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The object of this game is to drive a stock car around a circuit chosen from six different circuits.

The computer controls three other cars to get in your way or, on an optional two player game, it controls two cars, making a total of four card on the screen at any one time.

On starting, the computer plays a short tune, the engines start, and you're off! You must change into first gear from neutral going gradually through the gears, dodging the computer's cars, and carefully negotiating the corners.

The graphics are quite good. The game draws six circuits, oil slicks, and the cars, in which your car is detailed, but the computer's cars are plain. I feel the cars are a little small. I also found that if you get stopped on an oil patch, it is hard to see your car and in which direction it is pointing. On the whole though, the graphics are good - smooth, and without flicker.

The sound also is high standard. The computer plays a short tune before and after the game, you can hear the engines starting, cars bumping and the noise of cars crashing into walls. There are even two separate noises for changing up and down the gears.

This game's flexibility is excellent. You are offered one or two players, up to forty laps to complete, optional oil slicks, variable skidding, sound or or off, six different circuits, optional joysticks, and josytick sensitivity select.

On the control side, Stock Car is a little hard to get the hang of at first, but it seems simply after playing for a while. Driving resembles driving a real car. The keys are very sensitive, though a little cramped (to allow two people to play at once), and it is sometimes hard to get going once crashed.

Overall, Stock Car is an exciting original addictive game with good sound, good smooth graphics and comes with clear instructions.

Ian Brettle