Capeta Taira, known to almost everyone by his nickname Capeta, begins his journey as a lonely but resourceful ten-year-old boy. His mother passed away when he was very young, leaving him to be raised by his single father. Because his father works long hours, often doing overtime for a paving company to make ends meet, Capeta has learned to be self-sufficient from an early age. He handles all the household chores, including cooking and cleaning, and puts on a brave face to avoid being a burden. Beneath this obedient and reliable exterior, however, is a boy who feels the weight of his family's poverty and his own isolation, developing a quiet resilience that defines his character.

At his core, Capeta is defined by a deep, almost instinctual love for racing. This passion is ignited when his father builds him a rudimentary go-kart from discarded parts found at a local track. Despite the kart's bent frame and mismatched components, Capeta displays an extraordinary natural talent. He possesses an incredible sense of balance and an ability to feel the machine as if it were an extension of his own body, allowing him to control the unwieldy kart and even catch the attention of experienced racers on his very first drive.

This initial taste of speed transforms his life, giving him a thrilling obsession that replaces his boredom and loneliness. Capeta's primary motivation shifts from simply getting by to the singular pursuit of becoming faster. His ambition is not merely to win, but to understand how to push his machine and himself to their absolute limits. A significant part of this drive is fueled by his rivalry with Naomi Minamoto, a talented and well-funded junior champion who becomes the benchmark Capeta constantly strives to catch and surpass.

Capeta serves as the heart of the story, a protagonist whose real battle is not just against other drivers, but against the harsh realities of poverty. His role is to show that raw talent and determination can challenge a system where success is often bought with superior machinery and financial backing. He acts as a focal point that draws together the people around him, inspiring their loyalty and support as they rally to help him chase a seemingly impossible dream. His journey takes him from a novice in a homemade kart to a promising driver in junior formulas, with the ultimate, unspoken goal of reaching the pinnacle of motorsports, Formula One.

His key relationships are the foundation of his career. His father, Shigei, is his biggest supporter, sacrificing his own comfort and working tirelessly to give Capeta a chance. His two childhood friends are indispensable. Nobu Andou, who initially bullied him, becomes his fiercely loyal manager and chief mechanic, dedicating himself to the technical and strategic side of Capeta's racing. Monami Suzuki acts as the self-appointed team manager and emotional anchor, providing unwavering encouragement and handling the off-track logistics. Finally, Naomi Minamoto is his greatest rival on the track, a source of constant frustration and inspiration who represents the level Capeta dreams of reaching.

Capeta's character shows significant development across the series, which spans several years. As a child, he is fierce, stubborn, and wears his determination on his sleeve. By the time he reaches his mid-teens, he has matured into a more composed and agreeable young man. However, this maturity is often a facade. When the pressure is on and he is behind the wheel, the old, ferocious Capeta re-emerges, screaming and fighting through pain and adversity with an even more intense will to win than before. He learns to adapt his driving style to the unique, often inferior, characteristics of his vehicle rather than simply trying to overpower his rivals. His core thought is never just about beating the other guy, but about extracting every last ounce of speed from his own car.

Capeta's notable abilities are a blend of natural instinct and learned skill. He has phenomenal adaptability, allowing him to master any vehicle quickly, no matter how poorly built. His sense of balance and car control is exceptional, enabling him to execute advanced techniques intuitively. He is a master of managing difficult conditions, such as racing in torrential rain where his feel for the car becomes a decisive advantage. Moreover, his most crucial ability is his relentless problem-solving mindset, constantly asking how he can drive his current car faster rather than lamenting what he does not have.