Matt Monaghans journey to the top of Australian motorsport

[Jakester1288]

This will be played on V8 Supercars 3. Career style story. Hope you enjoy.

A 19yo's journey to the pinnacle of Australian motorsport​

It was a normal day at work. A Friday afternoon, where it wouldn’t be too long till the weekend, where I could get on the track and do some racing. Or so I thought.

I worked at Smiths Maintenance and Repairs, a regular mechanics garage. I was 19, on the final year of my apprenticeship. As I worked on tuning up a 2007 Toyota Camry, I was listening to the news on the radio. I was being bored by all this financial crises stuff, waiting keenly for sport. On it came. First, Kangaroos have thrashed New Zealand by 40 in the Anzac Test. Yep, watched that last night. AFL scores, boorriinggg. Hewitt through to the 2nd round of the PNG Open, yep, we don’t care. Then, the V8’s came on. I was keen to see if there was any news I’d missed out on, seeing as I had to disconnect my internet a few weeks back, as I simply couldn’t afford it.

‘Tom Smith has quit the HSV Holden racing team, for personal reasons. His wife passed on last weekend, and he says ‘I simply can’t keep doing this; I might return in the future, I might not. I don’t want to hold back the team, when my mind isn’t on the job.’ I was shocked. Completely shocked. I’d heard about his wife passing, yeah, that’s tragic and all, but he’s quitting? The 4th placed in the championship? It really caught me off guard, and I called over the other boys, John, Tim and boss Tony. I broke the news to them, and we talked for a good 15 minutes, before returning to work.

I finished off the last 2 hours of my week lazily, thinking about my weekend races, and who is going to fill Smith's position. If only. If only...

 

[mattfb]

Top start mate. I like. Good luck

 

[Jakester1288]

Since when did you like anything to do with cars?

 

[blake]

Quality start there Jake... could lead to an interesting next few updates. Looking forward to this.

 

[Highlander999]

Ditto blake, will be looking forward :cool:

 

[Covvy]

Love this game, it's very fun. Hope you continue this story.

 

[Jakester1288]

Cheers for the comments guys. I'll be racing on full 78 laps, so updates wont be too often.

 

[treva]

I?d heard about his wife passing, yeah, that?s tragic and all, but he?s quitting?

Very sympathetic I see

Nice start mate.

 

[hedger_14]

You sure you can race 78 laps on that as well as do a F1 story with me?

 

[Jakester1288]

I'm not sure, but we'll sort something out.

 

[Jakester1288]

A 19yo's journey to the pinnacle of Australian motorsport​

I returned to work. Monday morning. I was 3 years into a lifelong career, and I was over it. Not bored of it, but over it. I suppose you get over all jobs at one stage, especially when the pay?s shithouse.

At least this week I could crap on to the fella?s about my weekend wins. My trusty yet incredibly cheap Supra helped me win a drifting competition on Saturday, then on Sunday I borrowed Bill Malone?s new Maloo to win a standard 15 lap race. It was use whatever car you wish, I had my Supra, but the Maloo was much more appealing for me to drive.

After the races, the racecourse owner came up to me. I was expecting another congratulation, which I got, but then he pulled me to the side of the people walking to the far end of the course for the other comps.

?Matt, great driving today.?
?Cheers mate.?
?Matt, I reckon you?ve got what it takes to go to the next level. I?ve been making some calls, and I?ve got a great opportunity for you.?
?Yeah? Sounds good. Fill me in??
?Well, there?s no way you?re going to get into the top leagues of racing around here. You?ve gotta move away to the big smoke, if you wish to continue your racing career.?
I stuttered some pointless words, before he spoke again.
?I?ve used some of my links to get in contact with the head chief of Ford racing. I?ve been tipped off that Steven Ellery will be retiring soon. The Betta Electrical racing team wants you.?
?Rea..really? You?ve gotta be joking me.?
?Do I look like I?m joking??
?Of course not.?
?Well son, the opportunity is yours. I?ll email you the exact details, but you ought to get your bags packed and head off as soon as you can, you?ve got dreams to pursue.?

I didn?t speak. I let out a weak ?thanks?, shook his hand gently then walked off, jumped in my car and drove home. I played no music. I drove quietly and sensibly, in thought. What did the future hold for me? Would I be driving for Ford in the V8 Supercars Championship?

 

[Jakester1288]

A 19yo's journey to the pinnacle of Australian motorsport​

It was Wednesday afternoon. I was almost off work, 15 minutes left. I was heading around to my parents house after work to check my emails and have mum do some washing, and to have a cup of coffee with them.

I was most excited about checking my emails. I knew there'd be an email from Beau. I drove their as quick as I could, without speeding, of course. I jumped outta the car, run through the door, gave mum a quick kiss, shook dads hand, and hurried my not-so-little-anymore-sister off the computer. Straight into my emails I went. 59. I need to get the internet back.

I quickly scanned through for Beau Collinson. I found him, and frantically clicked on his email.

"Matt,

I've been in contact with Bill Wood's, and he wants you to head to Sydney to join the Betta Electrical Ford Racing team. Ring me for the exact address.

Good luck,
Bill.

I pulled out my phone from my pocket. I realised I'm a poor man, and instead used mum's phone. The phone rang for what seemed like an eternity, before he finally picked up. We didn't waste much time, I got the address, contact details and little bits and pieces of information. We ended the call.

I run to tell my family the good news. I was off to Sydney.