Apple Lauda's Pit Stop at the end of Lap 4
Apple Lauda peeled off into the pits. He knew that this could be a close one - when Fluttershy came in, she was about 4 seconds behind, so this pit stop would most likely decide everything.
But, as he turned into the pit box, and the mechanics started working on the car, suddenly there was a problem.
One of the tires wouldn't come off.
"Darn it! It won't come off!", said the mechanic on the front left tire. Other mechanics came to help him while Apple Lauda became pretty irritated.
"Jeez, what the fuck's taking so long?", he yelled to no one in particular. He was losing a lot of time, and at this rate, the championship would slip through his fingers if the stop took any longer...
Lucky for him, the wheel eventually came off, and the new tire was attached. And finally, Apple Lauda was away and back on the circuit...
LAP 5/6
Fluttershy raced through La Source with grace. She expected to be right behind her rival, Apple Lauda. But when she didn't see him ahead of her, she knew that something must have happened...
"Where's Apple Lauda?", asked Fluttershy over the radio.
"Seems like he got a slow pit stop.", Assetto responded, "But that's a good thing, because now is your chance! Hold the lead and win!"
"You bet I'll win!", Fluttershy said in determination.
She knew that Apple Lauda was behind her, but judging by his lights in her mirror, he must be like 3 seconds behind. There was no time to take it easy though. Both of them want the championship so badly, and none of the two will give up until either has the lead in their grasp.
Sector 2 was Fluttershy's strong point, even in the dark of the night. Now that she got used to it, she took Bruxelles and Pouhon fairly quick, further increasing her lead.
Stavelot was still not easy, yet still manageable, so the time loss in this turn is not as high. The Bus Stop Chicane was also not that simple at night, because it was easy to miss the braking point.
LAP 6/6
But now is the time - the final lap.
One more time through La Source. One more time through Eau Rouge.
Everything went well. Fluttershy was able to hold her lead against Apple Lauda, even slightly increased it.
Suddenly, turning into Pouhon, Fluttershy went into a drift again. "Whoa!", she said, shocked by the sudden reaction of her car. However, she was able to hold the drift by balancing the throttle and smooth steering.
She was down, but not out! She was still ahead, and still had the chance to win, even though Apple Lauda closed in fast.
Now came the last sector, and Apple Lauda was right on her rear end. Here came Stavelot, and one last charge to the finish through Blanchimont.
Heading for the Bus Stop Chicane, both drivers were wheel to wheel. Whoever would be braver, they would win the fight, the race, and the championship.
Fluttershy was outside for the Bus Stop Chicane, so she could brake later. Suddenly, as she was braking for the final two turns, Apple Lauda plowed straight out of the turn! His wheels locked up under braking!
And then, out of the Bus Stop Chicane, Fluttershy crossed the finish line, winning this race!
"YES, YES, YES!", Fluttershy cheered.
The Equestria Motorsports garage went crazy. Everyone in there cheered and fell into their arms, knowing that they became eight time winners of the Forza Championship.
Assetto came on the radio, and said: "Well done, Fluttershy. I knew it was a good idea to bring you back into the seat. You did it, we are eight time champions! What a race. Congratulations!"
"Oh, great work guys. Couldn't have done it without you. Thank you.", Fluttershy said as she returned her car to the pits.
The Final Award Ceremony
Back in the pits, Fluttershy parked the car, and the moment she got out, her teammates ran up to her, hugging her.
"Oh my...", Fluttershy said, blushing, "I didn't know you worried about me this much."
"Of course we did. You're our friend... And our hero.", Rainbow Dash said.
Assetto came up too. "Dashie is right, Fluttershy. You are indeed our hero, and probably the best racer we ever had.", he said.
"Awww, thank you, Assetto.", Fluttershy said happily.
Then, Apple Lauda came up to face Fluttershy.
"Damn, if it wasn't for that slow pit stop and for my own stupidity, I could've caught you...", the Akula-Lauda driver said.
"Aw, don't be so hard to yourself. That was a good race.", Fluttershy said to comfort him.
Apple Lauda smiled. "Well, I guess you can't win them all, and despite your early struggles, you pulled through, so... Congratulations.", he said.
Both drivers shook hands. "What can I say? You took on the master of Spa.", Fluttershy said.
"I know, and you dominated the race during the day.", Apple Lauda said.
Suddenly, one of the officials spoke over the speakers: "Ladies and Gentlemen, another year of the Forza Championship is over, and we got a winner..."
"Oh, we better get going. The final award ceremony will start soon.", Fluttershy said, and then went away with her team.
"Hey Fluttershy!", Apple Lauda called out to Fluttershy, making her head turn to her rival, "Next year, we will take the championship!"
"We'll see about it!", Fluttershy responded. And then, she went to the award ceremony with her team.
The officials were at the podium, holding two trophies. One of them held a microphone.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please put your hands together for the eight time champions of the Forza Championship - Equestria Motorsports!", he said.
Fluttershy, along with her entire team, went to the podium, with Fluttershy taking the top step. The second official gave the trophy for the Forza 2023 Team Champions to Assetto, the owner of the team, who lifted the trophy triumphantly into the air, earning cheers from the crowd.
Suddenly, the first official gave a hand sign, gaining attention. He then said: "And, we also got a new title - the Driver Champion Title. We'll award it to the best driver in the finals. This title goes to... Fluttershy!"
Fluttershy gasped. This definetly came very unexpected. She was the Driver Champion of the Forza 2023 Championship. The third official came up to her and gave her the Forza 2023 Driver Champion trophy. Filled with joy and pride, she lifted the trophy up in the air and triumphantly cheered: "YEAH!", which gave her a lot of cheer from the crowd.
With the Forza 2023 Finals over, the team of Equestria Motorsports succeeded to defend their title, after a race that was totally unexpected and unique. Winners of the night premiere, eight time champions, Fluttershy being the first Driver Champion, they're on top of the world...