The Most Dangerous Race

by Chase Wheeler

  Speed continued to drive blindly. Each time he made it over a rough patch, or hit a rock, he breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, Speed felt the Mach 5’s tires begin to spin. He was stuck in the mud! Thinking quickly, he felt around for the B button on his steering wheel. He jammed on the button, but nothing happened! Again and again, he pressed the button, but still-nothing.

  “I’m stuck!” Speed cried. “The grip tires seem to be broken,” he reasoned.

  No sooner did he figure that out, than the Mach 5 begin to slide backward. Desperately, Speed tried to gain traction. But it was no use; the Mach 5 was slowly slipping. If Speed didn’t gain control of the car soon, he’d be history!

  Seeing the danger Speed was in, Racer X pulled over to the side of the road. Easy, Speed. Ease it out gently, Racer X coached silently.

  Slowly, the Mach 5 inched forward.

  Come on, Speed, Racer X thought to himself. You can’t give up now. Racer X wanted to help Speed, but he knew he had a race to run. And for now, Speed was safe. So he pulled back on the road and sped off. As he drove, a pang of guilt hit him. Hazarding a glance back at Speed, he thought, I can’t leave him there like that-but what choice do Ihave? What can I ...

  “Whoa!” Racer X called out. He was heading straight for a rock embankment! Thinking fast, Racer X leaped out of his car. Bam! The car crashed into the rock, exploding into a fiery wreck.

  “That was a bad crash,” Speed said, hearing the explosion. “I heard Racer X take off before me. Maybe that’s him. And if it was, I hope he hasn’t been hurt.” Now Speed was more determined than ever to get his car out of the mud. Not only did he have the race to complete, but Racer X needed his help!

  Finally, the Mach 5 was free. Speed sped in the direction from which he heard the crash. When he thought he had reached the spot, Speed pulled over and got out of his car. “Racer X! Racer X! Where are you?” Speed called out, feeling his way around the rocks.

  Racer X was lying facedown on the ground. Pieces of his former car littered the ground. “Over here, Speed,” he said weakly.

  “I’m coming,” Speed said, walking toward the sound of his voice.

  “Uh!” Speed cried out, tripping over a rock.

  Racer X, hearing Speed struggling, silently thanked him for coming to his aid. Speed, you’re a brave young man. I’m proud to have you for a brother.

  “Where are you, Racer X? I can’t find you!” Speed said, dropping to his knees. Speed groped around on the ground and soon came upon Racer X.

  “Are you hurt badly?” Speed asked gently.

  “I think my legs are broken, Speed,” Racer X said with a groan.

  “Well, hang on to me,” Speed told him. “I’ll try to get you into the Mach 5.”

  “You need to take care of yourself,” Racer X said. “What about your eyes?”

  Speed shook his head. “If I don’t help you, then neither one of us will be able to win the race.”

  Racer X sighed. “That’s true. Right now Snake Oiler is the only one in the Car Acrobatic Team who’s continuing in the race.”

  “Snake Oiler?” Speed said. “Well, I want to beat him more than anything in the world.”

  Racer X considered the situation for a moment. Then he said, “Speed, your car’s the only other one that hasn’t been damaged. But you can’t see and I can’t even walk. But, I have an idea that just might work.” He put his hand on Speed’s shoulder.

  Speed was curious. “What is it?”

  “You be my legs and at the same time I’ll be your eyes,” Racer X declared.

  “You and I will be a team!” Speed said with a smile.

  “Yes, maybe we can overtake Snake and win, ” Racer X said excitedly. “Come on!”

  Racer X slung his arm across Speed’s shoulders as Speed guided him to the Mach 5. “I think we have a chance to win!” Speed said to himself as they walked. “A real good chance! ”

  Speed placed Racer X in the passenger seat, then quickly moved over to the driver’s side.

  With Racer X as his eyes, Speed raced down the road. “Now ten degrees right,” Racer X instructed. “Get ready. Here comes another turn to the right. Fifteen degrees to the right.”

  As Racer X continued to give instructions, a light on the Mach 5’s panel flashed and beeped. With one hand, Speed felt around and picked up the microphone.

