WEBVTT 00:03.240 --> 00:07.880 The lead group is already barreling down the Relay Straight! 00:08.700 --> 00:13.010 The 12 pulls out, but it doesn't look like he's trying to overtake for the lead. 00:15.180 --> 00:18.300 It's hard on the brakes before turning right! 00:18.300 --> 00:23.210 From there, it's a steep climb up to Hakone Pass! 00:26.190 --> 00:30.150 As soon as he got side by side, he eased off and started coasting. 00:30.800 --> 00:33.700 Is that his way of saying he can pass me whenever he wants? 00:37.810 --> 00:42.170 The third-place group is yet to reach the Relay Straight. 00:42.170 --> 00:43.120 Still no sign. 00:44.850 --> 00:49.260 Here they come! The red car is the 2, driven by Akaba Kaito! 00:51.030 --> 00:56.260 And behind him is Maezono in the 13 in fourth, and Katagiri in fifth! 00:56.260 --> 00:58.990 There's nothing between them in this intense battle! 01:23.080 --> 01:24.870 MF Ghost 02:35.700 --> 02:36.300 m 0 0 l 100 0 100 100 0 100 02:35.700 --> 02:40.120 The Devil of Ashinoko Skyline 02:40.220 --> 02:43.910 Seven seconds further back, it's Sakamoto Yudai in the 5. 02:43.910 --> 02:45.780 They've pulled away from me. 02:45.780 --> 02:50.160 Ever since the 1 disappeared, the pace of the trio ahead has seriously picked up. 02:50.160 --> 02:55.840 I'd better close the gap to Katagiri as much as I can on the hill climb or I'll look really bad. 02:57.090 --> 02:59.800 Next up, it's Taylor in the 8 and Aiba in the 9! 03:01.840 --> 03:04.020 And Aiba Shun has something in mind! 03:07.090 --> 03:09.980 Halfway down the straight, he pulls out of the slipstream! 03:10.940 --> 03:13.100 How will this play out? 03:14.330 --> 03:16.110 A successful overtake! 03:16.560 --> 03:19.280 The 9 has gained a position! 03:20.310 --> 03:24.780 Your thoughts, Ikeda-san? Your student, Aiba Shun, seems to be having a great race. 03:25.240 --> 03:29.750 I can only say this in hindsight, but if asked about his time at the academy, Aiba Shun... 03:29.750 --> 03:32.370 ...was never an exemplary student. 03:32.370 --> 03:33.710 Really? 03:33.950 --> 03:36.800 He had promising driving instincts... 03:37.250 --> 03:39.150 ...but he also had mindset issues. 03:39.150 --> 03:43.720 I suppose you could say he was competitive to a fault. 03:44.090 --> 03:47.020 Now that you mention it, the races that stick out the most 03:47.020 --> 03:50.560 are the ones where he got too aggressive early on and wore out his tires. 03:50.560 --> 03:53.580 But would you say that's not the case in today's race? 03:53.580 --> 03:57.060 Yes, I would, and I believe that's thanks to the rain. 03:57.490 --> 04:01.240 Because the tires used in MFG are all-weather ones... 04:01.560 --> 04:06.870 ...less mu from the road decreases the need to take wear into account. 04:07.290 --> 04:11.040 This time, he won't end up suffering with his tires. 04:11.270 --> 04:15.870 I only hope it helps him realize something about his driving. 04:16.510 --> 04:19.840 For all his faults, Aiba-kun is a well-liked athlete. 04:20.270 --> 04:25.180 The staff all love him, and he looks out for the younger drivers. 04:25.530 --> 04:30.390 He's almost the epitome of a hothead with a heart of gold. 04:30.390 --> 04:34.270 I'd personally like to see an Odawara native like Aiba Shun 04:34.270 --> 04:38.840 reach the top step of the podium as soon as possible. 04:39.700 --> 04:42.320 And now, we're back on the Relay Straight. 04:42.940 --> 04:45.280 We've got three cars zooming down it! 04:45.520 --> 04:46.820 Otani in the 7, 04:46.820 --> 04:48.530 Kitahara in the 18, 04:48.530 --> 04:50.410 and Yanagida in the 6! 04:52.990 --> 04:54.660 I've only just noticed... 