Days of Thunder FAQ
Written by KTRSFan (Contact: mekel1988[at]hotmail.com)
Guide Copyright 2005 by KTRSFan, AKA M. Aubuchon
Game Copyright 1990 by Mindscape
Contents
1) Copyright
2) Why'd you write this?
3) Story
4) Main Characters
5) #46 City Chevrolet
6) Season (Races are Lettered)
7) Tips
8) Credits
9) Copyright
10) Contact
Version History:
0.2: 11/08/2005: The guide has begun. I stopped after starting the big part of
the guide: the season.
1.0: 11/09/2005: The first draft is complete. Will submit tomorrow.
1.1: 11/11/2005: Guide completely done. Controls for crew members done,
added a couple tips, done.
1) COPYRIGHT
This guide is copyright 2005 by KTRSFan, AKA M. Aubuchon. Any use or
publication without autorization is prohibited. See bottom for plain English
terms.
2) Why'd you write this?
Well, I found this old game lying around one day and I put it back in the old
NES. I found this game to be MUCH more enjoyible now that I understand more
about auto racing, and I saw no guide to help anyone. Figured that I might as
well write one up not only as a warmup for newer, more complex games, but so
that everyone has a reference tool.
3) Story
Well, you could watch the movie, but that's be too easy.
Seriously, though, the basic story here is that you, Cole Trickle, have been
hired to drive the #46 City Chevrolet. With Harry Hogge's guidence - yeah,
right - your goal is to win the Winston Cup over your two greatest rivals.
4) Main Characters
Cole Trickle - He drives the green and yellow car. You control him in the
game, so... ...Not much to say. Anyway, this character (and the movie) was
inspired by the early career of the late Tim Richmond, who left us in 1989.
Russ Wheeler - He driver the purplish car. Seriously. Anyway, this young
hotshot took over Cole's ride when he was injured in a wreck at Daytona, and
when he performed incredibly well, he had to come aboard the team. Cole does
NOT like his brash demeanor, and he is a jerk towards Cole, constantly
irritating Cole on the track. In the movie, he drove the #18 Hardee's
Chevrolet.
Rowdy Burns - He drives the red and yellow car. The defending champion, Rowdy
Burns and Cole Trickle made it well known from the start that they wouldn't
get along. Rowdy constantly annoys Cole on the track, although off the track,
they are fairly good buds, although it did take a while for the friendship to
start. In the movie, he drives the #51 Exxon Chevrolet.
5) The #46 City Chevrolet
This is the car. You better take care of it, boy, this thing isn't cheap...
The controls are as follows:
A - Accelerate and activate Cruise Control (If you let go, cruise control
takes over.)
B- Brake and disengage Cruise Control
Select - Pause game
Start - Tear off pit road
The screen is as follows:
+---+--------------+---+
| | | |
| 5 | | 6 |
| | 2 | 7 |
| | | |
+---+--------------+---+
| 8 | 4 3 | 1 |
| | | |
+---+--------------+---+
1) The damage display.
2) The track. This is where the action takes place.
3) The tachometer. Pay attention to this one, I refer to it a lot.
4) The speedometer.
5) Gas tank. If it gets a little low, pull onto pit road to fill it up.
6) Lap number. Time Trials and Qualifying takes four laps, the race takes a
varying amount.
7) This changes. It's Time in TT and Qual., Position in Race
8) "Days of Thunder"
Engine - This is the most important part of the car. If this thing goes, the
picture won't be pretty, and you won't score any points at all. On the damage
display icon at the top. The engine is damaged by rear-ending opponents. So
don't. If purple or you need to make a pit stop for tires, repairing this is
high priority.
Gas Tank - This is the interesting one... If it's damaged at all, the gas
mileage DROPS. This icon is at the bottom of the damage display.
Tires - These are the ovals on the display. The more worn out these are, the
more damaged they are, and it shows up. The more damaged, the slower you have
to go in the turns to prevent yourself from hitting the wall. The tires are
damaged naturally, nothing you can do about that, and you should pull in after
every 20 turns.
The Pit Crew Controls are as follows
A: Action
B: Change Member
Start: Peel off Pit Road!
I will say this: It is INCREDIBLY annoying, but the game is very picky about
where the crew members are. Also, you can only repair the engine if the right
side of the car is jacked up. The gas tank is automatically repaired when you
fill up. ...???...
5) Season
Qualifying is always the same: Stick the tachometer's needle at 3 o' clock and
you're good, for the most part.
Pulling onto pit road: SLAM on the brakes on the front stretch and hold B
while holding left to enter the pit area, marked by the word PITS.
5A) DAYTONA BEACH
Turns: 4
Laps: 12
My best finish: 2nd
Okay! Now, remember what I said about the 20 turns? That means that you have
to pull in every five laps. You can TRY to make it on one stop, but it ain't
gonna be pretty... One thing to note, though, Rowdy and Russ WILL try to
prevent you from passing, but there is a simple little trick for Rowdy. He
doesn't move around in the turns, so you can easily pass him on the high side.
Just be sure you're clear of him before you slam the door shut, or your gas
tank will get damaged. Oh yeah, one more thing: When you have yellowed tires,
you need to slow down even more in the turns than you already need to. You
already have to go at 3 'o clock on the tachometer, but then you have to go at
1 'o clock. Purpled? You actually have to downshift.
5B) ATLANTA
Turns: 2
Laps: 30
My best finish: 1st (Led every lap but one, too!)
