Keisuke Takahashi vs Atsuro Kawai

The battle between Keisuke Takahashi vs Atsuro Kawai is the twenty-sixth battle of Initial D.

Prior to the Battle
Toru advices Kawai not to give in the insides of the corner to Keisuke, as he too could be passed by the same technique used by Takumi on him. Kawai assures him.

During the Battle
Kawai leads, planning to outrun Keisuke; his strategy is cornering at the widest possible angle and increasing speed on straightaways. Keisuke criticizes Kawai's driving style as dull and overly simplistic. Eventually, due to better corner exit speed of Keisuke, he overtakes Kawai easily.

After the Battle
After the battle ended, Atsuro asks Keisuke before he leaves if his car was slower than the FD and why Keisuke held back. Keisuke explains Atsuro's car is more powerful than his, but his cornering was weak, hence he was able to overtake him due to better corner exit despite having a lower powered car.

Trivia

 * This is one of the only battles which weren't shown fully in Fourth Stage. The other one was FD3S vs Integra DC2.

Battle Stage 2

 * Power - Go 2

Special Stage

 * I Need Your Love - Dave Simon

Arcade Stage 8 Infinity

 * The Race Of The Night - Dave Rodgers

Arcade Stage 8 RivalSide Info
Story arc: Seven Star Leaf

Driver: Atsuro Kawai

Car: Nissan Skyline 25GT-Turbo (ER34)

Opponent: Keisuke Takahashi

Team: Project D

Car: Mazda RX-7 Type R (FD3S)

Mission: Preserve the Steering Gauge

1-ryu Condition: Leave at least 1 Steering Gauge intact

Cho 1-ryu Condition: Leave at least 2 Steering Gauges intact

Course: Momiji Line

Rule: Uphill

Start: Standing

Weather: Clear

Time of day: Night