CHAPTER 7
“Austin! Slow down!” Mike shouted in Austin’s earphone.
Austin heard him, but didn’t pay attention. He concentrated on driving.
Austin knew the rules of the practice track. He knew he wasn’t supposed to take chances. He was supposed to do what the instructor said.
But he also knew that he had to prove to himself that he was as good as Ryan.
Austin sped up. He rushed past several karts, pulling closer and closer to Ryan. Only two karts were between them. Then only one. Finally, Austin was directly behind Ryan.
Austin turned the steering wheel slightly to the left. He would take the inside of the track, away from the outside wall.
His front tire was almost even with Ryan’s back tire. Only inches separated them.
Austin knew if he made one wrong move, his kart would bounce right off Ryan’s tire.
He kept his hands steady on the wheel. He moved closer and closer. Now his front tire was past Ryan’s back tire. It was nearly to the middle of Ryan’s go-kart.
One extra push on the gas pedal, and Austin knew he’d have Ryan beat.
“Austin!” Mike’s voice crackled in Austin’s ear. “You need to back off. You’re too close!”
Austin kept going. He could feel his kart beginning to take the low turn around the oval. He knew the outer edge was slightly steeper and longer. It would take Ryan a split second longer to make the turn.
The split second was all Austin needed to pull in front.
“Come on, come on!” Austin whispered.
The two karts were now even, neck and neck. Their front tires were side by side.
Austin glanced over at Ryan’s red helmet. It sparkled in the sunlight.
Ryan’s eyes were focused on the track, not on the car next to him. Austin turned the wheel of his kart, and he sped around the shorter inner track. He pulled off ahead of Ryan and tore off down the straightaway.
He knew Ryan was close behind him, but he didn’t check the distance. He didn’t want to give up any ground. A few slower karts were still working their way around the track. Austin knew he should slow down. He knew it was dangerous to race so fast on the practice track.
But he couldn’t slow down. He might never beat Ryan again. This was his chance.
Finally, he sped across the starting point, several kart-lengths ahead of Ryan Stone.