RPM (RADICAL PSYCHO MACHINE) RACING
Complete walkthrough and track listing

Game by Interplay
Guide by Wolfgang Abenteuer ( [email protected] )
ASCII art by ... oh wait, there is no ASCII art!




This game, published by Interplay in 1991, is the predecessor to the more
popular title Rock 'N Roll Racing, and if you've played it you'll quickly
recognise the similarities between the two games.  The premise of this game is
very simple - pick a vehicle, race it to win money, buy stuff for your vehicle
to make it better, then race to win more money, and so forth.  You win the
game by making it to the final level and cashing in $30,000,000.  You start
out the game on Level 1, with a mere $4,910.  Why that amount? Don't ask
me...I didn't program the game!  Out of that starting money, however, you need
to first buy a vehicle to race with. You can choose between a truck, a sports
car, and a formula car, all of which, by my account, are exactly the same in
every way except appearance, so choose whichever vehicle suits you best.  I
usually go for the truck simply because those huge knobby dirt tyres look
rather odd on sports cars, but that's just me.



*****TABLE OF CONTENTS*****
Using this guide
The Basics
--The Shop
----Tyres
----Engine
----Armour
----Shocks
----Mines
----Oil
----Nitrous Oxide
--The Race Select Screen
--The Race Screen
--The Racetracks
----Terrain
----Obstacles
------Mines
------Oil
------Bots
----Winning
--Changing Levels
Walkthrough
Quick Reference
Legalese, thanks, etc.




USING THIS GUIDE:

The levels and the races within them are in order from one to twenty four.  If
you want to search for a level, simply use Ctrl + F, and type in the level you
want (e.g. LEVEL 14 ) and it should go right to it (which is why I didn't use
numerals in my level recaps...pretty clever, no?).  Each level has the words:
**CASH COW** next to one of the tracks.  This is my opinion on the best track
to race on in the level, decided on by a combination of overall ease of
racing, profits, quickness, etc.  That's just the level that I find most
appealing, but as you may very well have your own preferences.  As well, there
is a quick reference section at the end of this guide which has a short list
of all of the levels and their respective 'cash cow' tracks, for faster (or
dare I say...'quicker') reference.




THE BASICS:

THE SHOP:

This is where you first choose your vehicle, and afterwards where you buy
parts for it.  There are only four upgrades you can buy, along with three
expendables.  You can upgrade your tyres, engine, armour, and shocks, as well
as purchase oil, nitrous oxide, and extra mines.

When you first start the game, your vehicle will have the most basic of
equipments, but even that is sufficient to get you through the first few
levels with next to no problems if you are even a somewhat competant racer.
The second level of equipments will be available to you immediately, and you
should buy them when you have the money to do so, as they will make things
easier on you.

Tyres:
Tyres, as you might expect, give you traction.  The higher grade of tyre you
buy, the more traction you get and the easier it will be to make your turns.
With more powerful engines, you'll need higher-grip tyres in order to stay on
the course through the turns, so tyres should generally be your first upgrade.

Engine:
Another no-brainer upgrade, better engines give you a more powerful vehicle.
More power translates into faster acceleration, better climbing, and higher
top-speed.  Upgrading your engine will be essential at some point if you ever
hope to make it to the higher levels.

Armour:
When you race, you'll notice a small bar in the bottom-right corner of your
screen, under the lap counter.  THis is your health.  When that red line
inside the bar disappears completely, you run out of health and explode
(making a pretty neat "BOOM" sound, if you don't mind my saying).  Armour
upgrades increase the maximum amount of damage you can take, but only help at
the start of the race, because after you respawn (from blowing up) you'll only
be given about 1/4 health regardless of the type of armour you have.  Note
that armour has no bearing on the damage you take from mines.  A mine is an
instant-kill, even at full health.  This should be your last upgrade of the
four.

Shocks:
Many of the racetracks have several series of hills.  With poor shocks, you'll
rebound poorly from these and lose a lot of speed, making it difficult to take
any subsequent set of hills.  Better shocks correct this problem, so don't
forget to upgrade them as you go along.

Mines:  Mines, discussed below, cost $50 each, and you are given a free one at
the start of each level as well.

Oil:  Also discussed below, oil can be purchased at $75 per 'gallon'.

Nitrous Oxide:  This gives you a quick boost of speed, and can be purchased
for $200 each, up to a maximum of 9.  It is not available right away, but rest
assured that by the time it IS available, you'll want to be sure to have some
on hand.  This is a very useful thing to use at the start of a race to get a
jump on the competition, or to help you get over some hills if you've been
impeded somehow (a bot didn't make it up a hill and you ran into him, you just
blew up, you ran into the corner right before it and haven't had enough room
to accelerate yet, etc.).  Be advised that when it does in fact become
available, the bots will have it, too, and they generally use it at the start
of any given race, so if one is directly behind you, you may get an unexpected
boost yourself!  Also be aware that if you use a nitrous and immediately hit a
wall while at full speed, you will usually blow up instantly, regardless of
your health, so be sure to save them for the straightaways.



THE RACE SELECT SCREEN:

Each level has at least two races, and the higher levels can have as many as
eight.  The higher numbered track you go, the higher the entrance fee is, and
the higher the rewards.  This basically means that the higher tracks are the
bigger gamble, but well worth it if you can pull them off.  Usually the
'cash cow' tracks are the higher numbered tracks and you'll generally spend
your time racing on these.



