Pole Position
• 2 versions were made – one by Atari (on cartridge) and the other by DataSoft (on disk). The DataSoft version has an additional loading screen, no Atari copyright on main screen, Malibu Grand Prix track renamed Monaco Grand Prix, Atari Grand Prix track renamed DataSoft 500, and the blimp now says DataSoft instead of Atari.
• The 4 different tracks (Practice Run, Malibu Grand Prix, Namco Speedway, and Atari Grand Prix) are all the same track. The only difference is the number of cars and billboards.
• It’s possible to take out 2 cars when you crash (video #1).
• The PAL version is easier and allows for higher scores.
• BUG: The manual states you must achieve a lap time of 73” or better to qualify, but it’s possible to qualify with 73”06 and still earn 200 bonus points (picture #3).
• BUG: The amount of time added when you get extended play seems to have a round-off error. Sometimes it adds a few more seconds it seems than it should.
• BUG: When passing cars while driving down the center of the track on a straightaway, you will sometimes lose speed. On rare occasions, your max of 195mph will increase to 211mph passing cars in the last straightaway before the finish line (picture #2). If triggered before the final lap, and you complete the next lap without hitting anything or leaving the track, you might see your speed at 227mph (picture #3)! It seems that if you gain enough time on each lap, you eventually run over the most it will display, and then you’ll get a speed of 211mph until slowdown or crash. It took me about 5 laps to build up enough time.
• BUG: You never actually reach the start/finish line at the end of the race (video #2). You also will finish the race even if you crash right before the finish line! {Scott Stilphen}
• BUG: It’s possible to earn too much extended time on the PAL version in an 8-lap race. If you’re too fast, the glitch where you earn more than the maximum 99 seconds will occur on the 5th or 6th lap, and you’ll start the next lap with only a few seconds.
• RUMOR: Someone claims they crossed the finish line during qualifying with 4 seconds left and earned 8th place.