  “Speed? Speed?” Trixie’s voice came over the radio.

  “Go ahead, Trixie,” Speed said.

  “We spotted you from our helicopter,” Trixie explained. “Are you all right?”

  Speed didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to worry Trixie, but he didn’t want to lie to her either. “I ... it’s my eyes,” he began.

  “What’s the matter with your eyes?” Trixie asked, alarmed.

  Speed tried to reassure her. “I’m perfectly all right. Don’t worry—nothing’s wrong with them.”

  But Trixie saw right through Speed. “I think you’re fibbing to me,” she said.

  “Make a left,” Racer X cut in.

  “Who’s that riding with you, Speed?” Trixie wanted to know.

  “It’s Racer X,” Speed explained. “He hurt his legs in a crash.”

  Spritle grabbed the microphone from Trixie. “Hi, Speed! I’m up here, too!”

  Then Sparky grabbed the microphone from Spritle. “Me too,” he added.

  And Chim Chim, not wanted to be left out, let out a scream.

  Upon hearing all his friends’ voices, Speed smiled. It felt good to have their support. “Now all I have to do is to beat Snake Oiler,” Speed told his friends. “I might be able to catch up with him in the next few minutes. I’ll meet you at the finish line, Trixie. Okay?”

  Trixie felt proud of Speed. He never gave up, no matter how trying the situation. “I’ll be waiting for you, Speed,” she said. “Good luck! ”

  “Faster!” Racer X cut in.

  Speed put the microphone back and slammed on the gas.

  With Racer X’s eyes and Speed’s driving skills, the Mach 5 easily sped through all the twists and turns of the road.

  “The final checkpoint is two hundred and fifty yards up ahead,” Racer X announced. “Put your brakes on.”

  As the car screeched to a halt, two servicemen ran up to them.

  “I’m glad to see you’re both safe,” one of the men said. “Now why don’t you both take a break?”

  Speed shook his head. “I don’t want one.”

  “But, Speed, you need a rest,” Racer X urged.

  “Have you seen the Car Acrobatic Team’s car?” Speed asked the men.

  One of the men nodded. “The car passed by this checkpoint within the hour,” he said.

  “Thanks,” Speed said, revving the engine. “Hang on!” he warned Racer X. He waved good-bye to the servicemen and was off.

  “I won’t rest until Snake’s been beaten,” Speed declared.

  “Well, then, you’ll have to hurry!” Racer X said.

  Speed drove faster and faster, a steady stream of sweat running down his face.

  “Faster!” Racer X yelled.

  The Mach 5 whipped around tight corners, its tires spinning furiously. The car was clocking over 200 miles per hour!

  “I see him! ” Racer X shouted. “It’s Snake Oiler! He’s just ahead. At last, Speed, we’ve caught up to him!”

  From his side-view mirror, Snake spotted Speed gaining on him. But he wasn’t about to let Speed catch up. He hit the gas, widening the gap between his car and the Mach 5. As Snake drove, he saw a wooden bridge just up ahead. Snake Oiler sized up the situation. A few boards were missing from the bridge. There was no way the bridge could handle both cars crossing.

  Snake Oiler sped across the bridge, more boards falling in his wake. The bridge was practically destroyed!

  “Go ahead, Speed,” Snake said with a sneer. “It’s your turn to try to get over that bridge without crashing down to those rocks on the bottom.”

  As the Mach 5 neared the bridge, Racer X b
ecame alarmed. “Speed, there’s a broken bridge up ahead. You better use your brakes!”

  But Speed knew that Snake Oiler had made it over the bridge. And if Snake could do it, so could Speed. He pressed on.

  “Stop, Speed!” Racer X said. “That bridge is falling apart. You better use the brakes before it’s too late and we smash up!”

  Speed shook his head. “I’m not giving up now!” he said. “Tell me when we get to the broken bridge. I’m going to cross it.”

  Racer X was becoming upset. “But the Car Acrobatic Team cars have special equipment for flying. The Mach 5 can’t do it. Use the brake! ”

  “I’m going for it!” Speed shot back, ignoring Racer X’s warning.

