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SCCA: Motorsims to develop Trans-Am Simulation for PC, Internet

15 December 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--Motorsport Simulations (Motorsims), creators of PC racing simulations and the Motorsims Racing Network online community, has signed an exclusive license to develop a simulation based on the Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am Series for both stand-alone PC and multi-player online racing.

Scheduled for release in the summer of 2000, Motorsims' SCCA Trans-Am simulation will feature official U.S. tracks and race cars from the actual BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series. The SCCA Trans-Am simulation will be available for PC CD-ROM through traditional retail channels. With this agreement, Motorsims now holds the exclusive interactive entertainment rights to develop Trans-Am Series simulations.

"The SCCA has recognized our commitment to building a bridge between the world of motorsport racing and interactive entertainment," said Bob McCarthy, founder and CEO of Motorsims. "The SCCA Trans-Am simulation makes a great addition to the Motorsims Racing Network. With Motorsims' SCCA Trans-Am simulation, AMA Superbike and additional titles to come, Motorsims is continuing to build the largest, most diverse interactive racing network the Internet has to offer."

Developed in-house, Motorsims' SCCA Trans-Am simulation will feature three present-day and three vintage Trans-Am Series cars, racing on noted U.S. tracks including Laguna Seca Raceway, Road Atlanta, Lime Rock Park and many more. The game's "present-day" cars will be modeled after the same 650+ horsepower, V-8 powerhouses as seen in current BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series races across North America.

Motorsims' SCCA Trans-Am simulation will follow the sprint-race format of the actual Trans-Am Series, with no scheduled pit stops. The virtual races will be based on the actual rules laid down by SCCA Pro Racing, sanctioning body for the real-world series. Without pit stops, driver strategy during the sprint races differs from other series, and drivers rivers must more closely scrutinize factors such as tire wear, tire pressure, car weight, gasoline volume and miles per gallons to successfully cross the finish line.

Motorsims is developing the SCCA Trans-Am simulation with the same proprietary technology used to create Motorsims' recently released AMA Superbike title. The existing AMA Superbike game engine will be modified to support four wheel-racing models.

"Now entering its 35th year, the Trans-Am Series is ramping up to be more exciting than ever," said Scott Rittinger, General Manager of the Trans-Am Series. "We know that the Trans-Am Series brand of racing is the most exciting road racing around, and we're always looking for ways to attract more fans. That's one reason why we are looking forward to working with Motorsims to bring the intense competition of the Trans-Am Series to PC and Internet racers."

Motorsims plans to release a series of games building on the SCCA License and is currently working with noted team racing leader and Motorsims columnist Carroll Smith, along with present SCCA Speedvision World Challenge race car driver Bobby Archer.

Advance images from SCCA Trans-Am can be viewed on the Internet at Motorsims web site (http://www.motorsims.com/standard/games/transam/transam.html).

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.