Ryosuke Takahashi vs Kyoichi Sudo

The battle between Ryosuke Takahashi and Kyoichi Sudo is the nineteenth battle of Initial D.

Prior to the Battle
Keisuke goes to the gas station hoping to tell Takumi that his defeat didn't count and will avenge his defeat. While the battle takes place Takumi goes with Itsuki for a joyride in Akina to comfort him from the blowout. And after Seiji's loss against Keisuke, Kyoichi runs his race with Simulation X which is racing at one's own pace on exceptional opponents.

During the Battle
Ryosuke has a brief lead until Kyoichi overtakes him. Ryosuke then tries to keep up with Kyoichi as much as he could, even grazing the guardrails while taking the most inner sides of the corners. Close to the finish line, Ryosuke found his weakness on turning right and takes the left side trapping Kyoichi on the outside while his Evo is on the right lane winning the battle by a hair with a new course record.

After the Battle
Kyoichi confronts him why he couldn't beat him. Ryosuke points out while he is nearly is as good as him in terms of technique, he tells him that his weakness was turning right due to fear of oncoming traffic whereas Kyoichi is used to circuit racing where there is never oncoming traffic and his home turf at Irohazaka is a one-way road. Ryosuke drives off and Kyoichi finally realizes what he is trying to tell him and it was in his delusions of grandeur thinking he can beat him with circuit racing techniques. Kenta, surprised by how both the uphill and downhill records were broken by a significant margin, asks Keisuke how the times could be so fast. Keisuke explains that he and Ryosuke don't go all-out on timed runs as they feel that it isn't worth the risk of crashing.

Trivia

 * In the Second Stage, Shingo and Nakazato who were both witnesses the race between Ryosuke and Kyoichi. In the Manga, there are no spectators.

Second Stage

 * Make My Day - Derreck Simons
 * Station To Station - Derreck Simons

Battle Stage

 * Destination Love - Black Power

Fastest Typing in Kanto Project

 * Make My Day - Derreck Simons

Special Stage

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

Arcade Stage 8 Infinity

 * Sunlight - Kaioh

Arcade Stage 8 RivalSide Info
Story arc: Akagi RedSuns

Driver: Ryosuke Takahashi

Car: Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 ∞ III (FC3S)

Opponent: Kyoichi Sudo

Team: Emperor

Car: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A)

Mission: Do not fall behind the Rival

1-ryu Condition: Do not fall behind within 80 m

Cho 1-ryu Condition: Do not fall behind within 40 m

Course: Akagi

Rule: Downhill

Start: Standing

Weather: Clear

Time of day: Night