  Racer X didn’t know what to do. He knew that Speed wanted to win the race, but this was just too dangerous. He had to stop. “Speed, we can’t make it! Jam on the brakes! Quick!”

  Speed refused to listen. He was determined to win—no matter what the cost.

  12

  CROSSING THE LINE

  Determined to jump over the chasm, Speed pressed the A button on the Mach 5’s steering wheel. Instantly, superpowered jacks shot out from the bottom of the car. As the Mach 5 bounced high into the air, Speed activated the wings and the car flew over the bridge. In a flash, it landed on the other side. It was close, but they had just made it!

  Speed wiped the sweat from his brow as more boards broke loose from the bridge. A couple of seconds later, the entire bridge crashed onto the rocks below.

  “You made it!” Racer X exclaimed, looking back at the spot where the bridge once was. “I didn’t think you could have done that even with your eyes open! ”

  “I didn’t have a choice,” Speed told him. “I had to make it. Now I’ve got to win!”

  Meanwhile, at the stadium, the crowd was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the drivers. The bleachers were jam-packed with spectators who had their eyes glued on the finish line.

  “The Alpine Race is almost over,” the announcer told the crowd. “And because of the terrible storm and the dangerous course, out of the starting lineup of eighty-six cars, only two cars are still in the race.”

  A murmur arose from the crowd. They could not believe that there were only two cars left!

  The announcer continued, “One of them is car number twelve, driven by Snake Oiler of the Car Acrobatic Team. And the other is the Mach 5, driven by Speed Racer. Ladies and gentlemen, if you look to your left, you can see the remaining members of the Car Acrobatic Team waiting for the end of the race.”

  The members of the Car Acrobatic Team were all lined up. And in the middle of them stood the fearsome-looking, skull-faced Captain Terror.

  “Captain Terror!” one of the team members called.

  “Yes!” Captain Terror snapped back angrily.

  “I just got a report that Snake is in the lead,” the driver reported.

  Another team member spoke up. “Snake’s my brother, and he’s going to bring a glorious victory to the Car Acrobatic Team.”

  “We will be famous as the greatest racing team in the world,” Captain Terror declared. “No one can beat us!” Stretching his arms outward and upward he said, “Hurry, Snake-bring us the Crown of Victory!”

  As the crowd anxiously waited at the stadium, Speed and Racer X continued to race at a blinding clip. They were desperately trying to overtake Snake Oiler.

  “It’s hard to catch up to him,” Speed said. “He’s liable to win. If only I could see, I’d go faster.”

  “But, Speed, you mustn’t give up,” Racer X urged.

  “Why not?” Speed asked, feeling a bit defeated. “I don’t think I have a chance of beating him.”

  Racer X tried to boost Speed’s spirits. “Speed, you still have a chance to win. I can see something you can’t. Oil is leaking from Snake’s car.”

  “Oil?” Speed asked in surprise.

  Racer X nodded. “If he keeps on going at his present speed, he’s going to blow up.”

  “He may notice the trouble and stop to fix the leak,” Speed countered.

  “I don’t even think he’ll notice it. Snake’s paying too much attention to the road in front of him,” Racer X said.

  “Then he’ll be wiped out if his car blows up!” Speed concluded.

  “Yes,” Racer X agreed. “It might be the end of him. But we’re not going to help him. Not if you want to win the race.”

  But even though Snake Oiler was a tricky competitor, Speed was concerned about him. He didn’t think it was right not to warn Snake about the danger he was in.

  Meanwhile, Snake zoomed into the stadium for the final lap. Snake glanced in his side-view mirror and gasped. The Mach 5 was right behind him!

  “Huh?!” Snake exclaimed. “The Mach 5 again? And it’s gaining on me.”

  The Mach 5 pulled up to the side of Snake’s car. Speed turned to Snake to try to get his attention.

  “Snake, be careful,” Speed warned. “There’s something wrong with your engine! You’re leaking oil!”

  “I’m not falling for that trick! I’m not gonna stop!” Snake gunned his engine and pulled ahead.

  “Snake! I’m not lying!” Speed called out.

