Ethan returned the notebook, casually flipping to a page before saying to Ethan, "Since you've spent the whole night memorizing these rules, let's begin the assessment now."
"What are the differences in car setups under different weather conditions?"
This question wasn't difficult for Ethan. He vividly remembered it from the notebook's first few pages, where there was a diagram of the wing angle to explain it. He was puzzled when he saw the name "Ayrton" written beneath the diagram.
"In dry weather, the ground clearance is about 10 millimeters, the wing angles are smaller, the suspension is set harder, tire pressure is higher, and large-sized brake ducts are used to improve cooling. In wet weather, the ground clearance is higher, the wing angles are larger, the suspension is softer, rain tires are used, and smaller brake ducts are installed." Ethan answered more fluently.
Ayrton and Aria listened to his recitation, and they couldn't help but acknowledge Ethan's extraordinary memory. It was truly remarkable that someone who had never been exposed to racing could memorize all this in just one night. Ayrton, however, didn't offer any praise, maintaining his stern demeanor as he proceeded to the next question. His face was impassive, but the way his eyes scrutinized Ethan suggested a mixture of surprise and reluctant admiration.
"So, what is ground effect?"
Recalling his memorized knowledge, Ethan replied calmly, "Ground effect refers to the phenomenon where airflow passes through the car's underbody tunnels, effectively 'gluing' the car to the ground. This significantly reduces the difficulty of following other cars, making overtaking easier. It creates a suction effect that allows cars to take corners faster. It was banned for a period due to complex operational issues and hasn't been seen much since."
Ayrton paused slightly after hearing Ethan's answer. Ethan's words brought back many memories. He looked momentarily lost in thought, his stern facade slipping just a bit as nostalgia flickered in his eyes. After a moment, he continued to question Ethan.
Ayrton nodded, then posed a more complex question: "What is the '90-second knockout' rule?"
Ethan had a vivid impression of this question because he had seen such a scenario in a race two days ago. He answered, "'The 90-second knockout' qualifying rule is divided into three stages. Each stage sees a certain number of cars eliminated until only the fastest cars remain. The first stage lasts 16 minutes, with eliminations starting after 7 minutes, eliminating the slowest car every 90 seconds until 15 cars remain. The second stage lasts 15 minutes, with eliminations starting after 6 minutes, eliminating the slowest car every 90 seconds until 8 cars remain. The third stage lasts 14 minutes, with eliminations starting after 5 minutes, eliminating the slowest car every 90 seconds until 2 cars remain, ultimately determining the champion."
Aria was stunned by Ethan's response. These questions were just randomly picked by Ayrton, and Ethan's answers showed his impressive retention. Her eyes widened in astonishment, and she glanced at Ayrton, expecting some acknowledgment from him. Even Ayrton silently acknowledged Ethan's talent, thinking, "Such a genius racer is rare to find. This notebook took me a month to memorize, and he did it in one night." Ayrton, coming back to his senses, prepared to ask Ethan the final question. His admiration was carefully hidden behind his usual stern expression, but it was there nonetheless.
"In racing, is collision and overtaking the safety car allowed?"
Ethan thought this question was too simple and answered without hesitation, "No, it is not allowed. Any deliberate collision is a serious violation of race rules, and drivers will be severely penalized, including time penalties, drive-through penalties, or even disqualification. During safety car periods, all cars must maintain formation and cannot overtake until the safety car leaves the track."
"Wrong. In NASCAR, there is a rule that allows reasonable contact between cars, even with the safety car. NASCAR's safety car can be nudged by racers if they feel it's too slow, urging it to speed up," Ayrton said calmly and firmly. His voice carried the authority of someone who had lived and breathed the sport for decades.
Ethan was shocked by Ayrton's words. The idea of permissible collisions meant they could push each other off the track, making the rules seem devilish. However, he understood that the upcoming NASCAR race would be a true battle against death, a fight for survival on the track. He felt a chill run down his spine as he realized the brutal reality of the race he was about to face.
After the morning assessment, Ayrton stood up, intending to take Ethan to an auto repair shop in the suburbs called Masada. There, they would meet his old friend Chandler, a seasoned mechanic. More importantly, Chandler was a master at car modifications, capable of turning an ordinary race car into a top-tier machine. Fifteen years ago, Chandler had been a racer himself. However, after winning a race against the mafia boss Manvis and taking first place, he was targeted by the mafia. They kidnapped Chandler's daughter as a hostage, demanding a meeting. During that encounter, Chandler lost a finger and was warned never to set foot in the racing world again. Since then, he had lived incognito, repairing cars in the outskirts.
Ethan and Ayrton drove a long way to this repair shop. The area became increasingly desolate, with the ground turning to sandy soil that kicked up dust, making Ethan cover his nose and mouth. The car finally stopped at the Masada repair shop. Ethan noticed the surrounding landscape was stark and barren, with only a few scattered bushes and trees breaking the monotony of the sandy expanse.
The repair shop's sign was still dilapidated, and the gate was stained with paint and gasoline. Inside, a man in overalls was scrubbing a mini car with a brush, the sound of cleaning echoing in the empty space. The man had a buzz cut and his skin looked dry, but when he picked up the brush, Ethan noticed his middle finger was missing. The building itself seemed to be a relic of a bygone era, with rusty metal parts and old tires scattered around, giving it an almost nostalgic charm.
This man was Chandler, the genius mechanic.