##Team Twin-Snail
Before Departing
“Luke, I’m glad you got the top up, because this rain would’ve ruined our day.” Scott said.
“Just remember, no gas inside the car. We can’t roll the windows down in this, and the top sticks when it’s retracted, so try not to pollute the interior.” Luke mentioned, before preparing for the long drive.
“Looks like it’s all highway, short of two, maybe three miles before our destination. That’ll be the steep downhill bit we’re all worried about.” Linda said, looking over the maps.
“Well, we know it’s a highway cruiser. Pedal down and make up time?” Amy asked.
“No. Overall, we’re ahead. Take it easy, preserve the car, give us a bit better of a chance later.” Luke said, before putting it in gear and taking it to the starting line.
Day 1, Leg 4
Luke left the Sinistra in drive, turned the headlights on and made a pre-emptive apology for anyone caught in the blinding high-beams, but the only way they had to run lights at all was to wire 'em all together. The windshield wipers squeaked softly as they brushed away the first few drops of rain, and the soft click of the relays and timers again showed the car’s purely mechanical nature.
“This place would look a lot better without this crapola weather.” Linda commented from the back seat. “Can you turn on the heat, it’s getting cold in here.”
Luke turned on the heat and a couple notches worth of blower fan, though it showed true that the Sinistra was a highway cruiser. He settled in just a touch over the speed limit, the old car rumbling as it found overdrive and stayed in it.
“It’s a shame we have to drive slow to preserve the car.” Amy said. “This weather may be dreary and awful for us, but the engine loves it. Cold air, ice cold boost, no cooling problems.”
“Well, there’s that big downhill we have to worry about, plus that was a state trooper behind one of our competitors back there. Needless to say, I’m driving careful to preserve the car, and our past couple runs have been way-too-fast because I burned up the brakes trying to drive a mountain too quick, and Scott bombed the car uphill because the call of the big engine got the better of him.” Luke said.
“You told me to keep the boost pressure at 6. I kept it at 6. You could’ve told me to drag anchors.”
“Yeah, but I needed you to have a confidence boost.”
“Aw, crap. That’s the downhill bit.” Amy said. Luke responded by slowing down well in advance and dropping the Sinistra into Low, minimizing their maximum speed by using maximum revs. Surprisingly, the trick worked, although it made them very slow going down the hill.
Day 1, Leg 4 Aftermath
“God, this weather sucks.” Scott said as they parked the car. “Even if I was supposed to feel excited today, I can’t, not in this mess of gray skies and rain.”
“Hell, even I can’t appreciate the weather. Much as I love the cold air, I don’t like the thought of working on the car with water pouring down. Thankfully, if you look in the doors next time they’re opened, there’s a compartment. It was meant to hold something else, I’m not sure what it was yet, but I’ve filled it with umbrellas.” Luke said.
“Well, let’s top up what we have to, then get something to eat, get a bit of rest in the car, and maybe try listening to some of that music I put on the MP3 Player.” Linda said. Amy gave a light grunt of agreement and again Team Twin-Snail went into a small flurry of activity, standing beneath umbrellas. Luke wasn’t as concerned about getting wet himself, but was actively trying to keep water out of the car’s fluids.
Car Condition:
Mostly unchanged. Top is up and latched, so it’s not going anywhere without a fight.
Team Condition:
MRL: +1 overall. Waiting for the inevitable breakdown, bummed out by the weather.