  “He won’t believe you, and you’ve done your best to warn him,” Racer X said.

  “I know,” Speed agreed. “Hang on.”

  “And now, approaching the finish line is car number twelve, driven by Snake Oiler. It looks like he’ll be the winner!” the announcer said.

  The crowd cheered.

  “Oh, but here comes the Mach 5 with Speed Racer at the wheel,” the announcer said excitedly. “Look at them go!”

  The crowed cheered even louder.

  “Go, Speed! Go!” Spritle called out.

  Trixie clasped her hands together. “Go!” she shouted.

  “Come on, Speed! You can do it!” Sparky added.

  But Snake was sure he was going to take first place. “I’m gonna win! I’m gonna beat Speed Rac—”

  Boom! Flames shot out from the rear wheels of Snake’s car.

  Captain Terror cried out while watching from the sidelines.

  Snake screamed as he jumped from the car, just moments before it exploded.

  Speed shook his head. “If only he had listened,” he said with concern.

  But now Speed was the only driver left in the race. He gave the Mach 5 some gas and glided across the finish line.

  As soon as the Mach 5 came to a stop, Trixie, Spritle, and Chim Chim dashed out onto the racetrack.

  Speed stepped out of the car. He’d won! Even though he still could not see, he could feel and hear the excitement in the stadium. He could picture everyone on their feet, cheering and waving white hankies. As he raised his face toward the sky, bits of confetti landed on it. Beaming, Speed waved to his fans. Trixie took his arm and guided him to a platform so he could accept his prize.

  “You drove a magnificent race, Speed Racer,” a judge said. He handed Speed a big trophy and shook his hand.

  “You fully deserve to be the winner and champion,” the judge continued. Speed felt very proud. He bowed to the judge in thanks.

  “Now you better get to the hospital so the doctors can take care of your eyes,” the judge added.

  Everyone was happy for Speed, except for Captain Terror and the Car Acrobatic Team. Captain Terror walked over to the smoldering remains of car number twelve and picked up Snake Oiler. He was badly hurt, but he was still alive.

  “We will never forget this race and our defeat by Speed Racer,” Captain Terror said.

  Snake slowly turned his head toward Captain Terror. “We’ll get revenge,” he whispered.

  “We shall plan for the day when, once again, we will compete against Speed Racer. And on that day we shall not fail!” Captain Terror said.

  Placing Snake Oiler into his car, Captain Terror drove off, with the rest of the Car Acrobatic Team following.

  As the Car Acrobatic Team drove off, Trixie, Spritle, and Chim Chim guided Speed towar
d their car. They were going to take him to the hospital to get his eyes checked. Speed was also anxious to see Pops so he could tell him all about his adventure.

  “Have you seen Racer X?” Speed asked Trixie. “I’ve got to find him to thank him.”

  “I saw him in the Mach 5 only a few minutes ago,” Trixie replied.

  “Nobody’s in the car now,” Spritle said.

  Speed was surprised. “There isn’t? That means he was able to walk! His legs weren’t broken. He just told me that so I’d let him help drive. He deserves this trophy-not me.”

  “Oh, Speed, all that matters to me is that you finished safely,” Trixie said, putting her hand on Speed’s shoulders. “Now, let’s go to the hospital and get your eyes taken care of.”

  From a distance, Racer X watched Speed walk away with his friends. “Speed, you could be a great driver, but you could also be a great man,” he said to himself. “You value life even more than victory. The world needs more people like you—I’m proud to have you as a brother!”

  SPEED’S BONUS RACE

  A year has passed since I last met Captain Terror and the Car Acrobatic Team. I’ve entered many races since then, but none have been as dangerous as the Alpine course.

  I will never forget that grueling race over treacherous mountain trails. And I will never forget the Car Acrobatic Team. Racer X warned me about them. He told me not to race against them. He said that the Car Acrobatic Team would stop at nothing to win. However, his warning did not stop me, and as you know, I went on to win.

  After the race, Captain Terror vowed vengeance against me. He swore that one day we would meet again. And when we did, he promised he would beat me.

  Yes, we would meet again. But beat me? Well, start your engines—you are about to find out what happened ...