THE RACE SCREEN:

During a race, there are a few on-screen displays to help you along.  The lap
counter, shown in the bottom-right corner, tells how many laps you have left
before the race is finished.  When it reads "1", you are on your final lap, so
lay it all on the line for the victory!  The minimap, shown in the upper-left
corner, shows the basic layout of the track, and the positions of all of the
vehicles on it.  The colours of the dots correspond to the colours of the
vehicles.  You will always be blue, green is always a bot, and if there is no
player 2 then yellow will be a bot (otherwise yellow will be player 2) and
player 2 will be the indicator bot (the bot that indicates the difficulty of
the current bots - he changes cars and colours as you advance levels) and his
dot will match his car colour.  Finally, the small red bar below the lap
counter is your current health.  You lose health by running into the sides of
the track, hitting other bots, and running over mines.  When this bar reaches
zero (no red), you explode.  After a second or so, you'll reappear where you
blew up on the track with a small amount of health so you can continue racing.



THE RACETRACKS:

Terrain:
Three types of terrain exist in RPM Racing - Pavement, Dirt, and Ice.  On
pavement your tyres will grip very well, and turning will be relatively easy
(remember you can use the D-Pad in conjunction with the L and R buttons to
make tighter turns - this will be a key to winning many of your races), on
dirt you won't have as good of traction as you did on pavement and you will
slide around a bit while making turns, and ice is just downright slippery!  If
you're facing a turn that's covered in ice, either start your turn way in
advance so you slide into it, or slow down instead of taking it at full speed.
Your best bet is to maintain full speed at all times, but on some tracks this
is just not possible without destroying your car every half lap.

Obstacles:
There are two 'weapons' that can be used by you (and the bots, unfortunately)
to stop chase vehicles - oil and mines.

--Mines:  You get one mine each new race, up to a maximum of 9, and you can
buy mines at $50 each if you need more than one per race.  Mines will
instantly destroy any vehicle that drives over one (and then the mine will
disappear), regardless of its current health.  This includes you, too, so
avoid mines at all costs!  You drop mines out the back of your vehicle by
pressing the 'Y' button.  You cannot drop mines on a hill (or in mid-air),
only on flat sections of track.  It's good to plop one down if there is a bot
following right behind you, but be discriminate, especially on multi-lap
tracks, because if the bots all miss your mines then you could end up running
into your own on the next lap, which would, of course, be humiliating to say
the least.  Also, save your mines until you really need them so that you
always have the full complement of 9 in the event you need to use a bunch in
one race.

--Oil:  You don't start out with any oil, nor do you get any free at the start
of each race, so it must be purchased.  Oil follows similar 'rules' of mines -
it cannot be dropped on hills or in mid-air, it drops out behind you, etc.
The difference is that oil doesn't directly damage the vehicle that runs over
it, but rather immobilises his steering so that he goes careening off at an
angle, usually into the side of a track, slowing him down and damaging his car
at the same time.  And as with mines, be careful where you put the oil,
because you could just as easily run over your own oil on the next lap and
send yourself into the side of the track, which you obviously don't want.
Unlike mines, oil doesn't go away after it's been driven over, so you can use
it to stop any number of tailgaters, and will remain where you dropped it for
the remainder of the race.

Bots (other racers):  There are three bots on each course (or two if you're
playing a two-player game).  They function much the same as you do in that
they need to complete the same amount of laps, take damage from corners and
mines, slide on oil, use weapons and nitrous oxide, etc.  However, the bots
aren't the brightest lot, as they will usually drive a bit erratically and
indiscriminately litter an entire section of track with oil and mines (usually
right after the starting line), which they will often times run into
themselves on subsequent laps.  But that's all the better for you!  Generally
speaking, they aren't any faster or better equipped than you (there are a
couple of exceptions, which I will discuss later), so the earlier you get out
ahead of them, the better off you'll be.  They'll often spend time running
into one another causing pile-ups and making it difficult to get up hills and
turn corners and you don't want to be caught in the middle of all that.  If
you're ahead of them, you'll be able to race the track without worrying too
much about them and should be able to seal an easy victory!

Winning:  Winning is very simple - get across the finish line before the other
racers.  You get money from winning depending on which position you finished
in.  Only first and second place wins any money, and since there are entrance
fees to all but one track in the game, you'll want to be sure you at least get
second to cover your costs.


CHANGING LEVELS:

You start the game on level one, with very easy racetracks and even easier
bots.  This is good and bad, because this also means the money you earn on
these courses will be pitiful.  The way to get more money faster?  Advance
levels!  The catch, though, is that each level has an advancement fee that you
must pay out-of-pocket in order to go up.  Once you're there, though, you can
race any number of races you want without having to pay that fee again.
Remember, though, that each racetrack itself has a fee, so don't spend all
your money on a level advancement fee or you won't be able to race any tracks!

'So I ran out of money and can't race any more!  Does this mean 'Game Over'?'
No, it simply means that you must go back down to a level where you can
afford to race again.  There is no fee for going back down a level, but you
will have to pay the advancement fee (AGAIN!) when you want to go back up.
That's why it's always a good idea to have a lot of money in reserve before
you advance to another level so you can get used to the feel of the courses on
the new level without worrying about running out of money and having to go
back to the earlier levels.

