Start Small, End Big.

Australian Anticipation

Liam and Logan walk out of the plane and step into Sydney Airport, Australia. Logan looks around before speaking.

Logan: Well, here we are—the land down under. It's beautiful, don't you think?

Liam glances at the distant Sydney skyline and smiles.

Liam: Yeah, it is. I've never been to Australia before. Then again, I really haven't been anywhere. Hehe.

Logan: Well, I've been here, and I can tell you—Australia's one hell of a place. Ask any of the locals, they love their country. Let's go, let me show you around.

Logan and Liam head toward the entrance of Sydney Airport.

Logan: I'd honestly say Australia is one of my favorite countries I've ever competed in. It's got amazing nature, incredible people, and—surprisingly—an awesome racing scene.

Liam: Really? I didn't expect such a dry place to have such a lively racing culture.

Logan: Oh, you'd be surprised. Australia isn't all desert and outback. It's got its fair share of beauty, like the Blue Mountains. You see them?

Logan points to the distant mountains stretching across the horizon.

Logan: The Blue Mountains are stunning—pretty much all year round.

As they make their way toward the airport exit, Logan continues.

Logan: I love the wildlife here, too. There's so much diversity—so many species, all in the same place. It's honestly amazing.

Liam: I do like kangaroos.

Logan: Me too, Liam. Me too.

The two get into a car and begin their drive to a hotel near Mount Panorama Circuit.

Logan: Now, the people here are great—usually welcoming to outsiders as long as you don't get on their bad side. Oh, and whatever you do, don't ever disrespect this country. Trust me, they will make you regret it. Hehe. I've seen it happen before. Thankfully, it wasn't me who got beat up. Heh.

Liam: Yeah, they do seem nice. Almost everyone I've passed has said hi or given me a nod. It's a good energy to feel, you know?

Logan: Absolutely.

They arrive at their hotel and walk into their room.

Logan: Now, let's talk about the important stuff—Mount Panorama Circuit. This is one of the hardest circuits in modern racing.

Liam sits on a chair while Logan settles onto the couch in their suite.

Logan: Mount Panorama is famous for its Supercars and Intercontinental GT challenges.

He pulls up an image of the track on the TV.

Logan: The circuit has 23 turns, and none of them should be taken lightly. The race you'll be doing on Saturday is the Bathurst 500. This'll be your first Supercars race. You'll be driving an NSX, so don't worry too much about the car itself. The NSX is insanely powerful, but I'll go over the details when we visit the track on Wednesday. Right now, I need you to focus because Mount Panorama will be the toughest track you've faced so far. It's a major step up from Circuit de Catalunya. Can you handle that?

Liam: 100%.

Logan: Good. Now, Mount Panorama is a 3.9-mile track, so endurance is going to be a factor in your three-lap race. Unlike your exhibition race, this time, you'll be lapping.

Liam: Speaking of—why am I doing harder races so soon?

Logan: Well, like I told you at the exhibition round, I didn't plan on you winning. I wanted the team to give you more time to practice. But since you decided to win, they're expecting more from you. That's why I didn't care if you won or lost—it was just to determine where to place you next. And here you are.

Liam: Okay, that's fine. I think I can do it.

Logan: Good. Back to the track—Mount Panorama is long and unique, especially when it comes to terrain. Expect a lot of elevation changes, along with fast straights and tight corners. This circuit is basically a roller coaster.

Liam: So I have to watch for terrain changes and control my speed?

Logan: Exactly. Now, let's go over the key sections. The turns you need to watch out for are Hell Corner, Griffin's Bend, Forrest's Elbow, and Murray's Corner. You'll be approaching all of them at high speeds, and none of them offer much space for overtaking. Expect heavy resistance, but be careful—crashes here tend to be brutal, and we don't want you caught in one. That's all I can really say until we hit the track on Wednesday. For now, study the track map. I want you brainstorming strategies so we can test them on Wednesday during the track day. Today, though, I want you to rest and get your head in the game. We had a long flight, and I completely understand if you're exhausted—I know I am. Hehe. I know you'll do great, Liam. You've already proven you can handle pressure. I'm really glad you joined up—you're one hell of a racer. I'll see you tomorrow. I'll probably go explore the city, and you're welcome to come—just don't complain when I start nerding out over Australia. Hehe. Get some rest—you're gonna need it.

Liam: Thanks, Logan. I will. See you tomorrow.

Logan: See ya.

Liam leans back in his chair as Logan heads to bed. He's eager to race at Mount Panorama, but deep down, he's also nervous. The track looks tight, much tighter than anything he's dealt with before. He just hopes he doesn't find himself spun out in a fiery wreck.