Prepare for the easiest track in the game to win on: Atlanta. It's really
simple, just two turns, so you have to pull in every ten laps. The only
problem you will have is on pit road: Daytona they expected you'd do bad on,
but now they expect you to finish in the top half of the field (Fourth or
better now.) and they won't be happy if you don't. Pit road is the killer for
every rookie at this game, so I might as well tell you right now to, once you
have the pole, pull onto pit road and do a four-tire stop. Try to place the
time in UNDER 20 seconds. If you can do it in, say, 19.5 or better, you're in
good shape for Atlanta. Matter of fact, Rowdy ALWAYS gets the jump on you, but
you can pass him in turn four (Every half-turn on this style of track is
considered a turn.) if you're daring and want to chance hitting the wall. Just
let him lead the first lap and pass him in turn two. Try to keep Russ behind
you: I haven't mentioned this yet, but he will block you at all times, in the
turns and not. Him, you have to get Harry to yell at you to "stop playing
peekaboo in Rowdy's rearview mirror," to give you a hint of what you need to
do. ...Yes, I KNOW I said to do that to Russ, but the quote from the movie had
Rowdy, so there you go. The point still holds. Just, don't play peekaboo in
the turns, your mechanics have enough to work on, they don't need any help.
Anyway, just pass Rowdy in turn two and hit pit road when you need to, opening
as big of a lead as you can. Get a good pit stop and Rowdy STILL can't make up
the gap! How about that? Just repeat that and badabing, badaboom! A win.
5C) TALLADEGA
Turns: 4
Laps: 15
My best finish: 3rd
Have you noticed that I haven't won on every track yet? There's one track in
which you need a Game Genie to beat, but we'll try to cross that burned-out
bridge when we get to it. Anyway, this is Daytona, only with three more laps.
Just apply the same strategies to Talladega and you should be good.
5D) DOVER
Turns: 2
Laps: 25
My best finish: 2nd
Heh. Atlanta and Dover are almost the same, and yet I haven't won here. Oh
well. I have a funny for everyone, though: I got off pit road first, and I
thought, "Where is everyone?" Then I got rearended by Rowdy, then Russ popped
in the picture. I wasn't too pleased. Anyway, apply the same strategy to Dover
but keep in mind that Dover has fewer laps. So if you have to do something to
win it all, do it faster than you would at Atlanta.
5E) POCONO
Turns: 3
Laps: 30
My best finish: 3rd
THIS is my reward for getting past those four tracks for the first time in
ten years!? Gimme a break! This is a real burned-out bridge. You have to pit
every seven laps, and that equals FOUR pit stops. This is gonna be a pain...
Just get as far as you can and lead as many laps as you can, and you'll be
fine. Just try to stay above fifth.
5F) MICHIGAN
Turns: 3
Laps: 15
My best finish: 2nd
Well, at least they threw us a bone. Pit every seven laps (If you want to
chance it, stay out a little longer so you can finish on one stop.) and you'll
be fine.
5G) PHEONIX
Turns: 4
Laps: 15
My best finish: 1st (barely)
Yes, barely. I managed to pass the guy on the last turn. Get the pole, drive
like you did Talladega, and you'll do great.
TELEGRAM
..HEY! Rowdy's been injured. You've been tapped to fill in his seat, but
there is a problem: Exxon has dropped sponsorship. Mello Yellow has agreed to
a one-shot deal, so you need to come through for them. Good luck!
5H) DAYTONA BEACH
Turns: 4
Laps: 12
My best finish: 3rd
This is the most bizzare race in the game: you're driving a RED car, and don't
worry about Russ winning it all: someone comes in first ahead of him unless
you're in second. Some guy named Lyle Ritter. Hmph. Anyway, just lead as much
as you can, be as good as you can be, and you should claim the series crown!
Oh yeah, don't run out of gas!
7) Tips
- I can't say this enough: CONSISTANCY, CONSISTANCY, CONSISTANCY. If you want
to win it all every race, you're going to lose the championship. Four times
since NASCAR was established, there's been a driver that has won the
championship with only one win. Richard Petty, meanwhile, won one of his
championships by winning 26 races in a single year. Unless you're a real good
driver on this game, and can win at Pocono, just try to finish 3rd or better
at every race, and have at least one win. Rusty Wallace himself has stated
that you CAN win the championship without winning a race, but it's pretty dang
hard to in this game.
- Don't worry about tire conservation. The game is hard-wired to count how
many turns you make, and to count how many times you hit the wall or the apron
to determine tire wear. So go as fast as you can in the turns without hitting
the wall.
- DON'T JUST HOLD THE A BUTTON! You have to slow down in the turns, period.
- Don't expect Harry to give you any advice. He won't tell you anything unless
it's in a telegram.
- This is NOT a beginner-friendly game. Don't expect to start winning at
Atlanta immediately. It'll take about five playthroughs to get to the top four
all the time ALONE, let alone get a win. Keep at it and you should get winning
after a few weeks, maximum. It took me ten years.
8) Credits
Ricky, wherever you are, thanks for giving me this game and TMNT II. Thanks,
buddy!
My sister. She's had to put up with a lot of grief from me about this game,
and a LOT of game time, but she hasn't complained hardly at all.
Me, for writing this. Well, I have to give myself SOME credit...
CJayC, for hosting the best dang site I've ever been to, and posting this. I
sure hope this ends up better than my Zelda: OoT guide, y'know?
You, for reading this (and reviewing, if you do) little guide. Not much, but
it was the best I could do on short notice. Thanks!
9) COPYRIGHT
Simply put, ask me BEFORE you use this guide on your website or publication.
And be sure you give me credit. Otherwise, there's a little something called
copyright infringement that's really bad and can put you in jail.
There, plain English.
THANKS FOR READING!
10) CONTACT
If you wish to contact me, e-mail me at
[email protected]. However, there
are some things I don't want to see:
Spam, porn, flames, anything that isn't constructive
If you send me any of that, you WILL BE BLOCKED PERMANENTLY.
