•1.       Formula 3000

The International Formula 3000 Championship was established in 1985 as the final graduation category for drivers before entering Formula One. Since 2001, Formula 3000 has been restructured, bringing it even closer to Formula One.  Drivers that have used Formula 3000 as a springboard to their professional motorsports careers include Nick Heidfeld, Juan Pablo Montoya, Sebastien Bourdais, Tom Kristensen and Jan Magnussen.

The core of a Formula 3000 car is the Lola chassis and the 460 horsepower 3 litre Zytek V8 engine.  No other car in RACE Pro delivers the cornering and braking ability of the Formula 3000; these will need some getting used to before players can begin to explore this car's true potential.

•·         Key Stats

Power:             460 bhp @ 8500 rpm

Torque:             405 Nm @ 7500 rpm

Weight:            565 kg

Top speed:       > 280 km/h

•2.       Formula BMW

Formula BMW is a junior racing formula for single seater cars and is positioned at the lower end of the motorsport career ladder.  It is intended to provide young kart racing graduates their first experience of car racing. The new formula was created by BMW Motorsport in 2002 and has since been considered as a useful step in the life of up and coming race drivers.  Nico Rosberg is a prime example of a Formula BMW champion who is now a permanent fixture on the Formula One racing circuit.

The Formula BMW FB02 is powered by a BMW motorcycle engine developing 160 horsepower. When coupled to a sequential transmission and put in a car that weighs a mere 445kg, a thrilling drive is guaranteed.

•·         Key Stats

Power:             160 bhp @ 8250 rpm

Torque:             150 Nm @ 6750 rpm

Weight:            445 kg

Top speed:       > 200 km/h

* There are 3 steps in any online race in Race Pro:

• - Open Practice session - where you wait for new drivers to join
• - Qualification session - to determine the position on the starting grid
• - Race - to race against other drivers

* The Qualification step is optional. You can bypass it by selecting "No" for Qualification in the Host Setting screen.

* It is important to note that the host leads and "times" everything. It can sometimes take time for him to start a session or go from one step to another, so please bear this in mind and be patient.

How to set up a Player Match session in Race Pro Xbox 360:

1- Go to Xbox Live

2- Select Player Match, then Create Match

3- Choose the race settings such as track, car class, length, player slots...(we advise setting fewer player slots, selecting "Yes" to AI opponents and selecting "No" to Qualification).

4- Choose your car

5- Choose your car settings (default settings are normally adequate)

6- Press A button to pass to the loading screen

7- Press A button when loading is completed

8- Select Drive and you're now in the Open Practice session where you wait for other drivers to join in.

9- Once enough drivers have joined, press Start and choose Next Session (when you see the warning message displayed, select ‘yes')

10- On the Player/Timing screen, press A button

11- Select Next Session

12- Once the loading is complete, select Race, and you'll then be on the starting grid.

13- Once the race is finished, on the Player/Timing screen press A button. Then you can select Done and then choose a new track to race with the same people and settings.

Useful Tips:

• - Either as Host or as Client, it's better choose 6 to 8 opponent slots / games to optimize the gaming experience.

• - As Host, it is important not to wait too long for new players in the Open Practice session. It may discourage players who want to race quickly.

• - It is strongly recommended that you join games via the Custom Match option (instead of Quick Match one). You'll then be able to choose for yourself the game you want to play in.

• - Using Private Sessions is also a good way to optimize the network and game performance.

• - When you're not the host, please wait for the host to start the qualifying session or the race. Wait on the driver/timings screen or on the Replay/Monitor/Quit screen (but don't quit). Loading will start quickly, leading you to the next step.

• - Use the Custom modes and check the created sessions. Choose the sessions marked as "Waiting for Players" or "Qualifying".

As a result of the high number of players trying to connect online to play Race Pro following the US release and with the European launch also this week, players might unfortunately experience issues such as:

-          Disconnections

-          Unrealistic timings

-          Stability issues

Atari and Simbin are working hard to find solutions and will release a TitleUpdate as quickly as possible.