04:55.030 --> 04:56.640 ...but the rain seems to have eased. 04:57.260 --> 05:00.210 Yes, it has stopped raining over Lake Ashinoko. 05:00.610 --> 05:03.110 The feed is currently on the fourth-place group, 05:03.110 --> 05:06.760 but if we check up near Hakone Pass, it's stopped raining there, too. 05:07.240 --> 05:11.190 To the east, we can see a break in the rain clouds, and the sky starting to brighten. 05:11.670 --> 05:17.690 Ikeda-san, what effect do you think the rain stopping will have on the rest of the race? 05:17.690 --> 05:21.610 The road conditions won't change for the most part. 05:21.610 --> 05:25.140 The front duo have already started their third lap... 05:25.140 --> 05:30.040 ...and at this point, the roads won't dry up before the end of the race. However... 05:30.790 --> 05:33.990 One thing does worry me. 05:38.210 --> 05:42.420 I hadn't noticed because of the spray from the car in front, 05:42.810 --> 05:45.260 but the rain stopped at some point. 05:46.360 --> 05:51.870 And as the puddles on the road start to dry up, I'll be at a disadvantage. 05:54.120 --> 05:58.060 I may be able to pass the NSX in Sector 1, thanks to all the corners there, 05:58.280 --> 06:01.020 but in Sector 3, he'll just roar straight past me again. 06:01.410 --> 06:03.360 I need to build up a gap. 06:03.360 --> 06:06.130 Somehow... There must be a way. 06:07.360 --> 06:13.410 I didn't feel this way in the first race. Just competing in MFG was enough. 06:13.910 --> 06:15.360 But it's different now. 06:16.140 --> 06:20.660 I hunger to be able to mix it with the top drivers even without the aid of the rain. 06:21.500 --> 06:25.070 At some point, I started wanting more. 06:26.000 --> 06:31.390 Is this some sort of latent racing impulse inside me starting to stir? 06:33.930 --> 06:36.060 Hot on the heels of Car 4, the Ferrari, 06:36.060 --> 06:39.730 the two cars contesting fourth zip through the starting gate. 06:40.200 --> 06:45.690 Maezono in the 13 and Katagiri in the 86 have entered their final lap. 06:46.010 --> 06:49.050 What ending awaits this pair? 06:49.050 --> 06:52.530 How will this clash for fourth between domestic brands end? 06:53.290 --> 06:54.950 Fighting for fourth... 06:56.910 --> 07:01.870 Kanata will get more and more attention the more famous he gets. 07:02.520 --> 07:06.480 But he won't change, will he? Kanata's still Kanata, right? 07:06.900 --> 07:11.640 He'll be the same guy who says good morning and smiles sweetly at me every day, won't he? 07:13.020 --> 07:16.980 Please don't go off and leave me behind. 07:21.960 --> 07:25.520 The top-placed cars are entering the final lap in quick succession now. 07:26.150 --> 07:30.490 There's Sakamoto in the 5, Aiba in the 9, and Taylor in the 8. 07:33.550 --> 07:36.520 And I've got some bad news. 07:36.520 --> 07:41.560 I've just received a report that there are signs of fog at Ashinoko Skyline. 07:41.560 --> 07:43.980 I thought that might happen. 07:43.980 --> 07:46.460 It's precisely what I was worried about. 07:47.100 --> 07:50.710 They call it the "White Devil" and Ashinoko Skyline is famous for it. 07:50.710 --> 07:55.430 When the rain stops and the wind changes, there's a strong likelihood of fog. 07:55.430 --> 08:00.710 Not only that, Ikeda-san, but the fog's bubbling up in the back half of Ashinoko Skyline. 08:00.710 --> 08:05.440 In other words, around the Slip Trap. 08:05.440 --> 08:08.110 That definitely is bad news. 08:08.350 --> 08:12.660 We're looking at a high-risk scenario where the "Reaper" and "Devil" work together 08:12.660 --> 08:14.200 to threaten our MFG drivers. 08:14.200 --> 08:17.660 It might even threaten the race itself. 