The unlikely racer

08 - Back to my roots

As our shoes touch the familiar airport floor I am instantly welcomed by a sense of nostalgia, the stench of cigarettes, everyone wearing thongs and the extremely greasy mullets going around.

"I'm back!" I say to the airport happily and running through it earning many sceptical looks with Liam running after me.

We make it outside and I call down a taxi asking it to take me to my childhood karting track, Oakburn raceway.

"For someone who got screwed over by this place you are unusually happy to be here" Liam observes, I glare at him.

"Stop being a kill joy and let me enjoy this" he puts his hands out in a fake surrender earring a chuckle from me and I watch out the window as tall gumtrees whip past.

——

The big yellow sign with a racing helmet drawing and the words 'Oakburn raceway' come into view and I internally squeal happily.

Time to show those bastards who they screwed over!

I pay the taxi driver and walk to the entrance, a shack with a tin roof. There are young racers zooming around in their karts on the familiar dirt track, there must be an event on today.

I spot the bald middle-aged man and acquire my target, time to strike.

"Well, well if it isn't Frank Roberts" he turn around and all colours drains from his face as his eyes land on me.

Take that bastard!

"Amelia! I haven't seen you since..." he trails off knowing where that sentence was going, I see Liam's confusion and decide to shed some light to this situation.

"You know when I was bullied for standing up for myself? Or when I was in an accident because of reckless behaviour YOU didn't want to reprehend? Hmm yeah I think I remember" I spit angrily at him and he becomes frozen out of shock.

"Look, I know what I did was extremely wrong and I wish I could go back and change it but all I can do now is say sorry so.... Amelia I'm really sorry for my actions and I hope I can make it up to you" he says, wow that asshole has matured out of the man-child he used to be.

"Alright, well- fuck it that was really good, i don't forgive you but we can move past it" A smile appears on his face, a genuine smile.

"So what have you been up to?" He asks me and I smile wishing i could tell him the truth.

"Well I have actually become a manager for the Aloha Romeo Formula 1 team, i manage Maxx. He used to race here, no?" I say teasing him without him even knowing it, I see Liam also holding back a laugh.

Frank's smile grows wide, "oh yeah! Quite a lot of talent that boy has, glad to say he raced here! Great job on becoming a manager too!" He compliments and I'm about to lose it so I change the topic.

"How have you been keeping busy?" I ask he leads me out to the track.

"I've actually launched a girls karting academy here which is after school hours every Monday and Wednesday" my spirits are lifted at the thought of finally an even chance for girls in Motorsport, even if it's karting in a town located in the middle of nowhere.

"Ok now that is how you earn my forgiveness, wether it was because of me or not" I compliment.

"How about you teach them a real lesson?" He asks me and my curiosity it peaked.

"That's sounds like my kinda fun"

——

I'm set in the familiar spot that I started all my karting races with many small girls surrounding me.

I'm starting last and they have a ten second head start, I'm going to show them what real racing looks like.

The green flag waves and the euphoric sound of small kart's exhaust and it makes me feel nostalgic, I picture my younger self and remember why I'm doing all of this, it's for her.

I push my foot down and launch forward I catch up to them in an instant, I even overtake someone in the second turn.

I weave my way through all of the drivers and make my way to the front and the three laps are over. I come into the pits followed by the crowd of young girls.

"That was AMAZING!" The girl who took second praises after our helmets are off, I chuckle.

"Thank you! But can I let you in on a little secret" they all nod eagerly, taking the bait.

"With lot's of practice and dedication, you can be as good as me" I say and they all roll their eyes, playing hard to get I see.

"They all say that!" Another girl complains and I crouch down to their level.

"I'm being serious! Could you see how I break later than all of you?" They all nod in understanding.

"Well I can go that because I have practiced so much that my reflexes don't make me break early, it's a really good skill to have" I explain and they still don't seem convinced, these kids are hopeless!

"Ok, what is it?" I confront them not with anger but curiosity.

"We are girls, we don't have any chance anyway" the girl who came last says shyly, that breaks my heart.

"Now I don't want any of you thinking like that alright? I'm a girl and race well, don't I? Just because not many other girls are into Motorsport doesn't mean we don't belong here" I begin and they all start to get that sparkle in their eyes, hope.

"I know it is a cliche but girls are powerful, if all of you don't give up and keep trying other girls will do that same and more and more girls will follow the trail, we are unstoppable ok?" They all nod, completely inspired by me.

"What are girls?!" I yell at them and they all cheer back,

"UNSTOPPABLE!"

The rest of the day until sunset I gave them pointers on their driving and gave them exercises to help them.

By inspiring others I inspired myself.

—-

I think this is my favourite chapter so far, what do you guys think?

- Author