BACKGROUND:
Let me qualify my first impressions by stating that I like
racing, but I am not really an "expert" and I tend to lean
a little more to the arcade side than to the simulation side
of things.

I had a hard time deciding between NASCAR ’98, F1:  CSE, and
CART.  I ended up going with CART because I own Andretti Racing,
NASCAR (by Siera), and last years F1.  I figured CART would
be a little different.  I played all three games at E3, but was
still a difficult choice.  I guess I will end up with all three
by the end of the year (or month).  Oh well.  {grin}

INTRODUCTION:
The game starts off with a nice FMV demo.  I have not watched
the whole thing yet (I wanted to get into the game).

INTERFACE:
IMO, the interface is very well done and very intuitive.  Load
times between options are very minimal.

You can choose between simulation mode and arcade mode.  Arcade
mode allows you to choose between having damage automatically
repaired or requiring you to pit to repair damage.  When you
choose Arcade mode you do not have the option of qualifying
for a race.

There are several levels of difficulty:  rookie, normal, hard,
and of course urnote (note the e should be red).  These levels
may not be the actual names, but they should be close.

You can set the number of laps you race (as a percent).  I
believe the default is 4%.  I never changed the selection, so I
do not know if you can set individual lap numbers, or just use
a percent setting.

When you select a driver, you can create your own custom racer so
you get to race against everyone instead of always having to be a
specific racer.  I think this is a nice touch.  You choose your
name, a picture (you would think a CD could hold better/more images;
or do a automatic on the fly picture al la NBA Live ’97), and pick
a car.  I do not know enough about CART to know how many of these
setups are real and how many are made up.

There are 10 tracks (five are ovals and five are road courses).  I
do not remember the track names/locations, but I will be happy to
list these by email if anyone asks.  I believe that there are around
20 or so drivers (I think the manual says 25) that you get to choose
from (including the create a player option).

PRE-RACE SETUP:
The racing grid consists of 15 cars.  Before racing you can setup
your car, practice, and qualify.  If you are in Arcade mode you do
not get to qualify; you automatically start off at the 15th position.
I do not take the time to try the practice setting or setup options.
I need to point out again that I feel the loading times are very short.

Once the race starts you are not in control of your car until the green
flag is waved.  You can select various views (several inside, a "cone"
view, a cockpit view, and a full screen view).  You will have to
experiment to find the best view.  Your view is not saved (just like
Rally Cross), so you will have to quickly switch to your favorite view.

It looks like you can qualify multiply time.  I am not sure what the
real life rules are and I never tried more than two times.

ON TO THE RACES:
Last night I ran 6 races.  For all the races I used manual transmission
and 4% lap race length.

First Race:  rookie, arcade (no damage - big mistake by the way), and
Vancouver.  I could not make it through the first lap with out running
into a wall and ending my race.  DNF.

Second Race:  rookie, arcade (damage set to yes), and Vancouver.  I
crashed a lot, but the car was automatically repaired.  I decided to
stick with the view that was farthest from the car.  I finished several
minutes behind everyone else.  15th.

I got very good at Rally Cross after I learned how to take my foot off
the gas, but I figured for my normal style of racing I need to go to
ovals.

Third Race:  rookie, simulation, and the Milwaukee Mile.  I qualified
1st.  I also lapped all but two cars.  1st.  Maybe this is too easy?

Fourth Race:  urnote, simulation, and the Milwaukee Mile.  I qualified
1st.  10 seconds into the race the second place car clipped me and
ending my race.  I think this was my fault.  DNF.

Fifth Race:  urnote, simulation, and the Milwaukee Mile.  I qualified
1st.  I was in the lead until the next to last lap.  I took a turn too
fast and ran off the track.  DNF.

Sixth Race:  urnote, simulation, and a 2 mile oval (I think it was in
Michigan).  I crashed while qualifying.  I tried to qualify again.  I
also crashed again.  I started the race in the 15th spot.  I was in
second place until the next to last lap.  I promptly hit the wall and
my night was over (12:30AM - time for bed).  DNF.

CONCLUSIONS:
I really enjoyed this game.  I did not come close to getting a full
simulation experience, but this was my fault.  As a straight pick up
and go experience, I really enjoyed the game.

I am going to guess that I will master the ovals very quickly on the
hardest setting.  Of course a full race with pit stops may be a
different story.  It will take me some time to get the hang of the road
courses.  I will have to learn to break and not go all out.

I have not played enough to get a good feel for the AI.  One of the
cars did clip me (so maybe that is a good thing); it was Tracy or the
Target guy...not sure which.

My crashes did not take anyone else out, so I have not seen other cars
get a DNF.  Also, my crashes did not bring out any flags.  One time I
ran into the wall, but I was able to regain control.  The pit crew told
me "don't worry, we will fix it", or something to that effect.

Just for the heck of it I ran through the pit area.  To be honest, I
missed the last turn on the Vancouver track...anyway, the pit area way
empty.  Nothing was there.  I did not get flaged for flying through the
pit area at 80+ mph.  I am not sure what the rules are here.

I did not notice any pop up.  The oval tracks do seem to have some draw
in, but I have never driven this fast in real life, so maybe my view
would look like this?  The cars look very clean and detailed.  The three
tracks I raced on looked very nice.  The graphics are on par with Need For
Speed or Andretti Racing.  In other words, good detail, but a some what 
washed out look.  For a reference, the graphics in Rally Cross are 
brighter. All in all the graphics are nice and in no way detract from 
the game.

The sounds are good.  Sounds like open wheel cars to me.  
BTW, turn off the music.

Once again, this is not intended to be a review.  I just wanted to
share my first impressions.  I will conclude by saying that as an
avid game fan (98 PSX games) and a casual racing fan, I really
enjoyed the two hours I spent playing the game last night.


-Jonathan Calvert