We apologize for this.

Thanks for playing RacePro

Atari & Simbin

1. WTCC 87

As a tribute to two manufacturers that have been involved in touring car racing for the last two decades, RACE Pro is proud to feature two icons of racing: BMW E30 M3 and the Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo.  Both these cars took part in the very first season of WTCC back in 1987 and both manufactures are still competing in this season's WTCC season.

a) BMW M3 E30

•·         Manufacturer Overview: BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke)

BMW is a German car and motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1916 with its headquarters in Munich.  During the First World War, the company enjoyed rapid growth building engines for military aircraft until 1918, hence its logo represents a rotating airplane propeller. BMW M is a division of BMW producing sports and high-performance vehicles. Since its creation in 1972, BMW M has had a rich history of motor sport success. BMW Group also owns the brands Rolls-Royce and Mini. BMW has successfully been involved in Saloon, Touring, Sports Car and Formula racing.

•·         Key Stats:

Power:             300 bhp @ 8500 rpm

Torque:             265 Nm @ 7500 rpm

Weight:            960 kg

Top speed:       > 250 km/h

b) Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo

•·         Manufacturer Overview: Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo is an Italian manufacturer renown for its success in motor sports. Alfa (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) was founded in Milan in 1910 by Ugo Stella, who manufactured a number of competitive cars until Nicola Romeo bought the company in 1915. During the First World War, car production was interrupted due to the company's involvement in the production of military hardware, but resumed soon afterwards. In 1920, the first car with the Alfa-Romeo logo was created. The logo consists of two emblematic symbols from Milan: the family Visconti's snake and the city's Red Cross against a white background. The company has been owned by Fiat-group since 1986.  Alfa Romeo has been successful in Saloon and Touring Car racing for many decades.

•·         Key Stats:

Power:             285 bhp @ 7750 rpm

Torque:             275 Nm @ 6750 rpm

Weight:            970 kg

Top speed:       > 240 km/h

2. WTCC Extreme

WTCC Extreme cars are prototype race cars based on real life WTCC cars. Their bodywork, engines, wheels and transmission have all been modified for this special race class.  All cars have rear wheel drive and their engines produce 600 horsepower at 10, 000 rpm. Their already lightweight chassis has been further developed to weigh a mere 1, 000kg.  These touring cars are fast and furious, but they are manageable through high tech driving aids and suspension geometry aimed towards ultimate car control.

a) BMW 320si e90 Extreme

•·         Manufacturer Overview: BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke)

BMW is a German car and motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1916 with its headquarters in Munich.  During the First World War, the company enjoyed rapid growth building engines for military aircraft until 1918, hence its logo represents a rotating airplane propeller. BMW M is a division of BMW producing sports and high-performance vehicles. Since its creation in 1972, BMW M has had a rich history of motor sport success. BMW Group also owns the brands Rolls-Royce and Mini. BMW has successfully been involved in Saloon, Touring, Sports Car and Formula racing.

•·         Key Stats:

Power:             291 bhp @ 8000 rpm

Torque:             275 Nm @ 6750 rpm

Weight:            1140 kg

Top speed:       > 240 km/h

b) Alfa Romeo 156  Extreme

•·         Manufacturer Overview: Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo is an Italian manufacturer renown for its success in motor sports. Alfa (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) was founded in Milan in 1910 by Ugo Stella, who manufactured a number of competitive cars until Nicola Romeo bought the company in 1915. During the First World War, car production was interrupted due to the company's involvement in the production of military hardware, but resumed soon afterwards. In 1920, the first car with the Alfa-Romeo logo was created. The logo consists of two emblematic symbols from Milan: the family Visconti's snake and the city's Red Cross against a white background. The company has been owned by Fiat-group since 1986.  Alfa Romeo has been successful in Saloon and Touring Car racing for many decades.