08:17.940 --> 08:21.550 I'm sure the staff at HQ are deep in consultation to make the right call. 08:22.040 --> 08:24.080 Send out all available drones! 08:24.080 --> 08:25.790 We need all the coverage we can get! 08:26.030 --> 08:30.240 Yamashita-san, I've got zero visibility. They can't race in this. 08:30.240 --> 08:32.780 This Ashinoko fog didn't take long to settle in. 08:32.780 --> 08:35.010 The two leaders are almost on top of it. 08:35.330 --> 08:38.700 We need to make a call, even if it means abandoning the race. 08:38.700 --> 08:43.180 If nothing else, I'd recommend prohibiting passing through that zone. 08:43.740 --> 08:48.300 This is much too serious for us to make the call. 08:48.300 --> 08:49.820 Get the GM at HQ on the line! 08:50.600 --> 08:53.610 This is Joyu. I've been informed of the situation. 08:54.240 --> 08:57.740 I need you to listen carefully to the directive I'm about to give you. 08:58.750 --> 09:00.460 I'll start with the conclusion. 09:00.460 --> 09:02.560 The race will continue. 09:03.410 --> 09:07.420 Respectfully, sir, have you seen this footage? 09:08.000 --> 09:09.590 I made my call after seeing it. 09:10.000 --> 09:13.090 If visibility's reduced, they just have to drive accordingly. 09:13.390 --> 09:17.670 Shouldn't these 15 elite drivers be capable of that? 09:17.670 --> 09:21.560 Isn't this kind of thing part and parcel of racing on public roads? 09:22.230 --> 09:28.270 It's in the core values of MFG that rain and fog are nothing to cancel a race over. 09:28.620 --> 09:31.950 And to that end, the proposal to ban passing is also rejected. 09:32.260 --> 09:39.870 The race will continue as a fair fight. I have faith in our 15 drivers. 09:41.210 --> 09:44.080 Additionally, in the event of an unfortunate accident, 09:44.080 --> 09:47.800 the responsibility for it will fall on me. That is all. 09:47.800 --> 09:50.540 Was that the GM? Wow. 09:48.480 --> 09:50.540 I didn't think he had it in him. 09:53.220 --> 09:56.560 Ryosuke would've said the same if he were here. 09:57.630 --> 10:01.090 Today's race will be wildly popular. 10:01.450 --> 10:03.780 I'm not going to let the ending be ruined. 10:04.940 --> 10:08.480 Please just don't let anything happen! 10:11.310 --> 10:14.400 Car 4 to booth! This is a helluva lot of fog. 10:14.650 --> 10:19.200 And it's the bad kind. Do I head into the death zone like this? Over. 10:19.450 --> 10:22.820 Booth here. We haven't received any word from Control. 10:23.180 --> 10:26.870 We'll have to take it as their signal to keep racing through the fog. Over. 10:26.870 --> 10:30.580 Well, damn. That's MFG for you. 10:31.540 --> 10:33.230 I like it. 10:33.630 --> 10:36.010 Come and get me, you German creep. 10:36.010 --> 10:37.960 Don't get lost now. 10:38.920 --> 10:40.430 Car 4 to booth. 10:40.940 --> 10:42.150 I'm going in! 10:43.390 --> 10:45.940 Our lead drivers enter the death zone! 10:47.250 --> 10:48.810 Drone control team here. 10:49.120 --> 10:53.020 We're getting them in closer, from 3 meters to 1.5 meters. 10:55.820 --> 10:58.320 Ogata to Kanata. I've got bad news. 10:58.320 --> 11:01.040 The rest of the course is blanketed in heavy fog. 11:01.040 --> 11:03.780 And Control says the race is to continue. 11:04.220 --> 11:06.370 Slow down and approach it with care. 11:07.110 --> 11:09.950 Fog? Heavy fog? 11:10.570 --> 11:11.580 Hallelujah! 11:12.110 --> 11:14.310 This might actually be a godsend. 11:15.150 --> 11:18.760 Do you remember our callout strategy from the first race? 11:18.760 --> 11:20.740 Y-You wanna do that again? 11:20.740 --> 11:23.590 Now, just hold up. The conditions are totally different. 