[color=fff200][center][h1][b]Qualifying Race Nürburgring, Nürburg, Germany [/b][/h1][/center] [/color] Paul smiled as he climbed into the number 72 ship in Team Valkyrie livery. He fastened his safety harness and plugged in his neural interface before he began his prerace checklist with his race engineer Carmella. [color=bc8dbf]Carmella: “The changes you requested at practice were completed.” [/color] Carmella sounds hesitant before she asks Paul. [color=bc8dbf]“Paul I know we talked about this already, but are sure about trying these changes Dorian wanted? I mean, this track is all about stability. We gained a little bit of speed but it cost us in stability. Dorian seems to be doing well with this set up…”[/color] she sounded unsure if her opinion would be welcome before continuing. [color=bc8dbf]“But you have not been posting good lap times. I feel like this setup has hurt your performance. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn't state the facts plainly for you.” [/color] Paul sighed as he and Carmella had been at odds over these changes. He understood her point of view. If he did poorly on this set up, it looks poorly on her as his race engineer. He tried to keep his frustration out of his voice as he replied. [color=fff200]Paul: “Carmella we need to be pushing boundaries especially where speed is concerned. I want to try this. Maybe it will work out for us and be an advantage. If it is not, at least I know we tried something different. If we want different results we need to try different things. We are going to fail sometimes. But we might learn something useful we can apply later.” [/color] Carmella sighed knowing she had lost her argument. Her conscience felt better knowing she had given him all the facts and didn’t lessen the blow to soothe his ego. She didn’t believe Paul would do very well here in Germany. They should have tried this set up at a different track. She was on Cavan’s side in this argument. They had been over ruled by Alexander who was backing his pilots. This is one time Carmella wished Alexander would have been a team principal first and put his foot down. She believed Alexander made a mistake in allowing these changes for Nürburgring. [color=bc8dbf]Carmella: “Well at least you understand the potential consequences of your decision. I just wished you had decided to wait to try this at a different track. Stability is essential for this track.” [/color] Paul just grumped and sighed as he continued to test his ship’s systems one at a time. He let it go because it was go time and they didn’t have time to make any changes at this point in the game. He also wanted to be a good teammate and one of the conditions was that for Dorian to explore this, he had to embrace it too. He just hoped that this gave Dorian what he was looking for, for this race. Paul smiled. This was Dorian’s last race here at this track. Paul planned to have many more races here in Germany. He would love to see Dorian do well here in Germany. That doesn’t mean he would not push his team mate the entire way. Paul always drove to win. Paul turned his focus back to testing his systems. He tested the air brake system and noted the tension on the rear air brakes had been set slightly higher per his request and that the energy feed back from the kinetic dampers on the airbrakes had been optimized for greater energy retention. Hopefully the tension setting changes would help the handling and stability without compromising the speed boost gained. Paul finished his internal systems check and everything looked good. [color=fff200]Paul: “Internal system checks are green. Radio check.” [/color] Carmella’s voice was all business now. [color=bc8dbf]“Radio check is good. I am reading all systems green Paul. You are clear to head to the starting line.” [/color] [color=fff200]Paul: “Number 72 heading to the starting line.” [/color] Paul suited actions to words as he took the ship from Team Valkyrie’s paddock bay out to the track. [color=fff200]Paul: “Engine is warmed up and at operating level.” [/color] [color=bc8dbf]Carmella: “Start countdown commencing, Good Luck Paul.” [/color] Paul wrapped his hands around the control yoke as he watched the start lights flash in sequence. Paul got a good start but over-corrected at the Yokohama S curve as the ship was not quite as stable as he was used to. He almost binned it into the wall as it rocked up on its side as he whipped it around the corner. [color=fff200]Paul: “Shit! I almost left my mark the painful way!” [/color] Paul focused as he came out of the S curve and picked up speed quickly before he had to lean on the air brakes to make it through the Dunlop Hairpin. He managed to make up a little time but he could feel that this run was not going to be stellar or as solid as he knew he was capable of. He was pushing but the ship just felt off to him. He was not having a good day in Germany. Paul flew through the Advan Arch barely slowing down as the ship rocketed around the shallow curve. He was grateful for his neural interface as he gracefully wove the ship through the Veedol Chicane like a dancer. Paul drifted the ship through the Jaguar curve finally finding his pace. The track is hard to find the optimal racing line with all the braking and slowing for all the curves. Paul’s ship gained speed on the Hatzenbach straight before taking the curve into the Flugplatz. He hammered the throttle wide open as he adjusted the ship’s trim for optimal aerodynamics using his neural interface picking up even more speed. The ship followed and stuck to track like it was glued as the ship swanned through the Aremberg curve. Paul’s form was great even as he slowed to go through the curve at Ex-Muhle. The absolutely stunning green views of forest and grass covered hills were lost as Paul focused on the track and navigating its turns and twists. Paul’s eyes were watching the track carefully for the slight rise and curve that led to the track’s most famous corner. Paul slowed the ship as he entered the famous Caracciola-Karussell hairpin corner which is almost 180 degrees. The ship tilted to the side as the speed kept the ship pinned to the track as it banked around the curve. As he got to the middle of the curve he began to accelerate the ship which spat the ship out as it rocketed up the hill towards the next section of track.Paul had to slow once more to take the corner at