Pegasus Episode 1 Recap
> Pegasus Recap
In 2003, at the final race of the Chinese Car Rally Championship (CCRC), Yu Tai'ang, a skilled racer from the Master Racing Team known as the Red Legion, was on a legendary undefeated streak, setting a new track record with his red car. That year, Yu Tai'ang and his teammate Wei Qianli were chosen to compete in the upcoming Dakar Rally. The year was even called the dawn of rallying. However, Yu Tai'ang went missing during the Dakar Rally.
In the following years (2005-2006 seasons), Wei Qianli became the new CCRC overall champion, and the Master Racing Team adopted a new black and gold color scheme. Wei Qianli publicly stated that the world is cruel, old racers get phased out, and the weak are overtaken, asserting that miracles do not happen.
A decade later, Zhang Chi emerged as the CCRC rookie king, winning his rookie competition with a clean sweep and achieving other podium finishes, considering himself a genius entering his prime. His racing career was abruptly interrupted in 2022 during the Master Racing Rally Invitational when he encountered a flock of sheep, which he feared most, causing him to crash.
During Zhang Chi's absence from the racing scene, a wealthy racer named Lin Zhendong rose to prominence as the top driver for the Dong Racing Team, winning the CCRC for four consecutive years. Zhang Chi, preparing for a comeback, publicly challenged Lin Zhendong via livestream, claiming Lin Zhendong only won because of his money and absence. Lin Zhendong visited Zhang Chi at what used to be the Speeding Racing Team's base.
Lin Zhendong expressed respect for Zhang Chi but believed his racing style was outdated. He offered Zhang Chi financial and other support, wanting him to race in top condition so that defeating him would be meaningful. Zhang Chi, confident in his return, told Lin Zhendong to enjoy his last week as champion. Song Yuandao, Lin Zhendong's co-driver, called Zhang Chi a loser for his tough talk.
Zhang Chi mentioned his co-driver, Sun Yuqiang, was bringing a new car to Bayanbulak, but news reports later detailed an accident involving the car transport. Despite the setback, Lin Zhendong offered to help repair Zhang Chi's car. Zhang Chi refused, stating the track was in his head and he could win even without a co-driver.
At the 2027 Bayanbulak Rally, Zhang Chi competed without a co-driver, navigating the challenging course known for its gravel tracks, mountain ascent, and significant vertical drops. Despite the extreme difficulty of driving blind at high speeds on blind mountain roads, Zhang Chi drove aggressively, staying closely behind Lin Zhendong. The Bayanbulak track features a perilous sharp turn immediately after the finish line, near a cliff. Lin Zhendong crossed the finish line first, setting a new record with extreme braking.
As Zhang Chi approached, his co-driver (in his memory or on the radio) urged him to brake. Zhang Chi crossed the finish line without braking, winning the race and defeating Lin Zhendong. However, his car suffered brake failure (with high brake fluid pressure suggesting a leak) immediately after the line. The crash that followed resulted in serious injuries that left him unable to drive, forcing him to disband the Speeding Racing Team.
Sponsors left, team equipment was mortgaged, and Ye Gong, the team's general manager, who had already sold his house to support the team, was revealed not to be wealthy. Zhang Chi felt his era ended before it began. His life filled with regrets after the team dissolved and his manager, Li Xiaohe, left without him saying goodbye. Later, Zhang Chi was banned from racing for five years due to involvement in illegal races.
The hope for the Speeding Racing Team was completely lost, especially after Ye Gong passed away, having been hit by a car while walking his dog. Five years later, Zhang Chi returned to the Bayanbulak starting line, questioning if it was truly over. In the aftermath of a crash in the present, an unconscious Zhang Chi was rushed to the emergency room, fighting for his life. Simultaneously, Zhang Chi's consciousness awakened in the body of Lin Zhendong.
Disoriented, he spoke to Lin Zhendong's co-driver, Hong Kuo, asking about Sun Yuqiang. Hong Kuo referred to him as "Mr. Lin" and tried to take him to the hospital. Zhang Chi, confused, asked where he was, and Hong Kuo explained they were at the Ningzhou Racetrack scouting a resort project (Kanshan Resort involving the Nineteen Devil's Bends).
