During this time Baal seemed as nothing more than an ambitious racer, but his meteoric rise drew some unwanted attention from some groups bent on corrupting the races. These groups sought to turn the racing circuit into nothing more than staged matches set on maximizing their own profits and sapping the spirit of the sport. Baal, however, had other plans. He drew greater ire from the involved parties by denying every offer they placed before him and even going as far as to squeeze out their racers on the course.