IRC | Korea

[Jay]

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It was not any ordinary day in the Yeongam Grand Prix route. Four drivers could be seen racing closely and tightly as they practiced across the route. The four racers: Kim Iseok, Yi Kunha, Kim Jungtae, and Kwon Bomi would be practicing hard ahead of their next match in Austin. Kim Jungtae and Kwon Bomi would be the two newest additions to the Korean A1 Team. After the Montreal performance, Kunha was not let off the track until late into the evening as he practiced long hours to ready himself. Iseok was not off the hook either and spent a long time being trained and practicing. Hitting the top 15, his coaches set high bars to reach the top five in Austin. The lots of curves and turns at Austin would be advantageous to the pair with the Korea GP being similar with many curves and turns. However, their low maneuverability last time meant it needed serious upgrades along with speed. The South Korean engineers would make upgrades to vehicle ti improve maneuverability and speed. Two important features going into the Austin match.

Meanwhile in Yeongam the A1 team would conclude their training session late in into the night. All exhausted, they would go into the lockers to change and shower. Iseok would wait for his teammates outside near the enterance where one by one the three others came out. The Koreans would get into Isoek's car as they headed to a nearby Pojangmacha where the four sat down and ate together. The group chatted and laughed together as they put the stress of practice behind them. Jungtae and Bomi looked curiously as Iseok and Kunha explained their experiences as Montreal. The other two felt inspired and invigorated, wanting to try their hardest for the next season even if it seemed a long time away. The beginning of Korea's race track adventure would not be Montreal...it would be Austin where the spirits of the Korean drivers were reinvigorated, where they felt the need to prove themselves. They would raise their glasses as they screamed in encouragement, drinking form their soju before pouring another round. They would finish their meal in a cheerful environment as they spent the rest of their evening at the small tent enjoying themselves.

The next day, before even the sun, Iseok and Kunha would return to the track. They would with their crews check their vehicles and prepare for their last practice before heading to Austin. The team management would make sure their upgrades were properly recorded and would be submitted to the IRC for reference and ensure the upgrades were in line with rules. The Korean Racing Team would hit the track again as they practiced for the final time, with their training and vehicle improvements, they would complete the course in a new record time for the duo. When they finished their practice that day, they would go home to get some rest. The jet-lag was a major concern for the coaches and they would make preparations to arrive earlier than the tournament to get their members cleared up and ready. They would need a lot of rest for that. As they boarded their plane, fans handed the Korean IRC drivers letters and gifts as they left arrived at the airport. Even if racing was not popular in Korea, these racers wanted to change that.

A1 Korean Racing Vehicle (A1KRC)

■ Acceleration [ 3 ]
■ Braking [ 4 ]
■ Speed [ 4 ] + 1 (added)
■ Maneuverability [ 3 ] + 1 (added)
■ Endurance [ 3 ]
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Naio90

 

[Jay]

Iseok and Kunha would return to the track. They would with their crews check their vehicles and prepare for their last practice before heading to South America. They would leave Seoul quickly. The team management would make sure their upgrades were properly recorded and would be submitted to the IRC for reference and ensure the upgrades were in line with rules. The biggest changes would be to acceleration which proved a major setback for Yi Kunha when he was racing towards the #10 spot. The Korean Racing Team would hit the track again as they practiced for the final time, with their training and vehicle improvements, they would complete the course in a new record time for the duo. Speed was key, but, not crashing out was also crucial. High braking, and standard maneuverability required training and practice to perfect. The entire past two weeks were about getting those breaks and corners cleanly. Once their practices were finished, they would go home to get some rest. The jet-lag was a major concern for the coaches and they would make preparations to arrive earlier than the tournament to get their members cleared up and ready. They would need a lot of rest for that. Austin revived Korea's racing communities interests, the South America leg would prove if the training was paying off. No celebrations took place after Austin, but, hopefully in South America the Koreans can get into the top 10 and make a loud statement about Korea rising.

