Biker Mice from Mars - Mountain Drift

Chapter 11: Bogus Basin Touge

Manuel was concerned for Throttle. He wanted to find a way to cheer him up, to see if there was a way to get his mind off whatever was troubling him. There's got to be something I can do to raise his spirits, he thought.

At that moment, the Takahashi brothers arrived, causing more of a fan movement with the audience, and the local drifters.

"I didn't think we were this popular, bro!" Keisuke said.

"The internet can do great things for one's reputation," Ryosuke responded. "Just don't let it go to your head."

"Hey, Manuel! You're the best racer in this area!" Bob shouted, getting both his and Throttle's attention. "We've got an idea! Why don't you run against Takumi? It'll be east versus west!"

That caught everyone's attention. The crowd began to whisper.

Manuel laughed. "I'd rather save myself the public humiliation."

That caused Throttle to chuckle. "What's the matter? Afraid of a little competition?" He said.

"No," Manuel said, annoyed.

"Don't worry. Everyone is afraid." Throttle said in a taunting way.

"I didn't say I was afraid!" Manuel was becoming annoyed.

"Sure, whatever. Chicken." Throttle laughed.

"Oh, har har har, that's it, Man," Manuel said. "Get in the car. Takumi, choose a passenger for the run."

Takumi looked surprised as Throttle got in the CR-X. "A passenger?"

"Is there an echo up here?" Manuel asked. The crowd started to mutter in anticipation. They knew Manuel was serious.

Iketani and Itsuki started to inch away from Takumi. They knew all too well how he drove.

"Itsuki, care to be my passenger?" Takumi asked.

"Oh, hell no!" Itsuki shrieked, ducking behind Iketani. "Iketani, you do it!"

"What? Why me?!" Iketani snapped. "He asked you first!"

"I went last time!"

"There was no 'Last time!'"

The crowd chuckled at the argument as Manuel got in the CR-X. He turned to Throttle.

"And you said I was chicken." Manuel laughed. "Oh, well. There's a ninety percent chance that I'm going to get my butt whipped tonight, but I guess I'll have to take it in stride."

With that, he started the engine and rolled down the window as Bob walked up, handing him a clip-on radio with an earpiece.

"This is for the traffic reports," Bob said. "I'm giving one to Takumi as well. We'll let you know if any cars are coming up the hill. You can also use it to communicate with each other if you want to."

"Got it," Manuel said, putting the earpiece on. He looked in his rear-view as a reluctant Iketani got into the passenger side of Takumi's Trueno Eight-Six.

"Testing, 1 2 3. You read, Takumi?" Manuel asked as he pulled up to the starting line.

"Loud and clear," Takumi answered, pulling up alongside.

"Just remember to be careful around the curves." Manuel cautioned. "Not all of them have guard rails."

"Got it," Takumi said. They revved their engines as Bob walked up to count down the start.

He held up his hand, three fingers up. Both cars revved up.

Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four... Three... Two... One...