The afternoon sun blazed mercilessly as racing machines lined the paddock like warriors preparing for battle. Polished paint reflected blinding sunlight while gasoline, motor oil, and heated rubber filled the air with that distinctive automotive cocktail. Engine tests punctuated the atmosphere alongside shouted instructions from busy technicians.
Elior gripped the sun-baked metal barrier, its warmth seeping through his palms. This wasn't his first time watching Kael race. He'd snuck into underground races during college, hiding among screaming crowds drunk on adrenaline. But today felt completely different.
Everything was official, organized with military precision. Technicians sprinted around carrying data clipboards, changing tires with practiced efficiency, and examining engines like