Something to keep in mind - this game differs from a lot of other racing games
in that it is not necessary to score a gold on each track in order to advance
a level.  You simply need to collect enough cash to pay the advancement fee,
and that's it!  So you can race all the tracks in a level for the complete-
game experience, or simply race your favourite track over and over to earn
money.  When you finally decide to advance is entirely your choice so stay as
long as you like!



Got all that?  Good!  That's basically all there is to remember in the game.
Now comes the hard part - the racing!  Once you've bought a car, you'll notice
that your money went from that original $4,910 down to a meagre $10.  Well,
nothing you can do with 10 lousy bucks, other than join a race to win more
money!  So it's off to the races!



WALKTHROUGH:



LEVEL 1 - Entrance fee $0

Track 1:
--Fee: $0
--1st: $2
--2nd: $1
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 2:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $2
--1st: $8
--2nd: $5
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

This is the starting level.  It contains only two tracks, one of which is free
to race in (i.e. no entrance fee), the other with a $2 entrance fee.  The
first race should really only be done if you've completely run yourself out of
money.  Otherwise, stick with the second track.  The second track is a simple
square, but the last leg of it is dirt, so you'll have to adjust a bit.



LEVEL 2 - Entrance fee $5

Track 1:
--Fee: $2
--1st: $10
--2nd: $6
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 2:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $3
--1st: $12
--2nd: $8
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Nothing too tough here, and you'll be earning a lot more money than you did on
level one, so get here as soon as you're able.  Track two is still the way to
go, but a good section of the track is dirt.  Still, the bots aren't too
tough, and the dirt is certainly manageable with a little practice.



LEVEL 3 - Entrance fee $10

Track 1:
--Fee: $5
--1st: $20
--2nd: $13
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 2:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $10
--1st: $30
--2nd: $20
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Yes, you're reading that correctly...'Ice'.  This is the first course in the
game with ice on it, and if you're not used to it, it'll give you a bit of
trouble.  The consolation here, though, is that the bots are dim when it comes
to driving on ice as well, so that should give you some leeway.  Track two
gives you a bigger profit than track one, and it's a good place to get the
hang of driving on ice, so it gets the cash cow, but if you're not comfortable
with ice just yet, track one is still good for earning some bucks.



LEVEL 4 - Entrance fee $20

Track 1:   **CASH COW**
--Fee: $10
--1st: $40
--2nd: $25
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 2:
--Fee: $20
--1st: $50
--2nd: $35
--Laps: 5
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

This level is unique in that both courses yield the same amount of profit.
That being said, track one gets the cash cow award for this level, simply
because it's a much quicker race.  It's only four laps, and all pavement.  The
turns can be hairy, but it shouldn't take but a lap or two to get the feel for
the course down, and then it's smooth sailing.  The ice on track two is only
down the opening stretch, so it's not overwhelming, but the five laps make for
a very long race.  However, barring some catastrophe on an earlier level,
track two is your first real opportunity to lap one of the opponents, so if
that's your thing, then by all means go for it.



LEVEL 5 - Entrance fee $40

Track 1:
--Fee: $20
--1st: $60
--2nd: $40
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 2:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $30
--1st: $75
--2nd: $55
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Both courses on this level have ice, and both are relatively long races.  I
prefer the second course, not only for the profit, but because only one corner
has ice, and the rest of the ice is on the straightaways, where it's not much
trouble.  The first course has ice all throughout the two series of hairpin
turns and, despite being only three laps, is a chore.  Best to move on to
bigger and better things as soon as possible.  Be aware, however, that on the
next level the bots will have upgraded their equipment, so if you don't have
the level two gear you may want to hold off moving up until you do.



LEVEL 6 - Entrance fee $60

Track 1:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $30
--1st: $80
--2nd: $60
--Laps: 1
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 2:
--Fee: $40
--1st: $100
--2nd: $70
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

This level is pretty much a no-brainer.  Track one has only ONE lap, and it's
all pavement!  It looks a bit confusing because it has crossover points where
it's possible to veer off-course, but if you can work through that then you
can get big bucks in a relatively small amount of time.  Track two isn't all
that tough, either, but still confusing and much more time-consuming than
track one, so stick with track one.  On either course, the rule of thumb so
that you don't go off-course is to only turn when you MUST.  If you see a
cross street but can still go straight, then go straight.  Also note that on
this level, the player 2 character will have changed his vehicle colour from a
purple truck to a light blue formula racer, and that indicates that the bots
have upgraded their rides.  If you haven't upgraded to the level two
equipments yet, their cars will be as fast as yours, and they'll have better
suspension and armour.  This means you'll have to rely more heavily on your
racing savvy to win, or do what I do and buy better stuff!  Move on to the
next level when you're done upgrading and raking in the dough.



