# Initial D: Special Stage A port for the PS2 with added content of Initial D: Arcade Stage Version 2 # Acknowledgements Just because this site has a ton of information doesn't mean that everything that comes from this site originated from our incredible minds! Here we make sure that every piece of information that has been taken from somewhere else it is being credited properly. --- - [alexvgz](https://www.youtube.com/c/alexvgz): creating an amazing translation mod and giving us some modding guides for the game - [GrAyEeWoLf](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/589379-initial-d-special-stage/faqs/29105): for doing an incredible job analyzing every car - [LeopardYiu](https://leopardyiu.fandom.com/wiki/Initial_D_Series_Cheat_Codes): finding some cheat codes for the 2.00 version of the game - [JDR99](https://www.youtube.com/c/JDR99): proofchecking our mistakes and discovered some new things for the Story mode - [HippyJ3](https://hippyj3.blogspot.com/2019/09/pcsx2-pnach-cheat-file-initial-d.html): for making some cheat codes for the 1.01 version of the game # Arcade mode Like the name suggests, this is basically the Legends of the Streets mode from Initial D Arcade Stage Ver. 2, but with some differences. If you still haven't picked any car yet for your garage, make sure to pick one, but make sure that you pick wisely, since the progress is tied to each car, so if you wanna switch to another car, you'll have to do everything from scratch (thankfully you can store multiple cars in your garage, so you can switch back to your old car at any time if you feel like your newer choice isn't your cup of tea). #### How this mode works --- Like I just stated two lines of text ago, the first thing to do is to pick your car. Refer to the ["What car to choose?"](https://guides.r21.li/books/initial-d-special-stage/page/what-car-to-choose "What car to choose?") page for more information and some guidance on the matter. Once your car has been chosen, it's time to actually start the races. If you have never raced before in that mode, you'll be greeted with this screen: ![specialstage_arcademode_courses1.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/MclewAWsd5HfrKq8-specialstage-arcademode-courses1.png) As you can see, you'll only be able to race on the following courses against the following characters:

Myogi

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Itsuki Takeuchi	Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85)	Day - Dry - Counterclockwise	1
Takumi Fujiwara	Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85)	Day - Dry - Clockwise	2
Shingo Shouji	Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6)	Night - Dry - Counterclockwise	4
Takeshi Nakazato	Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32)	Night - Dry - Clockwise	5

Usui

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Two Guys from Tokyo	Nissan Silvia Spec-R (S15)	Day - Dry - Counterclockwise	2
Nobuhiko Akiyama	Toyota Altezza RS200 Z Edition (SXE10)	Day - Dry - Clockwise	2
Mako Sato and Sayuki	Nissan SilEighty (RPS13)	Night - Dry - Counterclockwise	6
Sakamoto	Suzuki Cappuccino (EA11R)	Night - Wet - Clockwise	7

Akagi

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Kyoko Iwase	Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)	Day - Dry - Uphill	3
Kenta Nakamura	Nissan Silvia Q's (S14)	Day - Wet - Downhill	4
Keisuke Takahashi	Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)	Night - Dry - Uphill	7
Ryosuke Takahashi	Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 ∞ III (FC3S)	Night - Dry - Downhill	8

Akina

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Kenji	Nissan 180SX Type X (RPS13)	Day - Dry - Uphill	2
Koichiro Iketani	Nissan Silvia K's (S13)	Day - Dry - Downhill	3
Wataru Akiyama	Toyota Corolla Levin GT-APEX (AE86)	Night - Dry - Uphill	8
Takumi Fujiwara	Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86)	Night - Dry - Downhill	9

Happogahara

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Toru Suetsugu	Mazda Eunos Roadster (NA6CE)	Day - Dry - Outbound	4
Daiki Ninomiya	Honda Civic Type R (EK9)	Day - Dry - Inbound	8
Smiley Sakai	Honda Integra Type R (DC2)	Night - Dry - Outbound	8
Tomoyuki Tachi	Honda Civic Type R (EK9)	Night - Dry - Inbound	9

Irohazaka

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Seiji Iwaki	Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV RS (CN9A)	Day - Dry - Downhill	6
Kyoichi Sudo	Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A)	Day - Dry - Downhill	7
Kai Kogashiwa	Toyota MR2 G-Limited (SW20)	Night - Dry - Downhill	8
Keisuke Takahashi	Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)	Night - Dry - Downhill	9

In order to progress, you simply must beat these guys, and once you do it, you'll see that their character portrait image has a single red slash above it: ![specialstage_arcademode_defeat1.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/rKzqiaqRt1nw8znl-specialstage-arcademode-defeat1.png) What this means, is that you have beaten that character one time, but what happens if you try to beat him again? Well, check these cutscenes, now they feature rain! Yes, as you might have seen already in the rival selection screen, you are doing the exact same race but now, instead of doing them in dry conditions, now they must be done with rain (with the exceptions of Kenta and Sakamoto since those always feature wet conditions). Beat them once again, and their portraits will now display a double slash on their portrait, indicating that you have succesfully now beaten them twice. ![specialstage_arcademode_defeat2.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/6E88vn0vtMcHukIp-specialstage-arcademode-defeat2.png) #### Walkthrough of this mode --- First of all, defeat all of the characters listed above at least once in order to unlock the following secret race:

Irohazaka

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Takumi Fujiwara	Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86)	Night - Dry - Downhill	9

Once you have beaten him, you'll unlock some new extra races to complete, which are the following ones:

Real Myogi

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Shingo Shouji	Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6)	Night - Dry - Downhill	8
Takeshi Nakazato	Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32)	Night - Dry - Uphill	9

Real Usui

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Mako Sato and Sayuki	Nissan SilEighty (RPS13)	Night - Dry - Downhill	9

Shomaru Pass

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Wataru Akiyama	Toyota Corolla Levin GT-APEX (AE86)	Night - Dry - Outbound	9

Momiji Line

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Toru Suetsugu	Mazda Eunos Roadster (NA6CE)	Night - Dry - Downhill	8
Atsuro Kawai	Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo (ER34)	Night - Dry - Uphill	8

Enna Skyline

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Daiki Ninomiya	Honda Civic Type R (EK9)	Night - Dry - Downhill	9
Smiley Sakai	Honda Integra Type R (DC2)	Night - Dry - Uphill	9

Beat all of these races at least **once**, and you'll finally unlock the final race, which is this one:

Akina

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Bunta Fujiwara	Subaru Impreza WRX STi Coupe Type R Version V (GC8F)	Night - Dry - Downhill	10

Manage to complete this challenge and you'll be greeted with the *Arcade mode* credits, which simply includes official manga drawings of the characters you race against in the Arcade mode, in contrast to the Story mode, where in those they include the official coloured panels from some of the most iconic moments of the races portrayed in said mode. #### Post-credits content --- Once you have seen the credits once, you'll be booted back to the main menu of the game. But, this doesn't mean that mode is completed (with the car that you have chosen), far from it. Like we said before in the ["How this mode works" section](https://guides.r21.li/books/initial-d-special-stage/page/arcade-mode#bkmrk-fundamentals-of-this), you can play against everybody in the wet condition, so that'll be your main objective for now. This time, you can do every race in any order you may wish, but that doesn't mean that you can simply beat Bunta again and call it a day, no, you must win against everybody in order to actually beat this mode and be greeted again with the *Arcade mode* credits. Once that you have fully completed the Arcade mode, if you try to enter again the course selection with the same car, you'll realize that your progress has been wiped entirely (except the fact that you can race Takumi in Irohazaka and Bunta from the get-go), but that's not entirely true. The game doesn't tell you about this **(it only shows you the amount of times you have beaten the mode with stars)**, but the game has increased a notch its difficulty (not to be confused with the difficulty setting in the options menu, since that difficulty modifier **stacks up alongside** the one you have in this mode). ![specialstage_arcademode_difficulty.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/q3H88sQXjIPyAHSN-specialstage-arcademode-difficulty.png) While at first glance you might don't see too much of a difference, the more times you complete this game mode with the same car, the higher the difficulty will be, so as you can see, this game mode is designed to be completed multiple times instead of just one in order to enjoy it at its fullest potential. So for example, if you have managed to beat everybody twice seven times, you'll be playing in NG+7/New Game Plus 7, and unless your car is a meta car and your times are relatively close to the world records, just forget about giving it a chance. # Cheats & Modifications Sometimes in life you wanna feel good about yourself without putting in too much effort, and this page will help you a bit on achieving that. Or maybe you simply want to mod your game or don't want to grind again just to practice time trials with another car (which let's be honest, it's something quite understandable, since that takes A LOT of time). So without further ado, here is a compilation of some cheats and modifications that you can do with Initial D: Special Stage. #### Cheats --- ##### Completed savegame --- **Download:** [Link](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Cheats%20%26%20Modifications/Completed%20savegame.psu) **Features:** The entire story mode has been completed with an S rating in every race. ##### Set the total amount of points of your car to 99.999.999 with one race ---