•·         Key Stats:

Power:             285 bhp @ 7750 rpm

Torque:             277 Nm @ 6750 rpm

Weight:            1140 kg

Top speed:       > 240 km/h

c) Seat Leon Extreme

•·         Manufacturer Overview: Seat (Sociedad Española Automoviles de Turismo)

SEAT is a Spanish manufacturer founded in 1950 with headquarters in Martorell, outside of Barcelona. During the early 1970s, SEAT entered the world of motor sports by constructing a racing class for the Spanish racing-tracks. During the 1980s SEAT created their own motor sports division: SEAT Sport. Volkswagen AG bought SEAT in 1986, and SEAT has since been a driving force in Spanish motor sports with involvement in both GT and Touring Car classes around the world.

•·         Key Stats

Power:             287 bhp @ 7750 rpm

Torque:             277 Nm @ 6750 rpm

Weight:            1140 kg

Top speed:       > 240 km/h

d) Chevrolet Lacetti Extreme

•·         Manufacturer Overview: Chevrolet Motor Car Company

Chevrolet Motor Car Company launched their first car in 1911. Louis Chevrolet was born in Switzerland and started out as a bike mechanic, competing and winning many competitions.  He later discovered cars and worked as a mechanic and engineer in New York. In 1905, Louis Chevrolet won his first racing competition and he lived to become a great success in motorsports. When competing for Buick, he met the car entrepreneur William Durant, President of General Motors. In 1911, Chevrolet and Durant together founded Chevrolet Motor Car Company, a part of General Motors. Chevrolet's involvement on the European racing scene has been most successful in Saloon, GT, and Touring car classes.

•·         Key Stats

Power:             288 bhp @ 7750 rpm

Torque:             286 Nm @ 6750 rpm

Weight:            1140 kg

Top speed:       > 240 km/h

Macau is a street circuit with an exhilarating combination of long, fast straights and tight, twisting corners and uncompromising crash barriers. Due to the challenging nature of the circuit, the 6.2 km long circuit at Macau is famously known as one of the most demanding in the world.

Macau's most prominent feature is the claustrophobic closeness of the walls through many sections, where the slightest mistake leads to certain disaster.  In certain areas, the track is only 3.5 meters wide and it has the tightest hairpin in modern racing.  The first corner competitors encounter as they set off from the grid was originally known as ‘Yacht Club Bend' named after the Macau Yacht Club which stood there for many years. Then, it's a flat-out charge to Macau's most notorious Lisboa Bend; the scene of many memorable pile-ups.  Named after the hotel round which it curves, the bend was modified in 1990 to make it slightly easier in order to cut back on the number of cars which finished their race in the barriers after just two turns. 

After a series of tightly twisting turns, a burst of speed takes racers through Donna Maria Bend, name after one of Macau's seven hills which itself was named after one of Portugal's Queens.  The downhill drop that follows is called Fishermen's Bend, named quite simply after "Rua dos Pescadores" - the street on which the bend is located when not in use during racing days.

- Ultra Realistic Racing Title Races into Stores Exclusively for Xbox 360  -

LYON, FRANCE - 20 February 2009 - Atari today announced that RACE Pro has reached the chequered flag as it races into retail stores.  Developed by renowned award-winning game developer SimBin, a leading creator of PC racing simulators, RACE Pro brings SimBin's formidable skill and know-how exclusively to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for the very first time.

"Atari is committed to working with the industry's finest developers, and SimBin is at the top of the game when it comes to racing simulations.  RACE Pro is the first time SimBin has brought its incredible expertise to console and we're proud to be launching it with them," said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames, the parent company of Atari.  "RACE Pro is the most realistic racing game available on console, and is accessible to newcomers while having the depth to satisfy the most demanding petrol-head."

