As the country's "first major racing competition", the event had a dramatic launch but a quiet and unremarkable conclusion. Naturally, this result didn't sit well with everyone. In the wake of the race, certain media outlets, encouraged by behind-the-scenes influencers, went into overdrive. They exaggerated, fabricated, and sensationalized everything—putting their bad habits as domestic media on full display.
What had initially been "just another race" suddenly escalated into a national drama tied to the country's pride and honor. Absurd, right?
Of course, the public ate it up. Under the barrage of sensationalist headlines, people across the nation were clamoring to know the outcome.
Amidst the chaos, a previously unheard-of television network emerged at just the right moment: Racing Satellite TV. Subtly backed by China's General Administration of Sport, the network quickly became a household name. Not because the administration's promotion was particularly skillful, but because the channel's owner was none other than the Oriental Group—the very organization that had recently declared its ambition to host a national racing league.
Racing fans were thrilled. Many who'd feared the league wouldn't materialize could now breathe easy. After all, if a powerhouse like the Oriental Group was willing to invest in something as "unprofitable" as television broadcasting, the league was practically guaranteed.
The first bombshell dropped by Racing Satellite TV was the airing of one of the most talked-about races of the year: Zero Four Racing: Wind God vs. Koizumi Junichiro. This was followed by the Bashan Mountain Duel: Wind God vs. Yamamoto, Koizumi Junichiro, and Shinoda Kenrei.
Notably, during the Bashan Mountain Duel broadcast, Koizumi and Kenrei's names weren't shown on-screen. But the audience wasn't fooled—Koizumi's car had already made a prior appearance, and its distinctive look was hard to miss. The real mystery for viewers was Kenrei, who hadn't been mentioned before.
As the race unfolded on-screen, the channel's ratings skyrocketed, reaching a peak of 34.69%—an astronomical figure.
The final moments of the race left the commentator in shock. "This… this can't be real!" Despite some post-production effects added for clarity, the race footage left audiences stunned. It wasn't just a race—it was a spectacle rivaling a Hollywood blockbuster.
The commentator's tone shifted to somber reflection:
"Viewers, I'm sure you're just as shocked as I am. But according to the production team, this footage is authentic. As amazed as I am, I can't help but feel disheartened. Is this the world of racing we love? When a competitor loses, they resort to conspiracies and deliberate collisions? If this is the future of the sport, who would dare step onto the racetrack?
"Take Wind God, for example. He's the most promising young racer I've ever seen. No coach, entirely self-taught, and only 19 years old. Yet this talented youth now lies comatose in a hospital, reduced to a vegetative state. One race destroyed his entire future. Who's to blame for this?"
"Blame me… it's all my fault!"
A heart-wrenching cry echoed from a teacher's dormitory at Chongqing University. The anguish in that voice was enough to move anyone to tears.
"Mr. Liu, please, don't do this," Chen Rong said, trembling as she hugged Liu Tang tightly. "Zhuifeng… he's just in a coma. You're a teacher. You can't let yourself fall apart like this. Look, there's an opening for professional development in N City—why don't you take it? Maybe… maybe leaving this place will help you heal."
Liu Tang stared at the television with bloodshot eyes, his hands tightly clenched. After a long silence, he nodded slightly. Despite his sorrow and guilt, he knew he couldn't stay in a city so full of memories of Zhuifeng. If he did, he would eventually lose his mind.
The commentator's voice continued:
"This situation highlights just how timely the Oriental Group's proposal is. Our racing industry desperately needs standardized, professional competition. If things continue as they have, I won't say it's impossible for Chinese racing to reach the global stage, but it'll take at least another ten years. Ten years! How many decades do we have in a lifetime?
"To all racing enthusiasts: stop risking your lives for the thrill. Stop the unnecessary bloodshed. Yes, motorsport is an extreme sport, and accidents are inevitable, but wouldn't it be better if those accidents didn't involve innocent lives?"
The commentator's tone shifted to excitement. "Thankfully, the Oriental Group has given us a platform—the Nuwa Cup International Racing League. This league will adhere strictly to international racing standards, ensuring there will be no needless injuries or deaths. If you love racing, if you own a standard racing car, and if you pass the health requirements, then the doors of the Nuwa Cup are open to you. Registration officially begins at midnight tonight."
This announcement marked Racing Satellite TV's second bombshell. Almost immediately, advertisements for the Nuwa Cup International Racing League flooded every channel across the country.
It wasn't surprising that the Oriental Group's racing channel would air ads for its own event. What was shocking was the sheer scope of their campaign. Every network—whether local, satellite, or cable—aired the exact same ad simultaneously.
No matter which channel you tuned into, it was the same message: the Nuwa Cup was coming. It was inescapable.
This bold move left the public in awe, both of the Oriental Group's deep pockets and its extensive political connections. Securing ad time on local networks was one thing, but how had they managed to dominate multiple channels on state-run television? That wasn't something money alone could buy.
As news of the Nuwa Cup spread, coverage of Zhuifeng faded into obscurity, buried under the weight of the Oriental Group's announcements.
On May 1, 2006, during China's Labor Day holiday, the Nuwa Cup International Racing League officially began at the newly constructed Oriental International Circuit in Beijing. The event kicked off with a speech from an exhausted-looking woman, marking the start of what would become one of the most talked-about events of the year.
Although it was called the "International Racing League," not a single foreign racer participated. It wasn't due to a lack of applicants—on the contrary, the number of foreign registrants nearly matched that of domestic drivers. However, the Oriental Group rejected all foreign applicants with various excuses.
The first Nuwa Cup concluded on December 1, 2006, seven months after it began. The champions received their trophies from the General Administration of Sport's director, and the event wrapped up smoothly.
The league's professionalism, rigorous organization, and impressive execution quickly won over the public. Compared to the dismal state of other sports like football and basketball, the Nuwa Cup was a breath of fresh air. Fans eagerly anticipated the second season.
But there was a lingering concern: Could the Nuwa Cup continue?
An economist's analysis revealed that the Oriental Group had lost a staggering 5.6 billion yuan in its first year of hosting the event. While over 3 billion yuan had gone toward building racetracks and other infrastructure, the group still faced a direct loss of over 2 billion yuan.
Would the Oriental Group continue with such a money-losing venture?
The company remained silent, issuing no press releases to address the speculation. The public was left guessing.
Finally, on March 1, 2007, relief came. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Racing Satellite TV, the Oriental Group announced that registration for the second Nuwa Cup would open that month. This time, the league truly lived up to its "international" title, inviting racers from around the globe.
On May 1, 2007, the Nuwa Cup roared back to life. Once again, the event concluded on December 1, with champions crowned and celebrations held.
But the Oriental Group also announced a one-year hiatus for the league, with plans to resume in 2009. The decision was met with widespread support, as it aligned with China's preparations to host the 2008 Olympics. Fans promised to return in 2009, ready to support the Nuwa Cup once more.