For version 1.01

**Code:** ``` patch=1,EE,203278B4,extended,05F5E0FF ``` **Steps to activate the cheat:** 1. Start a race with the car of your choice (it must be a Time Trial or an Arcade mode event) 2. Finish the race (it can be after quitting prematurely or just by reaching the goal) **Notes:** Even though that you cannot get more points, you will still be able to get new random parts by completing races. It's also important to note that if your car is not on Step-5, it will be required to complete two races in order to unlock every performance upgrade for your car (Full Tune).

##### Set the rival car's speed to 0 km/h ---

For version 1.01

**Code:** ``` patch=1,EE,D152EC9C,extended,00001040 patch=1,EE,201599E4,extended,10000006 patch=1,EE,D152EC9C,extended,00004040 patch=1,EE,201599E4,extended,14400006 ``` **Steps to activate the cheat:** 1. Start a race that has a rival 2. Let the race start 3. Press Down + X on your controller **Notes:** If you want to deactivate the cheat, you simply press Up + X during the race, and the rival will start moving again as usual.

For version 2.0

**Code:** ``` patch=1,EE,202ED9E4,extended,00000000 ``` **Notes:** The code also works for rolling start races, but the camera sometimes may be inside the map's geometry due to the car's positioning.

##### Set the rival car's speed to 95 km/h ---

For version 2.0

**Code:** ``` patch=1,EE,202ED9E4,extended,42BE0000 ``` **Notes:** The code also works for rolling start races, but the camera sometimes may be inside the map's geometry due to the car's positioning.

##### Remaining time left never goes down ---

For version 1.01

**Code:** ``` patch=1,EE,20167C34,extended,24420000 ```

##### Timer does not work ---

For version 1.01

**Code:** ``` patch=1,EE,20167C54,extended,24420000 ``` **Notes:** The "GO!" message won't go away during any race and the rivals will never say nor react to anything.

##### Permanent rear view mirror ---

For version 2.0

**Code:** ``` patch=1,EE,21694C73,extended,00000001 ``` **Notes:** You will see a black bar in every menu where the rear mirror is supposed to go during gameplay, and every race with a rolling start will showcase already the rear mirror.