RACE Pro has already received impressive review scores:

"When it comes to handling, Race Pro features one of the most rewarding - and possibly the most accurate - car physics model on current console hardware. 8/10" - Edge magazine, UK

"The illusion of driving a real racing car is almost perfect. 1.41 (93%)" - Computer Bild Spiele magazine, Germany

"There is no other game right now that has the same sense of racing as Race Pro. 9/10" - Superplay magazine, Sweden

"One of the best race games on the 360, period" - Games Guide magazine, Benelux

"Atari and Simbin succeed with Race Pro in delivering a master stroke on console. 17/20" - Joypad magazine, France

RACE Pro recreates a breathtaking reality giving gamers the ultimate racing simulation experience, all powered by Lizard, SimBin's own physics engine. With precision physics and handling, racers will feel every bend and burst of acceleration along with every emotion from pre-race tension in the pit lanes to the exhilaration of capturing the checker flag.  RACE Pro provides unrivalled realism and deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks. Putting players in the driving seats of their simulated racing careers, racers will have the opportunity to work their way up the leader boards through intense training and winning key races. 

The wealth of cars in RACE Pro ranges from 200 to over 1000 horse power, encompassing a host of championships including WTCC (World Touring Car Championship), Formula 3000 and Formula BMW. GT cars from manufacturers including Aston Martin and Saleen take their place on the grid as well as production cars such as the Audi R8 and Dodge Viper SRT10.  In addition, RACE Pro is exclusively bringing all the WTCC cars from manufacturers BMW, Chevrolet and Seat to Xbox 360 for the very first time.  For a blast of accessible fun, the Mini Cooper Challenge invites players of all abilities to take the wheel.  

Gamers and racing fans alike will experience the thrill of racing these powerful cars on 13 real life tracks covering all continents, of which Macau, Porto and Pau are exclusive to RACE Pro, and US tracks Laguna Seca and Road America are brand new to SimBin fans.

Online play via Xbox LIVE® online game service and System Link support lets up to 12 players take on equally high-powered opponents and test their skills to the limit to reach the finish line ahead of the pack.  For friends closer to home, the brand new ‘Hot Seat' feature puts players in the driving seat for a limited amount of time before passing the controller to the next player and so on, demanding exceptionally quick reactions and precision racing from even the most seasoned drivers.

RACE Pro provides deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks.  Smell the burning rubber of tyres on a hairpin bend and feel the vibrations of a revved-up engine on the grid ... Nothing gets closer than RACE Pro, available in stores now.

Circuit de Pau, located in South West France, is a 2.670km long city track.  The circuit is laid out on the streets of the French town of Pau and is similar to the more famous Formula One Monaco Grand Prix track.

The first official race in Pau was held in 1901. Here, the difference between winning and disaster is measured in inches: get a little bit off line and you will be pin-balling along the guardrails in the Parc Beaumont. The typical crested tarmac of the Pau streets can be a real obstacle and run you off the road. To minimize this effect, set the car up with plenty of suspension travel.

- Ultra Realistic Racing Title Accelerates Out of the Final Bend Towards the Xbox 360 this February 2009 -

LYON, FRANCE - Atari today announced that RACE Pro is in the final straight and heading for the finish line with development on the ultra realistic racing game now complete. Coming exclusively to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, RACE Pro brings gamers closer than ever to the real thrill of the race track.  Developed by renowned award-winning game developer SimBin, a leading creator of PC racing simulators, RACE Pro brings SimBin's formidable skill and know-how to Xbox 360 for the very first time.  The title ships in North America on  February 17^th and launches across Europe on February 20^th 2009. 

RACE Pro recreates a breathtaking reality giving gamers the ultimate racing simulation experience, all powered by Lizard, SimBin's own physics engine. With precision physics and handling, racers will feel every bend and burst of acceleration along with every emotion from pre-race tension in the pit lanes to the exhilaration of capturing the checker flag.  RACE Pro provides unrivalled realism and deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks. Putting players in the driving seats of their simulated racing careers, racers will have the opportunity to work their way up the leader boards through intense training and winning key races.  RACE Pro has something for everyone, allowing players of all levels to pick up and play, while offering challenging tracks and advanced modes for the more experienced players. 