11:23.590 --> 11:27.090 Between the Slip Trap and the White Devil, it's a one-two punch! 11:27.090 --> 11:28.560 No problem. 11:28.860 --> 11:31.730 We're the challengers in this race, aren't we, Ogata-san? 11:32.570 --> 11:33.930 Here's my plan. 11:33.930 --> 11:38.980 I'll pass the 13 in front of me on the first corner after we enter the fog. 11:38.980 --> 11:42.660 That's when I need you to start the count. While the visibility's poor... 11:42.660 --> 11:45.120 ...I'll catch up to the 2 and march onward. 11:45.120 --> 11:48.950 Is he for real? He says that like it's the easiest thing in the world. 11:48.950 --> 11:52.840 I'm on the brink of a nervous breakdown here. 11:59.830 --> 12:03.880 Flying solo, Car 2 in third enters the white wall of fog! 12:04.160 --> 12:07.550 Behind him, the two fighting over fourth approach the zone of fog! 12:10.020 --> 12:13.850 This is crazy. They seriously expect us to race in this? 12:16.340 --> 12:18.020 I can't even call it a race. 12:18.020 --> 12:21.030 No one's insane enough to do battle in these conditions. 12:21.360 --> 12:24.470 But when visibility returns, we can get back to duking it out— 12:31.060 --> 12:31.950 He vanished? 12:32.910 --> 12:36.880 The second I noticed the 86 next to me, it was gone. 12:37.570 --> 12:38.800 Was he drifting? 12:39.220 --> 12:43.340 When he can barely even see? What's wrong with that kid? 12:51.020 --> 12:51.350 MF Ghost 12:51.350 --> 12:51.560 MF Ghost 12:51.560 --> 12:51.770 MF Ghost 12:51.770 --> 12:52.680 MF Ghost 12:52.000 --> 12:53.470 MF Ghost. 12:52.430 --> 12:54.980 MF Ghost 12:56.020 --> 12:56.350 MF Ghost 12:56.350 --> 12:56.560 MF Ghost 12:56.560 --> 12:56.770 MF Ghost 12:56.770 --> 12:59.980 MF Ghost 12:57.480 --> 12:58.860 MF Ghost. 13:01.110 --> 13:04.900 Ogata here. You're 3.8 seconds behind the 2 car. Over. 13:05.180 --> 13:05.960 Roger. 13:06.420 --> 13:10.870 I've got a white screen in front of me that I can project the footage in my head onto. 13:12.330 --> 13:14.700 It's two seconds at top speed to the next left. 13:14.700 --> 13:15.920 Don't drop gears. 13:15.920 --> 13:17.280 Brake for one second. 13:23.360 --> 13:24.800 It's a right turn next. 13:24.800 --> 13:26.560 Full throttle for 2.3 seconds. 13:26.560 --> 13:28.010 Don't drop gears. 13:28.010 --> 13:29.820 Brake for 1.5 seconds. 13:31.330 --> 13:33.720 Ogata here. It's 3 seconds flat. Over. 13:33.740 --> 13:34.610 Roger. 13:35.430 --> 13:38.900 We're seeing something crazy from the 86. 13:38.900 --> 13:44.860 The NSX slowed down entering the fog, and the 86 used that opening to take fourth! 13:45.100 --> 13:49.740 Maezono in the 13 seems to have no idea how to cope with the 86's crazy pace. 13:50.100 --> 13:52.720 And he's drifting, Ikeda-san. 13:52.720 --> 13:56.620 The same drifting he used to smash the death zone record in qualifying. 13:56.620 --> 13:58.580 And at a time like this! 13:58.580 --> 14:00.680 I've got goosebumps. 14:00.680 --> 14:03.550 I never would've guessed things would play out like this. 14:03.860 --> 14:08.310 We're witnessing an unprecedented, electrifying turn of events! 14:09.450 --> 14:12.600 In a 2-liter NA Toyota 86 GT, 14:13.600 --> 14:16.810 the "miracle boy," Katagiri Kanata... 14:17.850 --> 14:21.460 is on the warpath through the fog! 14:22.550 --> 14:24.770 Booth to Kanata. One second flat! 14:25.060 --> 14:25.880 Roger. 14:27.310 --> 14:28.030 Seven. 14:29.690 --> 14:30.950 Six. 14:32.200 --> 14:33.170 Five. 14:34.950 --> 14:35.640 Four. 14:37.300 --> 14:38.220 Three. 14:39.840 --> 14:40.620 Two. 14:42.250 --> 14:43.050 One! 14:53.370 --> 14:55.350 What the hell was that? 14:55.350 --> 14:58.830 Is the fog making me see things? 