

Many of the tracks are as famous as the men who race them. To make it to a major race, you have to qualify in a preliminary race. The competitions are patterned after real races on actual circuits. It's the only way to graduate to racing's higher ranks.

On the pro circuits, you'll have to prove yourself over and over again, just as Andretti did. Once you've proven you can win in the sprint-car series, you move up to modifieds, then to stock cars, prototypes, Formula Ones, and, finally, Indy cars. You start out as a rookie dirt-track driver who needs a sponsor -which, not coincidentally, is how Andretti began. EA responded admirably, producing a game that boasts a wide range of features and a very satisfying driving simulation. The challenge for Electronic Arts when making Mario Andretti's Racing Challenge was to translate Andretti's incredible expertise into a sophisticated but playable game. He's won a national dirt-track championship, stock-car racing's Daytona 500, endurance sports-car racing's Sebring 12-Hour, Indy-car racing's Indianapolis 500, and a Formula One world championship. Widely acknowledged as the greatest racecar driver in history, Andretti has scored victories on nearly every circuit in the racing world. Exploring and then dominating new territory is a hallmark of Mario Andretti's splendid 33-year career. It's probably safe to go ahead and etch that name in stone. One of racing's most hallowed drivers is now out to make a name for himself in the world of computer gaming.
