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Akina

Welcome to Akina. Now, at first glance, this course seems a bit like Akagi, in that it's pretty straightforward with only a few things to really worry about. Thing is, this is totally not the case. Akina is hailed by some as an extremely technical course, worthy of "Expert" ranking.

Your first race is against Iketani on the UH. Simple enough here. Learn to turn early and remember, stay off of the walls. The same goes for racing against Kyouichi. One thing on the UH is that you're going to recognize that turning early is the way to go if you want the right line for Akina UH.

The key points here are of course, the four consecutive hairpins. You'll need to stay a gear lower than your top gear for these...just clear them cleanly and try and get yourself as close to the apex as you can. Your line is important here.

The other major point here is the LHOD (RHOD going Downhill). The same techniques will apply for this turn in the DH...which I'll elaborate on in the following DH section.

Ok, for DH, you're going to need to remember a few key points as well. The first is the second hairpin in section 1, the one that comes right after what looks like a left-right combination. For this turn, you're most likely going to have to off-throttle a bit during the left-right combo in order to set yourself up for the correct line for the left hairpin. Once you've reached the hairpin, brake, downshift, release the brake, and turn in. Remember: NEVER hold the brake while turning!

The next two hairpins in section 2 should be taken in the same slow manner. However, the 2nd of the two is very crucial, as the straightaways are very long after that turn. It is imperative that you do NOT touch any walls during this turn.

The next few straightaways are essentially easy. Long straight goes into sweeping left, followed by a quick right, a longer left, a right...etc. For the most part, if you're uncomfortable doing this section (i.e. you've got problems with tapping through this part), don't be afraid to off-throttle. This will help you gain traction with your car.

After those consecutives comes the make-or-break part of Akina: the Right Hand of Death. Essentially, the Right Hand of Death precedes the longest straight in all of Akina. A tap here messes with acceleration. Take this hairpin like you would any other, but pay extra attention to where you're turning in and how fast you're going in. In fact, you'll want to turn a bit earlier than you should...that's usually the problem with most players on RHOD...the turn-in is earlier than what most would think.

Now, enjoy the next set of straightaways as you cross the next checkpoint...you won't have to worry about anything until you come up to the next left hairpin (watch your map for it). What you want to do is line up on the right side as best as possible. Brake, downshift, turn in, and accelerate at apex as you always do. The room for exit here is wide, but cleanliness is still required, as the straight is still fairly long.

Soon, you'll be coming up to the famed four hairpins (five in the anime, but for here, we'll refer to them as the 4 hairpins). Notice that there are yellow stripes along the left side of the road; three of them to be precise. Just before the third set, brake and downshift and aim for the first hairpin. The key here is to exit each as cleanly as possible, always. Notice that the 4th one has a gutter which is vital to top exit speeds. If you're not good with guttering, though, stay away from it until you get good with it.

After the four hairpins, pass the next checkpoint. Brake for the upcoming right hairpin and off-throttle the next left hairpin (advanced technique: if the car doesn't understeer much, IIRC, one can full-throttle through with eraser on the next turn). The next point is the last right-hand turn of Akina DH. Brake, downshift, turn-in, yadda. Clean, though! This turn is vital, as the majority of section 4 is the long straight at the end! You'll need all the acceleration you can get!

The rest to remember comes with the last two curves of Akina DH. The left bend requires an eraser, otherwise, full-throttling it will understeer. If you need to learn how eraser works...doing it here is simple enough. The right turn requires semi-off-throttle in order to get the right line for it; otherwise you'll eat wall.

And there you go. Akina in a nutshell.

Akina Snow

The dreaded Akina Snow. AWD cars will rejoice at how powerful their cars perform here. FR, FF, and especially MR drivers...well...tough luck. This one may be a challenge for you.

Essentially, you're going to have to learn how to do the turns here on Akina Snow. Most AWDs can do a simple brake, downshift, and turn-in. However, doing it too fast will result in wall raping once more. What you want to learn to do is gently turn the car in and not turn all the way. Accelerate at apex and you should have the right lines.

Advanced players can use the machine gun technique to clear the hairpins. Downshift to 3rd and at apex, upshift back to 4th. Keep in mind, though, your car may end up going almost completely horizontal, so you're going to need to countersteer very much.

Other than that, just follow most of the techniques used to play on Akina DH. You should be fine. Just take everything slow and clean. Miki is really no challenge.

(Note: I am, in no ways, a Snow expert. I just know the bare basics enough to get a 27. I'll talk with my buddy...he does a 22.)

Hey where's Shomoru? *loves Shomoru* That's my best course!

