Gutter Techniques

The Gutter Techniques are Takumi Fujiwara's specialty. Other characters, especially Project D's opponents, use this technique as well.

Gutter Run version 1
First Used: AE86 vs. FD3S (Takumi vs. Keisuke) Second Used: AE86 vs. BNR32 (Takumi vs. Nakazato) Third Used: AE85: vs. S13 vs. 180SX (Takumi vs Thunder Fire) Fourth Used: AE86 vs. EG6 (Takumi vs. Shingo) Fifth Used:: AE86 vs. FC3S (Takumi vs. Ryosuke) Sixth Used: AE86 vs. Evo IV (Takumi vs. Seiji) Seventh Used: AE86 vs. EK9 (Takumi vs. Tomoyuki) Eighth Used: AE85 vs. S15 (Takumi vs the Two guys from Tokyo)

This is the technique Takumi is most famous for and has been used multiple times when racing on Akina. It's an entry-oriented method that doesn't let the driver understeer at the entrance. The inner tires are dropped into the gutter to withstand the centrifugal force of the turn. It allows the car to turn beyond the grip of its tires.

Gutter Run version 2
First Used: AE86 vs. FC3S (Takumi vs. Ryosuke) Second Used: AE86 vs. Evo IV (Takumi vs. Seiji) Third Used: AE86 vs. Impreza GC8 (Takumi vs. Bunta)

This is the same technique as above except it's the exit-oriented method. The timing to drop in the tires and release them is different. Instead of using the gutter when entering the turn, it's used when exiting. This technique is better than the one above, and Takumi uses it to turn the battle around when he's desperate. This version is rarely used. It was used once against Ryosuke (in First Stage) and again against Seiji. Bunta also uses this technique in his impromptu race against Takumi.

Reverse Gutter Run
First Used: FD3S vs. BNR32 (Keisuke vs. Nakazato)

This one is tried by Keisuke in his battle with Nakazato. In the final corner of Myogi uphill, he comes side by side with Nakazato from the outside, and when they both approach the corner Keisuke puts the edge of his rear wheels on top of a side walk, giving him the opposing force to the wheels which prevents him from crashing towards the outside.

Without Gutter
First Used: AE86 vs. SW20 (Takumi vs. Kai) Second used: AE86 vs. S2000 (Takumi vs. Joshima)

In Third Stage, Takumi used the height difference between the pavement and the ground to turn. It's basically the same technique as the two above except without the gutter. The tires are dropped off of the road, and they hook onto the side of the road. This was used in the race against Kai at Irohazaka. The similar technique was used when Takumi tries to keep up with and overtake Dr. Joshima during his battle with the Purple Shadow in the Project D arc.

Wheel lifting
First Used: AE86 vs. Roadster (Takumi vs. Toru) Second Used: FD3S vs. BNR34 (Keisuke vs. Kozo) Third Used: AE86 vs. ZZW30 (Takumi vs .Kai Rematch)

This technique was used multiple times. On the Seven Star Leaf's home course, there were deep gutters that were left uncovered. The first two techniques would not work here. The gutter depth is bigger than the tires. Instead, this technique is the total opposite of those two. It requires shifting the weight to the rear tires, taking as much weight off of the inner front tire as possible. It allows the car to float the inner tire above the gutter while taking the corner at full speeds. This technique was first used against Toru and was also used against Keisuke and Takumi by Purple Shadow's Kozo and Toshiya. The technique was once again used by Takumi when he battled against Kai in Fifth Stage when he came across some uncovered gutters while staying in lead in the battle.