racing, the constructor’s trophy was the highest accolade.
The prize for Jack was publicity for his cigarette brand, Calibre Lights - advertising that he couldn’t buy for love or money elsewhere. It was also an opportunity for him to promote his latest acquisition, Carvalho, Brazil’s largest tyre company. Carvalho was a rapidly expanding concern, and Phelps was determined both to challenge the international tyre giants who dominated Formula One, and to develop new markets.
For Aito Shensu, the benefits of the collaboration were clear-cut - the whole deal would be excellent publicity for Shensu, making it the world’s leading motor manufacturer and the new driving force in the hotly contested world of Formula One.
And Jack had another ace in his pocket. He’d had long discussions with Alain Hugo of FISA, the world governing body of Formula One, and with Ronnie Halliday of FOCA, the Formula One Constructors’ Association. Both men were deeply concerned at the way the McCabe team had dominated the previous season; audience levels were dropping, and sponsors were grumbling that the sport was becoming boring.
Both Hugo and Halliday were keen on Phelps’s plan to challenge McCabe’s dominance in the sport, and they sanctioned his buy-out of Chase Racing, its possible name-change, and the liaison with Shensu.
Aito Shensu ran his hand over the soft leather upholstery of the car they were now travelling in and looked directly, penetratingly, into Phelps’s eyes.
‘This is another Shensu product. Our finest. A worthy competitor for Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce and BMW?’
‘A worthy competitor. In fact, I have just ordered this model.’
Phelps was not lying. The Shensu Fuji was the car the world’s toughest motoring critics could not stop talking about. At last, it was said, the Japanese had produced a luxury machine which surpassed the great European marques.
‘Quality is all-important in our new venture. I would rather wait another year than go into Formula One with an uncom petitive team.’
‘Yes. Naturally,’ Phelps grunted. ‘But you have no need for concern, I have the best of everything for you. Our tie-up will create a stir in the racing business. I can tell you that many teams are already apprehensive, even though our association is still only a rumour. I look forward to our partnership.’
‘But first you must enjoy Tokyo.’
The car drew up outside the Okura, Tokyo’s smartest hotel. Porters rushed from everywhere, vying for the chance to carry Phelps’s luggage.
Aito Shensu bowed deferentially to him. ‘I will give you a few hours to freshen up. Then we will paint the town red?’ Phelps smiled enigmatically, and Aito frowned. ‘Did I say something wrong?’
‘No. It’s just that it’s an English expression. I’m sure there’s a better Japanese saying.’
‘Ah. Let the evening be proof of that.’
‘Well, I only wish I could speak Japanese as well as you speak English.’
‘You do me a great honour. I will return at eight.’
As Phelps went up in the lift, he noticed the absence of a fourth floor. He knew from his researches that in Japanese the number ‘four’ was pronounced in the same way as the word ‘death’, and was therefore considered unlucky. Thus buildings never had a fourth floor, and sets of anything like pens or teacups never came in fours.
He went to his room, took a quick shower, and then opened his suitcase. He took out a variety of pills and liquid concoctions, downed a selection of these and then lay down on the bed to sleep. He set his alarm clock for seven forty-five.
He was dressed and ready when he received a call at seven fifty-nine to say that Mr Shensu was waiting for him in reception.
As he’d expected, Shensu was wearing a different suit.
‘Ohaiyo gozaimasa, Aito-san. Good day Aito,’ Phelps greeted him.
‘Anato no nihongo ga jozu desune. Your Japanese is very good,’ Aito replied. It wasn’t. Aito was just being a polite,
The prize for Jack was publicity for his cigarette brand, Calibre Lights - advertising that he couldn’t buy for love or money elsewhere. It was also an opportunity for him to promote his latest acquisition, Carvalho, Brazil’s largest tyre company. Carvalho was a rapidly expanding concern, and Phelps was determined both to challenge the international tyre giants who dominated Formula One, and to develop new markets.
For Aito Shensu, the benefits of the collaboration were clear-cut - the whole deal would be excellent publicity for Shensu, making it the world’s leading motor manufacturer and the new driving force in the hotly contested world of Formula One.
And Jack had another ace in his pocket. He’d had long discussions with Alain Hugo of FISA, the world governing body of Formula One, and with Ronnie Halliday of FOCA, the Formula One Constructors’ Association. Both men were deeply concerned at the way the McCabe team had dominated the previous season; audience levels were dropping, and sponsors were grumbling that the sport was becoming boring.
Both Hugo and Halliday were keen on Phelps’s plan to challenge McCabe’s dominance in the sport, and they sanctioned his buy-out of Chase Racing, its possible name-change, and the liaison with Shensu.
Aito Shensu ran his hand over the soft leather upholstery of the car they were now travelling in and looked directly, penetratingly, into Phelps’s eyes.
‘This is another Shensu product. Our finest. A worthy competitor for Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce and BMW?’
‘A worthy competitor. In fact, I have just ordered this model.’
Phelps was not lying. The Shensu Fuji was the car the world’s toughest motoring critics could not stop talking about. At last, it was said, the Japanese had produced a luxury machine which surpassed the great European marques.
‘Quality is all-important in our new venture. I would rather wait another year than go into Formula One with an uncom petitive team.’
‘Yes. Naturally,’ Phelps grunted. ‘But you have no need for concern, I have the best of everything for you. Our tie-up will create a stir in the racing business. I can tell you that many teams are already apprehensive, even though our association is still only a rumour. I look forward to our partnership.’
‘But first you must enjoy Tokyo.’
The car drew up outside the Okura, Tokyo’s smartest hotel. Porters rushed from everywhere, vying for the chance to carry Phelps’s luggage.
Aito Shensu bowed deferentially to him. ‘I will give you a few hours to freshen up. Then we will paint the town red?’ Phelps smiled enigmatically, and Aito frowned. ‘Did I say something wrong?’
‘No. It’s just that it’s an English expression. I’m sure there’s a better Japanese saying.’
‘Ah. Let the evening be proof of that.’
‘Well, I only wish I could speak Japanese as well as you speak English.’
‘You do me a great honour. I will return at eight.’
As Phelps went up in the lift, he noticed the absence of a fourth floor. He knew from his researches that in Japanese the number ‘four’ was pronounced in the same way as the word ‘death’, and was therefore considered unlucky. Thus buildings never had a fourth floor, and sets of anything like pens or teacups never came in fours.
He went to his room, took a quick shower, and then opened his suitcase. He took out a variety of pills and liquid concoctions, downed a selection of these and then lay down on the bed to sleep. He set his alarm clock for seven forty-five.
He was dressed and ready when he received a call at seven fifty-nine to say that Mr Shensu was waiting for him in reception.
As he’d expected, Shensu was wearing a different suit.
‘Ohaiyo gozaimasa, Aito-san. Good day Aito,’ Phelps greeted him.
‘Anato no nihongo ga jozu desune. Your Japanese is very good,’ Aito replied. It wasn’t. Aito was just being a polite,
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