CAR SETUP
Suspension
The harder your suspension, the more responsive the handling. However, hard suspension makes the car more difficult to control if it hits a bump or a rumble strip.
Anti-roll
Adjusting the anti-roll bar produces a similar effect to changing the suspension. This is a good way to correct a car's cornering characteristics.
If your car understeers too much, soften the front or stiffen the rear. If it oversteers too much, soften the back or stiffen the front.
Tires
You have a choice of 3 tire types:
Use slicks wherever possible. Change to intermediates for a damp track and wets when it's raining.
Gears
Changing your gear ratios affects performance. A higher ratio means a faster top speed, but slower acceleration.
You can also change transmission type (manual/auto) here.
General
Downforce affects the car's grip. More downforce means more grip, but less speed. Lessening the downforce can lead to the car sliding, which is bad for your tires.
Brake bias allows you to decide how much force should be applied on the front and rear brakes. The default configuration is dead center. A standard setting on many racing cars is slightly towards the front. If you put too much bias on the rear, your car will spin far too readily.
DAMAGE/PIT STOPS
Crashing into everything may be entertaining, but it has repercussions. If the damage option is on, your car will soon lose the ability to handle, accelerate, or brake properly.
When even driving in a straight line proves taxing, it's time to pit. At a fixed point in pit row, control of your car will pass to the computer. While you approach your crew, you will receive information on what needs changing and a request to confirm the alterations.
If you ignore the advice, you will cruise through pit row and back onto the circuit, where control of the car will be restored to you. If you accept the advice, you will be told how long the changes will take.
Control of your car will be given back to you once you have cleared pit row.
REPLAYS/RECORDS
At the end of any race, you can watch a replay of the action and save it. Replays can cover up to 10 minutes of action.
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To bring up the Replay menu, press X.
If you quit a game mode after posting a best time, you will be asked if you want to Save Game Data to update the in-game records. If you have set a Championship or Time Trial record, they will be saved in the Records section of the Options menu.
MAIN MENU
The ultimate achievement is to win the World Stock Car Racing Championship. You'll have to start low and aim high. CHAMPIONSHIP
When you enter Championship mode, you can start a new game or load a previously saved game. If starting afresh, choose your driver (Jason Jarrett or Justin Labonte). Enter the name you want your scores to be recorded under. You will then be offered test drives in set cars on set tracks.
The Team Offers Screen
You will see the following sub-headings:
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Offers: Depending on the driver you select, you will be offered a different set of offers.
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Career: Track your championship career here. All championships at all levels are shown, as are your best scores in each. You can also see the number of seasons raced and points required to move to the next level.
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Garage: In the garage, you'll find sixteen bonus cars. When you enter Championship mode, four bonus cars become available. These cars can be driven in every race mode except Championship. The number of points needed to unlock the other cars is written next to each bonus vehicle.
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Save: Save the current championship data (progress, current team) and non-championship game data (volume settings, items unlocked, active bonuses, language, dials set up, player names, car colors, transmission types, high scores, Free Race preferences & opposition setup).
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Quit: If you can't face the challenge.
Study the offers carefully. They will tell you where (and in what car) you will be driving and, most importantly, what the test drive requirements are. •
Press the X button when you're ready to take the test.
The Test
Each test drive will involve one lap from a rolling start. After you've passed the test, you will be shown the Team Criteria – what the team expects you to achieve if you accept a drive with them.
You can then either accept the offer or take another test with another team. Once you have found your dream team, confirm your selection and you will see the following screen:
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5 & C AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
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You must earn at least 30 championship points.
This screen will allow you to:
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Practice: Familiarize yourself with the current track.
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Grid: Check your grid position.
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Setup: (See page 8 for details).