Elton brought the car to a stop on a vast, open area. He seemed familiar with this place, as if he had been here many times before. Ethan also stepped out of the car, his eyes tracing the rugged mountain road, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over him. This was nothing like the simulator he had practiced with; the reality was far more daunting.
The first turn on the track was a gentle left curve. It wasn't particularly sharp, almost as if it was giving the drivers a warm-up, a moment to prepare for the increasingly complex challenges that lay ahead. As the car moved into the second turn, a right-hand curve appeared. Here, the driver needed to react instantly, swiftly adjusting the steering wheel to maintain the car's balance. The road began to narrow, with rocky cliffs almost brushing against the side of the car, creating a suffocating sense of tension, as if the mountain walls could swallow the car whole at any moment.
When they reached the third turn, the curve became even sharper, requiring a near-immediate, rapid turning maneuver. The sound of the tires gripping the asphalt echoed in the air, a constant reminder of the thin line between control and catastrophe. Every turn demanded precise execution, for even the slightest mistake could send the car careening off the track, plunging into the abyss below. As the altitude increased, so did the complexity of the turns. The seventh and eighth turns were tightly connected, forming an "S" shape, a double bend that required not just skill but also a cool head.
"This is just the practice track," Elton said seriously as he stood nearby, "The actual racecourse is much more complex than this."
"Ethan, you know we're on a tight schedule, so you don't have much time to get used to this." Elton's expression was focused as he stood at the edge of the track.
His voice was firm, filled with the wisdom that comes from countless hours on the track. "Now, I'm going to explain some of the most crucial racing knowledge. You need to listen carefully and remember everything I say."
"First, let's talk about the start," Elton said as he sat in the passenger seat, guiding and watching over Ethan. "At the start, you need to quickly bring the engine revs into the optimal range, then release the brake and swiftly press down on the accelerator. But the most critical aspect is managing traction. If the wheels spin, you'll lose precious acceleration. You need to find the balance within the limits, keeping the wheels tightly gripping the ground, so you can reach top speed in the shortest possible time."
Elton was like a calming presence for Ethan, just sitting there in the passenger seat was enough to give Ethan a significant boost of confidence.
Elton motioned for Ethan to press down the clutch as he continued explaining, "When starting, you must release the clutch slowly. You need to find the bite point, which is the moment the car begins to gain some preparatory speed. If you release it too quickly, the car will jolt, affecting the smoothness of the start; if you release it too slowly, you'll waste time. This delicate control takes constant practice to master. Do you understand?"
Ethan kept his eyes on the winding mountain road, gripping the steering wheel tightly with both hands. Elton's words started to become a blur as the car accelerated, and Ethan could almost hear the loud thumping of his own heartbeat.
Elton didn't seem to pay much attention to Ethan's nervousness. He continued to explain the technique of threshold braking, his expression growing even more serious, "Threshold braking is about feeling the point just before the wheels lock up. The brake needs to be pressed firmly, but not too hard, or the wheels will lock completely, causing you to lose control of the steering. Just as the wheels begin to lock, you need to slightly ease off the brake to regain traction. The rhythm of pressing and releasing the brake must be extremely precise; even the slightest mistake could cause the car to lose control."
Under Elton's guidance, Ethan began to increase the car's speed, feeling both the thrill and danger of racing. With each press of the accelerator, the car's speed climbed higher and higher. At first, Ethan's hands remained tightly clenched around the steering wheel, too tense to relax even a little. However, as the practice continued, Ethan slowly began to adapt to the sensation. He could feel the car becoming steadier under his control, and the tension in his muscles gradually started to ease.
Elton noticed the change in Ethan and decided it was time to introduce the next important concept: "Now, let's talk about cornering techniques. In racing, there are low-speed corners and high-speed corners, and they are handled completely differently. In low-speed corners, you have more freedom to control your speed and steering, but in high-speed corners, the risk is much greater. Even the smallest error could result in a crash."
"So I'm going to teach you the secret to high-speed cornering, and you need to remember it well. The key to high-speed cornering is choosing the right braking point. You need to keep pushing the braking point further and further, gradually increasing the pace of your turns. This way, you can increase your speed without losing control. But remember, the most important thing in high-speed cornering is to keep your steering movements as small as possible."
Elton had Ethan bring the car to a stop, then switched seats to take over the driver's position himself. As he demonstrated, he spoke to Ethan, "When you're taking a corner, remember to use a gentle touch, reducing the radius of the turn. This will make the entry, apex, and exit smoother. Enter the turn steadily, take the apex quickly, and exit aggressively. The smoother these three parts connect, the faster your cornering speed will be. Did you get that?"
Watching Elton in action, Ethan couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration for the older man. Though Elton's stature was not imposing, when he was behind the wheel, he seemed incredibly strong and commanding.
After Elton finished the demonstration, he stepped out of the car, and it was Ethan's turn. Ethan tried to mimic Elton's cornering techniques, but when it came time to execute them, his actions were not as smooth as he had hoped. As he turned the steering wheel, his hand suddenly overcompensated, turning it too far. This caused the car to lose its balance on the curve, and the rear end of the car suddenly fishtailed out.
"Ahhh!" Ethan cried out in alarm.
"Quickly, countersteer!" Elton commanded coolly.
In a desperate attempt to regain control, Ethan yanked the steering wheel in the opposite direction. But the car had already lost its grip, and with a loud screech of tires, it skidded across the road, slamming into the guardrail with a violent crash. The impact was jarring, a sudden, bone-rattling jolt that sent a surge of adrenaline through Ethan's body.