CHAPTER 122: CHAPTER 92: THE NEW SUPER DREAM TEAM

Ever since Chen Xiangbei proposed the condition of self-financing for racing during negotiations, Qin Lianjie has been pondering over the issue of expenses.

He knows this guy’s personality well. When facing difficulties, he tends to handle them himself rather than easily discussing them and troubling others.

But self-financed formula racing, especially going to Europe to compete, definitely isn’t a small expenditure.

Even if Chen Xiangbei doesn’t have to worry about team salary and the technical support fees provided by ARTA, he still can’t afford the race expenses alone.

Qin Lianjie did the math: at the Renault level of racing, the car rental costs, tire and liquid consumption costs, travel expenses, and parts consumption costs, along with registration fees and insurance.

Each race event doesn’t cost less than a hundred thousand!

Moreover, this is just one event; the full Renault Formula European Cup involves at least eight to ten rounds, meaning Chen Xiangbei has to prepare millions in funding.

Additionally, this only considers normal race expenses; it doesn’t account for damage caused by crashes or accidents. The single price of a Renault 2.0 Formula race car is over a hundred thousand US dollars. If a car is wrecked, Chen Xiangbei might have to sell a house in Guangzhou.

Take Ma Qingye, who Qin Lianjie knows and self-finances in Spain’s F3 races. His family condition back in East Sea is already quite good, yet he still can’t sustain the Formula racing expenses and has to intermittently return to China to run sedan races for money.

Chen Xiangbei’s current financial situation, according to Qin Lianjie’s estimates, might support him with only tens of thousands and wouldn’t last more than six months.

"Let’s talk after returning to China, see if we can pull a couple of sponsors."

Regarding funding issues, Chen Xiangbei doesn’t feel any severe crisis; half a year is enough to accomplish many things.

In some sense, what Chen Xiangbei needs more now is fame or to win a significant championship to attract the attention of sponsors back home.

In this world, including China, most of the time, it’s all about the champion; except for getting into the F1 Paddock, like Zhou Guanyu, to wield some social influence.

Otherwise, even reaching GP2 (F2) or the level of later figures like Ma Qingye, Ye Yifei, they remain relatively unknown back home.

There’s a term for it, it’s called not "breaking through."

"Fine, I’ll sponsor one."

"Shouldn’t your Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific investor reputation view my small setup with disdain?"

Chen Xiangbei chuckled self-deprecatingly; for a top investment bank like Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific to sponsor, it’s like finding a name to give money away.

"Who said anything about Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific? Do you think I’m purely relying on my family?"

Qin Lianjie disdainfully replied and then said, "I have a modification parts shop in Hong Kong Island. Sponsoring an ad on a racing suit to boost some international visibility should be fine."

"Whoa, turns out you and Cao An formed a team to offer a one-stop service of selling and modifying cars?"

Truly not disappointing from an investment banking family background, Qin Lianjie does have some financial acumen.

Upon hearing this from Chen Xiangbei, Qin Lianjie was a bit embarrassed and explained, "Initially, there was no such idea; purely for the convenience of modifying the Civic Type-R, later on as the team expanded and more people were involved in modifications, the business slowly grew."

"Stop talking nonsense; are you going to sponsor or not?"

"Alright, how much are you planning to sponsor?"

Chen Xiangbei is never one for sensitivity; with financial difficulties, since Qin Lianjie is willing to help, he won’t refuse.

Moreover, Chen Xiangbei firmly believes that he can repay this help manifold in the future!

"Fifty thousand, without asking family for it, I don’t have much liquidity on hand."

"Truly wealthy."

Chen Xiangbei couldn’t help but sigh, realizing the discrepancy between Qin Lianjie’s concept of "not much" and his own understanding of numbers...

At dawn, they drove back to Suzuka City. Hearing the sound of the door lock, Liang Chi, sleepy-eyed, climbed up and asked, "How did the negotiation go?"

"Got it done, ARTA team agreed to enter the European Formula by collaboration."

"Uncle Liang, inquire East Sea Hua Racing members about any requests or opinions they have, like salary and treatment."

Upon hearing this from Chen Xiangbei, Liang Chi stood still, then rubbed his face vigorously.

"I’m not dreaming, right? You managed to persuade Suzuki Aguri?"

Liang Chi genuinely found it hard to believe; both Suzuki Aguri and the ARTA team could be considered as the top existence in Japan’s racing scene.

Under normal circumstances, Chen Xiangbei wouldn’t even be qualified to negotiate!

"Hmm, Director Sawano helped in the end; he will become my future race engineer."

If Liang Chi initially had doubts, now, hearing Chen Xiangbei’s response made him feel even more like he was dreaming.

Sawano Hiroyuki being the director of the Honda Racing Academy and going to be the race engineer for a Renault level driver?

"Uncle Liang, we indeed reached an agreement; the contract will likely be signed soon. You should call and ask East Sea Hua Racing members."

Next to him, Qin Lianjie confirmed with a comment; often, miracles are born in this way.

"No need to ask the crap, East Sea Hua Racing collapsed, yet they didn’t leave. Now, having the chance to participate in European formula racing is equally the dream of the maintenance technicians!"

Liang Chi replied excitedly; not only drivers like Chen Xiangbei dream of going abroad to challenge the highest halls of world formula racing.

Racing team members feel the same way!

"Uncle Liang, don’t be excited, just follow your lead."

Feeling Liang Chi a bit "out of control," Chen Xiangbei hurriedly soothed him.

In the time that followed, Chen Xiangbei and Liang Chi discussed the "negotiation" details thoroughly.