Post by aarror on Oct 27, 2020 19:39:11 GMT -5
Tigershark MRT
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Team Manager: Kai Nichols (aarror )
Team Summary:
Formed by the enigmatic Kai Nichols in 2016, Tigershark MRT are one of the newer teams on the LightningCar circuit. Under the watchful eye of their leader the team’s progress has been methodical, slowly building each year to become more and more of a threat. With Nichols’s plan seeming to come to a head, will this be the year the Tigershark MRT launches itself in contention?
But just who is Kai Nichols? In the words of the team’s previous driver Alessandro Navarro: “The guy’s a shark obsessed nutjob who doesn’t know shit about racing. If he discovered a way for sharks to drive a car my replacement would be out of the seat before the ink on their contract had dried.” And while that is perhaps a slightly jaded opinion, Kai really does love sharks. And yes, if sharks could drive he’d have one in that seat in a heartbeat. Sadly for Kai sharks are unable to comprehend the complexities of the Vittoria LC18, thus he is stuck with human drivers. For now.
So how did a ‘shark obsessed nutjob’ get interested in motor racing, you ask? Well, the same way as anyone else. At the young, impressionable age of 35 his job took him to the Grand Prix of Long Beach, where he discovered LightningCars for the first time. They were fast. They were magnificent. They were almost as cool as sharks. Kai was hooked. And so when he qualified for an early retirement a few years later, with plenty of money but only so many shark sightseeing trips to spend it on, Kai knew just what he wanted to do. He wanted to own a LightningCar team.
Rather than jump straight into the deep end of race team ownership, Kai elected to get his feet wet by forming an alliance with an existing team. This would both allow him to see if he enjoyed himself, and to set up the necessary connections to eventually strike out on his own. And so it was that with the assistance of a leading team Tigershark MRT made it’s LightningCar debut in the 2016 season.
The partnership would prove moderately successful on track, but it was clear for all to see that Nichols’s true goal lay in the relationships he was making off it. And so it was of little surprise to the paddock when at the 2017 Motor City 500 he confirmed the end of the partnership, announcing that Tigershark MRT had purchased facilities near the Long Beach street circuit and would be striking out as a solo team from 2018.
While he had assembled an experienced group of mechanics and engineers Nichols knew the first few seasons would require patience as the team learned how to operate. To ease the transition and help the team build for the future he needed a driver that was experienced, reliable, and ideally brought sponsorship. Columbian journeyman Alessandro Navarro fit the bill, and while nobody would describe him as reliable his respectable pace and more than respectable financial backing seemed as though they would override that issue. The relationship would be a rocky one however, and while Navarro would score the team’s first solo podium at their home race in 2019 by season’s end the two parties would split on less than amicable terms. Navarro was displeased with his treatment, accusing the team of “treating me like a tool, and never making me feel welcome”. The team meanwhile were less than impressed with the repair bill from his various misdemeanors.
Navarro’s departure would force Nichols to accelerate his plans. Facility upgrades he had planned to conduct over the course of the coming year were instead rushed through during the offseason, and the team’s HQ was now at a level that wouldn't seem out of place compared to their rivals. With nearly all his preparations complete all Kai was missing was a star driver to serve as a statement of the team’s intentions. And so when rumors of rising single seater star Celine Dominiel’s displeasure with the current state of World Grand Prix began to circulate Nichols quickly pounced on the opportunity, signing her to fill the vacant seat. Now with modern facilities and a world-class driver at his disposal, Tigershark MRT’s assault on the LightningCar World Series has truly begun.
But LightningCar won’t be the only place Tigershark MRT are racing this season. With an eye on a potential future LC expansion the team will this season contest the Continental Super Grand Prix series. This will both allow the team to train up new crew, and to evaluate potential driving talent. It will also allow Nichols to spread his love of sharks in an area of the world where much shark cruelty occurs. This is definitely not the true motivation behind the new program. It’s definitely to prepare for an expanded LightningCar program. Definitely.
In his typical meticulous fashion Kai has taken a sensible approach, enlisting ace Finnish team Hiltunen GP to assist the new program in getting up and running. This is definitely not so that Kai can spend more time swimming with sharks. Definitely. Much as he did with the LightningCar program Nichols is playing the long game, using this season to lay the foundation for future success in the series and a world where sharks are loved by all.
Team Information:
Team Tracker
Driver Sheets
Car Development LightningCar
Car Development CSGP
Total Credits Remaining: 15,000,000 CR
Team Roster:
Celine Dominiel
Nationality: Swiss
Birthday and Age: October 19, 20 years old
Driver Level: Level 18
License (Current XP): Super Group C (6500 XP)
Archetype: Laser Focussed
Base Stats/Specialties/Modifiers:
See Drivers Spreadsheet
Current Contracts & Terms:
Hiring Cost: 1,000,000 CR per Event
RP terms: Driver RP is controlled by whom hired them
Current Contracts:
FULL TIME with Tigershark MRT in LightningCar World Series
Profile:
“So in the end you were just another disappointment, huh? What a shame, I thought I’d finally found someone who could push me to my limits.”
