Short Track Lovin' ✅

Chapter 67: Belgium Grand Prix

Sunday, August 27

"Is this really happening?" Sarina asks as she spins around in excitement as they walk up to the admission gates. She sounded like a giggly little kid, but who could blame her right now?

"Are you going to be this crazy all day?" Ryan wonders, having heard her excitement all morning as Chase laughs. He actually was enjoying it, as it was nice to see such a positive energy off of Sarina. That is what this vacation was all about.

"Do you have a problem with that, Mr. Blaney?" Ryan shakes his head as she spins around once again. Ryan then glances over at Chase, wondering if he worked out the bonus piece. Chase just nods his head as he goes into the package for the credentials.

"So according to Jeff, we have to keep these in our precious hands all day," Chase starts as he pulls out everybody's card. "This one gets you in the grounds, this one gives you garage access, this one gives you pre-race pit road access, and this one gives you access to certain roped off watching areas." Ryan and Sarina shift through the credentials as they put on their lanyards. It seemed insane watching them hang around their neck compared to a normal race weekend.

"Crazy how many they have," Ryan comments as he adjusts the lanyard.

"What's this silver thing?" Sarina questions, noticing it on the one card. None of the other cards had that, and she hadn't seen it at any other event. There had to be a special reason.

"Beats me," Chase answers as they keep walking towards the admission gates. They all soon realized just how tight security was as each of them was checked throughout, before the 'silver thing' was scanned before entry.

"That was unique, different, and almost surreal..." Chase and Ryan both nod in agreement.

"Could you imagine if we dealt with that every week?" Ryan rolls his eyes as he knew he'd grow annoyed quickly.

"Admit it, though. It'd stop people like Aliso-"

"Just stop it right there. We are not mentioning her name, or any other negative name we can think of. We're going to have as much fun as possible today." As they walked into the grounds, they all glance around in amazement, intrigued by the layout, along with the different activities and how hospitalities were put together.

****************

"Alright, we need to head this way and now..." Chase randomly perks up after a couple hours of random exploring, catching his playmate's attention. Everything had been laid back and relaxed, until that little instruction given. "Like now..."

"Why?" Sarina wonders, as Ryan smiles as he could only think of one reason for Chase's random anticipation and couldn't wait to see how she'd respond.

"Because if we don't do this, we're going to miss something important." Sarina rushes behind the boys as she glances at the schedule for the day. If something was important, would it not be listed before her?

"There's nothing for another coup-"

"This isn't on the schedule! Come on!" She then lets out a sigh, glad she wore running shoes, as she follows the boys through the busy pit road. They hurry along, before stopping at the Haas F1 garage stall. "Wait here..." Chase steps forward, feeling a series of nerves as he taps the shoulder of the first crew member he could see.

"You're not supposed to be behind the white line, sir," the crew member sternly states, almost set to call security as Chase searches for his voice. He wasn't used to someone being so direct and trying to kick him out.

"I'm here to see Mike Arning," Chase spits out. "He told me to meet him here precisely at this time." The crew member initially looks confused, before Mike is sifting his way through the sea of members.