Raining Champion

by Siena Pye

And they're off! Haring downhill after the start, competitors in the race of the century hurtled towards maximum speed. Jostling for position, the snarling pack's order changed constantly as external influences came into play. Some started cautiously then, swelled with increasing confidence, overtook rivals who were quicker into their stride then ran out of puff. Others maintained a steady pace, picking off competitors unable to maintain their ambitious early momentum. Many a twist and turn would occur before the finish.

My sisters chose their favourites. Noolie plumped for Cheese Puff, the orange car, while Niamh picked chocolate brown Dibble. They were battling brilliantly until they collided dramatically at the hairpin. With brakes screeching and shedding damaged parts they spun off the track in unison. "Poor tyre choice," said the commentator, drily. Cheese Puff stopped gyrating just short of the barrier, but facing the right way was able to rejoin. Dibble was not so lucky. His bold challenge melted into oblivion.

Mama chose the Silver Phantom racer, which looked the sleekest of them all. Papa selected Black Panther, because its roar was loudest and by far the most menacing. I opted for Liquid Crystal which gleamed in the fragile sun's rays that faded into the darkening afternoon sky.

They were twenty eight laps into the race when the air temperature suddenly dropped. Tell-tale specks of rain hit the commentary box window, then the heavens opened. With the track awash, the racers were sliding all over the place, struggling to keep control in deep standing water. Only a change of tyres would restore grip and bring any hope of finishing.

In, in, in, the leaders entered the pit lane together. Like well-oiled machines their mechanics leapt into action. Off came the dry slick-tyred wheels, replaced by grooved wet weather rubber in seconds. So quick was Liquid Crystal's team that it gained two places, shooting back out into the lead, with Silver Phantom and Black Panther now in determined pursuit. Cheese Puff was making up time inexorably meanwhile, lapping ever quicker. He had started on wet tyres and now they were perfect for the conditions.

With four laps remaining, the race became a thrilling four-way fight, but who would be crowned champion? As they scrabbled for grip under full power, there was overtaking aplenty as the rivals probed for overtaking opportunities. pectators went wild with anticipation as their favourites redoubled their efforts.

Silver Phantom, Cheese Puff, Black Panther and Liquid Crystal sped onto the final lap nose-to-tail. Approaching the last corner, Black Panther played his trump card. Leaving his braking inpossibly late for the chicane, he slithered past Silver Phantom and Cheese Puff into the lead, only to run wide on the exit and spin wildly on the grass. The crowd's groans turned to huge cheers as Silver Phantom surged from third to first in the sprint to the chequered flag.

Splosh! the streaks of rain had hit the frame at the bottom of my bedroom window, but we had a clear winner!