LEVEL 7 - Entrance fee $100

Track 1:
--Fee: $40
--1st: $110
--2nd: $75
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 2:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $50
--1st: $130
--2nd: $90
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 3:
--Fee: $60
--1st: $150
--2nd: $105
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 4:
--Fee: $70
--1st: $170
--2nd: $120
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

What's this?  FOUR tracks to choose from?  That's right, level seven is the
first one to offer a larger selection of tracks.  And quite a selection it is.
None are overly difficult, provided you've upgraded your vehicle.  Track two
gets the cash cow award because it's fairly short, entirely pavement, and the
winding 'swerves' in the track can be negotiated by simply pointing your
vehicle down the middle of the pavement - no steering required!  The bots will
steer and veer all over which gives you plenty of opportunities to pass them
and build up a big lead.  Course four gives the highest payoff, but is
considerably larger and has a few possible hangups where you could get turned
around (the lesson as in level six applies - only turn when you HAVE to).  If
you go with course three, there are two 'shortcuts' you can take that aren't
quite as swervy, but are covered with ice.  The advantage to them, though, is
that they are a bit shorter distance-wise, mostly straight, and, best of all,
the bots don't go there so you'll have the whole road to yourself (meaning
don't bother laying oil and mines there because you're the only one that's
going to hit them if you do).  Note that the small loop just before the
start/finish line can be avoided whether you decide to take the second
shortcut or not, so just avoid it altogether.



LEVEL 8 - Entrance fee $300

Track 1: **CASH COW**
--Fee: $70
--1st: $180
--2nd: $125
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 2:
--Fee: $90
--1st: $220
--2nd: $155
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 3:
--Fee: $140
--1st: $335
--2nd: $238
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 4:
--Fee: $180
--1st: $400
--2nd: $290
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Okay, here comes your chance to test your scruples.  Three of the four races
on this course can be 'cheated' on.  Tracks one, two, and four all have places
you can bypass to make the races ridiculously easy.  On one and two, each of
the four corners has a small loop which you are supposed to go through, but if
you instead decide to bypass them and take the immediate turn instead of going
straight, the game will still act as though you had done the loop and count
the lap when you come around the start/finish line.  This allows you to not
only win the race with extreme ease, but usually lap your opponents as well.
Track four has a similar thing, although not quite as drastic.  This track is
shaped like a pair of earmuffs, and the earmuff portion of them is a loop of
solid ice which you can go through (like the bots do), or bypass completely
similar to how it's done in tracks one and two.  Whether you do the course
legitamately or not, track one still gets the cash cow for being only two laps
and solid pavement, allowing you to complete the course in a very short amount
of time and rake in $110 in profits in the process.  New equipment, including
nitrous oxide, will be available next level, so take this opportunity to pad
your wallet (each new upgrade costs $200, so that's $800 for a full upgrade).
The bots will also be getting an upgrade again as well, so prepare for that.
Once you're done cheat...er...RACing at this level, proceed onto the next.



LEVEL 9 - Entrance fee $600

Track 1:
--Fee: $180
--1st: $450
--2nd: $315
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 2:
--Fee: $230
--1st: $580
--2nd: $405
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 3:
--Fee: $250
--1st: $625
--2nd: $438
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 4:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $300
--1st: $750
--2nd: $525
--Laps: 1
--Terrain: Pavement

As mentioned before, new equipment is available for your vehicle on this
level, so buy it as soon as you have the means.  Nitrous oxide canisters are
available now as well, so if you have some spare change, add some of those,
too.  Player 2 has changed from light blue to grey, meaning another bot
upgrade, so they'll put up a bit better of a fight now.  There aren't any
cheap tricks to exploit on this level, but that doesn't mean the cash cow
isn't a cinch to point out.  Track four yields a whopping $450 profit with a
first place victory, for an all pavement course with only ONE LAP!  Barring a
meltdown, you should be able to take this course in around 22 seconds, so just
watch those dollar signs roll!  As this is such a straightforward track,
though, the bots will be very difficult if you haven't upgraded your vehicle,
so be sure to do that before you go after this one or you could be out $300.
If you want to try your hand at the other courses, though, they are fairly
straightforward as well.  Track one has only one place where you can choose
your path, and even then it's only for a brief straightaway.  The first two
paths have ice and the third (and farthest away) has pavement.  The bots
always go on the second path which, incidentally, is the most difficult of the
three.  Track three has shortcuts on the three turns at the bottom of the map,
all of which are paved, whereas the long routes are covered in dirt, so there
isn't much guess work as to which way is easier here.  The bots will take the
long route nevertheless (I guess they like a challenge?).



LEVEL 10 - Entrance fee $1,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $300
--1st: $800
--2nd: $550
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 2:
--Fee: $400
--1st: $1,000
--2nd: $700
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Dirt

Track 3:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $500
--1st: $1,200
--2nd: $850
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 4:
--Fee: $600
--1st: $1,400
--2nd: $1,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement

Two firsts on this level.  One, there's the first all non-pavement track.
Track two is completely dirt (except for the start/finish block which is
always pavement).  The other is on the cash cow level, that being it's the
first level where the gravity has been set really low.  What does this mean?
Well, simply put, you'll go majestically flying off of hills rather than just
landing with a *thud*.  However, while this may seem like a fun addition, what
it does is make it much more difficult when a hill is immediately followed by
a corner.  You'll go sailing off into the side of the track and take a LONG
time to come down if you finish off these straightaways at full speed.  You'll
notice the bots do this too, so at least you won't be alone up there.  Best
thing to do is slow down before the last hill so that you come off of it
gently and allow yourself plenty of time to straighten up for the turn.
Either that, or try to angle yourself coming off the last hill so that you
drift in the direction of the turn.  The latter takes precise timing and
practice to pull off, but it's worthwhile if you can do it consistantly.  The
former will assure that you don't blow up nearly as often.