The wealth of cars in RACE Pro ranges from 200 to over 1000 horse power, encompassing a host of championships including WTCC (World Touring Car Championship), Formula 3000 and Formula BMW. GT cars from manufacturers including Aston Martin and Saleen take their place on the grid as well as production cars such as the Audi R8 and Dodge Viper SRT10.  In addition, RACE Pro is exclusively bringing all the WTCC cars from manufacturers BMW, Chevrolet and Seat to Xbox 360 for the very first time.  For a blast of accessible fun, the Mini Cooper Challenge invites players of all abilities to take the wheel.  

Gamers and racing fans alike will experience the thrill of racing these powerful cars on 13 real life tracks covering all continents, of which Macau, Porto and Pau are exclusive to RACE Pro, and US tracks Laguna Seca and Road America are brand new to SimBin fans.

Online play via Xbox LIVE® online game serviceand System Link support lets up to 12 players take on equally high-powered opponents and test their skills to the limit to reach the finish line ahead of the pack.  For friends closer to home, the brand new ‘Hot Seat' feature puts players in the driving seat for a limited amount of time before passing the controller to the next player and so on, demanding exceptionally quick reactions and precision racing from even the most seasoned drivers.

Nothing gets closer than RACE Pro, the ultra real racing simulation game exclusive to Xbox 360, shipping in North America on February 17^th and available in Europe on February 20^th 2009.

A front wheel drive icon named Mini was launched back in 1959 and was in production all the way up to the year 2000. Since its launch the Mini been a constant fixture on the international racing scene both on and off road.  In 2001, BMW, current owner of the Mini brand and a key player on the racing circuit, re-launched the car under the name of The New Mini and also created the Mini Cooper Challenge backed by BMW.

For the Mini Cooper Challenge, it was decided that a 180 horsepower, supercharged Mini Cooper S would be the vehicle of choice.  The street legal version of this car is already a formidable track car, and in RACE Pro, players can experience the real race car from bumper to bumper and all the close racing action that comes with it.  The Mini Cooper Challenge is one of the most exciting one-car classes.

•·         Manufacturer Overview: BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke)

BMW is a German car and motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1916 with its headquarters in Munich.  During the First World War, the company enjoyed rapid growth building engines for military aircraft until 1918.  BMW's logo therefore represents a rotating airplane propeller. BMW M is a division of BMW producing sports and high-performance vehicles. Since its creation in 1972, BMW M has had a rich history of motor sport success. BMW Group also owns the brands Rolls-Royce and Mini. BMW has been involved successfully in Saloon, Touring, Sports Car and Formula racing.

•·         Key Stats

Power:             210 bhp @ 7250 rpm

Torque:             243 Nm @ 4750 rpm

Weight:            1080 kg

Top speed:       > 200 km/h

The Porto track in Portugal, also known as Circuito da Boavista, is the last street circuit added to the WTCC in 2007.  The original track was created in 1958 and it took drivers at amazing speeds across tramlines, past small houses, and over cobblestoned streets.  However, the original track closed in 1960 due to the high risk of accidents. The circuit as we know it today was revived in 2005.  A few minor adjustments were made compared to the original track, notably some additional kilometres added to the length, now 5.333km.

The Porto track combines fast chicanes reminiscent of those at Enna Pergusa, walled sections that feel claustrophobic like parts of the Macau track, and some very fast sections on the long straights. The track is a series of driving-traps to test even the most seasoned driver's rhythm and concentration. Overtaking is difficult, so make sure you qualify in a good position in order to get a head start.

RACE Pro features three GT Classes: GT Pro, GT Sport and GT Club.  GT Pro is the fastest of the three classes, followed by GT Sport and GT Club. Each GT class features all out race cars presented in full race trim.  What differentiate the three classes are levels of tuning on engines, the amount of chassis improvements allowed, and tyre and wheel sizes. 

