Full Throttle! Inertial Drift

Synopsis

Having obtained the AKF-11, the Sugo team had come to Africa, host of round 6. Hayato checks the track surface conditions and decides to run qualifying on the hard tires meant for the race. Because the Q tires for qualifying grip too well and aren't suited to drift driving. In qualifying, Hayato, in top form using the Inertial Drift, is passed by Randoll and Schumacher right near the end and takes 3rd. Thinking the pole position was assured, Asuka tries to cheer Hayato up, but seeing him confident he'll win the race, she finds him reassuring. Meanwhile, Shinjo, who was worried after hearing from Ryohei that Miki had vanished, reencounters Miki by chance in town. Having left Sugo, Miki was wandering the Grand Prix venue. She had lost confidence: 'there's someone who draws out Asurada's combat power better than I can, so there's no work for me.' For Shinjo, who chased a dream and failed many times, Miki's state of mind was painfully understandable. 'Become the world's best mechanic' — he encourages her not to give up her dream and hands her a pit pass. In the race, Randoll falls into the trap set by Schumacher and jumps the start. Furious, he hits the brakes on purpose and rams Schumacher. Schumacher, careless from his blurred vision, takes it head-on, and both retire. In the backlash, Asurada too damages its high-pressure turbine. Sugo's pit panics. Then Miki rushes in, layers two cloth gloves, and pulls out the overheating turbine with her hands. On the verge of fainting from the burn's searing pain, Miki gives Hayato the GO sign. Hayato receives Miki's feelings and pulls off a miraculous comeback. He passes Shinjo and scores his second win of the season.