ACT 12 -卞井臣 乍乍 句尺王乍丁 冊ヨ卩人匚モ

The ultimate FF drift menace

0:56 – Jizu Touge – Tochigi Prefecture

It was a cloudy, starless early autumn night in Tochigi Prefecture. Normally, you would expect a remote, narrow mountain pass to be quiet at a time like this. But not this night Squealing tires and roaring engines could be heard from afar, coming down from the pass.

A silver NB Mazda Roadster (Mazda MX-5 NB) was hurtling down the steep, narrow pass. Aboard, two young drivers were chatting excitedly about their downhill experience.

„Man, this thing is just so fun to drive. Lightweight and RWD, there is no better combination to carve up the passes!“ the driver exclaimed.

„Well yeah, but dont you think it lacks power? This thing barely makes 150 HP. Even an 180 makes over 200.“ his passenger, his senior, countered.

„Aww geez, way to tell me I dont have money for something better. I wish I could have gotten the Turbo Roadster too.“ the driver whined. Then he retorted „But thankfully, power does not matter as much on the downhill. Watch this!“.

The Roadster accelerated towards an oncoming corner. Shortly before the turn-in, the driver slammed the brakes hard, while also pulling the handbrake slightly. G-Forces pulled at them while the tiny car got flung into the corner. Past the apex, the driver stepped back on the throttle and countersteered to pull the car straight. However, he steered a bit too far! The small roadster was flinging left and right as the driver was struggling to get the car to pull straight.

„Stop with the crazy steering, will you?“ the passenger yelled as he noticed the driver putting way too steering angle into his countersteer.

Sweat was pouring down the drivers forehead as he finally managed to calm his car down. „Oh man, I guess I still need some training to pull of a smooth drift, huh?“ he gasped as they continued speeding along.

„Maybe we should stop with the drifting tonight, eh Ichigo-kun?“ his partner asked, just as a bright light was blinding them both through the rearview mirror. „Looks like someone is coming up behind us, let them pass.“

However, it seemed like the driver of the car had other ideas. He suddenly flashed his headlights…

The car behind them was a sleek black coupé with a fastback body style. A tall spoiler adorned its rear end while two agressive headlights were illuminating the road ahead. A big red Honda logo on the front bumper gave away its make.

Inside, the only light came from the blood red lighting of the gauge cluster, whose tachometer read an insane 8500 RPM. The drivers face was not visible in the darkness, but the light illumination of the gauges showed his mouth forming a smirk as he rapidly approached the roadster in front.

„Small fish“ he mumbled. „I will just pass them and set a new record for this evening.“

Aboard the roadster, the young pilot was getting increasingly irritated. „Can you make out what kind of car it is?“ he asked his companion.

„Just let him pass if he wants to drive so fast!“ he replied instead „I didn‘t agree on this downhill ride just so you could get us both into trouble.“

This only angered his younger friend more. „You don‘t understand! We street racers have a pride to uphold. If we are challenged, we have to accept!“

The roadster blew into another corner, but the lack of focus from Ichigo-kun led to a wider turn in, allowing the Honda to catch up on the inside. Finally, they caught a glimpse of the chaser.

„Thats a DC2!“ Ichigo exclaimed. „Its fast but it is an FF, it cant even drift!“ With newfound resolve he floored the accelerator. The tiny roadsters engine roared as the tachometer climbed all the way to 7.000 RPM before Ichigo shifted up into third gear.

„Forget this stuff, just slow dooooown!“ his partner pleaded with him, but the request fell on deaf ears. Ichigo-kun was fully immersed in his imaginary downhill race.

Except the race was anything but imaginary. The chasing Honda Integra Type R (DC2) stayed on the inside lane, its powerful 1.8L B18C engine screaming as it pulled up parallel to the roadster.

„This car is the best mountain racecar ever invented“ the unknown Honda driver thought to himself. „All the agility of an FR car without the drawbacks combined with the stability of an FF. Its delicate suspension setup all but eliminates the horrible understeer that is plaguing lesser cars. With this, any pass is mine to conquer!“

Thanks to the high redline of the B18C, the DC2 was able to pass the roadster easily, without even having to lose precious seconds shifting up into third gear. With a hellish scream it overtook Ichigo and his friend and effortlessly took the outside lane in front of him.