Biker Mice from Mars - Mountain Drift

Chapter 19: The Kirafudas

Two Months later...

After two months of non-stop work, between Manuel returning to work from vacation time, Jaiden doing side jobs to stay in Boise, and Bunta deciding to stay for another month, the rebuild of the Focus was complete. The engine had been rebuilt, tuned and tested, and the stock exhaust replaced with one for racing. The Focus was given a body kit, custom hood, and rear spoiler. They had also replaced various heavy parts with rigid, lightweight parts, to lighten the load and increase speed.

Manuel and Carbine were finishing up connecting the wiring with the computer system and GPS to the computer display in the dash and installing the racing steering wheel when Bunta, Charley, Robby D, and Hesus came by, each with vinyl stickers for the sides of the car. Manuel noticed their approach when he and Carbine finished and looked up.

"What are these?" Manuel asked, looking at the stickers. One of them was the logo for Shifters diner, the other was the logo for Bunta's tofu shop. Charley's logo was for the Last Chance Garage, and Robby D's was for Throttleworks.

"It's so people know who you are racing for," Bunta said. "Yuya and his father won't be able to ignore your presence now. We're just as big of a part of this as you are. Besides, you need a few small 'sponsors'."

They then applied the stickers to the sides of the car.

"Well, Manuel, that should do it," Carbine said. "Start it up."

Everyone watched with anticipation as Manuel got his keys. He inserted them into the ignition and turned the key. The car started, purring as it idled. The instruments beeped as the gauges tested themselves. Then a feminine voice came from the computer console installed in the dash, as the Throttle works logo flashed on the screen:

"Setup Complete. Engine Check... Ok. Drivetrain Check... Ok. Tire Pressure Check: OK. System Status: Nominal. Select Mode: Normal, Delivery, or Racing?"

Everyone went wild, cheering and applauding each other for the past two months of strenuous work. Some, like Carbine were reduced to tears, thinking it would never be complete.

"It lives!" Vinnie exclaimed.

Manuel smiled, gripping the steering wheel. They had built the car! Now all they had to do was win the race!

"The dyno projections say this thing will have a little over six-hundred horsepower. I hope it's enough. Well, we'd better load this into the semi!" Manuel said. "We've only completed the first step. Now we have to enter the Speed Master competition."

"I got the info for where it's being held," Rimfire said, getting up from a shop's computer. "It's being held in Orchard, Idaho. Near the Indian Creek Reservoir. According to this map, it will start at the Boise Stage gas stop, go down the Orchard Access Road to a set of train tracks in Orchard, go onto Range Road, switch to McConnell Road, and it ends at Pleasant Valley Road, near a stone quarry! That entire route has been declared a 'no-speed-limit' zone! The site says their accepting entries at the start line now."

"Alright then! Let's move!" Stoker said.

Indian Creek Reservoir

Orchard, Idaho

Five Hours before the Race...

Limburger waited as the Speed Master Competition's contestants signed up. Yuya Kirafuda walked up with his father, Kaido Kirafuda, fans screaming wildly as they walked up to the signup tent. 

"So, you want to be one of our sponsors, eh?" Kaido said. "Well, we don't just accept anyone as a sponsor. You have to be able to show you can get things done."

"I assure you, Mr. Kirafuda, I have everything well in hand," Limburger said.

"Humph! That I highly doubt!" Yuya said, getting out his metal cigarette case. Yuya plucked an expensive cigarette from the case and lit it up with a high-quality lighter. "In case you didn't get the memo, we're in this to win. Anything less than first place is unacceptable!" He blew a thick cloud of smoke in Limburger's face.

"Then we will ensure your victory," Limburger said, coughing, trying to keep his patience. Always, he had to work with the ignorant.

"Well, you had better hope you know what you are getting into," Kaido said. "Just make sure we win tonight." He then watched his son sign up.

At that moment, they heard loud yelling outside the tent. The three went out to see what all the commotion was about.

A semi had pulled up near the pits. Limburger watched as Charley Davidson stepped out with Bunta and Takumi Fujiwara.

Yuya took another puff on his cigarette. "Well, look who's here, father. Isn't that the pathetic Eight-Six tofu driver you beat when you were younger? That must be his son then!" Yuya laughed.

Kaido scratched his chin. What was Bunta up to? He saw them approach the tent. Bunta saw Kaido and frowned.

"Still bitter that I'm the better driver?" Kaido asked.

"You were never the better driver!" Takumi yelled, charging forward. Charley had to hold him back.

"Takumi, that's enough!" Bunta snapped.

"Yeah, respect your elders, tofu boy!" Yuya taunted.

"Yuya! shut up!" Kaido said, irritated. He then turned back to Bunta. "So, before we were rudely interrputped: What are you doing here, Bunta? Is this going to be a race for revenge?"

"Something like that," Bunta said, signing up an entry form.

"Then where's your precious Eight-Six?" Kaido sassed. "In the truck?"

"First, I'm not using the Eight-Six. Second, I'm not even going to drive." Bunta then handed the receptionist the signup sheet. "After all, I'm not the only one out for revenge..."

Yuya gave Bunta a suspicious look. "What do you mean?"

The semi-truck then hissed, the young driver honking the horn to get everyone's attention. The crowd watched as the back of the tractor-trailer opened, steam pouring out as if someone dropped dry ice in water as a ramp deployed. They then heard an engine rev up. Car lights cut through the thick fog, the crowd was gasping and murmuring in anticipation.

The car revved a couple more times as it slowly started to roll out, the engine's sound making Yuya uneasy. It sounded almost like an old adversary's car...

The car rolled out slowly on the pavement, out of the thick fog. It was a highly-tuned, heavily modified Ford Focus ZX3 SVT! With various decals on it! Including the Shifters diner logo, the logo for Bunta's tofu shop, and some logos for two different garages as well as several street racing groups! Yuya dropped his cigarette, as he then recognized the driver, as did the crowd, which went wild as the driver stepped out of the car.

It was Manuel Vernandez!