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Racing games have suddenly taken off on Arnold with two releases in one month simulating formula one racing. This cheapo offering has ten tracks to choose from and follows the Pole Position format of having to race a qualifying lap before going into the race proper.

The ten tracks are Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Monaco, Hockenheim, Osterreichring, Kyalami, Zolder, Paul Ricard, Monza and Zandvoort. Each one has a different layout of straights and curves. Having selected the track, you can select automatic or manual gear changes and are told what the weather conditions are like.

The racing screen appears with a view from your car's cockpit of the track ahead. On the top of the display is a status line telling you your speed, rpm, gear, time, position and lap. Your first task is to make a practice lap of the track with your time determining the car's position on the race grid.

You can accelerate, decelerate and change gear while trying to negotiate the bends in the circuit. If you drift too wide on a corner (or steer badly on a straight) and run into the grass, the car crashes and you'll have to start all over again.

Having qualified you're put on the grid with eight other cars and have to battle it out around the circuit. This is where another feature on the car comes in handy - the wing mirrors. These warn you of any traffic behind while cars may loom in front that have to be passed without crashing into them.

The car has five gears although you'll need some long, straight stretches to get into fifth at about 150mph and over. The maximum speed depends on the type of circuit and weather conditions, with some needing lots of braking and tight cornering while others can he blasted round with the engine at full stretch. When cornering hard, the wheels will make a protesting squeal to let you know you're on the limit.

If you crash in the race proper, you're given your fastest lap time so that you can keep a record of best times for each circuit. The graphics and sound aren't as good as 3D Grand Prix with less detail and colour, the other cars in particular moving jerkily. It's not as good as the Amsoft offering but it is a lot cheaper and still provides a rough challenge to those hungry for tarmac action.

Not *another* motor racing game, I groaned as I donned helmet and gloves and climbed reluctantly into the cockpit. But - you guessed - I was won over by its charm etc, and cheapness. If you can't raise the mortgage to get Amsoft's road racer, you won't be far behind with a copy of this. All the driving bits are very well done and I thought the sound was pretty realistic. The only drawback really was the boring background graphics - I would have liked some pretty scenery to admire as I cornered at 150mph.

P. Ten different circuits.
P. Practice and full race driving.
P. Difficult tracks and opponents.
P. A lot cheaper than 3D Grand Prix.

N. Not as good as 3D Grand Prix.
N. Car graphics are not impressive.
N. Left/right controls are insensitive.