Hearing audio referencing the 2022 Women's Asian Cup, Zhang Chi realized he was somehow in Lin Zhendong's body in the year 2022 at the Ningzhou Circuit. He understood he had "reloaded" his life. He quickly focused on more pressing matters than going to the hospital. Hong Kuo's car had been hit, and the other party, Yuandao (called "Dao" by his friend), tried to blame them.
Recognizing Yuandao from racing, Zhang Chi (in Lin Zhendong's body) asserted the rules of the racetrack regarding who was the boss based on position. After trading insults and establishing that Yuandao was part of the Master Racing Team mentality of quoting specs, Zhang Chi (in Lin Zhendong's body) challenged Yuandao to a race, betting money, using a battered cargo van against Yuandao's powerful Maybach.
Despite Hong Kuo's skepticism and discomfort (he felt sick during the race), Zhang Chi (in Lin's body) demonstrated impressive drifting skill, quickly closing the gap and overtaking Yuandao, winning the race and astonishing onlookers. He then mockingly demanded Yuandao acknowledge him as the boss, calling him a loser. When asked for an interview by reporters, he ignored them.
He also hung up on Lin Zhendong's Finance Director, "Mr. Liu," not recognizing the name, leading Hong Kuo to believe he had amnesia. Hong Kuo later explained to him that the van was a fully track-modified vehicle and its owner was an influencer who was "playing the fool," not yet popular. As the Ningzhou race approached (one hour to start in 2022), the Speeding Racing Team, including Sun Yuqiang, Ji Xing, Li Xiaohe, and Zhang Weiyi, prepared.
Li Xiaohe inaccurately described Zhang Chi's training as rigorous, while Zhang Chi had been engaging in unhealthy habits. Zhang Chi (in Lin Zhendong's body) arrived at the Speeding Racing Team area, overwhelmed by emotion, recognizing the team and his youth returning. He called out crew members by name and quirks, hugged Ye Gong tightly, emotional to see him alive, and warned him to stay away from dogs.
Ye Gong and the team didn't recognize him, assuming he was a crazy fan. Zhang Chi (in Lin's body) revealed he was Zhang Chi and offered sponsorship from Zhendong Group to be allowed to stay with the team. Ye Gong verified his identity as Lin Zhendong ("Mr. Lin," "Gold Master") and became immediately welcoming.
Zhang Chi (in Lin's body) accurately analyzed the team's intended race strategy (using oversteer for corner speed to compensate against Master Racing Team and pushing in the latter half against Wei Qianli) but insisted it was incorrect and would lead to failure. He urged Ye Gong to have Zhang Chi start the race on rain tires, predicting a heavy downpour seven minutes after the start specifically where Zhang Chi would be.
Ye Gong was skeptical, joking about a "weather satellite business," but Zhang Chi (in Lin's body) insisted it was the only way for Zhang Chi to win the championship this year, mentioning Ye Gong's planned house sale and daughter as reasons to accept the sponsorship gained by winning. To convince him, Zhang Chi (in Lin's body) transferred 2 million yuan via Netpay, stating it was all he had and urging Ye Gong to make the tire change immediately.
Shocked by the amount, Ye Gong quickly instructed Ji Xing and Zhang Weiyi to swap to rain tires just minutes before the start, despite their hesitation and the clear, sunny weather. At the start line, Zhang Chi (now back in his own body) immediately noticed the rain tires felt wrong. Opposing racers, seemingly from the Master Racing Team, openly mocked him for the apparent mistake and suggested he had given up.
Zhang Chi asserted that he would win with the rain tires and leave them behind. The team, trying to manage the situation, told him it was a tactical adjustment and to focus on finishing safely, while he questioned the possibility of switching back to dry tires (it was too late). Commentators expressed confusion over Zhang Chi's tire choice on a sunny day, speculating it was either a mistake or a sign he had given up on the race. As his car entered the starting area, the unusual choice left everyone watching to see the outcome.