LEVEL 11 - Entrace fee $2,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $600
--1st: $1,450
--2nd: $1,025
--Laps: 5
--Terrain: Ice

Track 2:
--Fee: $800
--1st: $1,750
--2nd: $1,275
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 3:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $900
--1st: $1,900
--2nd: $1,400
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 4:
--Fee: $1,200
--1st: $2,300
--2nd: $1,750
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 5:
--Fee: $1,400
--1st: $2,800
--2nd: $2,100
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 6:
--Fee: $1,600
--1st: $3,100
--2nd: $2,350
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Ice

Some more firsts on this level.  First off, there are now six tracks to choose
from instead of just the four.  Second, there are two courses with (and you
knew it was coming at some point) solid ice covering the whole track.  Last,
but certainly not least, track three has a fun little addition - the racers
travel in different directions!  That's right, you and the yellow bot will
travel clockwise around the map, and player 2 and the green bot will travel
counterclockwise.  This can make for some exciting, albeit explosive, head-on
collisions.  Despite that, though, it's all pavement and only two laps, so
it's not overly difficult, thus giving it the cash cow award for this level.
The total ice ones are, as you can imagine, very tricky and messy, so they'll
usually take you a long time to finish, even if you're really good on ice.
The shortcut on track two is a colossal waste of time as even though the bots
don't go there, it's much more difficult than the straight course.  The same
could be said about track five, where the 'shortcut' is actually longer and is
covered in dirt, so it's best avoided.  This level on the whole is fairly
challenging, so it'd be for the best if you quickly do what you must here and
move on.



LEVEL 12 - Entrance fee $4,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $1,600
--1st: $3,200
--2nd: $2,400
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Ice

Track 2:
--Fee: $2,000
--1st: $3,800
--2nd: $2,900
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Dirt

Track 3:
--Fee: $2,500
--1st: $5,000
--2nd: $3,750
--Laps: 6
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 4:
--Fee: $3,000
--1st: $6,200
--2nd: $4,600
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 5:
--Fee: $3,200
--1st: $6,800
--2nd: $5,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 6:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $3,500
--1st: $7,500
--2nd: $5,500
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Easy cash cow pick here, as track six is all pavement, worth the most money,
and has only two laps.  Notice that the player 2 car is now a tan formula
racer, indicating yet another upgrade for the bots!  They'll be faster now,
but none brighter as a competant racer should still be able to take home the
gold on most of these courses with little trouble.  Be warned, though, that
with this upgrade comes the ability for them to use nitrous oxide, and they
favour starting most races by using one, so if you don't plan on using one as
well, you should either veer off to the edge of the track or expect a bit of a
boost (and a chunk of damage as well) off the line.  The other tracks are
pretty straightforward, as the maps would indicate, so see which one suits you
best should you get bored with track six.



LEVEL 13 - Entrance fee $8,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $3,500
--1st: $8,000
--2nd: $5,750
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 2:
--Fee: $4,000
--1st: $9,000
--2nd: $6,500
--Laps: 5
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 3:
--Fee: $4,500
--1st: $10,000
--2nd: $7,250
--Laps: 5
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 4:
--Fee: $5,000
--1st: $12,000
--2nd: $8,500
--Laps: 5
--Terrain: Ice

Track 5:
--Fee: $6,000
--1st: $14,000
--2nd: $10,000
--Laps: 5
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 6:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $8,000
--1st: $17,000
--2nd: $12,500
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

No glaring cash cow here, but at $9,000 profit for a first place victory for
track six, your money can rack up pretty quickly.  These tracks are, again,
pretty cut-and-dry.  Track four proves to be the most taxing, as all-ice
tracks tend to be.  As you're moving on up now you should start to see that
you're getting into big-money land, so finish up here and head on over to
level fourteen.

LEVEL 14 - Entrance fee $15,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $8,000
--1st: $18,000
--2nd: $13,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 2:
--Fee: $9,000
--1st: $20,000
--2nd: $14,500
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 3:
--Fee: $10,000
--1st: $24,000
--2nd: $17,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 4:
--Fee: $12,000
--1st: $28,000
--2nd: $20,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 5:
--Fee: $13,000
--1st: $30,000
--2nd: $22,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 6:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $14,000
--1st: $34,000
--2nd: $24,000
--Laps: 1
--Terrain: Pavement

This level has all relatively easy tracks.  Tracks three, four, and five could
easily have been the cash cows on other levels, but with another all-pavement,
one-lap course in track six it's an easy choice.  Always remember that on
all-pavement courses, the bots will have an easier time of it, too, but just
stick to the basics of racing and cornering and you should walk away from
track six with a cool $20,000 in your pocket.



