On the line up, we have Xiao jian's 2.5L wrx using forged internals, powervalve and sumo turbo. On James ride, we have Hyundai Tuscani 2.7L turbo charged. Forged Internals and powervalve. James's ride is tuned my our fellow kaki, Derrick-san.
Before the race, we snope around for more information on James's ride. We learnt from sources that this Tuscani 2.7L has never lost a single drag race. Further probing tells us this ride has recently done up his gearbox to allow a better top end power, that means this ride should be able to perform even better than normal and with better top speed, this ride should be able to pull redline with more speed than before. We also learnt that james's engine piston has been damaged recently and will not be able to fix it in time for this drag race. Seems like xiao jian has the advantage this time.
Evening at LCK was warm and the usual cold breeze wasnt around to bring the excitement to a higher level. Both driver shake hands before the race and a quick friendly exchange followed briefly.
You can tell the drivers are concealing their excitement, while the occasional glance they make at each other reveals the uncertainty of the results of tonight's race. It is plain obvious both driver are eager to race and you cannot tell who will cross the finishing line first. Drivers are nervous.
Kevin's YRV turbo was here tonight, Lam's GC8 and about 10 other highly modified rides including Derrick-san's wrx was here to view the race. Tonight's race was set at 30 tiang due to some idoit army tank parked at our usual 40 tiang end point. Rumours that choons motorsport will be here tonight and also Derrick-san's 630 bhp integra type S arriving slightly later in the night.
Race started without warning and all of a sudden, the 2 cars crossing with Tuscani 3 car length infront of Xiao Jian. OMG.
Race 2. Both cars launched perfectly. Headlights turns on and set at high beam. From the end point, it looks like xiao jian's wrx is in front. Excitement mounting. The sound of both the powervalve merges together like an orchestra, both cars pushes hard. Suddenly, the sound of xiao jian's exhaust screams unnaturally in a high pitch note ,clutch slips as the rpm swipes unforgivingly across the dashboard on gear 2. Shit! Clutch Slip! Xiao jian still leading, engages gear 3, floors the accelerator. Rex pulls hard and ait happened again at high rpm when the Sumo turbo force induction attacks the engine, the twin plate carbon clutch slips robbing precious horsepower from the wrx! The rpm is too high for any sensible driver correction and at this rate, no one knows for sure xiao jian's gonna cross the line first. Gear 4 engages at lower rpm than optimal due to the slippage, xiao jian cannot afford to contemplate any further as precious time slips by, with barely 4~5 lamp post remaining, Xiao Jian engages the gear with precision and pumps hard on the gas, hopes for the best. This time, you can tell that the clutch is slipping intermittently. Tuscani enagages gear 4. Wrx engine tries its best at below optima gear shift point...
James's carefully crafted gearbox with top speed bias gearing propels the car forward, xiao jian is now side-by-side with James losing the hard earned lead, with only 3 Lamp post remaining, Tuscani inches forward,
everyone inches dangerously forward into the road eagerly, except for Lam holding his camera and tuscani's gearing working its wonders pulls the car forward. Crosses the finishing line with 1 car length ahead of xiao jian. 
Curses and swears, then when Tuscani crosses, you can see white smoke coming from the exhaust system.
His tuner Derrick-san signals to James to pit his ride. Xiao Jian alights from his sumo rex, lights up a cigarette and told us clamly, "...I know my ride can pull past... clutch slipping... hahaha... Its so close!..." You can tell that he is trying hard to conceal his spontaneous shivers, that comes uninvited from a drag race.
james alight, shakes xiao jian's hand, "... good race! after my engine is fix, we try again" James said clamly and a smile beaming from his face. "...definately, I'll fix up my clutch also..."
sam for one is confident that in tonight's race, xiao jian is the clear winner. sam is very happy with the results for some reason. For me, I sense the air is filled with total uncertainty. No one claimed victory this evening, with a slipping clutch and the other, a damaged engine, there is no way to confirm the victor. The atmosphere is a little too friendly though we know each other very well, and a common spectator with no one bias to one party, it felt more like a gathering than a drag race. Alan smiling.
Recalling Xiao jian's performance with the Evo previously, that night was totally different. Maybe its because Xiao jian is dragging his rex virgin after tuning and forging his engine. That race, his 1000 per piece twin plate clutch was coorperative and plays it part to win the 5 races.
Well, for me, I know that the sumo's bhp is clearly much higher than jame's monster, but again, in the next race, jame's is going to put in his newly ordered forged pistons and conrods. He has an engine standby for rebuilding which is rumoured to start this weekend. That itself, made me unsure if xiao jian will win in the next race. Then again, sam mentions something about boost 2.x bars for xiao jian.... that would mean a close fight for the finishing line like tonight. We agreed its a draw for tonight.
Tonight, everyone left with uncertainty. No clear winner in a handicapped race. The spirit of racing and sportmanship is strong and breezeless LCK felt less chilly than it usually is. hmm.... When jame's ride left, there was engine oil dripping from his engine compartment,
an indication that the engine is more damaged than it was before the 2 race. We all know that this ride cannot take another dose of drag tonight, shake hands and bid goodbye, leaves with gusto.Rumours of more race is brewing and I'll definately be there to catch a glimpse of the action. For now, goodnight.... happy racing!
Once lam email me the photos, I'll post it... I forgot to bring camera hahaha....
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