The final number of participants was 13. This is because Jin, Rhodes, and Maricka joined the 10 who participated in the previous Golem Boat Race.
The numbers were the same as the previous year. The numbers of Jin and Marikka, who are spot participants, are 11 for Jin, 12 for Rhodoth, and 13 for Marikka.
Incidentally, there is no jinx associated with numbers such as 4, 9, and 13 in the Ars world.
"Well, what kind of car did you guys make?
"I'm looking forward to it, father."
Reiko is walking next to Hitoshi, holding a the size of a small storage room above her head.
And Jin is holding the finished car ......<>. The color of the car is black.
He is taking it to the competition site.
The shape of the cockpit looks just like the one in a video game arcade. It would be difficult to use it in any other shape.
"That shape, which has been continuously improved for game use, is the ultimate and best, isn't it?
Jin muttered to himself in a slightly, or rather quite high tension.
It was the result of repeated adjustments until ...... late last night, or even until dawn.
Reiko couldn't stop seeing Jin looking so happy for the first time in a long time.
Since the main competition would be held tomorrow, Jin was expected to be put to sleep tonight, even if it was by force.
The booth was dedicated to the pilot's seat.
After setting up the < in the dedicated booth, Jin decided to give it a test run right away.
"Ah, Jin-sama!"
Then Rhodes and Marikka arrive. So numbers 11, 12, and 13 are all here.
The pilot's seats are lined up side by side in numerical order from number 1 to 13.
Their pilot's seats are not much different from those of Jin. In the first place, the way of operating a car is the same as that in modern Japan, so there should be no major differences.
Yes, unless you have an idea like Rubina's .......
"...... and what is that?"
In addition to the monitor screen showing the images from the car, there was another screen in Rubina's <.
"Oh, this? <
"Overhead monitor?
From the name, Jin guessed that it was a monitor for a bird's eye view of the car. And then.
"So that's what it is! That's what I'm talking about, Rubina."
"What? You figured it out?"
"Yes."
In other words, apart from the driver's point of view, a spectator's point of view, or rather, a point of view looking down from right above the course, was added.
In modern Japan, some vehicles are equipped with a similar function, which is extremely useful when parking the car in a garage.
"But where are you getting this image from?"
<.
"You know, we're going to send a blow floater up into the sky."
"I see."
It is true that there is no regulation that forbids such an act. If there is a next time, it will be forbidden or the same video will be sent to everyone, but this time Rubina's idea won, Jin thought.
Rubina's idea won this time, Jin thought.
"Yes, it's going well."
Jin built what the modeling world calls a .
It was a Christmas present that he bought for a child at the orphanage with his first bonus.
I can picture the scene of several people taking turns using one racing buggy, taking turns and playing together.
Although Jin did not know whether such a real car actually existed or not, the size of the model could be reproduced without any problem at all.
The car has large-diameter dirt tires and a four-wheel independent suspension with a large stroke. The body shape is a little F1-like. The rear wing is attached.
This wing is movable, and when braking, the angle of the wing is increased to increase the grip of the rear wheels and also works as an air brake.
The wing was not designed as an aerodynamic stabilizer. This is because the aerodynamic effect is small at this size.
"Mr. Jin, that's what I'm talking about. ......"
Marikka's car has an orthodox shape from Jin's point of view. It is a design similar to what we would call a < in modern Japan.
The body of the car is reminiscent of a kamaboko, with a board, and four wheels protruding from the body. The front wheels have mudguards.
The tires are wide, the four wheels have independent suspension, and the body is made of light silver.
"This is quite fun."
The Road Toss also had the same orthodox shape.
It seems to be based on Jin's first horseless carriage.
The other participants Jin saw had similar designs.
But Rubina's was different.
"Hmmm..."
Again, Jin let out a voice of admiration.
Rubina's car looked like a racing kart. However, the body completely covered the front and rear wheels, indicating that aerodynamics were taken into consideration.
The tires are slightly smaller in diameter than those of other cars, but this does not seem to be a problem on this course.
Since the inertia and gyroscopic effect increases at high speeds, the lighter the tires and wheels are, the better. This is probably the reason why the small-diameter tires were chosen.
However, small tires have the disadvantages of poor drivability on rough roads and easy tire wear during long-distance driving.
"...... Wow, this is so difficult!"
Rubina seemed to be piloting the car for the first time and was quite confused.
Rhodes, on the other hand, was able to drive the car quite well, thanks to his high physical ability.
And as for Jin?
"Well, it's difficult when I do it by myself.
He seems to be having a hard time.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Before noon that day, all the participants had gathered for a practice run.
Since the course was originally designed for actual cars, there was enough space for 13 cars to practice and there was little risk of collisions.
Everyone seemed to be driving their cars in their own way and trying to get used to the controls.
"Oh, they are doing it.
While Jin was taking a break, Trihardt came over.
"This one looks interesting, even though it's small," he said.
"I guess so. It gives us a bird's eye view of the entire course.
It would be visible to the naked eye and projected on the magic screen, so it would be easier for the spectators to grasp the whole picture of the competition.
"It will also make it easier to prepare the course."
Jin nodded.
"It also means that there is less danger, since the objective is to compete with each other's skills.
Trihart nodded.
"That's true. We need to have this kind of competition.
Trihart then looked at the course.
About six cars are practicing.
"Oh, number 2 is Shu, isn't it? He's quite fast, isn't he?
"Yes, he is. But today is just a practice run, so I think everyone is still hiding their abilities.