Boonta Eve Classic (32 BBY)

The **Boonta Eve Classic** was one of the most famous and celebrated Podraces in the entire galaxy, taking place in Mos Espa on Tatooine. It was overseen by Jabba the Hutt and commentated by Fode and Beed, comprising of 19 competitors. The race was an annual event however the race that took place in 32 BBY would be one of the most famous, containing Anakin Skywalker as a competitor.

## Prelude

##### Previous: Discovery of the Chosen One

During a mission on Tatooine to find repairs to continue a journey to Coruscant, Qui-Gon was met by Anakin Skywalker, who promoted the idea of allowing him to participate in the Boonta Eve Classic, thus winning enough prize money to get Qui-Gon the repairs he needed to see to his ship. Qui-Gon agreed to let the boy participate.

## Recount

#### Before the Race

Prior to the race, Qui-Gon Jinn spoke with Watto, learning that he has high bets on Sebulba to win. Wanting to make advantage of Watto's overconfidence, Qui-Gon makes a bet to secure Anakin's freedom from slavery, betting that if he wins, he wins his freedom. Watto agrees. Slowly, the racers began making their way to the their selected positions on the starting line as the crowd began to fill in. Fode and Beed began their commentary, giving personal introductions to the racers as they made their final preparations to their pods. As the flags of the racers were brought out, C-3PO would carry the flag of Anakin Skywalker. In a final attempt to gain an advantage on Anakin, Sebulba sabotaged a key component on Anakin's pod. Jabba the Hutt then entered the event, using his introduction to bring an official start to the race. The racers began to start their engines as the track cleared. Jabba began the race.

#### The Race

The first lap began with all racers beginning to speed away from their starting positions, except for Anakin and Ben Quadinaros. Anakin stalls his podracer while Ben Quadinaros suffers from a malfunctioning power coupling. Skywalker was able to quickly recover however, starting his engines and rejoining the race. Mawhonic attempts to overtake Sebulba, leading to Sebulba hitting him off course into a rock formation. Mawhonic crashes, dying in the destruction. Anakin, using his incredibly fast Pod, manages to catch up to the rest of the racers, overtaking the last few racers. Ratts Tyerell is also killed, crashing into a rock structure. Ben Quadinaros' power couplings explode, causing him to be out of the race before he was able to begin. Sebulba finishes the first lap in first place.

The second lap begins, starting with Ody Mandrell needing a pit stop, During the stop one of his pit droids fell into his engines, causing it to explode and him to disqualified. Anakin is attacked by Teemto Pagalies, who attempted to crash Anakin in a similar fashion to Mawhonic. Anakin was able to escape however, leaving Pagalies behind. Anakin continues to push up the positions, entering third place behind Sebulba and Mars Guo. Mars Guo however is quickly killed, blown up when Sebulba drops a detonator in his engines, leaving Anakin in second place. Anakin's body of the pod then malfunctions, causing him to spin out of control. He recovers quickly again, using a rod to place himself back into position after dropping down a few more positions. Anakin makes quick time again however, pushing back up the positions almost immediately. Teemto Pagalies is killed, shot down by Tusken Raiders. Sebulba finishes he second lap in first place again, with Skywalker close behind.

The third lap begins with Anakin chasing close behind Sebulba. Anakin was forced up a service ramp, enabling him to fly over Sebulba's pod and overtake him. Anakin and Sebulba enter the final stretch of the race at the same time. At this point, the sabotage of Sebulba becomes effective, starting a fire in Anakin's engine. Thanks to his sabotage, Sebulba is able to overtake Anakin, regaining the leading position. Anakin redistributes the power between his engines, allowing him to retain some speed and catch up to Sebulba, engaging in a lock between them. Anakin pushes Sebulba away, causing him to turn into a rock and crash. Anakin takes first place and crosses the finish line, winning the Boonta Eve Podrace.

#### Following the Race

Qui-Gon Jinn went to speak with Watto, securing the freedom of Anakin as well as the repairs he needed for the damaged starship in which he could now escape the planet following Anakin's victory. Qui-Gon Jinn returns to his ship, giving the repairs to Obi-Wan Kenobi who begins to make repairs.

## Aftermath

##### Next: Duel outside Mos Espa

Unknown to the group, Darth Maul had arrived on the planet Tatooine in search of the Queen. He landed outside Mos Espa, sending in probe droids to remotely spy on the jedi from afar and locate the queen. Darth Maul would eventually catch up to Qui-Gon and Anakin, facing them in the desert as they tried to escape the planet Tatooine.

## Timeline of Event

* Qui-Gon makes a deal to secure Anakin's freedom if he wins the race.
* Jabba the Hutt attends the Boonta Eve Classic Race.
* **BOONTA EVE CLASSIC**
	+ The race begins.
	+ Anakin stalls, however quickly recovers.
	+ Mawhonic is killed, crashed by Sebulba.
	+ Ratts Tyerell is killed, crashed.
	+ Sebulba finishes the 1st lap in 1st place.
	+ Anakin enters 3rd place.
	+ Mars Guo is killed, blown up by Sebulba.
	+ Teemto Pagalies is killed, shot down by Tusken Raiders.
	+ Sebulba finishes the 2nd lap in 1st place, followed closely by Anakin.
	+ Sebulba crashes.
	+ Anakin wins the Boonta Eve Classic.
* Anakin becomes a free citizen.
* Qui-Gon Jinn takes the necessary repairs to Obi-Wan.

## Appearances

1. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace