RSA - The Akai arc
CH.0 - The Invitation
1600 hrs ; Somewhere in the British Suburbs
“Ok, what the hell happened here?”, an unknown voice was heard from the doorway leading to the garage. What was seen was a covered car in white sheets, sleek lines were all the signs that was needed to tell the fact that the car in question is a sports car indeed. A letter was left on top on it, that was addressed to the person standing in awe, still comprehending to the events leading up to this moment.
The letter was taken, and so it reads:
To Akai Matra Sullivan,
Certainly you are surprised by what you see in your very eyes right now, it will need some explaining later once we meet in the complex, here in the US mind you.
Anywaysssss, the car that has been given to you is a car that is custom bespoked for you, we have done research on your past history, and it seems that you have a certain affiliation with motorsports.
Inside the car (well nothing is really tere, it’s just a fucking race car LOL), you will note that in the center console, there is a certain screen that houses the organization’s software system. Once you turn on the car, the car will route you to the port, where you can meet-up with other lucky drivers that will partake in this race.
We wish you the very best, and have fun as well
– A P E X
“Well…That was a load of bullshit racked up in that one letter”, Akai reacted as she had an air of disbelief. She couldn’t really believe what would be in her eyes if she uncovered the car.
“But I guess it will have to prove it’s worth to me”, Akai said this as she sighed, but knowing the sleek silhouette under the sheets, she is at least curious.
“3…2…1…and here we go!”, Akai pulled the cover from one side to reveal what was down there.
“Is a shocker all right”, Akai’s eyes open just a bit more.
“Looks like someone stole an 80’s prototype, specifically an '88 Bradford R1-A (GTP), and modified the shit out of it”, Akai said this as she walked around the car to inspect further the details of this “car”.
"I am surprised that this APEX group managed to find an unpainted shell and make a whole car out of it. That or it might just be a very high quality replica. Well then, I must at least prepare myself for this “tour to the Americas”.
1639 hrs
"Looks like I am good to go"
Akai prepared basically what was needed “for her”, so a toolbox, a basket of food that will last a week, wallet with all her credentials, credit card, and her pocket money, and a laptop case which holds the laptop, cellphone, and MP3 player.
Right away, Akai opened the frunk, put in the essentials, all except for the MP3 player (because she literally has no radio to listen to). After that, she went and open the driver’s side door, got in and buckled herself up in the racing seat.
As she turned the ignition key to the “on” position, the roaring 3.5L V10 scream into life, with a familiar F1 sound, but muffled due to the turboes.
“Well jolly me, ain’t that a delight to hear”
At the same time, the computer screen rose to life, and immediately to the navigation map
(“Setting route to RAF Base, Waddington”)
“Going to the RAF base, ey? Whoever APEX is, they sure know who to call”
“Oh right, before I set off, might as well play some New Order for the duration of the trip. Can’t let my well-earned cash go to waste”
(Blue Monday plays)
Character (Akai)
Character Name: Akai Matra Sullivan
Nickname: “Akatron”
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Nationality: British
From the outside, Akai looks like any ol' aunt from '75. You are indeed right, but in her is a pedigree of engineering in racing, coming from experience of being chief engineer of some several minor racing teams, including one of now defunct one-timer F1 team Unyx Racing. She has been to a couple of historical racing cups, notably driving a Lotus Europa in the Brands Hatch Masters Historic Festival to a respectable 6th overall. She knows a thing or two about pushing cars to the limit. Outside of motorsport, she is just pretty chill, too chill to talk to others about anything, unless it is about cars,or anything vintage/historical. She doesn't really love modern music (except those "retrowave" things), so anything past the mid 00's doesn't really gel with her taste.
Stats
Driving - C (Aggresive) ; Having known the concept of "time trials", she will try to find the limits of her Bradford without going off the track
Cornering - A ("Grip wins Races") ; She has been born into the world of motorsport via engineering, she doesn't know the term "powersliding", nor it's purpose in racing (at least in her opinion).
Focus - C ("Focus on the track") ; She knows it by heart the fact that in order to win a race, you must FINISH the race.
Experience - C (Professional Racer) ; Not really professional, but she was given a couple of opportunities to test drive a couple of racecars in her active days in motorsport, so she knows a thing or two about "true racing".
Nature - A ("Cool as Ice") ; Usually, she is just the usual background character (unless she starts smoking, or drinking somewhere in the bar), reading a book (sometimes a diary) of Historical motorsport events, she is approchable, though she will blurt out short answers (until you find out that she is a car addict).
1990 Bradford R1-A GTP prototype
The car in the possession of Akai is a "rare(?)" 1990 Bradford R1-A prototype, built for the IMSA Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) racing series. The original engine, which is in it, is a 3.5L V-engine, 10 cylinders, which during it's time, was a futuristic and wise move as the formula was already implemented by 1989. Unfortunately, the program was stoppped due to the lack of resources to complete the project and the ever-increasing cost of following the formula.
In the form it is now, it has been turbocharged to produce about 625hp @ 8700RPM with a redline of 10500 RPM. With the car being lightweight, only weighing 1200kg, means that it is a serious track monster.
(yes, I know it’s kinda 14 days ago since activity happened here, but givin’ it a little bump)