#Junkie (GearShark #1)(85)

DF: It’s true. But here’s the thing. I don’t have to drive like the pros out there to be talented. That’s what the world of racing is missing right now. There’s this great divide among drivers. People think you have to be pro, you have to have a big contract and fancy sponsors with names on your car, to be considered a real driver. But that’s not true. There’s this whole other side to racing no one sees. The underground.

GS: Sounds dangerous.

DF: Everything is dangerous.

GS: So let’s hear about the world, as you put it, of underground racing.

DF: There’s a whole network of drivers out there, not just in this state, but across the country, who drive and drive fast. They meet at speedways and empty back roads. Sometimes they even meet on roads that aren’t so empty.

GS: Do you do that?

DF: I’ll never tell.

<With that smile, even if he got caught, this reporter bets he could charm his way out of a pair of handcuffs.> DF: These are the drivers that don’t have a ton of money. They don’t have an expensive track or sponsorship deals. A lot of them couldn’t get deals and were told they weren’t good enough. They drive anyway. They’re the guys in the pit crew. The guys behind the scenes on the tracks. They work on their cars and know their way around an engine. These guys aren’t just drivers. They’re total car junkies.

GS: Are you saying you think these indie drivers are better than pros?

DF: I’m saying we haven’t had the luxury of money and sponsorships and publicity to get us behind the wheel.

GS: And it’s these drivers Ron Gamble is creating a new division of racing for?

DF: Yes. And the racing is real. The rivalries aren’t scripted. We’re a bunch of driver’s who aren’t professionally trained. We don’t have rules and standards like they do. All we have is honor and a high desire to win.

GS: Some people might say Gamble is giving street racers an official platform to break the law.

DF: Some people call the last meal of the day supper, but I call it dinner.

GS: You don’t want to comment directly on the legal vs illegal driving?

DF: It isn’t considered illegal if it’s a new sport. So basically, there’s nothing to comment about.

GS: Is it really a new sport or a variation of an established one?

DF: Again, supper vs dinner.

GS: You mentioned rivalry. I witnessed firsthand the one you have with a driver by the last name of Lorhaven.

<More in-depth details on this heated rivalry on page 265. Also, check out my fun random car facts article on page 205!> DF: He thinks he’s a better driver than me. I don’t agree.

GS: So how deep does this rivalry go between you?

DF: Deep enough that if you watch the races, you’ll be able to see it.

GS: So you think Lorhaven will make it past the preliminaries?

DF: If he doesn’t, he wouldn’t be a very worthy rival, would he?

<See? Charming.> GS: Tell me something personal about Drew Forrester.

DF: I like to sleep naked.

GS: I feel I should make it a point to mention, you know, in case any of our female readers want to know, that you are very good-looking and I’m sure even more so naked.

DF: I haven’t heard any complaints.

GS: Are you single?

DF: At the moment? Yes.

GS: Looking for love?

DF: I don’t think people should look for love. I think people should let love find them.

GS: Ah, a romantic.

DF: I have my moments.

GS: So what kind of qualities do you look for in a girlfriend?

DF: I like it when people just be themselves.

GS: Okay, why should people watch this new revolution in racing?

DF: Because indie drivers deserve the recognition.



As you can see, Drew Forrester talks a lot like he races. He doesn’t hold back. Or does he? Something tells me this interview only scratched the surface of what’s going on under his hood.

Even though he doesn’t seem to think he’s now the face of this “revolution” in racing, I would beg to differ. Only time will tell if he’ll make it to the championship race at Gamble Speedway. But one thing is for certain.

Drew Forrester is a driver everyone needs to watch.





Drew

A week passed.

Emily sent over the draft of the feature she wrote about me and the new division. Pulling it up in the email made me apprehensive, because in truth, I had no idea what she was going to write.

The conversation (or was it a confrontation?) we had at the end, which she claimed was “off the record,” could have been a lie. Or perhaps the shit I said had been too enticing not to write down.

I took it as a good sign she was sending it to me so early, because if there was anything in there I didn’t like, I had time to do whatever I needed to get the shit pulled out.

There was no need, though. It was a good article, even if she did imply at the end she knew more about me than she let on. Most people wouldn’t think anything of it because they weren’t there behind the scenes.

Overall, it would definitely set the world of racing upside down. I forwarded it to Gamble, and he was thrilled. He seemed more confident than ever this whole endeavor was going to be a huge success.

Joey went home because she had her own training and shit to do, but I hadn’t seen the last of her. We had plans to meet up again next week when I drove back down to Gamble Speedway for meetings and more driving.