Before the fourth race of the championship, Danger was updating a telemetry log for his 296 GT3 on a laptop. He was hoping to extend his 6 point lead over Viral. But before Danger continuedHailey entered the outpost and she was wearing a black Toyota Gazoo Racing shirt over a black, white and red shorts with black tights and pink Iron Dames themed sneakers.

“Hey, Danger… do you mind if I tell you something?” Hailey asked.

“Not at all, Hailey, what’s on your mind?” Danger replied while looking at the laptop and tapping the keys.

“You know the multistage race at the Redhaven Loop, well it’s gonna be delayed because 2 of the roads for the circuit both had fire hydrants burst and there was more water than track officials thought.” Hailey explained.

“OK then…” Danger sighed, slightly miffed at the delay.

“However…” Hailey continued, “there is something that might catch your interest. There is a race planned on the circuit we raced on recently… and I have been preparing my Toyota Supra in between races.”

“That might explain why you’re wearing that shirt.” Danger said, referring to the Toyota Gazoo Racing shirt.

“Most likely. You know there is one driver I fear in this race.” Hailey announced in concern.

“Who?”

“Michiko. She has a similar setup to my Supra, she has the same engine as me, same HKS wide body modification, same everything. She might overtake me and leave me for dead.” Hailey explained.

“Michiko…” Danger thought, “I’ve seen her race in the Equestrian Super GT Series with a Toyota Supra GT3 in GT3 Pro, she might be a formidable driver but we have more experience.

Hailey sighed.

“I should hope so, but I will warn you, she is not an easy driver to pass as it happened with me in the past. She won’t go easy on either of us.” Hailey said.

After Hailey left, Danger continued to think about the driver Hailey was talking about, Michiko Sakuralight.

Michiko had been racing in the Equestrian Super GT Series for many years, first with Lexus from 2017 to 2020 and then Toyota from 2021 onwards. She had also won the GT3 Pro class in 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2024. She was also a Toyota factory driver and had been testing cars since 2016.

Michiko’s Supra, the car that Hailey mentioned, had the same 5 liter 2UR-GSE V8 engine used in Lexus’ cars like the RC F, IS 500 and LC500. Even Hailey’s Supra had a 2UR-GSE, the only difference is that Michiko’s was tuned to near-perfection. She managed to do a 0 to 60 in just under 3 seconds which that if it started last at the start, it would mostly likely be in 2nd place by the second lap.

There was also some other drivers that Danger needed to be aware of, for example, Elizabeth Bloodrose’s #147 Lotus Evora GT430, the #76 and #79 2024 Ford Mustang GTs of Melissa Ravenlight and Selena Sinderlight, Apple Lauda’s Dodge Viper and Calliope ‘The Asphalt Reaper’ Thunderscythe’s Chevrolet Corvette.

Danger’s car was a Ferrari 296 GTB and like Viral’s, it had a GT3-style body kit on it but it was more nimble and agile compared it’s GT3 counterpart. After a while of clearing his mind of the water flooding the streets of the Redhaven Loop, he decided to give the race a go and see if he and Hailey and can finish ahead of Michiko.

1. #15 Danger Dean, Ferrari 296 GTB, ST-1P, 1:15.499
2. #942 Apple Lauda, Dodge Viper GTS, ST-1P, 1:15.524
3. #5 Sonic Flash, Aston Martin Vantage (2025), ST-1P, 1:15.579
4. #24 Viral Velocty, Ferrari 296 GTB, ST-1P, 1:15.626
5. #97 Rusalka Swordlight, Porsche 911 (992) GT3 RS, ST-1P, 1:15.670
6. #45 Manic Speed, Aston Martin Vantage (2025), ST-1P, 1:15.675
7. #85 Hailey Banefire, Toyota GR Supra (2UR-GSE), ST-1P, 1:15.716
8. #91 Beatrice Radiance, Porsche 911 (992) GT3 RS, ST-1P, 1:15.846
9. #151 Danny Dean, Ferrari 296 GTB, ST-1P, 1:15.946
10. #147 Elizabeth Bloodrose, Lotus Evora GT430, ST-1PA, 1:15.946
11. #181 Olivia Bonelight, Ferrari 488 GTB, ST-1PA, 1:15.984
12. #35 Crimsonia Dragonsfire, Lotus Emira 2.5, ST-1P, 1:15.994
13. #72 Gabrielle Sharkfire, Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray, ST-1P, 1:16.024
14. #454 Calliope Thunderscythe, Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray, ST-1P, 1:16.045
15. #86 Michiko Sakuralight, Toyota GR Supra (2UR-GSE), ST-1PA, 1:16.056
16. #79 Selena Sinderlight, Ford Mustang GT (2024), ST-1P, 1:16.118
17. #36 Azura Dragonsfire, Lotus Emira 2.5, ST-1P, 1:16.132
18. #140 Katie Aqualight, Toyota GR Supra (3.5 V6), ST-1PA, 1:16.226
19. #76 Melissa Ravenlight, Ford Mustang GT (2024), ST-1PA, 1:16.316
20. #176 Valkyrie Schmidt, Mitsubitshi Lancer Evolution XI by Danger Automotive, ST-1PA, 1:16.467
21. #285 Trisha Banefire, Holden VF Commodore SSV Redline, ST-1PA, 1:16.486
22. #121 Miranda Owllight, Toyota GR Supra (3.5 V6), ST-1PA, 1:16.562
23. #47 Roxanne Pantherfire, Ferrari 488 GTB, ST-1PA, 1:16.616
24. #169 Amelia Lightwatcher, Ford Mustang GT (2018), ST-1PA 1:16.867
25. #182 Aurora Nordgren, Subaru WRX STI S209, ST-1PA, 1:17.074
26. #223 Kaela Lightcrafter, Mitsubitshi Lancer Evolution XI by Danger Automotive, ST-1A, 1:17.153
27. #256 Valentia Violet, Mitsubitshi Lancer Evolution XI by Danger Automotive, ST-1A, 1:17.235
28. #179 Luna Nordgren, Subaru WRX STI S209, ST-1A, 1:17.365
29. #241 Selena Valkyrie, Alpine A110 R, ST-1A, 1:17.463

