Chapter 18 #2
One of the council members who have been listening more intently has a question.
“Mr. Hunter,” he challenges. “What you’re proposing sounds great, but how realistic is it to have both motorcycles and cars racing in the same place?
I’m not an expert in the matter by any means, but I would assume that bike and car races are very different.
How would the same track accommodate both? ”
It’s my turn to explain, since I helped draft the design of the racetrack we’re planning to build.
“If I may,” I rise from my chair. “It’s true that most racetracks are designed for either cars or motorcycles.
But there are some notable exceptions. The most famous racetracks that host both MotoGP and F1 are Silverstone, Spielberg and Catalunya.
These circuits are designed to challenge the skills of the world’s best riders and drivers.
Silverstone, for example, is well known for its high-speed corners.
With the changeable weather conditions that’s typical of England, it demands incredible precision and a good amount of bravery, especially in wet weather conditions.
Catalunya presents a unique mix of long straights and tight corners, being a versatile track that requires a balanced setup.
The Spielberg ring has a short layout, but the real challenge there is the elevation changes, and it’s a track that challenges riders' and drivers’ technical skills. ”
I was really nervous when I started speaking, but I’ve always been passionate about racing; it’s in my blood.
My confidence grows with every word. “Even with all their differences, what these racetracks have in common are the strict safety regulations that put the riders and drivers’ safety first in case of accidents.
We’re planning on designing a racetrack that, with the right adjustments, can host both motorcycle and car races.
The old track has excellent bones, and once the project is finished, Star Cove is going to have a state-of-the-art circuit fit for professional racing.
If you lift the ban on motorcycles, the whole town will benefit from it. ”
Another member of the council offers me an encouraging smile.
“It looks like you have thought about everything. But am I reading correctly that you plan to open the doors of the new racetrack in a mere few weeks? Is that possible? If I recall correctly, that racetrack has been left to the elements for decades, like the mayor pointed out earlier.”
A man in an expensive suit stands up from his seat two rows ahead of us. He’s on the opposite side of the two aisles of chairs destined for the citizens who wish to attend the city council meetings, so I can see him pretty well from my position.
He has dark hair with a spray of silver on his temples, and dark eyes that look vaguely familiar.
“Good evening, everyone. I would like to answer that last question. I’m the new owner of the racetrack, and we’ve already broken ground on the restoration and expansion works.
I also own the company that is doing the work, so I can guarantee you that it has been made a priority. ”
“Mr. Morelli,” Scott bites out. “So you’re the majority partner in this project?”
I knew Enzo Morelli was the person who’s going to front the money for this entire project, but I had never met him in person.
It makes sense that I thought he looked familiar.
He has Mason’s same shrewd, calculating eyes.
He just looks way more elegant and not as rough around the edges as his nephew.
“Guilty as charged.” Morelli smiles, causing a few nervous laughs around the room.
Everyone knows that behind the many legitimate businesses owned by the Morelli family there’s a whole underground empire of dubious, often downright criminal enterprises.
No one so far has been able to prove anything substantial against him, partially thanks to the excellent work of his legal team.
“I guess.” There’s an edge to Scott’s tone.
“That answers the question about the funds for the project. But you’re known as a prudent, savvy businessman, Mr. Morelli.
Don’t you think that starting the works on that racetrack is awfully premature, and an unnecessary financial risk since unless the motion in your petition is approved, you won’t be able to use that racetrack at all?
Motorcycles are still illegal in Star Cove, and nothing I heard today is going to change my vote on the matter. ”
Morelli doesn’t let Scott’s tone ruffle his feathers.
He looks more like a Fortune 500 company CEO than like a mafia boss.
“Like you heard from the exceptional young citizens who are spearheading this project, motorcycles are only one part of the deal. If today’s vote doesn’t go our way, we can race cars while we campaign to change the law once and for all. ”
Lev
We were under no illusions that our petition would be met with open arms by the council and the mayor.
I know the fight isn’t over when I notice the look on Scott’s face.
My best friends’ father is a determined man; someone who doesn’t give up on something he truly believes in.
That is the characteristic that made him succeed in his NHL career, as one of the top sports agents in the country and later on when he decided to run for mayor.
“Very well,” the town clerk clears her throat. “If there are any brief closing remarks, this is the time to speak. Then we’ll immediately proceed to a vote. Mr. Mayor?”
Scott stands up. He looks around the room, but his eyes settle on us before he speaks.
There is anger on his face, but it’s the sadness in his gaze that breaks my heart.
“There is just one more thing I want to say.” Scott’s voice is hard and firm.
“The ban on motorcycles is one of the most important ways we keep our town safe. You’ve known my family for years,” he says, looking at the members of the council.
“You know how I supported my eldest sons in their aspirations to become professional motorcycle racers. Like them, I was convinced that racing on a racetrack, with all the safety equipment and the safety regulations, would be a calculated risk. You all know my first career was in professional hockey. It’s a dangerous contact sport.
Career-ending injuries and concussions happen every day.
But that didn’t stop me from pursuing my passion, and I encouraged my kids to follow theirs.
I wish with everything I have that I hadn’t.
Motorcycles are different. It doesn’t matter how many barriers you put there, how many safety layers the racers wear.
It takes one wet racetrack, and it’s game over.
I blame myself every day for what happened to my son Atlas.
I’m responsible for his death because I didn’t protect him.
I bought him his first dirt bike. As Star Cove’s mayor, it’s my responsibility to protect our youth from the same dangers.
This is why I ask you to uphold the ban on motorcycles within city limits.
Protect my remaining kids, and your own; keep our town safe. ”
Fuck.
Scott has never said Atlas’s name out loud since his funeral. It had become an unspoken rule not to mention Atlas or talk about him in front of Scott.
The fact that he just said his name in front of the council and half the town is testament to how important this is to the mayor.
He truly believes that motorcycles are some kind of evil responsible for what happened in Bridgeport.
In his eyes, the only way to keep us safe is to ban motorcycles altogether.
There’s a moment of silence in the room. The tension on Ares and Chance’s faces mirrors their father’s. I know with the utmost certainty that if Fox and Morelli hadn’t trapped us into racing, my brothers would have had no desire to ever ride a motorcycle again.
Things are different when it comes to Zara, however. Racing is in her blood, and I suspect that this is more important to her than it is for the rest of us.
Zara has always wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps, and I can only imagine how suffocating it must feel to live in a town where just owning a motorcycle could land you in jail.
“Any other final remarks?” The town clerk asks.
“I have one.” Zara stands up. “I understand why the ban is so important to you, Scott.” She looks at her stepfather.
A muscle in Scott’s jaw jumps as he fights to keep his temper in check. “Then you’ll agree with me and the rest of the council that your petition is nonsense.”
“I do not.” Zara’s tone is kind but firm.
“You blame motorcycles for what happened to Atlas. But the truth is more complex. It was a combination of factors that caused that accident. The racetrack was wet, and Atlas—like most of the other racers—opted not to stop to change tires since the race was almost over. The racetrack lacked some of the safety features that would have made that accident not lethal. The biggest factor was that unknown motorcycle that invaded the racetrack and hit him. If that race had continued as planned, none of that would have happened. I know you lost so much that day, Scott. But motorcycles aren’t the culprit, or at least not the only one. ”
She pauses for a moment, making contact with many of the people who are hanging onto her every word.
“We’ll put every precaution and safety measure in place. Our plan can be good for this town. Thank you for your time.”
“Now that we heard arguments from both sides, the council has all the information they need to vote on petition number two hundred and twenty-eight in this calendar year.” The town clerk announces. “Voting can begin now.”