The GT classes in RACE Pro have been designed to mimic real GT classes from around the world. RACE Pro features a mixture of rules from major GT championships to ensure the best possible balance in terms of performance amongst the cars whilst also ensuring that each car performs like its real life counterpart.  Tools used in RACE Pro to balance performance are air intake restrictors and restrictions to the aerodynamic package.  With the cars properly balanced, the choice of which car to race can be based on factors other than sheer performance.

1. GT PRO

a)         Saleen S7R

•Manufacturer Overview: Saleen Inc.

Saleen Inc. is an American manufacturer based in Irvine, California. Saleen manufactures high performance limited-edition sports cars as well automotive equipment. Steve Saleen, a former race car driver, founded the company Saleen Autosport in 1984, the same year the company introduced the first Saleen Mustang. The Saleen S7R has had much success in GT racing all over the world.

•Key Stats

Power:             608 bhp  @ 6000 rpm

Torque:             768 Nm @ 5250 rpm

Weight:            1140 kg

Top speed:       > 300 km/h

b)         Viper GTS-R

•Manufacturer Overview: Chrysler (Chrysler Holding LLC)

Walter P. Chrysler founded the Chrysler Corporation in 1925 in Detroit.  The purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions in 1928 made Chrysler the third of Detroit's "Big Three" automakers.  Known for many years as Detroit's engineering company, Chrysler Corporation gained fame for creating power steering, power windows, the alternator, electronic fuel injection and the Hemi engine.  In the late '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.  In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler.

•Key Stats

Power:             655 bhp @ 6250 rpm

Torque:             803 Nm @ 4500 rpm

Weight:            1130 kg

Top speed:       > 300 km/h

2. GT SPORT

a)         BMW M3 GTR

•Manufacturer Overview: BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke)

BMW is a German car and motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1916 with its headquarters in Munich.  During the First World War, the company enjoyed rapid growth building engines for military aircraft until 1918.  BMW's logo therefore represents a rotating airplane propeller. BMW M is a division of BMW producing sports and high-performance vehicles. Since its creation in 1972, BMW M has had a rich history of motor sport success. BMW Group also owns the brands Rolls-Royce and Mini. BMW has been involved successfully in Saloon, Touring, Sports Car and Formula racing.

•Key Stats

Power:             500 bhp @ 7750 rpm

Torque:             500 Nm @ 6500 rpm

Weight:            1180 kg

Top speed:       > 280 km/h

b)         Corvette C6R

•Manufacturer Overview: Chevrolet

Chevrolet Motor Company of Michigan was created in 1911 with its headquarters in Detroit.  Seven years later, General Motors bought the operating assets of Chevrolet Motor Company.  Following innovations such as 'the cast iron wonder', an engine renowned for its remarkable durability, and the Powerglide transmission, the first low-price competitor to offer fully automatic shifting, the Chevrolet Corvette was introduced in 1953.  The Chevrolet Corvette was the first all-American sports car built by an American car manufacturer.  The Corvette name comes from a small, maneuverable fighting frigate and the original emblem incorporated an American flag into the design but was later dropped.  Corvettes have a long history of combining exceptional handling and brutal engine power into an affordable package that is significantly less expensive than other prestigious brands with similar capabilities.  Corvettes are recognised for their power, efficiency, and affordability.

•Key Stats

Power:             610 bhp @ 6250 rpm

Torque:             775 Nm @ 5250 rpm

Weight:            1120 kg

Top speed:       > 300 km/h

c)         Spyker C8

•Manufacturer Overview: Spyker Cars N.V.

Spyker Cars N.V. is a Dutch hand-built car manufacturer headquartered in Zeewolde, the Netherlands, and founded in 2000 by Victor R. Muller.  However, the Spyker name has a much older history. The brothers Spijker built the first Benz-engine motorcar in 1898, then during the First World War, Spyker built fighter aircrafts and aircraft engines. After the war, the company resumed car production until 1925 when it ceased business. Nevertheless, the Spyker name has not been forgotten since it is now used by modern Spyker cars.