Hohe Acht. Paul piloted the ship through the rest of the circuit without much trouble but he still felt as if he was off pace compared to his norm. He completed his qualifying lap and shook his head in disappointment at the time. He knew he should have done better. He would just have to wait and see how his competition did. At the end of the day, Paul was starting in P7 and Dorian in P4. At least it had been worth it for Dorian. [hr] [color=gold][center][h1][i][b]DELTΔ HYPER[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Episode Eleven: The Green Hell Post Qualifying Interviews[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [b]Soundtrack: [url=https://youtu.be/kOYcbod5J0w?feature=shared] Hans Zimmer - Lost But Won [/url][/b] Paul was sent directly from qualifying at the track to the Delta Hyper couch. He had a moment to slug dug a Zap to replace the electrolytes he lost and sweated out due to the heat in the ship.A team member had given him a wet towel that he had used to cool down and wipe the sweat from his face. He ducked into the bathroom and used the towel to soak and scrub his overheated head. The cool towel felt heavenly. He scrubbed at his sweat soaked helmet flattened hair. He finger combed it into submission before slamming a bottle of water. He might need to report to the set but he could take a minute for himself. He looked at himself in the mirror and had to admit he was disappointed at the result. After his last two races, he couldn’t help but feel he should have done better. He sighed and sucked it up before heading towards the set. Paul sat on the white Delta Hyper Couch in his dark gray and gold racing suit with technical patches of digital fabric that flashed with sponsor logos. Paul always felt like a walking billboard which he supposed he was. It was part of the job though. He took his seat with a neutral expression. His hair looked darker since it was still wet. He leaned back into the comfort of the couch waiting for the next question. There was an air of gravity and seriousness about the set today. The light playfulness of the prequalifying interviews are gone. [color=ed1c24][quote]Aurora: [b]What would you say is the hardest thing for you about racing in Formula AG?[/b][/quote][/color] Paul had to stop and think about this one. He could share something lighthearted and funny and punt the real answer down the road or answer truthfully. Paul decided to give a real answer. [color=fff200]“I could say sticking to a strict training regime and diet. I can’t just run out and grab junk food every day even if I can afford it. I can’t just stop my exercise routine because I need my body to be in peak form. But I feel that is the cheap answer.” [/color] Paul swallowed and looked Aurora in the eye as he answered. His tone was serious and revealed some nervousness. [color=fff200]Paul: “It can be lonely at times. I might be surrounded by hundreds of people who are all asking for my attention but not many people really know me. I am almost always on the go doing something. There is training, endorsement and sponsorship commitments, and of course traveling to the races. I travel a lot for work. That is not a lifestyle conducive to having a relationship, family, or a pet. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do. I love traveling but it can be draining as well. It is a whole different set of pressures and challenges that only other pilots understand. The team atmosphere at Valkyrie helps a lot.”[/color] Paul smiles and lights up the camera with real warmth. [color=fff200]“I can’t thank the Team enough for always being there for me and having my back.” [/color] [hr] [center][h1][color=fff200]Social Media[/color][/h1][/center] [center][b][color=fff200]From: Paul Mulder @ValkyriePaul: [/color][/b][/center] [b]I am going to steal an idea from @MadBea and auction off something special to the fans. A signed limited edition T-shirt designed by the Team to commemorate my first Podium win at Montreal. It is signed by me and has a video authenticating me signing it and a certificate. [A picture of Paul signing the size extra large t-shirt. It is Team Valkyrie’s logo and colors with a silhouette of Paul’s ship on the back. It is decorative and edgy with a rock and roll feel to the design. There was a limited number of them for sale in the team’s gear store.] The highest bid by the end of the race in Germany wins the T-shirt. The proceeds will be donated to a charity of the winner’s choice. [/b] [color=fff200]MagnetoMuppet:[/color]I have put in my bid. Don’t expect to win. [color=fff200]Nana2050:[/color]Count me in! [color=fff200]Hater101:[/color] Publicity stunt! Distraction from his poor performance in qualifying. [color=fff200]Papabear34:[/color]I like the shirt and it will go to a good cause. Count me in. [color=fff200]HydrofoilHater[/color] Mulder is so fake! *barf* No one is that nice! [color=fff200]ThrusterJester:[/color]If I want the shirt I would just buy it. No thanks. [color=fff200]QuantumQuokka:[/color]Mulder is back to choking. Poor performance at qualifying. [color=fff200]Bertha:[/color]Couldn’t agree more. I don’t like the clean and squeaky image. [color=fff200]ValkyrieFan56:[/color]WOW jealous much? You must be rooting for MMR. [color=fff200]Nana2050:[/color]Why are they so hateful? He still managed P7. Let’s see you do that pipsqueak! [color=fff200]MulderMuse:[/color]I agree with you @Nan2050! [color=fff200]Paulmulder4eva:[/color]I am bidding on that shirt! [color=fff200]OfficeDrone#12:[/color]@Nana2050 Mulder’s fans sound like squeaky little dogs! All bark and no bite just like Mulder. [color=fff200]RumorMill:[/color]I heard they are racing a new setup at this race. It doesn’t look like it’s helping them. [color=fff200]DantheMan:[/color] Oh yeah? What have you heard? [color=fff200]RumorMill:[/color]Just that they made some kind of changes to the airbrake systems. [color=fff200]LegacyStan94:[/color]Either way P7 is not bad and Dorian is in P4. [color=fff200]OfficeDrone#12:[/color]It is nice to see Dorian performing for once this season. [color=fff200]SuperfanAGR54:[/color]Dorian in P4! Hope he gets another podium. Would be nice to see before he retires. [color=fff200]BatDave:[/color] Batman sends his approval. [hider= Team Valkyrie Characters] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5XUgYiVm6KjTpFTWZtJvXc0MX77enkLzINHujKw/edit?gid=0#gid=0 [/hider]