Bethesda Softworks

For Immediate Release

NIRA Intense Import Drag Racing Brings The Hottest Imports Home To The PC

Makers of the award-winning Hot Rod Magazine's Championship Drag Racing Bring A New Drag Racing Experience To The Starting Grid

Rockville, MD (April 27, 1999) - Bethesda Softworks is proud to publish NIRA Intense Import Drag Racing, a fully-featured drag racing simulation from the makers of the award winning Hot Rod Magazine's Championship Drag Racing. Combining the high velocity action and spectacular crashes of drag racing with in-depth simulation, NIRA Intense Import Drag Racing is set to offer gamers the fastest thrills on four wheels.

"Drag racing is not only the fastest motorsport around, it's one of the coolest. Drag racing combines incredible speed with in-depth customization, and no other racing simulation gives you as much overall control of your chances at victory. NIRA Intense Import Drag Racing is the next generation of drag racing for gamers who want to win at high speeds and have total control over how they race," comments Vlatko Andonov, VP of Sales and Marketing for Bethesda Softworks.

NIRA Intense Import Drag Racing is fully sanctioned by the National Import Racing Association. Import drag racing is one of the fastest growing and most exciting segments of the drag racing world. NIRA Intense Import Drag Racing features 10 accurately modeled import cars with over 60 customizable engine components to tweak. 32 telemetry and data card time points give racers fully detailed insight into the game's accurate physics models. Players can compete in single races, events, or entire seasons, drag racing on 20 unique tracks. Simulation fans will be able to put their skills to the test with LAN, modem, and Internet play.

"As the success of Hot Rod Championship Drag Racing demonstrated, drag racing makes for a great competitive Internet game. Players can really go to town on their engines in the shop -- just like real drag racing team engineers -- then go head to head with other players in high-speed showdowns that test all-around simulation skills," notes Andonov. The Simulated Hot Rod Association (www.shra.com) records the accomplishments of on-line drag racers.

Best race and crash replays can be saved and exchanged with other racers. Players can also design their own paint jobs in the fully featured paint shop. Every detail of drag racing has been replicated, down to thundering engine sounds digitized from actual drag racing vehicles.