As the 29 cars lined up on the start line for 70 laps. Danger lined up on the front row and behind was someone who he called ‘the Destroyer of Nurburgring lap times’, Apple Lauda, piloting the #942 Dodge Viper GTS in yellow with Nurburgring stickers all over the Viper. Hailey in the Supra was in 7th place while her rival, Michiko was down in 16th place behind Selena’s Mustang.

When the fifth light flashed, Apple Lauda shot into the lead with Sonic and Viral behind. Lauda began to scythe through the corners as the Eifel Gods was on his side as he prayed to them before the race. Whichever god Danger prayed to must have been a work of fiction as by turn 4, he was behind Rusalka Swordlight in the 992 GT3 RS. Danger atriuted this to a wheelspin start and with Banefire’s Supra trying to keep his son at bay. Danger hoped that the race would be stress-free.

On lap 3, Viral overtook Sonic at turn 4 and was now behind the Viper, Viral hoped that if the 800-plus horsepower V6 allowed, the 8.4 liter V10 in the Viper would play catch up to the Swiss Army Knife. Meanwhile Danger overtook Rusalka as he found the speed he lost at the start. 3 laps later, meanwhile. The Supra of Miranda Owllight was in the top 20 after overtaking Trisha and Valkyrie. Crimsonia was trying to overtake the ‘Scarlet Speedfreak’ Elizabeth Bloodrose. Elizabeth was running a livery that was inspired by one of Danger’s newfound favourite influencers on her Lotus Evora. Despite the Emira running a Dragonsfire Racing sourced 2.5 liter I5. It was no match for the Evora and being a more modern car.

With 10 laps complete, the race would claim it’s first victim as the Katie Aqualight’s Supra had a miss-fire on the 3.5 liter V6 and was slowing to a crawl, she and Miranda were running the V6 Supras compared Hailey in 5th place and Michiko in 12th. The pitstop relegated her to 28th place as the Danger City-built Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. XI refuelled on lap 8 as Kaela had a fuel misread. This indicated that not all of Danger’s cars are perfect.

With lap 15 in full force. Apple Lauda was leading from Viral Velocity in the Ferrari 296 GTB, Sonic Flash in the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage, Rusalka Swordlight in the 992 GT3 RS after Danger ran wide into turn 7. Hailey Banefire’s Supra was in 6th, Manic Speed in the #45 Aston Martin and Beatrice in the #91 Porsche are 7th and 8th with Michiko’s Supra in 9th and Gabrielle Sharkfire in 10th. Meanwhile, the #47 Ferrari 488 GTB of Roxanne Pantherfire had to retire from the race due to a gearbox issue. 3 laps later, the #241 Alpine of Selena Valkyrie also had a gearbox problem of it’s own and she had to retire.

On lap 23, the fans checked the leaderboard and to saw something impressive.

1. 942 Apple Lauda, Dodge Viper GTS, ST-1P

2. 24 Viral Velocity, Ferrari 296 GTB, ST-1P

3. 5 Sonic Flash, 2025 Aston Martin Vantage, ST-1P

4. 15 Danger Dean, Ferrari 296 GTB, ST-1P

5. 97 Rusalka Swordlight, Porsche 911 (992) GT3 RS, ST-1P

6. 85 Hailey Banefire, Toyota GR Supra, ST-1P

7. 86 Michiko Sakuralight, Toyota GR Supra, ST-1PA

8. 91 Beatrice Radiance, Porsche 911 (992) GT3 RS, ST-1P

9. 151 Danny Dean, Ferrari 296 GTB, ST-1P

10. 147 Elizabeth Bloodrose, Lotus Evora GT430, ST-1PA

The fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing. In the span of 22 laps, Michiko had climbed from 15th position to now 1.5 seconds within reach of Hailey Banefire. Despite telling Danger before the race about her pace in times in the Equestrian GT Championship when she raced with Michiko, it felt as if history is repeating itself for her. As the laps trickled down, Hailey had increased her gap to Michiko from 1.5 seconds to 3 seconds as Hailey’s Supra had a softer anti-sway bar at the front compared to Michiko’s Supra. Meanwhile, Danger passed Sonic at turn 3 as the Ferrari and Aston Martin blitzed the highway section and at some points, side by side as they head to turn 5. Danger performed the switchback and maintained 3rd place.

