@& Hot Wheels Turbe Racing, Electronic Arts, for the Sony PlayStation and the Nintendo 64... “Shaun Conli Ir yours : a videe. developer and you f feel you simply must make another addition to the pip-squeak fantasy racer genre, you might as well forgo the checsy chortling fathead mas- cots so prevaient in “kids” games and use these instead, the quia- tessential pip-squeak hotrods as provided for generations by Mattel. These virtual Hot Wheels capture the essence of child- like imagination and vrovide an awesome aggressive driving game at the same time. Race along the _ plastic tracks, with perhaps a battery- powered launcher extending the ride of your fire-spitting matchbox dragster; as you once did as a kid in the rec room, Or, jam it through the sandy — back- yard roadway as Hot Wheels Turbo Racing offers a good variety of rac- ing terrain and environ: ments — the whole gambit, in fact, on numerous courses. And it’s not just a racer either. There's a whole for of “trick-driving” here that one would normally find in a snowboarding game. Effecting great air-time stunts and flips and barrel rolls rewards the racer with turbo boosts. Turbo boosts are essential to winning a race and also provide jor even greater "entry, ay power trunk release," air-time and greater stunts. Plenty of long-term game- play in these titles, though the PiayStation version suffers from the grainy graphics now inherent with the aging con- sole. Still, Hoe Wheels Turbo Racing offers a trip down emory lane — in overdrive -— with a mobious twist. shaun@elecplay.com Contest gives bocst From paze 50 automotive artists — both amateur and professional — some long overdue recogni- tion and exposure. Canadians are already very successful on the inter- national autoniotive art scene, but to ensure contin- ued success, up-and-coming artists must receive support and sXposure. This year, for the first time, there's a children’s automotive art competition which shuuld produce some wonderfully imaginative entries if the art [ see in schools is anything to go by. The contest is judged by @ panel that incluaes world- renowned Ontario automo- tive artist Ken Dallison.. Finalists wili be notified in late December. Their works will be on display at various auto shows early next year and overall Award of Merit: winners will be announced during 2 media open house. and reception at the |. Canadian international Show” ‘in Toronto on February, 17th, 2000. So far, this competition” has been a great success and. has underlined j just how high f itunimated ey ae and more:‘Al . Appears. courtesy ‘of. to automobile ari interest in automotive art runs. AJAC reports that over 400 ariists have expressed interest in entering so far. Entries have averaged 122 in previous years and 35 final- ists are usually selected for the auto show exhibitions. The auto industry has thrown enthusiastic support behind the contest and spon- sors involved include VW/Audi, BMW, Ford, GM, Goodycar, Honda/! Acura, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan/Infiniti, Porsche, - Subaru and Volvo.: AJAC’s telephone num- - ber is (416) 762-5388 and: the fax number is (416) 762 3564. The organizers are anxious to attract more.” . entries from B.C. as artists. from centeal and eastern . Canada have ‘dominated ‘car: lier contests. (Ed. The contest: has closed for this year). One: talented Quebec artist, Marco Benjamin, has-taken top honours three times: and”. “Says that. the exposure he, got froin his success has won-him.: considerable recognition. “Tony Whitney's column ‘the B.C... Antomebile Association (BCADA). “that neither of its campetitars can boast ad Altima has eared J. D. Power and Associates’