#### Modifications --- ##### Change the in-game BGM --- Are you tired of hearing the same songs over and over? Wanna change the vanilla songs to something that suits your tastes a bit better? Well, follow along and you'll see how it's done. **Prerequisites:** - A program that is capable of modifying .iso files and extracting files from them - [AFSPacker](https://github.com/MaikelChan/AFSPacker) - ADX Encoder **Steps to follow:** 1. Extract the file *RACEBGM.AFS* from the game, which is located on the following path: *CDVD\\DATA\\SOUND* 2. Using a Command Prompt instance, extract the files from the *RACEBGM.AFS* file with AFSPacker 3. Change the frequency of the new song you want to use to **48 kHz** 4. Open DkZ Studio, and open the *Multi ADX <-> WAV Converter* from the *Tools* section 5. Leave every option intact minus the *Destination folder* one in case that you want to save the song onto a new folder and **tick** the option called *Save ADX With Complete Loop From Start to End* 6. Convert the .wav file onto .adx by pressing the *Start* button 7. Now rename the newly obtained .adx file to the EXACT same filename to the file of the song you want to replace 8. Replace the old .adx file with the new one 9. Repackage all of the .adx files onto a new *RACEGBM.AFS* file with the use of AFSPacker 10. Replace the old *RACEBGM.AFS* file from the game with the new one with a program that is capable of editing .iso files **Notes:** - Under the circumstances that the frequency of the new songs must be modified, in order to make the song listenable, you gotta make sure also that the speed gets also modified correctly, otherwise you will get a distorted song. In case that the audio software you are using doesn't let you resample the songs to 48 kHz, you're doubting about what's the correct percentage of change to the speed that you must apply to the new song, here's the equation that you must use: ![speed song fix.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/wN1do6KSvkXeO80i-speed-song-fix.png) ##### English translation --- Are your skills of japanese not good? Is this the eleventh time that you've said that you're going to learn japanese but you never actually do so? Well no worries, since thanks to the amazing job of a modder we can now enjoy the game partially translated (enough to be understandable with the exception of the story beats). **Prerequisites:** - [xdeltaUI](https://files.r21.li/?dir=Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Cheats%20%26%20Modifications/xdeltaUI) - [The .xdelta file that corresponds to your game version](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k_hJcoqSSkPg-lKDjQa6gqUu60N_aitr/view) **Steps to follow:** 1. Open xdeltaUI and press the buttons called *Open...* while selecting on each case the corresponding file you're being asked to select 2. Designate the output path for the game with the translation patch applied 3. Press the *Patch* button # Story mode --- Exclusive to this game, there's an actual story mode that, unlike the stupid mess that most of the following games do, they actually retell the story instead of making this sort of a weird mix where they tell the original manga story but not really? Regardless of that, this mode is a great introduction to the series since it lets you reprise all of the races (and some other events) of the manga in all of their glory, and its also a great a way to see in the long run how are you improving, but more on that later. How this mode works is pretty simple, you're given a mission, and you must complete it within the aloted time. If you succeed, you'll unlock the next mission and some stuff for the other games modes. Generally speaking, the difficulty of said missions tends to be pretty fair, minus some missions where its difficulty goes way off the roof, but those are manageable in the end if you're persistent enough. But, the meat and bones of this game is not really just the retelling of the manga story, it is more about seeing how are you being able to improve in the game, because after all, that's the main focus of this game, to be able to do the same races but even faster. So, SEGA Rosso decided to implement a ranking system that determines how well you've done it in these missions. Minus the first mission, ALL of the races rankings are determined by how **fast** you complete the missions, nothing more, nothing less. The ranking system is as follows: - **S:** Woo-hoo! You've managed to get the best ranking in the race! - **A:** Almost there, you're so close to getting that S rank! - **B:** Not bad, but you're still doing way too many mistakes. - **C:** Well, you've passed, but just barely. - **D:** You failed, try again. As a clarification note about the ranking requirements, it's important to note that the times listed here may not be accurate, since SEGA did not release an official guide for this game **(that is the not the case, but there are no scans of it online, so as soon as we get our hands on one, we will delete this paragraph and we will make the corresponding corrections in this page)**, so the requirements are just guesses based on the results obtained by the players. For the most part, the guides found in YouTube and GameSpot are pretty accurate, but I've found some times that are not as precise as they could be. #### **Akina's Eight-Six** --- Here is where it all began, when Takumi *was forced to* discover his passion for mountain pass racing, and wowed everybody by prooving that just because your car might not be the best, it can still perform way better than expected, and thus, a legend was starting to take shape. During this chapter, the vast majority of the races tend to be not too hard, although it has one BIG fat exception, more on that later. However, this doesn't mean that you can relax, specially if this is your first time playing any Initial D, and you'll be surprised by how harsh and punishing this game can be (even though when you get better you'll realize how pathetic the AI is, specially when going for the S ranks). ##### Stage 1: Let's Buy an Eight-Six! (Part 1) --- One of the few non-canonical events (well it really is canonical but not the event per se), its main purpose is to teach you about the most important feature about this game (and the same applies to Initial D: Arcade Stage, Initial D: Arcade Stage Ver. 2 and Initial D: Arcade Stage Ver. 3), which is to not hit a wall. If you hit a wall, you'll receive what is called a "wall penalty". Basically, this penalty it makes your car acceleration drop and your top speed will be reduced too. Obviously, the harder you hit a wall, the bigger the penalty will be, so you gotta make sure to not hit any wall at any cost! **Objective:** reach the end of the third sector within the time limit and without spilling all of the water in the cup **Requirements for S rank:** do not spill any water while reaching the goal (100% of water remaining) **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Subaru Impreza WRX STi Sedan Type R Version VI (GC8G) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Uphill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2001.psu) ##### Stage 2: Let's Buy an Eight-Six! (Part 2) --- Another one of the few non-canonical races (this time not even the anime showcases Takumi going downhill, in fact, do we even see the hotel that they mention even ONCE?), this event is just there to help you learn without the pressure of any rival car the circuit inside out. This event is also there to teach you that just because you're doing the same race but in reverse mode, doesn't mean that you can proceed the same way, in fact, a lot of races *coff coff Irohazaka coff coff* will force you to plan out a different race path just because you're doing them but in reverse. **Objective:** reach the end of the course within the time limit, in this case being 3 minutes and 40 seconds (3:40) **Requirements for S rank:** complete the race within 2 minutes and 58 seconds (2:58) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Speedy Speed Boy - Marko Polo (BGM) - **B Rank:** Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2002.psu) ##### Stage 3: The Ultimate Tofu Vendor Drift --- Nani?! Kansei Dorifto?! Indeed guys! It's time to drift around Akina and make ourselves (well, Takumi in this case) a legend around the Gunma area, in this case by overtaking the second best driver of the Akagi RedSuns team, Keisuke Takahashi (oh excuse me, I meant to say K.T. *poor americans can't say Japanese names without dying in the process*). I haven't mentioned this before, but during these races, and ONLY during these races you can trigger specific lines from the anime if you play like the races did in the anime. By no means it's mandatory to do so, but it really adds to the charm to this game and it makes me question why in the mother of god we haven't seen any more of this kind of stuff after this game. **Objective:** be in front of Keisuke by 40 meters in less than 2 minutes (2:00) **Requirements for S rank:** complete the objective in no more than 14 seconds (0:14) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** No One Sleep In Tokyo - Edo Boys (BGM) - **B Rank:** Honda S2000 (AP1) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2003.psu) ##### Stage 4: Dogfight --- While talking about what makes Initial D, Initial D, here's finally the most iconic race with probably the most recognizeable song in the entire franchise (also, did you know that the cover for that song actually includes a car, in this case being a Lancia Delta HF integrale Evoluzione, an iconic car from also a very popular SEGA game?). As for the race in itself, there's nothing special about it, you just start where the song "Get Me Power" ends, in this case the end of the second sector, and you simply must reach the goal before Keisuke does. **Objective:** finish the race in 1st place **Requirements for S rank:** finish the race in no more than 1 minute and 30 seconds (1:30) **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2004.psu) ##### Stage 5: Iketani's Valuable Experience --- The first and one of the few events where you don't reach the goal, your objective is to literally swirvle around the race track in order to make Iketani faint. While you can just drive normally, and it's kinda recommended to do that the first time just to hear all of Iketani's lines (trust me, they're actually hilarious), the only way to actually get an S here is to just drive like you're drunk. **Objective:** fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race **Requirements for S rank:** fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42) **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Nissan Silvia K's (S13) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2005.psu) ##### Stage 6: Stupid Father, Bring Back the Eight-Six!! --- Another one of those "non-canonical" races (I understand that these events happened, but the only thing that we actually know and saw was what we saw from Kenji's car, which was a very brief scene) where you must reach the top of Akina as fast as possible. In this case, the opponent is a non-factor, since Kenji goes REALLY slow (in fact if you play versus him in arcade mode you'll realize how big that difference is) and the real difficulty of this race is just to get a good rank in this race. **Objective:** reach the top of Akina within the time limit **Requirements for S rank:** complete the main objective within 3 minutes and 20 seconds (3:20) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Remember Me - Leslie Parrish (BGM) - **B Rank:** Nissan 180SX Type X (RPS13) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Uphill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2006.psu) ##### Stage 7: Battle to the Limit --- Here's one of those really easy races to get an S on it, this time comes from the team leader of Myogi NightKids, Takeshi Nakazato. If you have seen the manga or watched the anime, you'll remember that he spuns out of the race due to his tires not being able to withstand so much speed without oversteering during a turn. Well, in this case, in order to get an S you simply have to be in front of him around the end of the 4 hairpins. If done correctly, he'll just simply say something and he will spin out, forcing him to retire and you getting automatically an S. **Objective:** win the race **Requirements for S rank:** end the race because of Nakazato spinning out **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Back On The Rocks - Mega NRG Man (BGM) - **B Rank:** Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) ##### Stage 8: Deathmatch of Madness --- Yet another one of those easy events, in this case from the *crazy maniac* of Shingo Shoji, the driver of a red Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6). In this case you don't have to worry about his imperative desire to win that race, since this game it's not even designed to handle such things. But, in order to spruice things up, this race will offer a really weird (and bad) handling model, after all, this is a ducktape race. What this means, is that in order to win Shingo, you must take into consideration that your car will barely steer at all when accelerating, forcing you to take the corners much slower. For this race, in order to get that juicy S rating, you have to do the same thing as with Nakazato in [stage 7](https://guides.r21.li/books/initial-d-special-stage/page/story-mode#bkmrk-stage-7%3A-battle-to-t). **Objective:** win the race **Requirements for S rank:** end the race because of Shingo spinning out **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Don't Stand So Close - Dr. Love (BGM) - **B Rank:** Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) ##### Stage 9: Sparkling Line Cross --- We're reaching the end of First Stage, which this means that we must race Ryosuke Takahashi, also known as the White Comet of Akagi. Don't let his legacy scare you, since this race is like we have stated during the introduction, the AI is just pathetically slow (and the game is fully aware of that), so in this case you'll have to try your best to go down the Akina pass as fast as possible. In fact, you'll see that the timers for the rest of the Akina races (that are done with the old AE86's engine) will demand you the exact same time in order to get the S rating, so do your best and make sure to practice a lot. **Objective:** end the race before Ryosuke manages to do that **Requirements for S rank:** finish the duel within 3 minutes and 8 seconds (3:08) **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 ∞ III (FC3S) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2009.psu) ##### Stage 10: Hot Winds! Mad Racing! Usui Pass --- Wait, didn't we just say that this was the last race of First Stage, so why we're doing a First Stage race