LEVEL 15 - Entrance fee $30,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $14,000
--1st: $35,000
--2nd: $24,500
--Laps: 6
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 2:
--Fee: $16,000
--1st: $39,000
--2nd: $27,500
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Dirt

Track 3:
--Fee: $18,000
--1st: $42,000
--2nd: $30,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 4:
--Fee: $20,000
--1st: $45,000
--2nd: $32,500
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 5:
--Fee: $24,000
--1st: $50,000
--2nd: $37,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 6:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $28,000
--1st: $58,000
--2nd: $43,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track six gets the award this time for its simplicity and profit.  As a bonus,
it's got two different loops you can go in.  The bots take the loop on the
right, so it would behoove you to take the loop on the left.  The catch, though
is that if you're in the middle of the bots when it's time to take the turn,
often times they'll just push you right past the cutoff!  To avoid this, you
can either veer off to the side at the start and let them pass by, or use a
nitro at the beginning to gain a big lead (recommended).  Also be aware that
on the second lap, the bots will have littered the starting stretch with mines
and oil, and a LOT of them, so be cautious.  They prefer to put them in the
middle of the road, so stay off to one edge or the other and you should be
fine.  Also note that player 2 has purchased a bright new orange truck,
meaning (and you should know this by now) an upgrade!  Bots will be as fast as
you now, so you'll have to race more cleanly.  But you've made it this far, so
it should be no problem for you, right?



LEVEL 16 - Entrance fee: $60,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $28,000
--1st: $60,000
--2nd: $44,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 2:
--Fee: $32,000
--1st: $68,000
--2nd: $50,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 3:
--Fee: $36,000
--1st: $74,000
--2nd: $55,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 4:
--Fee: $40,000
--1st: $80,000
--2nd: $60,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 5:
--Fee: $45,000
--1st: $90,000
--2nd: $67,500
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 6:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $50,000
--1st: $100,000
--2nd: $75,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Level sixteen has at least one bragging right - it's the first course to
offer up a six-digit prize!  And despite what the minimap on track six tells
you, it's not all that difficult of a course.  It's mostly flat, all pavement,
and only two laps.  If you've been able to negotiate some tight turns so far
in other courses, track six won't be anything new.  The biggest problem is
that the bots likely take the corners much more differently than you, which
can lead to a lot of pushing and shoving in the early going.  After getting
past them, though, it's not too tough as they'll spend their time duking it
out and allow you the honor of taking home the big paycheck.  And for tracks
one, three, and five, know that when I say there's ice on the level, I don't
simply mean a small patch of ice on the straightaway, I mean that the hardest
and tightest turns on the track are covered with ice, so unless you really
like ice driving just stick to track six.



LEVEL 17 - Entrance fee: $120,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $50,000
--1st: $120,000
--2nd: $85,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 2:
--Fee: $50,000
--1st: $120,000
--2nd: $85,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 3:
--Fee: $50,000
--1st: $120,000
--2nd: $85,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 4:
--Fee: $50,000
--1st: $120,000
--2nd: $85,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 5:
--Fee: $60,000
--1st: $150,000
--2nd: $105,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 6:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $60,000
--1st: $150,000
--2nd: $105,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 7:
--Fee: $60,000
--1st: $150,000
--2nd: $105,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 8:
--Fee: $60,000
--1st: $150,000
--2nd: $105,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement

The best equipment in the game is available on this level, so pick it up as
soon as you enter.  The money for the upgrades shouldn't even set you back
considering how much money you earn for an average first-place victory at this
point in the game.  Be sure to enter each race with a full complement of
nitros and mines as well, because the competition will start to heat up soon.
This level is the first with eight different tracks, and all the levels after
this one will have eight as well.  Tracks one through four, have the same pay
scale, as do tracks five through eight.  Therefore, you just have to find a
course between those that you like the best.  None are especially difficult,
but most of them allow you to choose your own path.  Track one is horrible, as
all of those twisty and windy roads on the outsides are solid sheets of ice,
and the only paved part of the track is the straightaway where the
start/finish line is.  Track four is unusual in that the bots will actually
take the two small shortcuts, meaning if you want to have a chance at winning
it's advisable that you do so as well.  On the final three tracks, the bots
take the advice I gave earlier - 'Don't turn until you HAVE to.'.  You can now
forget that advice, because if you're any good at cornering on pavement,
you'll gain a LOT of ground and/or a big lead by taking the alternate routes
through these courses.  The bots, as always, will spend their time fighting
amongst themselves and littering up their portions of the track, so going
alone through the backroads will save you a lot of time.



LEVEL 18 - Entrance fee: $240,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $100,000
--1st: $200,000
--2nd: $150,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 2:
--Fee: $100,000
--1st: $200,000
--2nd: $150,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Dirt

Track 3:
--Fee: $100,000
--1st: $200,000
--2nd: $150,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 4:
--Fee: $100,000
--1st: $200,000
--2nd: $150,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 5:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $100,000
--1st: $250,000
--2nd: $175,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 6:
--Fee: $100,000
--1st: $250,000
--2nd: $175,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 7:
--Fee: $100,000
--1st: $300,000
--2nd: $175,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 8:
--Fee: $100,000
--1st: $300,000
--2nd: $175,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement

If you haven't yet purchased the best equipments for your car, you're going to
have a rough go of this level, because player 2 has traded in his orange
pickup for a cherry red sports car (can't say I blame him for that move),
meaning the bots have upgraded yet again.  That said, however, track five
bears a striking similarity to track four on level eight (the "earmuff"
track), and one of those similarities is the ability to cheat a bit.  The bots
will take a rather odd route around this course and actually end up coming the
other way!  If you follow them, obviously, you'll do the same, but the best
idea is just to stick to the inside square on this track and leave the bots
be.  You'll finish the race in record time and, if you're quick enough, you'll
finish the race without having to worry about the bots coming head-on at you.
Plus, being only two laps, it's an easy way to rake in $150,000 per race!



