Heated Nights

Chapter 3: Battle Grounds

"Alright, Today is the day we take home some serious paper!" Eli says with excitement. "If we come out on top at this event, our reputation will sky rocket!" He yelled.
"Well we won't make it to the event if you don't help us load our equipment." Walter replies to him. "This is our first time completing at a big event." Damien pointed out. "We're not sure who will even be competing yet." He told Eli.

The guys loaded their cars and equipment into their trailer then made their way to the location of the Battle Grounds Tournament. They arrived early to set up and prepare for their respective races, before the tournament began. There were three different event happening, The Circuit races, Time Attack and The Gymkhana free style event. Later in the day, competitors and spectators began to fill up the area. The lot filled up with many modified and good looking Vehicles, roaring loudly.

"I have a good feeling about today." Victor says to Damien. "Why's that exactly?" Damien asks him.
"Half the drivers here don't know how to drift." Victor replies with a smile. A few minutes later, the tournament began and the place became a battle zone. The racers pushed their cars to their limits and made risky choices to move forward in the Tournament.

Vehicles were slammed into the barricades, engines burst into flames and there were car parts all over the course. Damien dominated the Time Attack events in his 1970 Dodge Challenger and claimed his first place prize. Victor took first place in the Gymkhana in His Mercury Cougar  with Walter finishing in second place, In his Nissan Silvia S14. "What did i say guys!?" Eli asked with a Smile. "We stole the show!" He said proudly.

"What do you mean by we?" Walter asked with an annoyed look. "You didn't even race today!" He yelled at Eli.
"Of course not." Eli replied. "I wasn't going to let these noobs wreck my Charger." He told Walter. The final race for the Circuit event was about to begin and Damien decided to watch.

Nikki Akimura got into her Lamborghini and lined up with the other competitors. The flag drops and the cars rapidly accelerate off the starting grid. Nikki starts off in last but slowly moves up the pack during the first lap. One of the cars ahead of her loses a tyre and spins through the turn. She avoids making contact by pulling of a glorious all wheel drive slide and gains two positions exiting the corner.

The crowd and some of the other competitors were amazed by that Manoeuvre and cheered loudly. Damien couldn't believe what he witnessed, his eyes were locked onto the orange Lamborghini as it powered through the turns. Nikki was in second place behind an R32 GTR, one of the greatest track cars in racing history.  She took her time entering the final lap, planning her next attack. She noticed how the car moved on the Straights and through the corners, then knew how to win the race.

The gap closes between the two cars then Nikki drafts him through the final sections of the track. Nikki goes for a pass just before the last turn and block the inside line. The R32 understeers coming out of the turn and Nikki powers out to steal the win. The crowd roars and Nikki smiles in disbelief that she won her first Tournament ever. Damien  moves in closer as the Spectators slowly surround the Lamborghini.

As Nikki exits her car, Damien freezes in his tracks as he gets a good look at her. He fell into a trance and couldn't look away from her, and his body was motionless. Damien didn't even feel the people brushing pass him as they ran towards her car. "Hey Damien!" Eli yells from his car. "Let's go it's getting late!" He yelled again.

Damien snaps out of his trance then rushes back to his friends. "Are alright dude?" Victor asks him before they leave. "Yeah, I'm good." He replies staring outside.