CHAPTER 121: CHAPTER 91: PROMISE TO MEET AT THE SUMMIT (PART 3)

A Renault championship winner is just a small fry on the Capital High!

Seeing the attitude of the surrounding racers, Hoshino Yoshi helplessly shook his head and said, "Taro, on Suzuka Circuit driving a formula car, I’m at least 0.5 seconds slower per lap than Xiangbei-kun."

"As for the mountain road expert you admire, Hashimoto Ichiro, he once ran a race with Xiangbei-kun using a touring car, GTR against G35, and got overtaken in less than a minute."

"How long do you think it would take for you to be left in the dust racing against Xiangbei-kun on Capital High, a minute or 30 seconds?"

Hearing these words from Hoshino Yoshi, Taro was left completely dumbfounded, frozen in place.

Although he often ran on Capital High, deep down, he aspired to become the "Qiuming Mountain Car God," and his idol was Hashimoto Ichiro. He also hoped to become a disciple of the "Drift King" Tsuchiya Keiichi.

His idol couldn’t last a minute against this kid on the track?

Not even experts of the Japanese Super GT level could probably do that.

It wasn’t just Taro who couldn’t believe it; the other underground racers present at Capital High showed expressions full of shock as well.

Soon, their gazes turned to Hashimoto Ichiro, who was there. This guy was proud and often boasted about being a disciple of Tsuchiya Keiichi.

If Hoshino Yoshi was lying, he would immediately jump out to deny it!

Yet things turned out differently than expected. Hashimoto Ichiro remained silent, his face so dark it seemed like water could drip from it.

He had never expected that what had happened on Suzuka Circuit would be revealed by Hoshino Yoshi in such a setting. How could he show off again at Capital High?

Seeing the change in Hashimoto Ichiro’s expression, the underground racers present quickly understood what was going on, their expressions shifting from previous doubt and disdain to complete shock.

When did the level of a Renault champion reach such heights?

Chen Xiangbei did not pay much attention to the surprise of others; he was not there to run underground races.

Instead, he pulled Hoshino Yoshi aside and asked, "Hoshino, with Senior Suzuki as your mentor and showing your talent and strength on the track, why do you insist on underground racing when there are many options in professional racing?"

This time being able to meet Suzuki Aguri, Chen Xiangbei was well aware that Hoshino Yoshi had done a lot behind the scenes. He always upheld the idea with friendships that sincerity is exchanged for sincerity, and help is mutual.

If it weren’t for him stepping up for Hoshino Yoshi on Suzuka Circuit, leaving a good impression, today’s "reward" of bridging connections would not exist.

Similarly, Chen Xiangbei truly did not want to see Hoshino Yoshi get lost in underground racing now that they were friends.

This thing can be played, many professional racers run a couple of races from time to time, but it cannot be a livelihood.

"I know, but right now I need money more."

By now, Hoshino Yoshi was completely frank with Chen Xiangbei.

His purpose for running underground races was clear: to earn more money to treat his mother’s illness.

Currently, in this era, both China and Japan, or rather the entire Asian racing scene, face a harsh reality where the income of most mid-to-low-level professional racers is far less than that of underground racers.

In China, it’s due to the late start of the automobile industry, resulting in an underdeveloped, systematic racing scene, lacking fame and influence for racers. So much that even a top CCC champion earns a mere half a million purely from racing prize money.

Given that a CCC season nears a year, with a champion merely clutching half a million, driver expenses not covered by sponsorship practically mean they’re running at a loss.

Renowned figures like Han Han often rely on royalties to buy tires.

On the other hand, thanks to rapid economic and real estate development, those who can afford underground racing are usually rich second-generation offspring.

These individuals have more discretionary money and care less about spending it, as long as it pleases them.

Hence, professional prize money fell short of underground appearance fees, easily earning more by casually participating in a race than running professionally for a month.

This has led to professional drivers participating in underground events as a common phenomenon.

In Japan, it’s exactly the opposite. Their racing system is so well-developed that each year more drivers emerge, the competition is fierce, and attention focuses on the "top stream," leaving the mid-to-low-tier unnoticed.

It’s like, for ads or endorsements, if they randomly pick someone in the professional circle, they’d end up with a Super Formula or Super GT champion title, at the very least holding a Super Endurance title.

A champion of something like F4 really just doesn’t make the cut.

Hoshino Yoshi urgently needed money, especially in Tokyo, an international metropolis, where only underground racing income could sustain him and his mother’s living expenses.

Hearing this, Chen Xiangbei fell silent.

Even a hero can be stumped by a penny, let alone Hoshino Yoshi, who has a compelling reason.

"Hoshino, Principal Nakajima told me he’s helping you apply for a Honda scholarship, which will alleviate a lot of pressure once you have the funds."

"Even if that’s still not enough and you need to continue underground racing, I hope you won’t completely forsake professional training; maybe someday we’ll meet at the top."

Feeling the sincerity in Chen Xiangbei’s words, Hoshino Yoshi solemnly nodded and said, "Okay, I won’t give up on professional racing; I hope we can meet at the top one day!"

The two bumped fists to make an agreement, and Chen Xiangbei turned around and got into the Toyota Supra. He needed to rush back to the Suzuka area overnight to inform Liang Chi of the collaboration with ARTA Racing Team.

At the same time, quickly touch base with members of the East Sea Huase Racing Base to solicit their requirements and opinions on joining a new racing team.

Once everything is confirmed, they will reach a formal agreement with Suzuki Aguri.

The Toyota Supra was cruising down the highway on the return journey, with Qin Lianjie driving this time, while Chen Xiangbei leaned back on the seat, gazing at the city nightscape outside.

"Xiangbei, you’re really amazing, I never expected you to come this far."

Qin Lianjie said with deep emotion, having watched Chen Xiangbei progress step by step from a high school student to reaching an agreement with the ARTA Racing Team was nothing short of witnessing a miracle.

"It’s just luck."

Chen Xiangbei replied with a smile, neither arrogant nor conceited.

"There’s no such good luck, it would be impossible for anyone else to do this."

Had it been someone else saying this, Qin Lianjie might actually believe it, having personally witnessed Chen Xiangbei’s hard work and persistence, he was genuinely impressed.

"By the way, Xiangbei, self-funded racing costs a lot. Have you figured out the source of funds yet?"

"If not, I can help."