LEVEL 19 - Entrance fee: $600,000

Track 1:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $200,000
--1st: $450,000
--2nd: $325,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 2:
--Fee: $200,000
--1st: $450,000
--2nd: $325,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 3:
--Fee: $200,000
--1st: $450,000
--2nd: $325,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 4:
--Fee: $200,000
--1st: $450,000
--2nd: $325,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 5:
--Fee: $300,000
--1st: $600,000
--2nd: $450,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 6:
--Fee: $300,000
--1st: $600,000
--2nd: $450,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 7:
--Fee: $300,000
--1st: $600,000
--2nd: $450,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 8:
--Fee: $300,000
--1st: $600,000
--2nd: $450,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

If you've been paying attention to how the game works, you should be able to
recognise how easy it is to exploit track one.  Simply take the long route
around the square, take a left and go inside the big "U", then take another
left to rejoin the outside of the square, and that's a lap!  The bots will, as
always, find some obscure route to travel on this level, so leave them to
their thing and seal up an easy victory.  The small detours on track six don't
net you a big time gain, but are easy enough to travel since they're all
pavement, and the bots don't take them so you'll be uninterrupted while you're
there, so go for them if you can.



LEVEL 20 - Entrance fee: $1,000,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $500,000
--1st: $900,000
--2nd: $700,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 2:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $500,000
--1st: $900,000
--2nd: $700,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 3:
--Fee: $500,000
--1st: $900,000
--2nd: $700,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 4:
--Fee: $500,000
--1st: $900,000
--2nd: $700,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 5:
--Fee: $500,000
--1st: $900,000
--2nd: $700,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 6:
--Fee: $500,000
--1st: $900,000
--2nd: $700,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 7:
--Fee: $500,000
--1st: $900,000
--2nd: $700,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 8:
--Fee: $500,000
--1st: $900,000
--2nd: $700,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

As all of the tracks on this level cost the same to enter and yield the same
rewards, the cash cow goes to what I believe to be the easiest of the courses,
that being track two.  The only ice on track two is on the four corners of the
track, all of which can be bypassed by taking the detours at each of those
four corners.  The bots use the icy corners as well, so there's a double
reason to use the paved shortcuts.  By the end of the three laps you'll have
built up a sizable lead on the competition, netting you a cool $400,000.  And
you'll need it because things are about to get very expensive...



LEVEL 21 - Entrance fee: $2,000,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $750,000
--1st: $1,250,000
--2nd: $1,000,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 2:
--Fee: $750,000
--1st: $1,250,000
--2nd: $1,000,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 3:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $750,000
--1st: $1,250,000
--2nd: $1,000,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 4:
--Fee: $750,000
--1st: $1,250,000
--2nd: $1,000,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 5:
--Fee: $750,000
--1st: $1,250,000
--2nd: $1,000,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 6:
--Fee: $750,000
--1st: $1,250,000
--2nd: $1,000,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 7:
--Fee: $750,000
--1st: $1,500,000
--2nd: $1,375,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 8:
--Fee: $750,000
--1st: $1,500,000
--2nd: $1,375,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

The money's getting big and the competition is getting fierce.  Player 2
traded in that sports car for a solid grey pickup truck, and it's certainly
not stock.  The bots will now be faster than you, and now there's nothing you
can do about it since there are no more upgrades.  That means it's all up to
your racing savvy.  If you haven't learned how to properly use mines yet, now
is an excellent time!  The courses on this level aren't terribly difficult,
but the bots can make them pretty ugly.  Scoring a big victory on track three
isn't too tough despite all that, so that's where you can go for your cash.



LEVEL 22 - Entrance fee: $3,000,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $1,000,000
--1st: $2,000,000
--2nd: $1,500,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 2:
--Fee: $1,000,000
--1st: $2,000,000
--2nd: $1,500,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 3:
--Fee: $1,000,000
--1st: $2,000,000
--2nd: $1,500,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 4:
--Fee: $1,000,000
--1st: $2,000,000
--2nd: $1,500,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 5:
--Fee: $1,000,000
--1st: $2,000,000
--2nd: $1,500,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 6:
--Fee: $1,000,000
--1st: $2,000,000
--2nd: $1,500,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 7:
--Fee: $1,000,000
--1st: $2,000,000
--2nd: $1,500,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 8:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $1,000,000
--1st: $2,000,000
--2nd: $1,500,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Some tough tracks here, so hopefully you brought your A game.  The bots are
pretty good on dirt at this point, and they can still outrun you on the
straightaways so you'll have to make up for that by being even better on the
turns.  Track five isn't too bad, as it's all pavement, and track six is a
fairly easy race, too, because the bots are still pathetic on ice.  It's
because of that, though, that track eight gets the cash cow, because, much
like a track on an earlier level, the two shortcuts are paved, and the only
ice on the course is down the 'long way' and the bots will take the long way.
Take the shortcuts and show the bots who's boss.  You'll probably be able to
lap them by the time the fourth lap is complete, so this track is pretty much
a gimme.  You'll need the money, too, because it takes a LOT of it to advance
to the next level, so build up your stash here.



