Chapter 017

A New Challenger (新たなる挑戦者!!, Arata Naru Chōsen Sha!!, "A New Challenger!!") is the seventeenth chapter of Initial D.

Plot
At a diner, Ryosuke and Keisuke meet with Fumihiro. The three discuss Nakazato of the NightKids. Keisuke expresses his distaste for the GT-R, and Fumihiro talks about the time Keisuke raced against a GT-R that had passed him on the expressway, even though the driver wasn't a racer and was just trying to show off to his girlfriend. Fumihiro worries that the NightKids might beat the Eight-Six, but Keisuke says that they don't have anyone skilled enough to beat him. Ryosuke explains that a more powerful car is at a disadvantage against the Eight-Six, as you're never fully able to use all that power. Fumihiro still thinks the GT-R should be able to win, but Ryosuke tells him he's forgetting something.

Iketani and Kenji are driving in the 180SX. Iketani says watching Takumi drive changed his entire view on racing, and that he's gonna practice the techniques he saw as soon as he gets his car back.

Takumi and Itsuki are hanging out in Ikaho Onsen. Itsuki tells Takumi that he's a completely different person when he's behind the wheel of the Eight-Six, as he's normally a dork. Takumi says he thinks it's weird himself, he just drives how he normally does and people overreact. Itsuki tells Takumi that while he might not care, he really did help the SpeedStars out. Takumi thinks to himself that racing is slowly becoming fun for him. Itsuki asks Takumi if he'll coach him once he gets an Eight-Six, which he agrees to.

On Akina, Nakazato gets into a small race with a pair of racers, but is easily able to overtake. He thinks to himself that even his old rivals cant stand up to the power of his GT-R.

At the gas station, Yuichi sends Takumi off on a delivery, leaving Itsuki manning the station on his own. Nakazato pulls up to the pumps, and asks Itsuki where he can find the Eight-Six.

Japan

 * February 3rd 1996 (Tankōbon, Volume 02)

Chinese

 * February 1st 1998 (Tankōbon, Volume 02, Sharp Point Press)

English

 * July 16th 2002 (Tankōbon, Volume 02, Tokyopop)
 * April 17th 2019 (Digital re-release, Volume 02, Kodansha USA)

French

 * March 26th 2009 (Tankōbon, Volume 02, Kazé)

Italian

 * March 28th 2023 (Tankōbon 2-in-1, Volume 01, J-Pop)

Characters (in order of appearance)

 * Ryosuke Takahashi
 * Keisuke Takahashi
 * Fumihiro
 * Koichiro Iketani
 * Kenji
 * Itsuki Takeuchi
 * Takumi Fujiwara
 * Takeshi Nakazato
 * Yuichi Tachibana

Cars (in order of appearance)

 * Nissan 180SX Type II (RPS13)
 * Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32)
 * Honda Integra Type R (DC2)

Tokyopop/Kodansha USA version

 * In the Kodansha USA release, the title page features a visible tear on the right side of the page.
 * A note explaining what ATTESA-ETS stands for is given, however part of the acronym is wrong. The given meaning is Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All - Electronic Torque Split, however the actual meaning is Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain- Electronic Torque Split.