Just saw this in rec.autos.sport.info:
Subject:
TRANSAM: Trans-Am To Computer Game
Date:
4 Mar 1998 11:58:05 -0500
From:
Organization:
MNI - Motorsport News International
Newsgroups:
rec.autos.sport.info
Followup-To:
rec.autos.sport.misc
SOURCE: SCCA
TRANS-AM'S "GLORY DAYS" TO BE CAPTURED IN NEW DRIVING SIMULATOR FROM GT
INTERACTIVE
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (March 2, 1998) The rich heritage and
e***ment
of Trans-Am racing will soon arrive to corner and personal computer
arcades with the newest racing simulator, Trans-Am Racing, set to bring
the thrill of the Trans-Am "glory days" to the public this fall.
A collaborative effort between GT Interactive, Engineering
Animation Inc. and SCCA Pro Racing, Trans-Am Racing captures the
1968-1972
Trans-Am seasons, complete with the legendary drivers and machines. EAI,
a
leading producer of enterprise-wide product data visualization and
collaboration software solutions, brings its unrivaled fusion of 3D
imagery and visualization technology to Trans-Am Racing, creating the
most realistic automobile physics and crashes ever created on a PC.
"The Trans-Am Racing series of the 60s and 70s were truly some
of
the most influential and classic series in auto racing history," said
Richard Burns, Vice President, Domestic Publishing for GT Interactive, a
leading global publisher of software for personal computers and video
game
systems from Sony and Nintendo. "By melding a timeless property like
Trans-Am Racing, with the technology and expertise of EAI, we can bring
to
life all of the e***ment, charisma, and nostalgia of the hot muscle
cars
that defined a legendary era for auto racing."
By securing the exclusive worldwide rights to the sights and
sounds that were the backbone of the "glory days" Trans-Am, GT
Interactive
plans to treat fans to the actual drivers, tracks, cars, and images that
helped establish the Trans-Am as the era's premier racing spectacle.
Every
featured track, most of which have never been seen before in a racing
simulation, and some of which no longer exist, will be period-correct to
meticulous detail, from elevation changes to trees and track signage.
The
cars, including such classics as the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, 1970 Boss
Mustang, 1970 Pontiac Firebird, 1966 Dodge Dart and 1972 AMC Javelin,
willencompass the high-horsepower, small-tire characteristics of a
period when
racing truly separated the "men from the boys."
"We're e***d with this new partnership that will bring the
history of America's muscle car road racing series to life," said John
Clagett, Vice President, SCCA Pro Racing Communications and Marketing
Services. "The early years of the Trans-Am featured the greatest cars
and
racers of the era in fender-banging, drama-filled competition. The
Trans-Am Racing simulation game will rekindle interest in the roots of
the
Trans-Am, and bring new fans to today's NTB Trans-Am Series, still the
most action-packed, ground-pounding road racing anywhere."
Following the game's expected September, 1998 release, Trans-Am
Racing demonstrations will be set up at select NTB Trans-Am Series
venues.