LEVEL 23 - Entrance fee $6,000,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $1,500,000
--1st: $3,000,000
--2nd: $2,250,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 2:
--Fee: $1,500,000
--1st: $3,000,000
--2nd: $2,250,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 3:
--Fee: $1,500,000
--1st: $3,000,000
--2nd: $2,250,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 4:
--Fee: $1,500,000
--1st: $3,000,000
--2nd: $2,250,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 5:
--Fee: $2,000,000
--1st: $4,000,000
--2nd: $3,000,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 6:
--Fee: $2,000,000
--1st: $4,000,000
--2nd: $3,000,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 7:
--Fee: $2,500,000
--1st: $6,000,000
--2nd: $4,250,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 8:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $3,000,000
--1st: $7,000,000
--2nd: $5,000,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Despite its detours, track eight isn't as easy as you'd think.  It's
completely flat and entirely paved, but there isn't really advantage of going
one way or the other around those loops.  Just go whichever way you see fit.
Even still, the bots have their own problems on this course for whatever
reason so it's still an almost certain victory.  Track seven is also a pretty
pleasant race, on a level where those are in short supply.



LEVEL 24 - Entrance fee: $10,000,000

Track 1:
--Fee: $4,000,000
--1st: $8,500,000
--2nd: $6,250,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 2:  **CASH COW**
--Fee: $5,000,000
--1st: $10,000,000
--2nd: $7,500,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Ice

Track 3:
--Fee: $5,000,000
--1st: $10,000,000
--2nd: $7,500,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Ice

Track 4:
--Fee: $5,000,000
--1st: $10,000,000
--2nd: $7,500,000
--Laps: 3
--Terrain: Pavement

Track 5:
--Fee: $6,000,000
--1st: $12,000,000
--2nd: $9,000,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 6:
--Fee: $7,000,000
--1st: $15,000,000
--2nd: $11,000,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement, Dirt

Track 7:
--Fee: $8,000,000
--1st: $17,000,000
--2nd: $12,500,000
--Laps: 4
--Terrain: Ice

Track 8:
--Fee: $10,000,000
--1st: $20,000,000
--2nd: $15,000,000
--Laps: 2
--Terrain: Pavement

Well this is it.  The final level.  And to commemorate, player 2 has saved up
his pennies and bought a brand new sleek black sports car in an effort to keep
you from the title.  Yes, the bots have improved yet again and it shows.  Your
goal on this level is simple enough: earn $30,000,000 and "Reitre in Victory!"
However, these courses will prove to be the most difficult in the game, but
hey, it's the final level!  They're supposed to be tough!  Even still, there
is one course that should be a total walkaway.  Despite the high $10,000,000
profit that can be gotten from track eight, track two is the hands-down cash
cow.  Remember the technique for negotiating those swervy roads?  Well half of
track two consists of those very roads, so just pick a straight line, drive
through the middle, and watch the bots go flailing all about.  Each first
place earns you $5,000,000 profit, so you should be up to the required $30m in
no time!  Track three is arguably the most difficult in the game, so if it's a
challenge you're after, then by all means race there.  Once you've finished
collecting enough loot, then sit back and enjoy your well-deserved
championship!



Ending - Fee: $30,000,000

Well, nothing to do here except enjoy the sunset view and watch the clouds...
er...credits roll by!  After the credits have finished you will be taken back
to the main screen so you can continue racing if you so choose, only you'll be
$30,000,000 poorer!



QUICK REFERENCE:

Bot upgrade levels:
1 (Purple truck)
6 (Light blue formula racer)
9 (Grey formula racer)
12 (Tan formula racer)
15 (Orange truck)
18 (Red sports car)
21 (Grey truck)
24 (Black sports car)




Equipment upgrade levels:
1:
--Sturdy tyres $20
--4 litre engine $50
--Light armour $30
--Normal shocks $30

9:
--Racing tyres $200
--5 litre engine $200
--Solid armour $200
--Racing shocks $200
--Nitrous oxide available

17:
--Spiked tyres $2,500
--6 litre engine $30,000
--Attack armour $40,000
--Deluxe shocks $30,000




Track upgrade levels:
1: Two tracks
7: Four tracks
11: Six tracks
17: Eight tracks




Cash cows:

Level 1, Track 2
Level 2, Track 2
Level 3, Track 2
Level 4, Track 1
Level 5, Track 2
Level 6, Track 1
Level 7, Track 2
Level 8, Track 1
Level 9, Track 4
Level 10, Track 3
Level 11, Track 3
Level 12, Track 6
Level 13, Track 6
Level 14, Track 6
Level 15, Track 6
Level 16, Track 6
Level 17, Track 6
Level 18, Track 5
Level 19, Track 1
Level 20, Track 2
Level 21, Track 3
Level 22, Track 8
Level 23, Track 8
Level 24, Track 2



That's all there is!  Thanks for reading this guide and I hope you found it
helpful.  Good luck racing!



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