Motorsport in the Nesarian Empire

The history of motorsport in the Nesarian Empire only really began in the 1960s, when the popularity of motorsport spiked, which piqued Emperor Adrion I's interest. He funded the establishment of motorsport out of his own pocket, working with like-minded investors to create a motorsport company which he later sold off. The very first purpose-built track was Arkhaser in Khergovia, Estemoria. Featuring both tarmac and dirt sections, it quickly became a popular rallycross track which prompted further investment in motorsport across the Nesarian Empire. In modern times, Estemoria has the bulk of the Empire's dedicated tracks, although the track used for the F1 Imperial Grand Prix, the Valaria Circuit, is in Avamorica.

The F1 Imperial Grand Prix, as well as the bi-annual Imperial Rally, are unique in that both of them have the Emperor himself present the victor with the trophy. This is not without its critics, as some believe this is a waste of the Emperor's time, but generally this is seen positively by Imperial citizens and racers alike.

## Valaria Circuit

The Empire contains several famous tracks, but the Valaria Circuit in Avamorica, where the F1 Imperial Grand Prix takes place, is world-famous not only for the entertaining track layout but its uniquely developed scenery, as the track is not only set in a naturally beautiful vista, but it weaves around Nesarian Gothic architecture, the bulk of which is a massive restored Elvetan Tivoles (a temple-monastery complex, lit. "temple city") particularly dedicated to Akras (which was abandoned and decaying when the track was first built), although some additions were purpose-built for the track. This has given rise to the nickname of Valaria Circuit as the "Tarmac Temple". Adding to the allure of the setting is that the temple the track weaves around is in fact a functioning Tivoles, and the priest-monks within have taken up the habit of blessing the track and the cars before each race takes place, and offering prayers for the safety of the drivers.

The feature of Valaria Circuit weaving around what is essentially a massive building is largely what resulted in the track layout that is loved by both fans and drivers, where some segments are tight and twisting like in a street circuit whereas others are long, wide and fast like in the purpose-built race circuits. Valaria Circuit also features significant elevation changes, and it is the only F1 circuit that features a segment where the track goes underneath a bridge which itself contains another part of the track.

Since Valaria Circuit rapidly evolves at different sections of the track, it has a knack for creating exciting races, as each of the teams has their own strategy to attacking it; some prefer a general-purpose setup that does not specialise too far in order to not suffer in any area (but not truly excel in any area either), some gear their car more towards the open and fast sections, banking on the fact that it is easier to overtake on these, and still other teams gear their car more towards the tight and twisting sections, turning the logic around and banking on the fact that it is *harder* to overtake on these, so if they can gain a sizeable advantage in these sections, they can be essentially untouchable and easily make up for any lost time on the fast sections.