Librarian Susan's Whacky Race 1

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Prompt from DailyPrompt.com

Susan had embraced an astounding variety of life experiences while running a public library. Particularly for fundraising. She’d learned to juggle, had a photoshoot with a snake, gone bungee jumping, been an officiant for a three-year-old’s divorce from a previously beloved video game character, and of course handled all manner of mundane questions, issues, and mental health crises.
None of which, sadly, made her feel qualified for a cut-throat car race. She wasn’t convinced this was even legal, mayor giving out the prizes or not!
The vehicles surrounding her ancient little mini were all sleek and shiny and probably heavily modded. Their sponsorships were actually painted on, too. Not vinyl panel stickers.
She could just pick out the fire department logo. Those chumps were who’d given Sylvester this daft idea in the first place. Oh, she should have shot it down! But Sylvester had been so keen about it, so excited, and the cost had been quite low, and he’d promised it would bring a lot of attention to the library just by taking part…
And then the fool went and used his desk chair as a stool again (why had she even bothered making him take H&S training?) and ended up in the hospital. Which, with none of the other staff willing to volunteer, meant the responsibility landed on her.
Susan took a deep breath and gripped the steering wheel. Entirely out of place. Perhaps she should have gotten racing gear rather than showing up in her work uniform. While she’d always believed a crisp dove grey cardigan over a plain blouse worked in every situation, this was stretching it.
A helmet might have been a good idea. Her bun, no matter how tightly wound, was not going to offer protection. And while she was very glad her glasses were on a chain, they-
CRACK!
The starting pistol. Everyone roared ahead, the ones behind her swerving and swearing as she nudged her mini into action.
Right to the back. Of course. Well, no matter. Her goal was simply to finish, not to place.
So she trailed behind them for two intersections before turning off onto a small side street. Following the map she’d put together.
After all, the entire city had been closed for this, and the rules said “any route permissible”. A few hours of research had resulted in an efficient but winding path nobody else would try.
And it took her past the canal. Always a plus.
Safely away from the chaos Susan relaxed, humming along to the radio and wryly reflecting that she’d never made such good time through the city centre before.
Take a left here… then nip through here - that road was actually a private driveway, but the family who owned it had been lovely and given her permission. She waved just in case they were watching. Then she was back on the main road right by the finish line!
And shortly in front of the roaring pack.

Prompt was “Write a story that starts in a calm library, and ends with an illegal car race.”

Finale is here.