•Key Stats

Power:             471 bhp @ 7500 rpm

Torque:             468 Nm @ 5500 rpm

Weight:            1100 kg

Top speed:       > 280 km/h

3. GT CLUB

a)         Aston Martin DBRS9

•Manufacturer Overview: Aston Martin

Aston Martin is a British manufacturer of luxury performance cars with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. The name comes from Martin, who raced specials and the Aston Hill Climb. From 1994 to 2007, Aston Martin was part of the Premier Automotive group, a division of the Ford Motor Company. In 2007 Aston Martin was sold to a consortium of two international investment houses (Investment Dar and Adeem Investment) led by David Richards. Aston Martin has a long and successful history in motor sports.

•Key Stats

Power:             550 bhp @ 6250 rpm

Torque:             645 Nm @ 5750 rpm

Weight:            1270 kg

Top speed:       > 280 km/h

b)         BMW Z4

•Manufacturer Overview: BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke)

BMW is a German car and motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1916 with its headquarters in Munich.  During the First World War, the company enjoyed rapid growth building engines for military aircraft until 1918.  BMW's logo therefore represents a rotating airplane propeller. BMW M is a division of BMW producing sports and high-performance vehicles. Since its creation in 1972, BMW M has had a rich history of motor sport success. BMW Group also owns the brands Rolls-Royce and Mini. BMW has been involved successfully in Saloon, Touring, Sports Car and Formula racing.

•Key Stats

Power:             455 bhp @ 8250 rpm

Torque:             410 Nm @ 7000 rpm

Weight:            1145 kg

Top speed:       > 250 km/h

On December 16^th 2008 at Microsoft Showroom in Paris took place the press presentation of Race Pro. The title was unveiled to a score of journalists by Maxime Lopin, the producer of the game, exclusively for Xbox 360.

We are happy to mention that Yvan Muller, 2008 World WTCC Champion, made an appearance to test the game and remarked its high degree of realism.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was built in 1957 and is located in Monterey, California, USA.  The first race was held in November of the same year. The track is 3.602km long and features a mix of fast straights and technical corners that can be considered among motorsports' most demanding.  Race fans particularly enjoy the unique setting in the oak-studded hills less than 10 miles from scenic Monterey Bay coupled with the track's many challenges.

The production cars featured in RACE Pro are luxury, high end sports cars and super cars.  All of them can be purchased and driven on public roads, but in order to truly appreciate their speed potential, RACE Pro has taken them for a spin at the track.  Originally designed for the street, these precision engineered driving machines are a perfect addition to RACE Pro's line-up of racing cars.  The production cars featured in RACE Pro each give a different racing experience, so to give a taste of what RACE Pro has to offer, unveiled below are the Koenigsegg CCXR, Dodge Viper SRT-10 and Audi R8.

1. Koenigsegg CCXR

 •Manufacturer Overview: Koenigsegg (Koenigsegg Automotive Ltd)

Since the first prototype left its assembly line in 1996, Koenigsegg has established itself as a manufacturer of high-performance cars based in Ängelholm, Sweden, and is reputed for making one of the fastest production cars in the world.  In 2004, Koenigsegg launched the CCR which broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest street-legal car in production. The car's badge is based on the shield of the Koenigsegg family, a noble family with roots in Bavaria and Prussia. In 2007, Koenigsegg launched the CCXR model featured in RACE Pro capable of running on E85 and E100 Ethanol as well as unleaded 98 octane fuels. Running on ethanol, the car produces 1018 horsepower and can achieve speeds of 400+ km/h.

•·         Key Stats

The two production cars from Koenigsegg featured in RACE Pro are the CCXR and the CCX, both with the true specs and speed potential of the real cars. The 1018 horsepower CCXR is therefore the fastest car in the game when it reaches its top speeds on the straights.

