Hiroshi says that he's feeling a little better after the rain. He's not sure if it's just the wind or the rain that's making him feel better, but he does know that he can't push himself any further. He thinks that if the rain stops, there'll be no need for a pit stop, since everyone will be able to go straight into one now. Hiroshi thinks that takadai has decided to gamble by not changing out his tires, and he wonders why he hasn't done so yet. He also wonders if higuma has caught up to him and is trying to catch up. He doesn't want to lose any time, so he'll try to hold on to the lead he has.