I might make Shomaru a joint collaboration between myself and Outlet...seeing as there are key points to beating the rivals in the course.

EDIT - Hell, Outlet can take all of IB. I dread IB. OB, though, I can provide some tips...when Outlet gets back, that is. Outlet, if you're reading this, IM me and we'll work out who gets to do what for Shomaru.

Tsuchisaka

Prepare for the quick turns of Happogahara combined with the speeds of Akagi! Version 3's most welcomed new course is the stage for many battles.

Ok, let's start with the Outbound.



On the Outbound, you'll face off against three opponents. The first two are selectable from the start: Kyoko and the Man in the Evo 5. Let's start off with Kyoko.

Kyoko shouldn't be too big of a pain, really. The only noticeable thing is really that she'll most likely get start-up on you, even though you're in the advantage lane. Don't worry about that at all.

For Tsuchisaka's first left turn, don't off-throttle or anything. Take it with full throttle and go for an in-in-out line.

The next big left turn, if you want to be safe, tap your brake and guide your car through the turn. It's not necessary, but you'll have to have a pretty good line to do it with just off-throttle. After that is a weird radius right turn. For beginners, half-off-throttle until you've gone through most of it, then throttle through. If you can, eraser through this turn. Cross CP1 (by now, you should've passed Kyoko and, when it comes to it, Man in Evo 5).

Shortly after the first checkpoint will be a left turn. Pending who you're racing against, there will be oil there. A run against Kyoko will not have any oil there, so use the extra room to your advantage. Against the Man in Evo 5, however, you'll have to modify your line a little bit. Beginners, tap your brake upon turn in and aim for an out-mid-out line. Do not touch the oil early on or else you will crash and lose much speed and acceleration.

After the oil turn comes a right turn with what seems to be a weird box shape. Don't worry about it; treat it like you would any other turn. However, make sure that you don't wall-tap at all. The straights after this turn are relatively long and you'll need whatever straightaway speed you can get.

After the straights comes the most important turn in the entire course: a left-right combo that leads into Tsuchisaka's longest straight. When entering this turn, line up on the right (for the left kink). Off-throttle early and guide your car into the left turn. Tap your brake just a bit once you're a bit into that left turn and guide your car through the right kink. After this turn, be sure to re-guide your car back onto the straight, because it curves left a bit. This combo is key, because any touch of the wall will put a damper on your acceleration, which is necessary for this part of Tsuchisaka, the longest straight of the course. Cross the checkpoint and go through section 3, which consists mostly of straights, up until the tunnel.

After the tunnel comes the hardest part of Tsuchisaka: the rollercoaster. Leading into it, don't off-throttle until you go through the long left that's after the tunnel (On the picture, you'll see it after the 300 m tunnel). Off-throttle there a bit and brake HARD. Do not downshift, though, as it's not necessary. What you're aiming to do here is cut each of the separate apexes, driving as straight a line as possible. Do this through all of the rollercoaster consecs and you should be fine.

After that, full throttle through the rest of the turns until you get close to the end. Notice the three turns that form somewhat of a rounded "M" shape? For the first right kink, off-throttle. Tap the brake and guide your car through the left one, then throttle through the last right one. After that, you should be done with Tsuchisaka.

Notes on facing Keisuke here: Do the same things as you would, but make sure you block him off early. Unlike Kyoko, he doesn't take the front as eagerly. And yes, there's oil when you race him. There isn't oil only when you're racing in the rain or facing off against Kyoko or Ryosuke in dry.

On the Inbound, you're going to face off against Ryosuke, the Man in the Evo VI, and finally, Takumi (once you've gotten past Keisuke on OB). Ok, note here that the consecs come really early and these may throw you off. On top of that, Ryosuke, the Man in the Evo VI, and Takumi will most likely get the jump on you unless you manage to cut them off in the beginning. Other than that, you're going to have to play chaser.

Pay special attention during the beginning, as you'll hit the rollercoaster early. You still won't need to downshift for the rollercoaster, just know when it's coming and brake hard. Now, remember how the rollercoaster had three left-right combos, each increasing in tightness? Now, they come in reverse order. Watch the first left. Brake hard for it and enter cleanly.

By the tunnel, you should be well ahead of Ryosuke. From there, run the rest of the course cleanly. The key points on the map above (minus the beginning of the rollercoaster) are still key points here. Take 'em all cleanly.

One question.....86.....or fc?

actually... i feel that LOTS is veri simple... as long as u dun crash into the walls... its ok... its hard to describe how to play ID... everyone has their own playing style...