now? Well, believe it or not, this is what happens after the last race in the manga, but considering how pityful is the story of the manga in itself is no biggie and kinda inconsequential (and besides, considering that the cutscenes have always that awkard (and REALLY long) delay from when they should start to when they actually start, that most of you will end up skipping them alltogether). Regardless of that, this is just *again* another race where Takumi wins by not actually ending the race, so getting an S here is just a piece of cake. **Objective:** maintain your lead while being around the end of the third sector **Requirements for S rank:** - **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Nissan SilEighty (RPS13) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Real Usui (Downhill) ##### Stage 11: Know the Fear of the Rain Battle --- Oh joy, now we also have to deal with rain... Well, luckily this race is the only one in the entire mode (with the exception of [stage 21](https://guides.r21.li/books/initial-d-special-stage/page/story-mode#bkmrk-stage-21%3A-deathmatch), and that one is not raining during the entire race) which features this weather. This race will teach you how to race under these conditions, and the first thing that you'll see is how slippery the car feels, like really slippery, and this track punishes severely crashing onto walls, so take your time with this race since here you must be fast in order to win, because you must leave Kenta behind by a good margin. **Objective:** get a lead of 200 meters against Kenta Nakamura **Requirements for S rank:** leave Kenta behind in less than 1 minute and 35 seconds (1:35) **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Nissan Silvia Q's (S14) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Real Myogi (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2011.psu) ##### Stage 12: High Tech vs. Super Technique --- Remember what I told you about stage 9? Well, here we just have the same event, just with the difference that you're facing Team Emperor instead of the Akagi RedSuns, so, if you can get an S on that race, it means that you can do it here too without any problem. **Objective:** win the downhill race **Requirements for S rank:** complete the duel no slower than 3 minutes and 8 seconds (3:08) **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV RS (CN9A) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2012.psu) ##### Stage 13: Let Takumi do the Driving!! --- Ok, now for real, this is the last First Stage race we're going to deal with (well, not really because in the anime it was omitted). This time, we're dealing with a race similar to stage 5 but with some differences, mainly the fact that you must fill up that bar just by driving fast, not by moving side to side. Regardless of that, remember that you must always go as fast as possible if you want to obtain the best rating possible. **Objective:** overtake the lover's car and fill up Mogi's impressiveness bar **Requirements for S rank:** complete the main objective within 26 seconds (0:26) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** White Light - Mr. Groove (BGM) - **B Rank:** Nissan Silvia K's Aero (S14) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Nissan 180SX Type X (RPS13) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akagi (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2013.psu) ##### Stage 14: Suicidal Fireball Battle --- Do you remember when I said in the introduction about this game having some difficulty spikes? Well here's the first one, and it's pretty noticeable. You may ask, why is this race so difficult? In this case the sole reason why it is so difficult is because the requirement for the S is really tight, and there's an RNG factor to take in, which is when the AE86's engine decides to kick his bucket, and that randomness is capable enough of killing any good run, if you can manage to get one fast enough to comply with the requirements for this mission. For the record, the only thing that can block your engine's trigger, is Kyoichi speaking, and if he is speaking while you're going through the stretch where the AE86 is supposed to blow up, that will not happen until he ends talking. **Objective:** don't let Kyoichi Sudo have an advantatge bigger than 100 meters from you before blowing the engine past the second turn in the third sector **Requirements for S rank:** finish the mission in less than 1 minute and 28 seconds (1:28) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Save Me - Leslie Parrish (BGM) - **B Rank:** Subaru Impreza WRX STi (GDBA) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akagi (Downhill) ##### Stage 15: The Seal Shall Be Released --- New engine, new stats, but not really. Why? Pretty simple, Takumi's dad wants to make sure that he gets used to his new engine by limiting the revolutions his engine can go by not changing his old tachometer. Not to worry though, since Wataru Akiyama is here to save the day, but not until you complete a downhill through Akina with the tachometer being unable to keep up with the engine's power. During this race, even though you don't have a new tachometer, the speeds that you must shift into are the same as if your car was setup properly, so if you're having trouble getting a good rank in this race just first try to memorize the speeds where you need to shift gears. **Objective:** reach the last checkpoint before time runs out **Requirements for S rank:** finish the race in no more than 3 minutes and 9 seconds (3:09) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Burning Desire - Mega NRG Man (BGM) - **B Rank:** Nissan Altezza RS200 Z Edition (SXE10) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2015.psu) ##### Stage 16: Hunch of Awakening --- Well, here comes the second difficulty spike of the story mode, in this case the culprit here lies within the story itself. In the manga, Takumi and Wataru did a lot of laps around Shomaru Pass before Takumi eventually taking the victory. Obviously in the game you won't have to do the same circuit for hours, although in reality you will have to considering that you must complete **THREE** rounds in a row without failing, and there's no way to restart any race, once you start you must quit the race, and painstakingly wait for the game to load the race again. Also, it doesn't help that this course is even worse to deal with than the one in stage 10, only because the road is really thin and thus, the chances of smashing your car onto a wall are even higher. **Objective:** - **First round:** don't let Wataru get a lead bigger than 100 meters before reaching the goal - **Second round:** finish the race in 1st place - **Third round:** win the race while not letting Wataru get a lead bigger than 100 meters during its process **Requirements for S rank:** finish the three rounds in no less than 10 minutes and 19 seconds (10:19) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Get Me Power - Mega NRG Man (BGM) - **B Rank:** Toyota Corolla Levin GT-APEX (AE86) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** - **First round:** Shomaru Pass (Outbound) - **Second round:** Shomaru Pass (Inbound) - **Third round:** Shomaru Pass (Outbound) ##### Stage 17: Challenge!! Irohazaka --- Round 2 with Kyoichi, but this time you'll race against him in his own turf, Irohazaka. Even though this circuit might look pretty daunting at first glance, for this race, getting a C at least it's pretty easy, unless you're not playing this game and thus you're racing with an automatic transmission setup. If you're playing the game the way it was intended to, this circuit is the perfect place to practice the downshifting technique, since almost every hairpin in this course demands you to do this technique in order to optimize your sector times. **Objective:** win the race without being overtaken by Kyoichi during the process **Requirements for S rank:** finish the race within 2 minutes and 47 seconds (2:47) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Mikado - Dave McLoud (BGM) - **B Rank:** Misubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Irohazaka (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2017.psu) ##### Stage 18: Further Inside Corner!! --- Have you read what I said before for stage 17? Yes? Good, well then go and get that S, or C, if you're not good enough. Oh wait, somebody is telling me that I forgot to mention that Kai Kogashiwa does perform the infamous Irohazaka jump, so well, there's that. Other than that, it's the exact same race just without the rolling start and without that lose condition imposed by the story. **Objective:** finish the race in 1st place **Requirements for S rank:** beat Kogashiwa no slower than 2 minutes and 59 seconds (2:59) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Crazy For Love - Dusty (BGM) - **B Rank:** Toyota MR2 G-Limited (SW20) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Irohazaka (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2018.psu) ##### Stage 19: Blazing Course Record --- Miki who? Who's that guy? Anyways, after you've managed to complete all the races done by Takumi in between First, Second and Third Stage, now it's time to proove to Natsuki Mogi that Takumi wants to be a professional driver, and he does that by driving as fast as possible through the roads of Akina. Like the other Akina races done after stage 9, the requirements for an S ranking are the same (well now the game expects you being one second faster because of the new engine). The problem is that if you're not experienced enough with this game, you'll realize that this race will demand you to race way faster than before, since the time limit is way more strict than usual. **Objective:** finish this downhill race before the time runs out **Requirements for S rank:** complete the time attack within 3 minutes and 7 seconds (3:07) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Stay - Victoria (BGM) - **B Rank:** Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2019.psu) #### **Akagi RedSuns** --- Hey, do you wanna do already the Project D races? Not so fast cowboy, because first we have a couple of races that happen that Takumi does not participate in. This time it is the Takahashi brother's turn to shine, although not for so long, since this chapter is the shortest one by far, with a measly 5 races in total. As for the races themselves go, they're relatively easy, nothing too fancy, but as always, getting those S ranks is what you should aim for whenever you're ready, since that's what SEGA Rosso considers being actually difficult. ##### Stage 20: Eve of the Rivals --- Another non-canonical race? That'd be incorrect, it's just that this race was never animated in the First Stage, just in the Legends Trilogy. Well, this time it's a simple race against Nakazato on Akina while going uphill, albeit with the condition that Nakazato cannot overtake you, since it's kinda implied that Keisuke is supposed to smash Nakazato just to showcase his better driving skills to the BNR32 driver. If this is your first race with the FD3S, this is a good race to practice and get a good feeling about its handling model, because it's very different in comparison to the AE86. **Objective:** reach the top of mountain Akina first without losing your lead during the entire race **Requirements for S rank:** finish the race within 2 minutes and 5 seconds (2:05) **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Toyota MR-S S-Edition (ZZW30) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi **Race track:** Akina (Uphill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2020.psu) ##### Stage 21: Conflicting Pride!! --- Racing during rain is not the best experience, and this stage will force you to do so, in a very tight race course. And now you may ask: "Only that?" Well, now what if I tell you that must win the race without being able to take the lead outside of the 4th sector? And that you must race through the entire race instead of getting a rolling start? In all fairness, while this race is kinda hard, as long as you're able to overtake Nakazato relatively early you're almost golden, and if you race properly, you can easily snack another S rank for your collection. **Objective:** win the duel without overtaking Nakazato during the first three sectors **Requirements for S rank:** win the race within 2 minutes and 50 seconds (2:50) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** 100 - Dave Rodgers (BGM) - **B Rank:** Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR34) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi **Race track:** Real Myogi (Uphill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2021.psu) ##### Stage 22: Trial Battle --- The last non-canonical race in the entire story mode (aha! I got you again, since while this race was never portrayed in any way, but in the manga we have a line of dialogue where Kyoichi tells Seiji that he will race Keisuke in Akina going uphill), here we just have a battle between the second best drivers of both teams that are fighting, in this case The Emperors and Akagi RedSuns (duh). Considering that all RX-7 cars are well suited for the turns of Akagi, this race shouldn't too much of an issue, although if you still haven't still got used to the Keisuke's car, make sure to go back to Time Trial mode and practice the turns at the third and fourth sector, since those are the most important ones to complete succesfully in order to win the race. **Objective:** finish the race in 1st place **Requirements for S rank:** complete the race while taking no more than 2 minutes and 34 seconds (2:34) **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII GSR (CT9A) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi **Race track:** Akagi (Uphill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2022.psu) ##### Stage 23: Breakthrough of Fear!! --- Oh look, finally something new to break the monotony of this chapter, since this chapter we will be able to get inside Ryosuke's car, and prove to Kyoichi that he can't turn to the right properly. Again, this doesn't really happen in the game, since the enemy is controller by an AI who will behave ALWAYS the same, so, as always, these sort of things are simply reproduceable in the game if you try to force the situations, and you'll get the dialogue bits that you did also hear/read in the source material this mission is based off. It's important to know that in this game the SAVANNA is a car that is considered to be worse than ɛ̃fini, and its handling model doesn't make that car's first impression any good. So even though this mission is easy, getting the hang out of this car is important to even stand a chance against Sudo. **Objective:** reach the bottom of Akagi before Kyoichi does **Requirements