Chapter 19: The First Move
Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 – Apeldoorn Kart Track
The noise hit him first.
Engines, voices, tyres on tarmac—constant motion and sound. As the van rolled into the paddock, Alex sat quietly, helmet resting on his lap. He peered out through the window at a sea of trailers, flags, and people.
The regional championship was unlike anything he had seen.
Kids in race suits rushed by with their karts. Teams barked instructions. Parents argued over checklists. It didn't feel like a club event. It felt… serious.
Victor unloaded the kart with practiced movements. Alex stepped out into the morning sun. His parents followed. His mother clutched a small backpack; his father kept his arms folded, scanning the circuit like he was preparing for battle.
Alex said nothing.
He wasn't afraid. But he felt it.
Today counted.
---
Loting – 09:00
A crowd had formed near the notice board.
Names were being pinned up on sheets—heats, kart numbers, start positions. Alex stood shoulder to shoulder with other kids, some of them taller, louder. Some already wearing full suits with custom helmets under their arms.
Victor leaned in and pointed.
"Group B. Kart number 7. Starting sixth."
Alex stared at the paper. His name was on the third row.
"Twelve in your group," Victor said. "Eight laps. Top six qualify for tomorrow's final. That's the goal."
Alex didn't reply.
Victor lowered his voice. "You're in the strongest heat. That's good. It means you can show what you're made of."
Alex gave a small nod.
Then turned back to the kart.
---
Paddock Preparation – 09:30
The kart sat under the shade of a canopy, fuel tank full, tires warm in the sun. Alex double-checked his gloves. His suit was zipped tight.
His mother walked up, holding a bottle of water. "Here," she whispered. "You okay?"
He nodded.
"You don't have to be the best today," she added.
"I know," he said. "I just have to be good enough."
She smiled, but nervously.
Victor crouched down beside the kart and looked at Alex seriously.
"You don't need to win," he said. "But they need to remember you."
Alex closed his eyes for a second, then climbed in.
---
To the Grid – 10:15
The speaker buzzed overhead:
> "Group B, please report to the grid. Heat 1 – eight laps. Kart number 7, Alex Vermeer, starting sixth."
Engines roared to life.
Alex rolled into place behind kart 12. The marshal signaled for the formation lap. He glanced once at the fence—his mother stood with her hands clasped. His father just gave him a single nod.
No words.
Alex looked down the line of karts.
He wasn't afraid.
He was ready.
---
🏁 Heat 1 – 8 Laps
---
Lap 1 – Settling In
Lights out.
Alex got a clean start. Not blazing, but solid. He tucked to the inside, avoiding the chaos as two karts ahead bumped in turn 1. One driver slid wide—Alex took the opening.
P5.
He stayed tight through turn 3. The kart felt sharp. Direct.
Kart 12 ahead of him defended hard—blocking lines already.
Alex didn't fight it. Not yet.
---
Lap 2 – Observation
He watched kart 12 carefully.
Aggressive. Too twitchy on corner exit. Wide braking into 4.
There's something there.
He held his position. Didn't force it.
Victor's words echoed: "Let them show you where they're weak."
Lap 3
Turn 7 was never an overtaking spot.
Too narrow. Too late. Too risky.
But kart 12 turned in just a fraction too early.
Alex saw the gap.
No hesitation.
He dived in.
Hard on the brakes. Rear slipping slightly. He caught it. Cut inside. His front tire brushed the curb. Kart 12 jolted sideways in surprise—but Alex was already past.
The crowd gasped.
> "Kart 7 with a daring dive into turn 7—tight, but clean!" the speaker called.
P4.
Alex didn't smile.
He just drove.
Lap 4
No retaliation.
Kart 12 was too far back.
Alex steadied his breathing. Grip felt good. No overheating yet.
That move hadn't been planned.
But something about it…
felt right.
Lap 5
The front three were half a second ahead.
Alex pushed harder through turn 2. The kart wiggled—light rear. He eased off slightly.
No risks.
He couldn't catch them.
But he wasn't falling back either.
Lap 6
Kart 12 was coming back.
Alex heard the engine close in through turn 5. He closed the inside line. Braked late. Firm, but legal.
Kart 12 backed off.
Alex held position.
Lap 7
Now he had control.
Turn 3: smooth.
Turn 5: defended again.
Turn 6: full throttle on exit.
His hands were steady. The kart obeyed.
He felt... connected.
Lap 8
Final lap.
One last push from behind into turn 6. Alex didn't move. Held his line.
Through turn 7. Turn 8. Perfect exit.
Checker flag waved.
P4.
Qualified.
Safe.
Strong.
---
Cooldown
The engine ticked.
His heart slowed.
That move…
He still didn't understand it. He hadn't thought. He hadn't hesitated.
He had just done it.
---
Paddock – 11:00
Victor was waiting.
Alex climbed out, pulling off his gloves slowly.
"I don't even know where that came from," he said.
Victor nodded. "That's instinct. It's real. Learn to trust it."
His mother hugged him tight. "You scared me," she whispered.
His father looked impressed. "That was something else."
Alex didn't speak.
But inside, he felt it.
Something had shifted.
---
Julian's Race – 11:30
Alex stood alone near a low barrier, away from the crowd.
The next heat was lining up.
Julian sat in second on the grid.
His kart looked fast. Confident. Controlled.
Alex watched closely.
Julian took the lead on lap 3. Defended hard. Smooth lines. No panic.
Final lap.
A divebomb from behind. Julian braked late. Defended.
But it wasn't enough.
He lost the lead in the final sector.
P2.
Alex blinked.
He felt no joy in seeing Julian lose.
But it made him realize something.
Even the best can be beaten.