Takumi Fujiwara vs Kyoichi Sudo

The battle between Takumi Fujiwara and Kyoichi Sudo is the eighteenth battle of Initial D.

Prior to the Battle
Takumi witnessed Natsuki Mogi with the Mercedes man, confirming the details of the note. Heartbroken and enraged, he drives off to Akagi to challenge Sudo.

During the Battle
Takumi has a clear disadvantage from the beginning and struggles to keep up with Sudo's Evo 3; the car's misfiring system further aggravates him. Sudo waits until they reach a flatter section, then passes Takumi in a corner. He decides to end the race by changing his driving style, to Takumi's dismay. Takumi desperately tries to keep up, and for the first time, he has doubts about victory. As he wonders if the power difference is simply too great, the AE86's engine blows, sending the car to a screeching halt.

After the Battle
Visibly shaken, Takumi sits in the car in shock, as smoke fumes rise from the hood. Gazing at the car in disbelief, he notices the Evo 3 driving back. Sudo reaffirms the engine's destruction, stating that while it would technically count as a loss, he didn't consider it as a race in the first place. He tells Takumi to challenge him again when he has a "machine capable of competing with [him]", then drives off. Bunta arrives afterwards in a tow truck, and returns home with tearful Takumi while towing the AE86.

Second Stage

 * Speedy Speed Boy - Marko Polo
 * Don't You (Forget About My Love) - Sophie
 * Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Wain L.

Battle Stage

 * Take Me To The Top - D. Essex

Fastest Typing in Kanto Project

 * Don't You (Forget About My Love) - Sophie