for S rank:** have a lap time equal or better than 2 minutes and 27 seconds (2:27) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Don't You (Forget About My Love) - Sophie (BGM) - **B Rank:** Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD3S) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 ∞ III (FC3S) - Ryosuke Takahashi **Race track:** Akagi (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2023.psu) ##### Stage 24: A Critical Moment for the FD!! --- After doing that awesome race going downhill through Akina, here we go again doing any time tri-. Wait... it's not a time trial? Well, in reality you're supposed to be racing against Wataru, but considering that he is only chasing you from far away, and that the race ends earlier because of a random guy crashing at the bottom (in the game you simply end without any rhyme or reason, but if you see the anime you'll understand what is going on), this race ends before you even knew it happened. **Objective:** pass through the second turn of the third sector while being in first place without being overtaken by Wataru **Requirements for S rank:** complete the challenge in 1 minutes and 12 seconds (1:12) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** West End Guy - Digital Planet (BGM) - **B Rank:** Nissan Silvia Spec-R (S15) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi **Race track:** Akagi (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2024.psu) #### **Project D** --- The third and last chapter, and possibly the hardest one by far. If you have reached this point already, you'll probably have spent already a couple of months playing this game (unless it's not your first experience with an Initial D game), but that doesn't mean that game will be any easier for you. In any case, it would the total opposite, but only because you'll start to realize that this game is all about optimizing your times even further and further, and if you check the world records for some of the courses and you compare it with yours, chances are their times are way better than yours, even though you think that you can't run barely any better. Regardless of what I said, make sure to always keep trying and trying, and don't forget about the most important thing, memorize the circuits and try to find the best line, and once you've done it, do it again. ##### Stage 25: Who is the More Reckless! --- Since this is the last one of those "accident" races, I'll mention it here since it's important but it only happens here. These stages where the way to obtain an S rating is to make sure that the rivals have to retire, as a matter of fact, that's the ONLY way you can actually win here. Even if you end the race in first place, if your opponent hasn't started saying the line of dialogue that triggers the win condition, no matter the lead you have from your opponent, it won't be enough in order to win the race. So, with that knowledge in mind, make sure to leave Toru Suetsugu behind as fast as possible in order to ensure the win. **Objective:** have a lead bigger than 150 meters within 1 minute and 45 seconds (1:45) or overtake Toru using one of the ditches **Requirements for S rank:** - **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Crazy For Your Love - Morris (BGM) - **B Rank:** Mazda Eunos Roadster (NA6CE) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Momiji Line (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2025.psu) ##### Stage 26: Full Throttle Hill Climb!! --- Stage 25 but in reverse and without any accident required for win, so just go as fast as possible. Do I need to say anything more? Now go and get that S. **Objective:** reach the goal in first place **Requirements for S rank:** complete the challenge in 2 minutes 47 seconds (2:47) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** I Need Your Love - Dave Simon (BGM) - **B Rank:** Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo (ER34) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi **Race track:** Momiji Line (Uphill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2026.psu) ##### Stage 27: Don't Look Behind --- The title for this race couldn't be more accurate, but not because of how fast Daiki Ninomiya races, but because this time the main thing you must take into consideration is the speed gauge, since again, you must know the speeds at when you must shift the gears, but other than that, you don't need to worry too much, since this course is pretty easy and pretty uneventful if we ignore the last 3 turns. Remember though that during this race, Daiki can't overtake you at any moment, because if that happens, you instantly lose the race. **Objective:** finish the race without letting Daiki pass you during its process **Requirements for S rank:** finish the race before 2 minutes and 18 seconds (2:18) **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Mazda Roadster RS (NB8C) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Enna Skyline (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2027.psu) ##### Stage 28: Takumi Attacks!! --- Hey, now we have another gimmick exclusive to this stage, in this case it's all about the grip of your tires. Why's that? Read the manga. What does it mean for this race? Simple, the car will drive as usual, but as soon as the grip bar depletes itself, and mind you, when it starts depleting it does that very fast, the car will drift even more, as if you were racing in the same circuit but with rain. If you're not going slow, the challenge of this stage (like with the latest stage), comes from the last 3 turns, so if you manage to take them without touching the walls at a decent speed, you should be a-ok. **Objective:** finish the race in first place **Requirements for S rank:** finish the race without taking more than 2 minutes and 20 seconds (2:20) to do so **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Suzuki Capuccino (EA11R) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Enna Skyline (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2028.psu) ##### Stage 29: A Turbo FF Driving Man --- Is it me or does it seem like that all of the Keisuke's races are as bland as they can possibly be? This time you gotta race against Smiley Sakai, the driver of the best car in the game, but not to worry, since its AI sucks ass and as such, you don't really to worry too much about him. What you should focus on is on the race track, since Enna Skyline is not a race track very well suited for an uphill race, so expect to slam your car onto the wall sometimes if you're new to this circuit. **Objective:** finish the race in 1st place **Requirements for S rank:** defeat Smiley Sakai within 2 minutes and 37 seconds (2:37) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Big in Japan - Robert Patton (BGM) - **B Rank:** Honda Integra Type R (DC2) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi **Race track:** Enna Skyline (Uphill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2029.psu) ##### Stage 30: Blind Attack --- No animals were harmed during the filming of this race. Now that we have PETA out of the way, now we can start talking about this event. Moving forward this point, the game simply **does NOT** fuck around, it will test your knowledge of the game and won't let you get an easy win on the remaining events. While the first round is just a plain normal race, if you remember what happens in the story, Takumi deploys the "blind attack" technique for the first time during the second round of this duel, which consists of shutting off the front lights of the car and turning them on as soon as he gets the lead in order to surprise Tomoyuki Tachi. In this game, since the opponent is controlled by an unphasable entity, in this case an AI, that technique here serves almost no purpose, if none. In any case, even though you can shut down the lights whenever you feel like, during this round the game will automatically do it for you (without the option of turning it on), as long as you are at least 20 meters or less behind of Tomoyuki. Also, like with [stage 16](https://guides.r21.li/books/initial-d-special-stage/page/story-mode#bkmrk-stage-16%3A-deathmatch), if you fail or want to restart, you must do it from the beggining of the first round. **Objective:** - **First round:** don't let Tomoyuki get a lead bigger than 100 meters before reaching the beggining of the 4th sector - **Second round:** finish the race in 1st place **Requirements for S rank:** have an overall time of both rounds no bigger than 4 minutes and 10 seconds (4:10) **Rewards:** - **C Rank:** Crazy Night - Boys Band (BGM) and Express Love - Mega NRG Man (BGM) - **B Rank:** Honda Civic Type R (EK9) (Iketani's Car Guides) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** - **First round:** Happogahara (Outbound) - **Second round:** Happogahara (Inbound) ##### Stage 31: A Nightmarish Machine --- Finally. We are at the end of the story mode, and the game will "haunt" you by simply telling you "win" as the sole objective of this mission (in fact, if you press the "Next" button after completing [stage 30](https://guides.r21.li/books/initial-d-special-stage/page/story-mode#bkmrk-stage-30%3A-blind-atta), the game will take you back to the story mode menu as if you completed the entire chapter, but if you check it again you'll see the last stage appearing). If you know the basic plot points of Initial D, or heck, you have completed the Legend of Streets mode in any of the games of this franchise, you'll already know what car it is, and who's the one driving it. Before you try winning this race, it's very important to know that this race alongside the latest one will REALLY test your skills, and this is not a joke, so unless you're capable of racing down Akina REALLY fast, forget about doing this race, just practice and practice. Just as a side note, this is the only race in the entire campaign mode where if you lose you'll actually see a cutscene (in this case what happens just after Takumi gets overtaken, since that's what happens canonically), although that race will still count as a lose, so you will have to win the race no matter what. **Objective:** reach the bottom of Akina before Bunta Fujiwara does **Requirements for S rank:** win the race no slower than 2 minute and 50 seconds (2:50) **Rewards:** - **B Rank:** Subaru Impreza WRX STi Coupe Type R Version V (GC8F) (Iketani's Car Guides) and Subaru Impreza WRX STi Coupe Type R Version V (GC8F) (Selectable car) **Car and character used:** Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara **Race track:** Akina (Downhill) **Replay:** [Download](https://files.r21.li/Initial%20D%3A%20Special%20Stage/Story%20mode/Stage%2031.psu) # What car to choose? That is a good question, but also a bad question at the same time up to some degree. Why? Pretty simple, not all cars handle the same way, and while its a good idea to try to avoid the worst cars, simply because using cars that barely accelerate and handle properly can really hamper your experience overall, but at the same time picking the most overpowered cars just because they're the best even though your driving skills are bad, you are not really going to get any good time splits any time soon, so our personal opinion on the matter is to **simply pick a car you feel comfortable with**. Although it is a good idea to pick a car and grind points with just that one car, changing the car you're using is a good way to break with the eventual monotony of using the same car over and over again. Regardless of what we said above, if you would still like to know an overall grasp of how the cars perform in this game, read the text that follows and then try to decide for yourself what car would you like to choose. ### Drivetrains --- The game has 4 possible drivetrains to use, and all of them make the car's behaviour in every aspect very different in comparison to other cars with different drivetrains. Even though this game does not feature realistic handling, it's important to understand these points that we're going to showcase here since those are the ones that matter the most just for playing this game: ##### Front engine/Rear wheel drive (FR) --- - **Key points:** - Control over top speed - **Advantatges:** - Manageable maneuverability in corners - **Disadvantatges:** - Prone to sliding outwards while cornering in wet conditions ##### Front engine/Front wheel drive (FF) --- - **Key points:** - Great stability - **Advantatges:** - Great acceleration after exiting corners - **Disadvantatges:** - Noticeable understeer ##### Mid engine/Rear wheel drive (MR) --- - **Key points:** - Countersteering is mandatory for the usage of these cars - **Advantatges:** - Lightweight cars, so their overall manuevaribility is very good - **Disadvantatges:** - Most oversteer-y cars in the entire game ##### 4 wheel drive/All wheel drive (4WD/AWD) --- - **Key points:** - Ideal for wet condition races - **Advantatges:** - Most stable cars in the game - Best acceleration stats - **Disadvantatges:** - Most understeer-y cars in the entire game ### Tune courses --- #### Basic tune --- Acquiring 120.000 points with your car will grant you all of the parts that your selected tune course has to offer. Some cars will offer special upgrades depending on your tuning route, and those upgrades will be given to you once the *Basic tune* status has been achieved. #### Full tune --- Once that you have reached 120.000 points, you will get an internal upgrade every 15.000 points. Reaching 990.000 points will grant you the latest internal upgrade, thus reaching the *Full tune* status. #### No tune (Stock) --- If you don't like having any extremity/add-on for your car, this is the only option that you can get. This option will let you obtain the same internal upgrades that you get during the basic tune route, minus with the special upgrades that are given to some cars (check in the [Car ratings section](https://guides.r21.li/books/initial-d-special-stage/page/what-car-to-choose#bkmrk-car-ratings-0) to see which cars do offer those) when completing said tuning status. Once completed the stock tuning path (at 120.000 points), you will be able to randomly unlock extremities for your car like with the other tuning routes. ### Car ratings --- #### Toyota --- ##### Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) --- ![specialstage_ae86.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/QjhBmyJPb4uGtT0T-specialstage-ae86.png) One of the most balanced cars in the game (**except for course D** since it has better top speed but worse handling in comparison to the other courses), the Trueno is surprisingly a car not suited for beginners, mostly because of its tendency to lose a lot of speed when hitting or just rubbing walls at high speeds. **Best course:** Akina **Worst course:** Irohazaka, wet conditioned races