Recognized as a protege from the moment she first sat in a kart, Celine Dominiel’s relentless drive and domineering will crushed her rivals and left them in her wake. Dominating the European karting scene, Celine’s ascension up the open wheel ladder to World Grand Prix was all but assured. Celine had other ideas however, and when asked how excited she was to join the first step of the ladder to World Grand Prix, she shocked everyone by announcing her intention to leave European racing altogether.
“Why would I do European Formula C? I’ve already beat those drivers in karting, why should I waste my time beating them again?”
Celine would instead contest Japanese Formula C, and dominate it much the same way she had dominated in karts. Her dominance on two continents would attract the eyes of the world’s top junior programs, and with their eyes upon her an increasingly disillusioned Celine planned an assault on the Continental Super Grand Prix series. Surely there she would find a driver who could give her a challenge. Someone faster, smarter, more ruthless. Someone who would push her to her limits and beyond.
She wouldn’t find that driver in CSGP however, and Celine found herself facing a dilemma. She had offers on the table, but she didn’t feel she had faced the necessary hardships to be prepared for a promotion into World Grand Prix or LightningCar and the junior series of the world didn’t seem capable of providing the adversity she desired. With nearly all her options exhausted, Celine rested her final hopes on the World Ace Series by Scarlet. It was here among the creme de la creme of formula racing proteges that she would finally face the setback she so desperately craved.
For the first time in her career Celine would fail to dominate a series from the off, failing to score even a single podium in the first 3 events. And while this came as a shock to the system, it also served as a sort of validation. Celine had been certain that there was another level she had yet to reach, and finally here in front of her was proof. And so Celine set to work; intensifying her training, strictly analyzing data, and studying the patterns of her rivals.
Perhaps this would be a prudent time to pause and consider how Celine was perceived by the racing world: A protege who dominated wherever she went, seeming to display a complete lack of intensity or work ethic. The general consensus from experts and fans alike was that Celine was purely relying on her natural talent, and that she would inevitably fail when her talent alone no longer proved sufficient for her to dominate. What they had failed to realize was that while Celine’s innate talent had indeed allowed her to cruise through her career thus far, that certainly didn’t mean she was incapable of working to improve herself. They could hardly have been more wrong. All this is to say that the Celine who showed up for the 4th event of the season took everyone by surprise.
It was immediately apparent that there was something different about Celine. Gone was her usual lethargic, apathetic attitude. She had confidence. She had swagger. To the shock of the entire paddock, she even smiled in an interview. It wasn’t a pleasant smile however, it was the smile of a predator hunting its prey. And when the green flag flew the results of Celine’s new mentality were clear to see, as she swept the weekend’s pair of races and established herself as a title contender, albeit with a massive points gap to the leader after her lackluster start to the season.
The remainder of the season would follow a certain pattern. Celine would dominate qualifying and the feature race, but her lack of experience racing in the pack would hurt her performance in the reverse grid race. Her imperious run of form would prove unstoppable however, and despite the best efforts of her rivals Celine would seal the title at the season finale with a rare victory in the reverse grid race. Comeback: Complete. Adversity: Overcome. Next step: World Grand Prix?
So it would seem initially, after Celine showed impressive pace and consistency in the postseason World GP rookie test. But rumors that she was displeased with the test would circulate in the weeks following, and they would soon be proven correct: Celine Dominiel announced that she was headed not to World Grand Prix but to LightningCar with Tigershark MRT, stating that “As a driver, the closer competition and various types of circuit on the calendar will provide me with more of a chance to make a difference. I want to compete punch for punch with the best, and the seats available in World Grand Prix right now would not afford me that opportunity.”
And so Celine’s sights have been set on the LightningCar World Series. But with no experience oval racing, and driving for a team that has yet to win a race, this will no doubt be her toughest challenge yet. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
RP Notes:
- Celine is completely uninterested in anyone or anything that doesn’t provide her with a challenge, and so those she meets generally regard her as cold and unemotional. They would be surprised to find that on the rare occasions she is truly pushed to her limits the mask falls away, revealing a sadistic visage that would make their blood run cold.
- Even Celine herself couldn’t tell you what drives her all-consuming need for competition. It isn’t so much a ‘desire to be the greatest’ as it is an ‘insatiable compulsion to reach the pinnacle of her skill, and then achieve beyond that’
- Unlike certain other World GP calibre drivers Celine is absolutely not a single seater elitist. Should she one day conquer the disciple there is little doubt she would set her mind to a new challenge such as rallying or stock car racing.
- Her manager told her to be more active on Tripwire, but she doesn’t know how to interact on social media so she only posts selfies. She feels like she should maybe start adding some quotes too.
