Sprint Cars: The Road to Knoxville

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:22 pm

Anyone know anything about this game? Saw it was being released this week (PS2 only) and that's the first I've heard of it.

I'm interested to hear about it but almost want to hear it isn't awesome just so I don't get the urge to run out and get a PS2!

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:35 pm

Great find Dave....I see it is coming out for the PC also...hopefully we can race it online.

$20 perhaps...lets hope.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:53 pm

I'd feel better about it if Ratbag was involved in development.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:58 pm

I will be checking this baby out for sure!

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:00 pm

[said in Monster Truck Announcer's Voice:]

You can unlock Golf Carts! Hovercraft!

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps2-videos/61.html#

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:53 pm

boy those videos certainly dont make the game look too appealing or sim like. also, the graphics look worse than the 1st Ratbag game.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:27 am

Here is some more info on the PC version, although there have not been any updates since April.

http://www.bhmotorsports.com/SCRK

The screenshots definitely look like the ratbag engine and the developer is listed as Big Ant Studios, which is also in Australia like ratbag was.

I did not know anything about this game, but my guess is that someone purchased the ratbag engine and this is the result. Not necessarily a bad thing, but that is one aging engine at this point. I really wish someone would do a brand new Sprint Cars game with online functionality for consoles. Here is some more info from Gamespot:

Sprint Cars: Road to Knoxville Company Line

Posted Jul 18, 2006 11:50 am PT

Racing at speeds over 170 MPH on dirt, this is the proving ground for NASCAR drivers. Shoulder to shoulder sprint car racing makes for spectacular crashes, and white-knuckle driving. Start as a small town star and work your way up through the ranks to become a national legend.

Features

Race as or against NASCAR driver Tony Stewart’s #20 Winged Sprint Car on 20 of the toughest tracks, including Eldora, Dodge City, Williams Grove and world famous Knoxville Raceway.

Play in single player mode, including Arcade, Career and Time Trial, or engage in 2 player split screen Arcade mode one race or a season at a time.

Race in the most popular dirt track vehicle classes, including: Midget, Sprint and Open-Wheel Modified.

As real as it gets! Realistic car physics will have cars flipping, colliding and experiencing real-world damage.

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/driving/spr ... id=6154241

forensicd · Post by **forensicd** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:19 am

Wow, after seeing the videos, the game looks terrible! No licened cars except for Tony's rides. I wish ratbag would comeback with a new title on the 360, now that would be amazing.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:49 am

I did some googling of Big Ant. The THQ sprint title appears to be their first release, either as Big Ant or their previous incarnation as Bullant Studios.

There are some news stories about Bullant's upcoming release "Third Strike" dating back to 2003, but that game was apparently shelved. It's interesting that the state of Victoria has government programs to promote the local gaming industry, including Melbourne based Big Ant. FWIW, Ratbag was based in Adelaide, South Australia.

I'll let somebody else be the guinea pig on this one.