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 5000 - 5000 - 6000 - **TRD racing engine (only with the A-Tune path):** 8000 - 9000 - 10500 **Complete basic tune reward of each tune course:** - **Tune course A:** TRD racing engine upgrade - **Tune course B:** Racing engine upgrade - **Tune course C:** Racing engine upgrade - **Tune course D:** Turbo kit upgrade

##### Corolla Levin GT-APEX (AE86) --- ![specialstage_ae86_2.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/3WrpHOEt91n3vzxx-specialstage-ae86-2.png) The good version of the Levin is quite similar to the Trueno. It turns pretty very well with a predictable oversteer that gets worse in the rain. But if you go for the NA tuning route, the car will have an overall better balanced stats, which means while it doesn't have a top speed comparable to the AE86, its cornering abilities will get better, even on wet conditioned races. **Best course:** Shomaru Pass, Akina **Worst course:** Wet conditioned races

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 5000 - 5000 - 6000 **Complete basic tune reward of each tune course:** - **Tune course A:** Turbo supercharger upgrade - **Tune course B:** Racing engine upgrade - **Tune course C:** Racing engine upgrade - **Tune course D:** Turbo kit upgrade

##### Corolla Levin SR (AE85) --- ![specialstage_ae85.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/glNNQjkzg4xv79vI-specialstage-ae85.png) A car that is definitely a bad choice for beginners, the AE85 relies on strong and stable cornering ability to get by, but its poor top speed makes the Levin a below average vehicle. Be mindful that with the A-Tune upgrade, the car in wet conditions loses all of its traction and in dry conditions it tends to slide a bit more. **Best course:** Akina **Worst course:** Irohazaka

Technical information

##### MR2 G-Limited (SW20) --- ![specialstage_sw20.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/gb6d2ckuHf99ep7M-specialstage-sw20.png) A superb car one mastered, the MR2 has extremely good turning if you manage to work around his oversteer with some proper countersteering. The acceleration though leaves a lot be desired, and that will show if you hit a guardrail. **Best course:** Akina, Happogahara, Irohazaka **Worst course:** Wet conditioned races

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** MR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 5500 - 5500 - 6000

##### MR-S S-Edition (ZZW30) --- ![specialstage_zzw30.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/NCkkxKo1RsQSXn1I-specialstage-zzw30.png) The beginner friendly version of the Cappuccino. Basically, if you can't handle the oversteering that car offers at the speeds it does reach, give this car a spin. The poor acceleration at 4th and 5th gear makes this car way more manageable at higher speeds, since it stills offers a great amount of speed at lower gears and great maneuverability stats. **Best course:** Akina, Happogahara, Irohazaka **Worst course:** Myogi, Wet conditioned races

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** MR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 5500 - 5500 - 6000 - 6500