A1 Korean Racing Vehicle (A1KRC)

■ Acceleration [ 4 ] + 1 (added)
■ Braking [ 4 ]
■ Speed [ 4 ]
■ Maneuverability [3]
■ Endurance [ 3 ]
​

Naio90

 

[Jay]

​

Things were anything but quiet in Nürburg as the Korean fans cheered and waved the Taegukki and the Unification Flag. The Korean duo had hit the top 10 together for the first time all race. Kim and Yi both headed to Germany with high anticipation. Yi sought redemption after the South America DNF. Kim sought to bring another victory for Korea after the South America track. The long nights at the Korean Grand Prix as they practiced refining their skills and adapting to the improvements to their vehicles. The both would be grilled with training regiments, making use of simulation training facilities and the physical experience with their vehicles. The A1 leadership was eyeing a turn around at Italy and Norway to pave a way for a victory on their home turf to set Korea up for a leaderboard shift late in the tournament. A1 was still trailing bottom of the list, and a turn around was quickly needed to allow any hope for reaching the top.

In Nürburg the fans who came from Korea were not disappointed. Koreans would be waving the unification flag in a public show of solidarity with the reunification efforts between the two Koreas. After the race and their victory, the two Korean drivers got out of their vehicles and screamed Daehanminguk Mansye, in support and recognition of their supporters. In Korea, racing was slowly beginning to gain more traction. The efforts of Korean A1 racing had come a long way and the results were showing. After the race, the two pair were warmly greeted, but, it would not last long. Their coaches would review the footage and give advise so that another incident like with Allen Berg would not occur which saw the pair cut off and Yi slipping down to 10th place. Finding a way to break the crowd and move up the later was crucial for the two, otherwise, low points would keep coming in. Getting to the top 3 was not easy, but, the successes that A1 showed proved Korea could only go up.

Naio90

 

[Jay]

​

The big day was tomorrow when the IRC Korea Leg was held. Koreans from across the peninsula came into South Jeolla where the races were to be held. Koreans were not only excited but becoming anxious as they waited for the race. Hosting this leg of the race while not major, was still a chance to raise the national image and so the governments on all levels made every effort to have a successful race. Koreans themselves organized ahead of the race to cheer on A1 Racing and to give moral support to their team. The team was racing with most of Korea watching. In the North, across major cities TVs would be streaming the event live. The A1 Racing Team had practiced hard this season, improving with every game and making headways. Their coaches would only have this to say the day of the race. That their hard work will determine itself today, that every night and day that they spent practicing on this track will show itself. They would do well.

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On the day of the race, Koreans would come out in full strength as they cheered the team. Carrying their flags, banners, and t-shirts, they were there to show themselves well. Chanting their slogans and cheering on, cameras showcasing the event would be able to capture a glimpse of this Korean wave of people. It seemed everyone had come to the stadium, and outside, the crowds were even larger.

Naio90

 

[Jay]

Iseok and Kunha would return to the track after their better performances in Korea with the India Race. It would be a little disappointing, but, the coaches were eyeing to top the fourth spot in the tournament. If they could come fourth, that would be a good starting position. Competing against the top three teams of 1997, they'd have their work cut out for them. Eyes were already set for 1999's IRC. They'd check their vehicles, go to practices, and worked hard everyday. As the New Zealand route bearded they got ready for their race. For the next three races they'd aim for the top 5 in all of them. Reviewing tapes of the leaders on common tactics to pull ahead. Making sure they did not finish at all was crucial as a few DNFs had put them behind. As the team rested their crews checked the vehicles and prepare for the next leg. They would leave Seoul at night. The team management would make sure their upgrades were properly recorded and would be submitted to the IRC for reference and ensure the upgrades were in line with rules.

Boarding their flight they arrived in New Zealand for the tournament. With lots of curves, Maneuverability was key, but, not crashing out was also crucial. High braking, and training to improve maneuverability was done every day to grill the practice. The entire past months since Korea were about getting those breaks and corners cleanly. Once their practices were finished, they would go home to get some rest.

The big day was tomorrow when the IRC New Zealand. Till now, although the Koreans made minor breakthroughs, nothing stellar had occurred for the team. They were equally facing off against Australians and Americans who were performing just as well if not better. Doing better a requirement now, to exceed expectations and reach the top. There was not a high expectation, but, taking the stage once more would be a stellar sight, after taking second place, Kunha was pumped to do it again, and Iseok was eager to take his place up there. Coming into New Zealand, even if a lot was not expected, the racers would make a lot be enjoyed.

Naio90