilled within is hard to change in a short time, and Zhou Yanjing was still very much that young boy.

"Xiangbei, Wang Yidong didn’t get through his study abroad application and can only attend university at home. But he said he would find a way to apply as an exchange student and come to the United Kingdom to reunite with us."

"No wonder I haven’t received a call from him; I bet that fatso’s too ashamed to show his face."

Chen Xiangbei chuckled as he teased him, though he had already anticipated this.

Wang Fatty’s grades made it hard to even get into a domestic university, let alone apply for a prestigious university in the United Kingdom’s motorsport engineering programs.

Still, getting into a university exceeded expectations; it was at least better than the joke of him washing cars.

"He said he’d contact us when he arrived in the United Kingdom to give you a surprise."

"A surprise? More like a fright."

The two rode and chatted about friends and the past.

Since coming to the United Kingdom to participate in professional races, Chen Xiangbei hadn’t been this relaxed in a long time.

"Xiangbei, there’s one more thing. My university tutor knew I was your classmate and introduced me to a racing designer. Can you guess who it is?"

"Can’t guess."

Chen Xiangbei shook his head; with ten or so F1 teams, that means at least ten top racing designers emerge every year. How could he just randomly guess?

"Ferrari’s legendary designer Rory Byrne; he and my tutor were classmates in South Africa."

Other names might be inconsequential to Chen Xiangbei, but when Rory Byrne’s name came up, a look of surprise spread across his face.

There’s a famous saying in the realm of F1: "To win is to get Newey."

In fact, before Newey created two Red Bull Dynasties, there was another designer who could match him, or even surpass him slightly; he was Rory Byrne, the designer of a total of seven champion cars for Benetton and Ferrari!

It’s well known that during the time Ferrari established its Prancing Horse dynasty, Ross Brown held the position of design director.

Actually, Ross Brown at that time was more inclined towards management, while the real chief designer working head-to-head with Newey was Byrne.

His joining could be said to have saved Ferrari, ending a twenty-year championship drought, and he was hailed as the ace horse trainer of the red Prancing Horse.

However, due to health reasons, Byrne announced his retirement in 2006, marking the end of a legendary designer’s era, leaving Newey with no competitors and paving the way for the Red Bull Dynasties of Vettel and Verstappen.

Chen Xiangbei truly hadn’t expected that Zhou Yanjing could have a connection with Byrne.

"Byrne is amazing at designing cars. You should find a way to get closer, and maybe learn from him."

"Yes, I know. He’s a legend."

Zhou Yanjing nodded; Byrne’s story is well-known in the racing world, as was the invincible Ferrari champion car "Marching Horses" that he designed.

The tutor’s introduction to Byrne was with the hope of learning something about racing design from this legendary designer.

After all, Zhou Yanjing’s major was aerospace engineering, which differs somewhat from racing engineering.

The motorcycle circled around Racing Valley and returned to the entrance of the Lifield Technology Center.

Chen Xiangbei removed his helmet and said, "Zhou Yanjing, let me show you around the HRT Team headquarters."

"Sure."