##### Altezza RS200 Z Edition (SXE10) --- ![specialstage_sxe10.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/ApMYTwKc2if22PKc-specialstage-sxe10.png) One of the strangest cars in the game, the Altezza while still only being an above average car, it performs superbly on the tight corners of Shomaru Pass. Its bigger downside is the poor handling it has under wet conditions. Give it a try if you're an intermediate level player. **Best course:** Shomaru Pass **Worst course:** Happogahara

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 6-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000 - 7500

##### Celica GT-Four (ST205) --- ![specialstage_st205.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/BMxdM0434hgSlf6W-specialstage-st205.png) If you're looking for the definition of below average, this is it. This car does underperform on every aspect: decent turning ability, decent acceleration, and it has a top speed that it is just *okay*. It does perform greatly on Akina while going uphill (maybe in reference to the anime? Who knows.), so if you're trying to play on Akina with a 4WD, this is your best choice by far. **Best course:** Akina (Uphill) **Worst course:** -

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** 4WD **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000

#### Nissan --- ##### Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32) --- ![specialstage_bnr32.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/fzTMLJF4J8v2NVce-specialstage-bnr32.png) Even though this car weighs like a tank, it's seriously an underappreciated car for those who are not veterans in this game. While its turning capabilities are horrendous, it makes up for its amazing stability and acceleration, so avoid picking any course with a lot of tight turns, as the R32 will understeer quite a lot. A good choice if you want a top-tier car but want to have a challenge. **Best course:** Myogi, Real Myogi **Worst course:** Akina, Irohazaka

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** 4WD **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6500 - 7500 - 8000

##### Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR34) --- ![specialstage_bnr34.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/6JPPz3IkeDFWnl7w-specialstage-bnr34.png) In contrast to the BNR32, this car is surprisingly way worse than his older counterpart. Heavy understeer, great acceleration makes this car handle relatively similar to the BNR32, but clearly the stats showcase that his capabilities outside of Real Myogi are really subpar. Regardless of that, pick this one up if you wanna do a wet conditioned race with an interesting mid-tier car. **Best course:** Myogi, Real Myogi, Momiji Line **Worst course:** Akina, Irohazaka

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** 4WD **Transmission:** 6-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6500 - 7000 - 7500 - 8000

##### Skyline 25GT Turbo (ER34) --- ![specialstage_er34.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/YNfGn2zvogiAr3Mq-specialstage-er34.png) The FR of the Skylines, this one comes out as an oddball. The ER34 has great cornering stats even though it also suffers form understeering problems that the other GT-R's have. Like with the other Skylines, strong acceleration, good top speed and better than average maneuverability on wet races, makes this car a good pick for experienced players. **Best course:** Myogi, Usui, Momiji Line **Worst course:** Irohazaka

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 6-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6500 - 7000 - 7500 - 8000

##### Silvia K's (S13) --- ![specialstage_s13.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/07wLaxRrFBHgjnMg-specialstage-s13.png) Like Iketani, the S13 K's is just an average car. Even though it has a predictable understeer, it has a great acceleration factor and amazing stability in wet conditioned races. A good choice if you're trying to get good times in Usui and Real Usui without picking a too overpowered vehicle. **Best course:** Usui, Akina, Real Myogi, Real Usui, Wet conditioned races **Worst course:** Happogahara

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6500 - 6500 - 7000

##### Silvia Q's (S14) --- ![specialstage_s14.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/fnrP9lA0KML5vGCw-specialstage-s14.png) The worst car in the game by far, the Silvia Q's is simply a bad choice no matter the race track. Poor acceleration, horrible top speed, and just decent cornering ability makes the car look like a bad joke. Unless you're trying to torture yourself, don't pick this car. Simply don't. **Best course:** Usui, Akagi, Real Myogi **Worst course:** Happogahara, Irohazaka

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000

##### Silvia K's Aero (S14) --- ![specialstage_s14_2.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/3GmXycZBzndN1taw-specialstage-s14-2.png) A below average car yet again, the S14 K's Aero it is one of those cars that its poor top speed (because of the rev limit) hampers its abilities to become a decent or at least an average car. Regardless of that, if you're interested in using a non character-driven car, this car will surprise you with its decent handling under wet conditions and great acceleration. **Best course:** Myogi, Usui, Real Myogi, Real Usui **Worst course:** Akina

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000

##### Silvia Spec-R (S15) --- ![specialstage_s15.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/bbV3GABQUim1bGj4-specialstage-s15.png) Another one of those super weak cars. The Spec-R is simply a car for those who want to prove that this game is not as fast as it seems. They are wrong. What is really going on is that the S15 has REALLY bad stats overall: bad acceleration (its initial acceleration is good though), pitiful top speed, and a handling model that makes you question if somebody actually enjoys this thing, because seriously that is feat more than a given thing. **Best course:** Myogi, Usui, Real Myogi **Worst course:** Wet conditioned races

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 6-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6200 - 6700 - 7000

##### 180SX Type X (RPS13) --- ![specialstage_rps13.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/uiIGGh8cTSjl9PzK-specialstage-rps13.png) The Nissan 180SX will make you wish that you were playing a less grippy game at first, but once you get used to it, you'll realize how this car performs, which is above average. Its understeering while annoying, it can be compensated easily thanks to its decent acceleration stats. **Best course:** Myogi, Usui, Real Myogi, Real Usui **Worst course:** Irohazaka

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000

##### SilEighty (RPS13) --- ![specialstage_rps13_2.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/ZwdV6zdhIj3IEtVV-specialstage-rps13-2.png) Remember what I just said about the 180SX? Well this is just the same car but being more difficult since sometimes it may lock up due to being a grippy and a drifty car too. Other than that though, there is nothing worthwile to mention about this car. **Best course:** Usui, Real Usui **Worst course:** Irohazaka

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000

#### Honda --- ##### Civic Type R (EK9) --- ![specialstage_ek9.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/dLzfQOAuOAMNKjWp-specialstage-ek9.png) The EK9, like the EG6, it is a car that performs extraordinarily well on wet conditioned races, but don't let that fool you. This car is really bad when it comes to dry races, with the exceptions of Enna Skyline and Happogahara, their respective home courses. So, even though this car has great acceleration in the higher gears, use this car soly for wet races. **Best course:** Happogahara, Enna Skyline **Worst course:** Akina

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FF **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6500 - 7000 - 7500

##### Civic SiR-II (EG6) --- ![specialstage_eg6.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/Ngb3y0wkXWnvzNQW-specialstage-eg6.png) Another car that has amazing stats, the SiR-II while it's a car that is more meant to be driven under wet conditioned races, it is still a car that drives superbly in dry races, specially on Happogahara. Definitely a good choice if you want to get great times on wet races without trying to grasp its handling model for way too much time. **Best course:** Happogahara, Wet conditioned races **Worst course:** Dry conditioned races

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FF **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 7000 - 7500

##### Integra Type R (DC2) --- ![specialstage_dc2.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/uaokwyEozYkJx9aZ-specialstage-dc2.png) The best car of the game, bar none. Sega Rosso apparently still nerfed its top speed, but that still doesn't mean it is the de facto car for almost all Time Trials. Very stable, great on wet conditioned races, an amazing turning ability (even though it's important to brake before cornening and to stop accelerating during the turn in). If you decide to go with the Smiley Sakai route, the turbo upgrade will make your car go faster on straightaways, but it will make the DC2 a poor choice for wet conditioned races, so be mindful about that. **Best course:** Akina (Wet), Happogahara (Wet), Enna Skyline (Wet) **Worst course:** Usui (Downhill), Akagi (Downhill)

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FF **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6500 - 7000 - 7500 **Complete basic tune reward of each tune course:** - **Tune course A:** Turbocharger upgrade

##### S2000 (AP1) --- ![specialstage_ap1.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/ga8AZeduz29ZrHKu-specialstage-ap1.png) Another one of those tricky 6-gear cars, this FR has poor off-the-line acceleration that gets compensated with decent acceleration stats in higher gears. Like with the Trueno, this car will stall BADLY if your shift times are done incorrectly, so make sure to not touch this below than average car unless you're an experienced player. **Best course:** Myogi, Happogahara **Worst course:** Irohazaka

