Stage 1, Episode 3
Short summary
Iketani got into an accident and needs to find someone to take his place for the race on Saturday. He goes to Bunta again for help and tries to convince him to race for him. However, he doesn't want to because it's like an adult sticking his nose in a kid's fight. Later, Bunta found out that Takumi wanted to use the car on Sunday and tried to bribe him into racing against the Red Suns by offering usage of the car and a free tank of gas. Takumi is interested but decides to think about it. The next day, Iketani visits Bunta again and is told that the Hachi Roku might show up. That night, the galleries at Akina are packed to see the battle between the Speedstars and Red Suns. While the Takahashi brothers show off during the free run, Takumi finally decides to go and heads out.
Longer summary
Iketani had gotten into an accident by hitting the guardrail on Akina while trying to dodge an oncoming car. Although his injuries weren't serious, his car was heavily damaged. Now the Speedstars have to find someone to take his place for the battle on Saturday.
The next day, Iketani pays Fujiwara-san (Bunta) another visit and asks him to take his place in the race on Saturday. Of course, Bunta doesn't want to because he'd be an "old man in the wrong place." Later that night, Bunta went to see his friend, Yuichi, and found out it was him who told Iketani the rumor of the Hachi Roku. Since Bunta doesn't want to take Iketani's place in the race, Yuichi suggests sending Takumi to. It's too bad that Takumi isn't the kind of person who would do that so easily when asked.
When Takumi returned home that night, he remembered the promise he made to Mogi and asks his father for the car on Sunday. Bunta tells him he can't use it because of a meeting. Well, this is bad on Takumi's part, and he starts mumbling about how he really needs the car on Sunday. Seeing this, Bunta thought of a way to bribe his own son. He offers to give him the car on Sunday if he beat the Red Suns on Saturday (he'll even throw in a free tank of gas!) Unable to resist that free tank of gas, he decides to think about it.
Meanwhile at the Takahashi household, Ryosuke asks Keisuke about the Hachi Roku. Not having the same analytical skills as his "anaki" (older brother), all he can say is that the inside of that Hachi Roku must be monstrous. A monstrous Hachi Roku? Interesting... Ryosuke thinks he might watch the race afterall.
Saturday arrives, and Itsuki reminds Takumi of the battle, but Takumi tells him that things are getting "complicated." Meanwhile, the persistent Iketani visits Bunta again and is told that there is a 50/50 chance that the Hachi Roku will show up. However, this is enough for Iketani, and he leaves believing that it will definitely show up.
It's getting closer to the battle, and the Night Kids discuss the race. They believe the Red Suns will win, and Takeshi comments that the fastest isn't the Red Suns, but the Night Kids. On Akina, the Speedstars are getting nervous because they've never seen the galleries so packed and are doubting the Hachi Roku that Iketani believes so much in. If it doesn't show up, Kenji will be racing instead.
Getting frustrated that Takumi hasn't picked him up yet, Itsuki decides to go on his scooter. So where is Takumi? He's still at home and hasn't even decided if he wants to go yet. Back on Akina, the teams are having a free run before the battle, and Keisuke and Ryosuke show off their skills by performing the parallel drift. Takeshi watches on the sidelines knowing that that is just for performance. They drive differently when they race.
Later, Takumi finally decides to go, and heads out.
