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This is a superb game, as it should be at the price.

It is the Tl plug-in version of the arcade game. Atarisoft's versions for other machines were reviewed by Mike Roberts in the Games Computing October issue. What he said there also applies here. It is one of the most exciting and realistic games going and you will spend many a long hour with joystick - no gearstick - clenched in your sweaty fist. This TI version will make 99/4A owners realize just what their computers are capable of. Almost the full range of colours is used and the sound effects and music complement the scenes very well.

The object is to guide your racing car around a panoramic 3D race track on a qualifying lap to enable you to obtain a place in the race proper. If you score top bonus of 4,000 points you have 1st, i.e. 'pole position' on the grid.

During the race proper, which starts after a tonal countdown to a hooter, you have to pass other cars on the track to accumulate points. The more you pass and the shorter your lap time the greater your bonus. This is carried forward to extended play on any additional lap. When the time runs out then the race ends. You can select between a one to eight lap race and novice, experienced and advanced levels test your nerve and skill even more as a greater number of cars get in your way and at more awkward points on the course.

Your score, the game score, lap time, speed, passing and time bonuses all appear on screen. Speed can be changed from high to low as necessary during the race by pressing the fire button. Usual joystick controls are used for speed up, slow down, left and right. If you go round bends too fast your wheels screech, if you leave the track you get a warning beeper and slow down and should you crash into signs or other cars, you will have to start from that point again and catch the field up.

If there is any criticism it is the chunky graphics of the opposing cars and the rather angular cornering manoeuvres of your own. But that's being finicky. All told, a thoroughly stimulating game.