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 6-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6500 - 7200 - 7500 - 8000

#### Mitsubishi --- ##### Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A) --- ![specialstage_ce9a.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/OQmSW8t1OEqBkWbh-specialstage-ce9a.png) Although the Evo III is amongst the best cars of Irohazaka, it is most well known for its "misfiring system" (even though in this game it does not really do anything in terms of performance). Getting that out of the way, the Evo III is surprisingly a really weak car outside of its home turf. His acceleration and his understeering problems make this car a below than average option for those who want to get a 4WD car. **Best course:** Irohazaka **Worst course:** Akina

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** 4WD **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 5500 - 6500 - 7000 **Complete basic tune reward of each tune course:** - **Tune course A:** Misfiring system

##### Lancer Evolution IV RS (CN9A) --- ![specialstage_cm9a.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/Kk8DliI4KjkmgoQa-specialstage-cm9a.png) Don't be fooled. Although this car may seem like a twin to the Evo III at first, its performance is vastly superior, overall. It's one of the best car on Irohazaka, but performs incredibly well on other courses, too. In both cornering ability and acceleration, the Evo IV beats out his older brother. While this car might seem to suffer from understeering, if you keep pushing forward while turning you'll see that the turning radius will get smaller and will manage to take those pesky turns pretty easily. Therefore, keep in mind that with this excellent car you will have to turn a little earlier to get to the apex than with most other cars. **Best course:** Irohazaka **Worst course:** Akina

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** 4WD **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000

##### Lancer Evolution VII GSR (CT9A) --- ![specialstage_ct9a.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/oNlqyHkGoYPQJxUB-specialstage-ct9a.png) The newest of the Evo cars, and the most average of them. The CT9A is a decent car that will help you getting around the tight corners of Irohazaka pretty well. But outside of that course, the car never excels, and in courses with a lot of turns that require maintaning a lot of speed it will start to showcase its weaknesses. Overall, a decent car if you're interested in trying out a 4WD without being too overly complicated. **Best course:** Happogahara, Irohazaka **Worst course:** Akagi, Akina

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** 4WD **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000

#### #### Mazda --- ##### ##### ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S) --- ![specialstage_fd3s.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/fkWgJxZ9Cfu1Iko7-specialstage-fd3s.png) The FD Type R is a top tier car, just behind the DC2 in terms of overall strength. Like in any ID game, Keisuke's car (or Kyoko's, depending on who is your waifu) has incredible acceleration, good stability, and decent cornering ability and it excels in almost every course. Due to its great stability, this car ALSO shines in wet conditioned races, but this doesn't apply in Irohazaka on Akina, where this car tends to understeer no matter what. Note that if you go with the B course, the basic upgrade will give you better acceleration at higher gears at the cost of cornering speed. **Best course:** Akagi **Worst course:** Akina

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000 **Complete basic tune reward of each tune course:** - **Tune course B:** Single turbine

##### RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD3S) --- ![specialstage_fd3s_2.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/PVua9IrUfphqkMd4-specialstage-fd3s-2.png) The Type A is basically a Type R but with some more drifitng while cornering. With its good stability, strong acceleration, and amazing turning ability regardless of the weather conditions, it's a great beginner and intermediate level car. **Best course:** Akagi **Worst course:** Akina

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000

##### SAVANNA RX-7 ∞ III (FC3S) --- ![specialstage_fc3s.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/RkZAgYfLPeWdCzcE-specialstage-fc3s.png) The bigger brother of the FD. Even though both cars share similar records on all cars, their characteristics are pretty different. While the FD depends on stability, predictable understeer and acceleration, the FC relies on oversteer and cornering ability, since it lacks a bit in terms of brute power. Nevertheless, his shortcomings are quite manageable and this car is definitely a good choice. **Best course:** Akagi **Worst course:** Myogi, Momiji Line

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 5000 - 5500 - 6000

##### Eunos Roadster (NA6CE) --- ![specialstage_na6ce.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/eqkDfmCn7Bhr9ZTB-specialstage-na6ce.png) Similar to the NB8C, this car goes around the corners incredibly well under dry circumstances. However, under wet conditions this car will start skating around as if it was on ice, making it unbearable to drive, that is unless you're in Momiji Line going downhill, the home course of this car. The horrendous acceleration in the highest gears makes this car an interesting pick if you want to challenge yourself with a car that has a bad top speed instead of having a handling model that is hard to grasp. **Best course:** Happogahara, Momiji Line **Worst course:** Myogi, Real Myogi, Wet conditioned races

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 5000 - 5500 - 6000 - 6500 **Complete basic tune reward of each tune course:** - **Tune course A:** Increased cylinder bore

##### Roadster RS (NB8C) --- ![specialstage_nb8c.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/iyhfZ38pMjrl9jIh-specialstage-nb8c.png) A pretty underrated car in the game, the Roadster RS is a fantastic car if you want to tackle the most popular tracks like Akagi, Akina and Irohazaka, and it excels on Momiji Line (Downhill). Regardless of your skills, this car will satisfy your needs, although it is important to know that the car's acceleration is just decent. **Best course:** Momiji Line **Worst course:** Myogi, Wet conditioned races

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 6-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 6500 - 7000

#### Subaru --- ##### Impreza WRX STi Sedan Type R Version VI (GC8G) --- ![specialstage_gc8g.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/TAmlLHwUbR403nI0-specialstage-gc8g.png) Here's a car that has overall above average capabilities. Why so? Because its acceleration uphill and downhill is amazing and it is pretty stable. Though, it has to be mentioned that it has a tedency to understeer, but this can be remedied by using the Out-In-Out technique when attacking the corners and hairpins. Under wet conditions, instead of braking like somebody would do under dry conditions, it is preferable to just let the go the gas pedal and then start accelerating once the car is facing the corner exit. **Best course:** Akagi, Akina, Irohazaka **Worst course:** -

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** 4WD **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000

##### Impreza WRX STi (GDBA) --- ![specialstage_gdba.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/dgF4yThn2SfF1kFa-specialstage-gdba.png) A really easy 6-gear car to drive, it's a car that does not have any serious weakness at all. Its decent top speed and great stability and its bad traction under wet conditions make this car a decent choice. **Best course:** Akina, Happogahara, Irohazaka **Worst course:** Wet conditioned races

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** 4WD **Transmission:** 6-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6000 - 6500 - 7000

##### Impreza WRX STi Coupe Type R Version V (GC8F) --- ![specialstage_gc8f.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/r41WiPSgr6BRIRrg-specialstage-gc8f.png) Good stability, powerful acceleration and good turning abilities make this car an amazing choice for any expert driver. Regardless of that, this is a great beginner car (although being locked away until you finish the Story mode makes it kinda pointless). It doesn't have a best track, but it is an above average choice on almost all of them. **Best course:** Akagi, Akina, Irohazaka **Worst course:** Myogi

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** 4WD **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 6000 - 6500 - 7000

#### Suzuki --- ##### Cappuccino (EA11R) --- ![specialstage_ea11r.png](https://guides.r21.li/uploads/images/gallery/2022-06/scaled-1680-/t90L3HuaTKwl11lz-specialstage-ea11r.png) Likely the toughest car to drive in the game, the Cappuccino has incredible turning ability on almost every course, but at the cost of being really oversteer-y and having tricky shift points, since early shift points will make the engine stall. The acceleration at lower gears is pretty poor, but managing to keep a high speed will be rewarded with an even higher acceleration. **Best course:** Akagi, Akina, Shomaru Pass **Worst course:** Wet conditioned races

Technical information

**Drivetrain:** FR **Transmission:** 5-speed **Recommended shift points (in rpm):** - **Normal engine:** 8000 - 9500 - 10500

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Takumi Fujiwara	Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86)	Night - Dry - Downhill	9

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Mako Sato and Sayuki	Nissan SilEighty (RPS13)	Night - Dry - Downhill	9

Driver	Car	Race conditions	Difficulty (out of 10)
Wataru Akiyama	Toyota Corolla Levin GT-APEX (AE86)	Night - Dry - Outbound	9