Noriko Minoru
Nationality: American
Birthday and Age: April 22, 19 years old
Driver Level: Level 9
License (Current XP): International B4 (1200 XP)
Archetype: Puncher
Base Stats/Specialties/Modifiers:
See Drivers Spreadsheet
Current Contracts & Terms:
Hiring Cost: 150,000 CR per Event
RP terms: Driver RP is controlled by whom hired them
Current Contracts:
TBA Races with [Team] in [Series]
Profile:
Born in California to Japanese immigrants, Noriko was the perfect daughter to her doting parents. That all changed just after her 15th birthday when her Father's job moved the family back to Japan. Enraged at her parents for taking her away from everything she had ever known, Nori refused to adapt to Japanese culture and rebelled against her parents' conservative ways. When her parents complained about her obnoxious music, she responded by buying a louder stereo. When they complained about her “punk rock” appearance, she took on a crazy hairstyle and dyed it "nitro blue.” After a particularly bad argument, Noriko stole her father's car and fled to the mountains. On the twisting, turning roads Nori found a clarity and a purpose she hadn't felt since California. Every time thereafter that she got in a fight with her parents, she would go out and cruise the mountain roads until she calmed down.
When cruising was no longer enough to calm her anger, Nori set her eyes on a new, more aggressive way to release her emotions: racing. Approaching an Uncle who was team manager of an All-Japan Formula C team, she convinced him to let her race in the final round of the season at Suzuka. The moment she got on track, she knew she had found her calling. Cutting through the traffic in the first practice session, she felt more in control than she had for years. Her aggression translated to immediate speed on track, and she qualified on the front row for her first race. But the rain came down on race day, and Nori had an enormous shunt that ended with her in the hospital with a shattered ankle and 2 broken ribs. Horrified, her Father chastised her for being reckless and forbade her from racing, hoping that her injuries would force her to call it quits.
Her Father prohibiting her from racing only served to motivate Noriko. Showing incredible dedication to her rehabilitation exercises, Nori was back to full strength in record time. She rejoined the All-Japan Formula C Series halfway through the new season where her aggression earned her a reputation as a "win or spin" driver, finishing all of her races either on the podium or in the gravel. After 2 dominating race wins sent her confidence sky high, Noriko arrived for the final round of the season at the scene of her crash: Suzuka. With rain again falling for the race, Noriko's memories of her huge crash came flooding back. She suffered an anxiety attack on the grid before the race, which had a profound effect on her driving. She dropped well off the back on the field, bringing the car home dead last. But just like her big crash or her parents' disapproval , Nori isn't going to let her fear control her life and is ready to take the next step into her racing career.
RP Notes:
-Refusing to show interest in anything Japanese in order to spite her parents, Noriko would prefer to not drive Japanese cars.
-Terrified of racing in the rain (and at Suzuka), although she would never admit it.
-Very stubborn: trying to discourage her from something will only make her want it more.
-Despite being super aggressive on track, Noriko is laid back and friendly in the paddock. Just don't mention her parents.
-After a couple years of anger and frustration Noriko is looking for a chance to find some peace in her life, and a team that can act as a surrogate family for her.
Natascha Zeltweg
Nationality: Austrian
Birthday and Age: August 11, 22 years old
Driver Level: Level 12
License (Current XP): International B1 (2000 XP)
Archetype: Time Attacker
Base Stats/Specialties/Modifiers:
See Drivers Spreadsheet
Current Contracts & Terms:
Hiring Cost: 300,000 CR per Event
RP terms: Driver RP is controlled by whom hired them
Current Contracts:
FULL TIME with Tigershark MRT in Continental Super Grand Prix
Profile:
Youngest daughter of the legendary sports car driver Jo Zeltweg, Natascha had her whole life dedicated to be a top class racing driver, starting with only 12 years old, she spent 3 years racing karts at national championships, winning the cup there two times in a row in her last two years. After all the success with the karts, she made the move into the bigger cars, spending two seasons racing GT Lights and Base Formula Cars simultaneously and now is moving to the Global scene, looking to continue her father's legacy.
RP Notes:
• She is very intelligent, understands complex stuff with ease, despite this, she has trouble figuring out most of the jokes and puns.
• Enjoys a lot being surrounded with technological stuff, she will probably feel just at home when she gets to drive a Works Prototype.
• She stops working just like an old computer whenever love, crushes and other similar stuff is brought up in a conversation.
Team Base
Home Region: IMAS Region
Base Size: Medium+
Staffing Capacity:
105/120 Staff
Advanced Engine and Machine Shop
Facility Level: Level 2
Active Staff: 30 Staff
Car Part Upgrade Progress:
<Upgrade A> for <Car B>, C Phases Remaining
Design Workshop
Facility Level: Level 0
Active Staff: 0 Staff
Car Part Upgrade Progress:
<Upgrade A> for <Car B>, C Phases Remaining
Advanced Engineering Shop
Facility Level: Level 0
Active Staff: 0 Staff
Car Part Upgrade Progress:
<Upgrade A> for <Car B>, C Phases Remaining
Autoclaves and Composite Manufacturing
Facility Level: Level 2
Active Staff: 30 Staff
Car Part Upgrade Progress:
<Upgrade A> for <Car B>, C Phases Remaining
Parts Recycling Center
Facility Level: Level 0
Per-Race Running Costs Modifier: 0%/10% LESS/30% LESS
Repair Costs Modifier: 0%/0%/50% LESS
Fan Lifestyle Store
Facility Level: Level 1
Active Staff: 10 Staff
Per-Event Winnings Modifier: 25% MORE