14:59.270 --> 15:02.880 And the 86 leaves the 2 in its dust! 15:02.880 --> 15:06.730 The two red cars were only side by side for an instant! 15:06.730 --> 15:09.720 Incredibly, he has risen all the way up to third! 15:09.720 --> 15:12.150 A podium is within his grasp! 15:12.150 --> 15:14.990 This is my chance to kiss Katagiri-kun! 15:15.420 --> 15:18.080 Maybe I'll lean in to his cheek, then go for his lips! 15:22.110 --> 15:25.210 Ogata here. There's only two cars ahead of you now. 15:25.210 --> 15:27.170 It's 19 seconds to the 12! 15:27.170 --> 15:31.630 Roger. I won't reel that in, but I can build a larger gap to the car behind. 15:32.410 --> 15:35.940 Once this fog clears, the Ferrari will come roaring after me. 15:36.380 --> 15:40.560 And now the rain's stopped, the bigger my margin over him, the better. 15:41.180 --> 15:45.520 The time to give it 100% in today's race... 15:46.270 --> 15:47.230 is now! 15:47.750 --> 15:49.900 Go, 86! 16:01.540 --> 16:05.800 The Godly Fifteen enter the foggy area one after another. 16:17.120 --> 16:21.360 And they're all slowing down as much as they need to through the death zone. 16:21.360 --> 16:27.150 I have to say, I'm shocked they haven't been warned not to overtake in this section. 16:27.480 --> 16:32.610 And that decision will almost certainly be criticized. 16:32.610 --> 16:35.810 It probably speaks to the principles behind MFG's founding. 16:35.810 --> 16:37.820 Personally, I can understand it. 16:39.040 --> 16:44.660 When I headed up the street racing team that was the precursor to the Zero Academy... 16:45.180 --> 16:50.670 I once raced against a group from northern Kanto here in Hakone. 16:51.210 --> 16:54.300 And to cut a long story short, we were completely trounced. 16:55.010 --> 16:58.970 It was a night not unlike today, with lots of rain and fog. 16:59.260 --> 17:03.730 The other team had two ace drivers, 17:03.730 --> 17:06.760 who showed no reluctance to race despite the fog. 17:06.760 --> 17:09.160 They tackled the course with gusto. 17:09.560 --> 17:13.500 If anything, they used the bad conditions tactically, 17:13.500 --> 17:16.860 turning it into an advantage. 17:17.370 --> 17:19.450 The drivers we took on that night... 17:19.450 --> 17:22.660 ...make up the core of MFG's administration. 17:23.150 --> 17:29.070 That's why I believe the decision to continue the race reflects the core values of MFG. 17:29.960 --> 17:36.660 Bad conditions like today's essentially force the drivers to slow down. 17:37.270 --> 17:42.410 But how much it slows them down reflects the differences in ability of the drivers. 17:42.820 --> 17:45.520 It's a question of adaptability. 17:46.390 --> 17:50.400 And I believe there's a message from Ryo Takahashi in all this. 17:51.410 --> 17:57.160 A deep-rooted design that speaks to the decision for the race continuing. 17:57.760 --> 18:00.980 And I don't think it's something that needs criticizing. 18:01.640 --> 18:05.570 In fact, I fully support this call. 18:06.620 --> 18:11.960 Thank you, Ikeda. I made the right call inviting you into the commentary booth. 18:11.960 --> 18:14.500 And I don't even need to check the data 18:14.500 --> 18:19.070 to tell you that the driver who is being slowed down the least 18:19.070 --> 18:23.100 in these conditions is Katagiri Kanata. 18:23.840 --> 18:27.340 It's a genuine surprise. This rookie in his first year of competition 18:27.340 --> 18:30.950 seems to be embodying the spirit of MFG more vividly than anyone else. 18:31.560 --> 18:34.540 I can't tell you how frustrating it is that our footage is so unclear. 