The competition on the track had entered a white-hot stage. Lin Yan's two drivers started from fourth and eighth positions respectively.
The one starting fourth was currently very stable, while the one starting eighth had already moved up to seventh and was aggressively attacking the sixth-placed driver ahead. Driven by Lin Yan's rewards, their performance had surged, and they were in excellent condition.
After a long while, the race concluded. One finished in third place, and the other in sixth, both qualifying for the main race tomorrow, much to everyone's delight.
Considering the main race tomorrow, Lin Yan postponed the celebratory feast until the evening after the main race.
................................................................
The next morning, Lin Yan got out of bed, completed his simple morning routine of washing up and exercising, and then led everyone to the racetrack. Today was the main race of the Genius Youth Cup, and many major teams were present, such as the renowned Fengchi Racing Team in Asia and the Yuehai Racing Team.
Both of these teams would send representatives to observe. In addition to them, some smaller teams would also send people. The woman Lin Yan had met at the hotel earlier was one of them.
Teams like Fengchi and Yuehai were different from Shanshu. They were genuine top-tier teams that competed in various races across Blue Star. Shanshu, on the other hand, was more prominent in Asia but lagged significantly on the international stage, having only participated in a few Asian events. They had an overwhelming number of drivers, which was why they relied on training drivers to generate income. When a driver was poached, in addition to the training fees, they would take a share of the driver's salary. This was their exclusive business model.
As for the other smaller teams also scouting for talent, they were mostly those that couldn't cultivate their own drivers and consisted of small groups of people wanting to form their own teams to compete.
Being scouted by a team meant the drivers secured a job with a considerable income. Thus, this place also served as a large recruitment venue.
Lin Yan brought everyone to the venue. Unlike the others, Lin Yan's primary purpose in bringing these drivers was for training and to expose them to the wider world.
The two simulators worth tens of millions of yuan in Lin Yan's team alone almost outshone all the other teams present. Allowing these very young drivers to train on simulators was an absolute waste of resources.
Simulators were expensive, and most teams couldn't afford them. Even if the major teams could afford them, they wouldn't let these young drivers use them.
Upon arriving at the pit lane and taking the participant list, Lin Yan noticed thirty-one names. He frowned slightly, wondering why there was one extra. It seemed like another season with some shady dealings.
Lin Yan understood some of the tricks of the racetrack. It was likely that some Western drivers who weren't selected in the West had come to the East.
Jiang Qiyan and Yan Xiaoqiang were relatively strong here, but they were nowhere near the level of the Western youth cups. In terms of true racing, even Lin Yan had to admit that those foreign drivers were indeed more naturally talented than them. It seemed he would have a strong opponent today, but that was also good; applying some pressure to Yan Xiaoqiang and the others was beneficial.
The audience for today's main race had doubled. As Yan Xiaoqiang and the others entered, they were awestruck by the packed grandstands, which were completely full, with some people even standing.
Lin Yan's support banners were flying everywhere in the stands.
Yesterday, Lin Yan's team was the only one where all five drivers qualified for the main race, with only one retiring due to a crash. Such an impressive achievement led many spectators to investigate. Upon learning more, they were astonished to discover it was the team of China's Lin Shen.
Lin Yan's name might not be particularly famous across the entire Blue Star, but it was well-known throughout Asia.
The "Light of Asia," the most talented racing driver in Asia – these titles were not for show.
Single-handedly, he had brought in 110,000 spectators to the Genius Youth Cup, increasing the live audience to over 180,000, more than doubling the previous number. Even the organizers were surprised.
"Go Lin Shen, Lin Shen, I love you!"
......
Of course, some also came through Hao Dong's live stream.
Lin Shen actually dared to sneak away and race in secret, hmph! (˃⌑˂ഃ) Fans have their pride, okay.
Today's main race consisted of ten laps. Unlike yesterday's race, they would all be using identical cars: the Ben Tian 250rr.
This was the same car model Lin Yan had prepared for his team. Lin Yan was aware of this, which was why he had Matt prepare the same model for Yan Xiaoqiang and the others, as a form of early preparation.
Soon, the qualifying session began. Through the screen, Lin Yan also saw the new driver today, number 98, queuing at the back of the line to prepare for qualifying. Observing his constantly shifting body and his sweeping gaze, Lin Yan guessed he was another arrogant individual. This was understandable, as these Western drivers had always looked down on the Easterners.
In their eyes, top-tier racing competitions were exclusively for Westerners.
It wasn't long before it was his turn to start. All eyes in the venue focused on him. He put on his helmet and visor, leaning over the fuel tank of his car with a focused expression.
With the roar of the engine, the number 98 car launched forward. The 250cc car sped down the track.
Smooth entry and exit into corners.
Lin Yan took a rough glance. The driver was indeed stronger than Yan Xiaoqiang, and even knew how to perform the "Luoxi Leg," but he wasn't overwhelmingly superior. After all, even if he came from the West, he was likely a driver no one wanted there.
However, Lin Yan estimated that it would be almost impossible for Yan Xiaoqiang to defeat him.
Number 98 concealed his identity well, even using an Eastern name. However, his background was an open secret among these teams.
The owner of Fengchi Racing Team, a national of Country E, was sitting in the stands and had already recognized this Westerner. He frowned and said to the person beside him.
"After the race, invite all of the top six drivers, except for him. Additionally, if they are from China's Lin Shen's team, double their annual salary."
"Yes, boss."
Fengchi Racing Team's owner wasn't supposed to come today. However, since Lin Shen was here, he decided to join the excitement. In fact, Fengchi Racing Team's people didn't know that their boss was also a fan of Lin Yan, and a die-hard fan at that, someone who had even secretly flown abroad on a private jet to watch his races.
Fengchi's owner was a typical person with strong nationalistic sentiments. For someone like Lin Yan who brought glory to Asia, he naturally couldn't help but support him.
The qualifying session ended. Number 98 took first place, truly astonishing the audience, this driver who had not participated in the preliminary rounds yesterday.
Second place went to the driver from Shanshu Racing Team. After Lin Yan did not accept the apology from the person in charge yesterday, he did not hold back today, narrowly beating Yan Xiaoqiang.
Jiang Qiyan ranked eighth. The seven people ahead of her were all masters who had ranked first or second in their respective groups yesterday. Ranking eighth was reasonable given her skill level.