Bethesda Softworks

For Immediate Release

Get Ready To Burn Rubber With IHRA Drag Racing(tm) from Bethesda Softworks(tm)

IHRA Drag Racing Will Feature the Fastest Cars Racing on the Nation's Hottest Tracks

Rockville, MD - March 8, 2000 - Bethesda Softworks, developer and publisher of leading computer game software, announced today the development of IHRA Drag Racing for the PC. IHRA Drag Racing, a licensed product from the IHRA (International Hot Rod Association), will race into retail stores this Spring. Developed in-house, this game continues the tradition of Bethesda's highly successful Hot Rod Magazine Championship Drag Racing(tm).

"IHRA drag racing has shown incredible growth over the last decade, with ever increasing sponsorships, prizes, and race coverage on ESPN and TNN," said Aaron Polburn, vice president of marketing for the IHRA. "Bethesda Softworks has proven their expertise in bringing diverse racing titles to interactive entertainment and was our first choice to develop a simulation based on the IHRA license."

Founded in 1970, the IHRA has remained on the cutting edge of professional drag racing by showcasing the world's top racers and drag racing's most technically advanced vehicles. The IHRA National Event schedule features 11 races on tracks coast to coast and IHRA recently entered into a multi-year agreement with TNN to televise their races.

IHRA Drag Racing will feature nine IHRA-sanctioned tracks, a wide variety of cars, and two types of sprint racing. The tracks include: Darlington International Dragway (South Carolina); Rockingham Dragway (North Carolina); Cordova Dragway Park (Illinois) New York International Raceway Park; Mid-Michigan Motorplex; Norwalk Raceway Park (Ohio); New England Dragway (New Hampshire); Maryland International Raceway; and Red River Raceway (Louisiana).

The game will also feature 50 cars, from classics to present-day vehicles, as well as the top five cars and drivers from IHRA's drag racing classifications, including Top Fuel, Pro Mod, Pro Stock, and Alcohol Funny Car. The cars and drivers will compete in 1/4 and 1/8 mile heats during both day and night racing.

The dragsters in IHRA Drag Racing will feature more than 70 vehicle components that can be customized including suspension, transmission, tires, aerodynamics, and electronics. In addition, the game boasts full simulation of engine dynamics including fuel injectors, cams, blowers, and nitrous injection. Even the exterior of the dragster can be customized with the IHRA Drag Racing full-feature paint shop.

IHRA Drag Racing will also allow the player to record various races and replay these races on a standard VCR. So, if the player is slow to leave the start line, the VCR mode will show the amount of distortion in the rear tires due to increased torque. This replay will prompt the player to reduce torque, retain the integrity of the tires, and consequently get off the line faster. The simulation will also include graphical data analysis that will allow the player to better gauge the performance of the vehicle and manage information.

"Hot Rod Magazine Championship Drag Racing revolutionized drag racing on the PC, and we've continued that standard of excellence with IHRA Drag Racing," said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks.

IHRA Drag Racing is scheduled for release in Q4 2000.