Why race if you don’t have money?

Chapter 62 Sponsorship to be sought

Subaru God?
Chen Xiangbei smiled when he heard this nickname. It seemed that he also had the title of the Driving God of Nanyun Mountain.

There isn't much else in the underground racing world except that anyone can claim to be a god.

"Hey, little guy, you're pretty calm. Don't you take the East China Sea underground world seriously?"

Lu Xiaoman could see that Chen Xiangbei didn't take it seriously, but this was normal. Basically, once you reach the professional threshold, you will lose interest in most underground competitions.

After all, the level of underground drivers varies greatly, and many times they just fight each other. Without challenging opponents, they naturally cannot feel the speed and passion.

But there are always exceptions. As long as the overall level is raised high enough, it will attract professional riders to participate, thereby expanding the influence of underground events.

It’s like Los Angeles in the United States, the capital of Japan, Gaohe Bay, the former Princess Road in Hong Kong Island, and the Guia in the early years of Macau Island.

"Xiangbei, have you heard of the East China Sea Underground Competition?"

Lu Xiaoman asked again.

"Ah."

Chen Xiangbei nodded. Not only did he know about it, he was also prepared to get involved.

"This year's Donghai Underground Race is packed with experts. Many professional racers will be participating, such as Zhang Zhendong, whose track record you just broke, and Su Kaiqin, runner-up of the Porsche Carrera Cup."

"Also, Gao Hao, the captain of the Donghai SRT team, specifically requested a race with you, the Impreza STI driver. It's said he once studied at the Sports Racing Academy in the UK and raced in the ETCC (European Touring Car Championship)."

To be honest, Chen Xiangbei had heard of these people in his previous life. He just didn't know that other than Zhang Zhendong, they had participated in the East China Sea Underground Competition.

No wonder Qin Lianjie very frankly admitted that he could not outrun them. Indeed, these people are no longer ordinary professional racers. It is not an exaggeration to call them the top professional racers in China in the next ten years.

If they were to participate in the competition, it would be a dimensionality reduction attack on underground drivers, even if they relied on the geographical advantage and were familiar with the track.

"Sister Xiaoman, you seem quite familiar with the East China Sea Underground Competition?"

Faced with Lu Xiaoman's well-reasoned introduction, Chen Xiangbei asked a question in return.

“I’ve run before.”

Lu Xiaoman replied with a smile that if it weren't for her love for racing, she would never have joined Huasai Sports.

I will not stay here even when Huasai Sports is on the verge of bankruptcy.

After hearing this answer, Chen Xiangbei was a little curious. You know, there were not many female drivers in China in the early 2000s, and those who could participate in underground competitions were even rarer. He wondered how strong Lu Xiaoman was.

"Sister Xiaoman, what place did you get?"

"Asking less about things you shouldn't ask about in society!"

Lu Xiaoman pouted and said a "lecture", and it was obvious that the answer was about to come out...

Lu Xiaoman then changed the subject and said, "Xiangbei, SRT Gao Hao has challenged you to a duel to get back at you. Do you want to join?"

"do not know."

Chen Xiangbei did not give a direct answer. He had previously considered accepting the "advertising fee" from the Guangdian Racing Team, mainly because he was worried that Huasai Sports would not be able to survive until the end of the year, and by then he might have to train at his own expense.

After all, Chen Xiangbei and Zhang Zhicong are not that close, and Liang Chi's family assets have been almost emptied. There is not much room for maneuver in just a few months, so he has to find a way to keep going.

With his training progress far exceeding expectations, Miyamoto Shio even took the initiative to recommend himself to the Japan Racing Headquarters. As long as he could get accepted into the Suzuka Racing Academy, his training expenses would be covered, and his need for money would not be so urgent for the time being.

"I think you should join."

"why?"

"It's the same reason as the other professional racers." "Sister Xiaoman, you're not referring to that Underground King title, are you?"

Chen Xiangbei replied with a helpless smile that it was a common phenomenon for professional racers to participate in underground competitions all over the world. For example, the prototypes of animations such as "Initial D" and "Wangan Midnight" were actually all professional racers.

But they are not competing for the title of Underground King of Cars. Even the famous title of Akina Mountain God of Cars is not worth much in the professional world.

Many professional riders participate in underground races purely for the sake of excitement, just like a cat stealing fish.

"Of course not. The reason there are so many top professional riders participating in this event is that there will be an important person watching the race, and they are hoping to get a contract or sponsorship."

"What character?"

"Peng Sheng, founder of Jiuli Sports."

Upon hearing the name, Chen Xiangbei showed a rare look of surprise on his face. Not only did he know who Peng Sheng was, he himself almost became a contracted driver for Jiuli Sports. It can be said that they have quite a connection.

Peng Sheng comes from a sports family and has been working in the overseas financial field in his early years. His resume is somewhat similar to that of Zhang Zhicong.

Influenced by the 08 Olympic Games, he returned to China and founded Jiuli Sports Company. Later, he also invested in the DS team of FE Electric Formula.

In his previous life, Chen Xiangbei was just one step away from entering F1, and Peng Sheng, with great sincerity, personally invited him to join the DS Electric Formula Team.

However, after much hesitation, Chen Xiangbei declined Peng Sheng's invitation and chose the WRC event which could bring him different excitement. Both parties missed each other regretfully.

I didn’t expect that I would be able to see Peng Sheng in the early stages of his business after being reborn.

"Xiangbei, Jiuli Sports is well known in the industry for its strong background. If you can get their sponsorship, it will be of great help to your future Formula One career."

Lu Xiaoman also reminded that under the influence of the 08 financial crisis, most Formula One teams, including F1, were operating at a loss and had a huge demand for funds, which made paying drivers more competitive.

This situation continued until 17, when Liberty Media of the United States took over the operation of F1 events. Since then, the market value and popularity of F1 have skyrocketed like a rocket, increasing fivefold in six years!
The teams made a lot of money from dividends, and the implementation of the R&D budget cap reduced racing expenses in disguise. This made the paying drivers gradually lose their competitiveness, and the teams began to prioritize strong drivers who could score points.

But as far as the current situation is concerned, the best way to defeat the "power of money" is to use magic!

"I see."

Chen Xiangbei nodded. He knew the importance of sponsorship better than anyone else without Lu Xiaoman reminding him.

"But Xiangbei, the route of this East China Sea Underground Competition will be greatly changed, making the competition very dangerous. You still need to think carefully."

"What changed?"

"In order to avoid potential safety hazards and third-party safety issues, the organizers chose a completely closed road that has not been opened to traffic, so that the participating professional drivers have no worries."

"Shouldn't that be safer?"

Chen Xiangbei asked in return, closed roads that have not been opened to traffic cannot be considered "roads" according to regulations. In addition, there are no pedestrians or third-party vehicles to interfere, so in theory they are much safer.

"The reason it's not open is because it's not finished yet. There are potholes and gravel on the road, and there might be piles of construction materials and other messy obstacles."

"More importantly, there are no street lights when running at night!"

Lu Xiaoman thought that if she told Chen Xiangbei about the danger, he would think carefully about it.

Unexpectedly, a playful smile appeared on the other person's face.

There is a very famous WRC race called the Monte Carlo Night Race, where drivers have to race at a speed of 200km/h on an off-road track with only their headlights, without any lighting.

To be honest, this speed is no different from driving with your eyes closed. It requires the driver and the navigator to reach their tacit understanding to the extreme. Fujiwara Takumi's "lights off kill" is nothing compared to it. It is truly a running style where the person flies in front and the soul chases behind.

Unfortunately, Chen Xiangbei happened to run past!

(End of this chapter)