First Stage - Act 3

Downhill Specialist Arrives (ダウンヒルスペシャリスト登場, Daunhirusupesharisuto tōjō, known as The Downhill Specialist Appears in the Tokyopop version) is the third Act of Initial D: First Stage.

Synopsis
Iketani’s out of commission for the race against the RedSuns, so he tries to convince Bunta Fujiwara to take his place. Takumi’s working on a deal of his own - he need’s his dad’s car for a date with Natsuki.

Plot
With Iketani's S13 totaled, the 4WD driver and its passengers were unscathed at the scene of Iketani's accident and rush to his aide. Iketani suffered a head injury and a broken neck. Kenji informed Itsuki about the accident at the gas station the following morning but will recover only having cuts, bruises and whiplash. However there is no one to take Iketani's place for the race between the RedSuns. Iketani sends his car to the mechanics to be kept until the parts are received from shipping. Afterwards, Iketani uses Itsuki's scooter to get to the tofu shop to buy his usual fried tofu. He then begs Bunta to race in his place in desperation and injures his casted neck.

Bunta rolls up at the gas station to fill up his Eight-Six in during closing time and both him and Yuichi grab a smoke. Yuichi told him he was the one who informed of the accident and Bunta felt flattered when being asked to race in his stead. Yuichi encourages him to race but turns down the request believing it is none of his business. He spoke of Takumi racing in his place instead after witnessing his skill development but Bunta says he has ways to go. Bunta states Takumi wouldn't lose to anybody on Akina except himself and would only race if it was for himself rather than being told by someone else to do it. However he can somewhat try to convince him after feeling remorseful on Iketani's accident. Takumi returns home and recalls on the promise he had with taking Natsuki to the beach. He requests he borrow the car for the upcoming Sunday but Bunta refuses due to a town meeting colliding on the same day. However makes a bargain with him if he beats the driver with an FD3S in Akina on the Saturday evening then he will let him with him paying him pack with gas money. Takumi gave it some thought.

At the Takahashi residence, Ryosuke does research on his computer. Keisuke enters the room and Ryosuke asks him the speed of the Eight-Six on the night he got outrunned. He couldn't give him the slightest description in his head. Ryosuke tells him the important instrument of learning driving techniques is brains. Keisuke's theory of racing is you can learn there techniques and abilities behind your opponents whereas Ryosuke's knowledge came from his intellect based on sound theory. He spoke of Keisuke's driving highly on him driving out his hardest and keep up with him without thinking makes him an intimidating driver and he would be the perfect driver if he added more theories to his skills. Keisuke loses his mind why he lost to the Eight-Six was because carelessness and driving in unfamiliar territory and believes there must be some monster under the hood that allowed him to get defeated. This further intrigues Ryosuke and decided to spectate the battle.

School ends and the day the race takes place is on that same evening. Itsuki gets excited and gets Takumi to bring his car to watch but Takumi breaks his promise due to what came up. Itsuki then panics. Iketani buys more fried tofu from Bunta's shop. The ever persistent iketani makes one final plea to get Bunta to race that night. To get off his case, he then lies by saying he might. Approved Iketani then breaks his neck again. He tells him the time it starts and remains optimistic of him showing up and promises he will buy more tofu from him. Bunta has faith that Takumi will go up there in his place. Cuts to the Mercedes driving along the road, the driver sees Natsuki is ever cheerful than before. She tells him of her plans for the coming Sunday and suggest for him to come along but Natsuki politely declines. The Mercedes drives by a bridge nearby with Takumi and Itsuki walking along. Takumi tells Itsuki he is going to the beach which ever makes Itsuki envious and suspected for his date to be Natsuki. He asks why he didn't tell him but Takumi can't tell him if he was invited personally but can promise him he will take him along next time it happens in which leaves Itsuki in tears.

At the family restaurant, The Night Kids have a coffee and arrogantly doubts the RedSuns aren't Gunma's fastest but his own team. As they finish their coffee, he believes their rotary cars (both FD and FC) won't stand a chance against his Nissan Skyline R32 which are designed for pure speed. The Night Kids then drive off to Akina. As Yuichi stares at the window, he knows how the battle between the SpeedStars and the RedSuns were spread like wildfire and wonders who will edge out the victory. He has confidence the Eight-Six will win which excites him further while smoking a cigarette. At Akina pass, the crowds are drawing up which gives Kenji and Iketani the chills. They better hope for a victory to avoid public shame. Iketani remains optimistic of the Eight-Six showing up but Kenji remained pessimistic due to the huge power differentials between the two cars with others agreeing. But Iketani knows the Eight-Six isn't ordinary as they think it is from what he heard from Keisuke. He tells them to have faith and the car will show up. If not, Iketani tells Kenji to drive in his place instead. The rotary brothers make their appearance and heads to the starting line drawing fans. They know well they not only are the fastest but also the richest in the prefecture coming from a father who owns a hospital in Takasaki which worries Kenji.

Itsuki impatiently waits for Takumi to pick him up which frustrates him on another broken promise and injures his foot as he kicks the ceramic stand. Back at Akina pass, Fumihiro proposes a time attack to kill time for the Eight-Six to come and Iketani accepts. All drivers hope to their cars while Keisuke impatiently waits for his opponent to come. Ryosuke probably thinks he saving it under wraps until the big reveal. Back at their homestead, Takumi doesn't feel like racing but Bunta tells him to drive how he usually does and will do fine. As practice runs start, the Rotary Brothers were drawing the most attention as Nakazato expects from them. Keisuke ever vengeful hopes for his opponent to come soon. Bunta gives him no cup of water as its not needed for races and drive at his fullest. Takumi tells his dad to keep his promise on a full tank of gas in which Bunta will discuss once he wins and makes his way to Akina.

Airdates

 * Fuji TV: May 2, 1998

Characters

 * 1) Koichiro Iketani
 * 2) Itsuki Takeuchi
 * 3) Takumi Fujiwara
 * 4) Kenji
 * 5) Bunta Fujiwara
 * 6) Yuichi Tachibana
 * 7) Natsuki Mogi
 * 8) Ryosuke Takahashi
 * 9) Keisuke Takahashi
 * 10) Papa
 * 11) Takeshi Nakazato

Cars

 * 1) Nissan Silvia K's (S13)
 * 2) Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX (AE86)
 * 3) Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 ∞ III (FC3S)
 * 4) Mazda efini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)
 * 5) Mercedes-Benz E-Class E300
 * 6) Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32)
 * 7) Nissan 180SX Type II (RPS13)

Music

 * 1) around the world - m.o.v.e
 * 2) Don't Stop The Music - Lou Grant
 * 3) Rage Your Dream - m.o.v.e

Quotes

 * "Don't die here" - Bunta Fujiwara