By lap 29, the small decrease of speed from Rusalka meant that Hailey’s Supra was now within striking of the Porsche. As they approach turn the S-bends of turns 8 to 11. The Porsche was way quicker in the corners, but the Supra was more faster in a straight line with the sacrifice of a few tenths on the corners. Even though Hailey was about 4 seconds ahead of Michiko, she knew that Michiko was going to benefit from the battle for 5th place. At the start of lap 30, the Supra blasted by at turn to take 5th place from Rusalka. Hailey’s overtake could not have come at a better time as the Safety Car was out after the #182 Subaru WRX STI S209 of Valkyrie Schmidt was parked at awkward place after a collision with the turn 8 wall. This was music to the ears of Danger Dean, because was 23 seconds back from Viral when the Safety Car came out.

At the halfway point of the race. Viral had taken the lead at turn 2 with Apple Lauda and Danger Dean behind. Sonic was 4th place ahead of Rusalka and the two Supras of Michiko and Hailey in 5th and 6th. Despite showing some signs of exhaustion after her battle with Apple Lauda, Viral was can now relax as the gap between herself and Lauda was now 2 seconds. Meanwhile, Selena was now up into 12th place after benefiting from the Safety Car period. She was now heading towards the Evora of Elizabeth. The ‘Aria City Hellhound’ was trying every trick in her book to make sure to pass the Evora. But the engine that was swapped in Elizabeth’s car was sourced by Dragonsfire Motors and it was a similar engine to Katie and Miranda’s Supra.

With 30 laps to go on lap 41, the gap between Viral and Lauda was now 5 seconds even though the exhaustion was incrementing, but not too much to make Viral lose focus. Danger was defending from Sonic while the two V8 powered Supras of Michiko and Hailey were locking in a really big battle and turn 8 on lap 43 to turn 3 on lap 46, the two were side by side and at some points, they would trade paint, making the fans even more excited as the two GT racing giants were giving them something unforgettable.

Despite his Aston Martin compatriot, Manic Speed retiring on lap 49 due to a loss of power steering, Sonic was still in 4th place and trying to overtake Danger but the Ferrari was tough to overtake, especially if it was driven by Danger Dean. Eventually on lap 53, Sonic managed to get 3rd place at turn 4 but a error on the highway exit at turn 6 meant that Danger swooped past the Aston Martin to reclaim 3rd.

Danger was now 3 seconds behind Apple Lauda as he started to get a bit of a rhythm going after passing Sonic on lap 53. On lap 56 however, the battle that was originally for 2nd place was now for the lead as Viral pulled into the pits for fresh tires on her 296 GTB. For Danger and Lauda, this was it. With 11 laps to go, Lauda began to extend the gap he had on Danger so that when lap 61 began, he was now 5 seconds ahead. With Viral dropping to behind the two Supra’s who are now 5 seconds apart from each other. But with a refreshed mind and fresh tires, she was began to cruise to the end.

With 6 laps to go, Danger had reduced the gap to 3.5 seconds to Apple Lauda and then with 3 laps to go on lap 68. Danger had fallen a bit and was now 4.1 seconds back. But then, a question began to surface.

How much fuel do Apple Lauda have?

As Apple Lauda approached turn 1 to start lap 69, he realised that he only had about 2 laps of fuel left, whereas Danger had about 8 laps of fuel left as he had made a tactical pit stop when Valkyrie Schmidt had crashed out. By turn 6, Danger was cutting down Apple Lauda’s lead to 3.8 seconds. He knew that with Apple Lauda conserving fuel, he was losing at most 4 seconds with 2.5 seconds being the minimum. On the last lap, Danger made up another 1.6 seconds as he approached turn 2. Danger was beginning to multitask. Praying to the racing gods and driving at the same time. By the time Danger and Lauda reached turn 6, the Ferrari was 1.4 seconds back and when the got to start-finish straight…

Danger had a nose in front to take the win.

“Sweet Celestia, that was close… that was stressful!” Danger said, out of breath.

Sonic finished in 3rd place, Hailey was 4th, Michiko was 5th and 1st in the ST-1 Pro-Am class. Viral was 6th, Rusalka was 7th, Danny finished 8th, Elizabeth was 9th and Selena Sinderlight finished 10th.

After the race, Apple Lauda was quick to talk to Danger.

“I’ll be honest with you, Danger. I was literally on my last lap of fuel when we were on the last lap.”

“To be honest with you, mate. I didn’t know how much I was gaining on you till about like 2 laps to the finish. I thought you had like 5 or 6 laps of fuel, I had about 7.” Danger replied.

“Well it was a blast racing with you, I’ll look forward to the next GT3 exhibition race. You name the city, I’ll be there.” Apple Lauda said, while patting Danger’s shoulder.

When he got back to the outpost, Danger thought to himself that the racing gods was on his side and with the roads for the Redhaven Loop now dry from the fire hydrants bursting. He knew the championship was back on.