18:34.540 --> 18:39.860 Because I fear it makes it hard to see just how incredibly the 86 is performing right now. 18:40.530 --> 18:42.490 Look at this right here! 18:42.810 --> 18:47.940 Most of the drivers are clinging to the inside due to their anxiety in the poor visibility. 18:48.450 --> 18:53.170 But Katagiri Kanata hits the apex and continues to power through! 18:53.600 --> 18:56.290 Right there! Can you see what he's doing? 18:56.290 --> 19:00.000 The guard rail comes out of nowhere, but he's full throttle as he almost skims it! 19:00.400 --> 19:05.260 I've got genuine goosebumps! No one could've predicted this kind of performance! 19:11.930 --> 19:13.750 Well done, Sawatari. 19:14.110 --> 19:18.440 You've been mindful to the max in all this fog. Good job. 19:18.440 --> 19:20.960 I have to imagine that was draining for you. 19:20.960 --> 19:23.410 By contrast, I don't feel exhausted at all. 19:23.990 --> 19:27.910 And it's all thanks to the talented pacemaker in front of me. 19:28.370 --> 19:31.870 If our positions were reversed, I'd be the one feeling exhausted. 19:32.420 --> 19:35.670 It seems that God has favored me in this one. 19:39.380 --> 19:42.580 Our leaders have passed the Kojiri Pass junction. 19:42.580 --> 19:45.180 They're on the verge of exiting the fog! 19:46.030 --> 19:50.290 And here they come! Sawatari in the 4 and Beckenbauer in the 12! 19:50.290 --> 19:55.260 I'm sure they'll now be shifting their focus to duking it out once more. 19:55.260 --> 20:01.260 No, if anything, I think they were under more pressure inside the fog. 20:01.260 --> 20:02.480 What do you mean? 20:02.480 --> 20:07.840 When at least two cars are in proximity, it's a greater burden on the lead car. 20:08.350 --> 20:14.220 Since the cars sitting behind can make judgment calls based on what the leader does, 20:14.220 --> 20:18.340 drivers at the front of a group or racing on their own have a harder time. 20:18.590 --> 20:20.710 Is that how it works? 20:21.870 --> 20:22.670 But in that case... 20:23.090 --> 20:25.800 Doesn't that mean Kanata, who's outpacing the rest and on his own, 20:25.800 --> 20:30.520 has been burning through his mental energy faster, too? 20:35.670 --> 20:37.100 Full throttle for 2.8 seconds. 20:37.450 --> 20:39.820 Put it into fourth gear for 0.5 seconds max. 20:39.820 --> 20:41.280 Brake for 2.8 seconds. 20:42.360 --> 20:43.440 Fourth gear to second. 20:46.700 --> 20:49.120 And from out of the white wall of fog... 20:49.900 --> 20:52.200 ...a red car appears! 20:52.200 --> 20:56.980 The 86 has exited the death zone that was covered by the White Devil! 20:59.040 --> 21:00.880 Kanata to Ogata-san. 21:01.150 --> 21:03.510 What kind of margin do I have to the 2 car behind? 21:03.510 --> 21:05.280 It's 8.73 seconds. 21:05.280 --> 21:06.470 Awesome job, Kanata. 21:06.730 --> 21:09.430 You were the fastest guy through the fog! 21:09.900 --> 21:11.400 Hm, 8.73? 21:11.400 --> 21:13.140 That might not be enough. 21:16.600 --> 21:21.400 The 86 leaves Sector 1 and embarks on Sector 2. 21:22.040 --> 21:26.400 At the Kojiri Bridge checkpoint, it might be worth seeing how he's doing versus our leaders. 21:27.050 --> 21:28.440 And here we are. 21:29.370 --> 21:32.700 Whoa! Would you look at those numbers? 21:32.970 --> 21:35.080 Going into the death zone, 21:35.080 --> 21:39.080 the 86 was in fifth with a 27-second deficit to the first-place group, 21:39.080 --> 21:44.050 but the gap has now shrunk to 15 seconds! 21:44.470 --> 21:48.800 Which means the 86 managed to navigate that devilish zone 21:48.800 --> 21:52.910 a full 12 seconds faster than the drivers in first and second! 23:31.520 --> 23:35.660 Next time, Turn 19: Lonesome Cowboy.