Power:             1018 bhp @ 7200 rpm

Torque:             1060 Nm @ 6100 rpm

Weight:            1180 kg

Top speed:       > 400 km/h

2. Dodge Viper SRT-10

•·         Manufacturer Overview: Chrysler (Chrysler Holding LLC)

Walter P. Chrysler founded the Chrysler Corporation in 1925 in Detroit with the automaker quickly earning a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions, making it the third of Detroit's "Big Three" automakers overnight.  Known for many years as Detroit's engineering company, Chrysler Corporation gained fame for creating power steering, power windows, the alternator, electronic fuel injection and the Hemi engine.  The Hemi V8 engine made its debut in 1951 offering 180 horsepower and rivalling the V8 offered by Cadillac: it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the '50s and '60s.  In the late '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.  After a difficult decade in the 1970s due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes, the late 1980s saw Chrysler purchase American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and launch a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler.

•·         Key Stats

With its 8.3 litre V10 engine producing 510 horsepower, the Viper SRT-10 is capable of reaching super car numbers for both acceleration and top speed.  It does exceptionally well at track days whilst also serving as a car for daily use.  The Viper model's pedigree has been proven time and time again in GT championships as well as 12 and 24 hour races around the world.  All the data gathered from motorsports racing has been used in developing and producing the real life Viper SRT-10.

Power:             600 bhp @ 6100 rpm

Torque:             760 Nm @ 5000 rpm

Weight:            1552 kg

Top speed:       > 300 km/h

3. Audi R8

•·         Manufacturer Overview: Audi (Audi AG)

A German manufacturer with its headquarters based in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Audi is one of the world's leading performance-luxury brands. The historic Audi Company was founded in 1910, but has been a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group since 1966. The name Audi comes from the founder of the company, August Horch, whose surname in Latin is audi (hear). Audi's rich tradition in motor sports began with the Auto Union in 1932, and Audi has successfully competed in several forms of auto racing since. Few manufacturers of modern sports cars have a history in motorsports that is as long and as successful as Audi's. Audi has won in touring cars, IMSA, Rally, 12 and 24 hour races.

•·        Key Stats

The Audi R8 is a masterpiece of engineering and the 420 horsepower V8 engine ranks as one of the best V8 engines ever built. This engine coupled with Audi's fantastic 4 wheel drive technology and aluminum chassis makes the R8 a truly incredible driving machine.  The Audi R8 presented the RACE Pro development team with a completely new challenge as SimBin had never simulated a car with 4 wheel drive before, but the team is proud to deliver a true recreation of the Audi R8 in RACE Pro.

Power:             600 bhp @ 7500 rpm

Torque:             620 Nm @ 6000 rpm

Weight:            1120 kg

Top speed:       > 300 km/h

Road America is one of only a handful of road circuits in the world which has maintained its original configuration of 6.515 km in length and 14 turns since it first opened in 1955. The track is located in Wisconsin, USA, halfway between the cities of Milwaukee and Green Bay.

The track has many elevation changes, fourteen turns, and a long front straight where drivers can reach speeds up to 300km/h. Road America is a very challenging track with high speeds gained on the long straightaways offset by hard braking zones and subtle turns that can catch out even the most seasoned drivers.  Finding the ideal braking zones takes time and practice, but mastering these can help gain crucial tenths of a second vital in winning races at Road America.

One of the best known features of this course is a turn on the backside known as the "kink" following the 180 degree turn called the "carousel".  The "kink" is a wild corner that should be tackled with caution and respect as it is sharper than it looks, has walls on both sides and no run off.  Start by braking, and then work up to just lifting as you become familiar with it.

- Atari is Title Sponsor of ‘FIA WTCC Atari Race of Japan' with Ultra-Realistic Racing Video Game RACE Pro -

Following extensive visibility for Atari as the Title Sponsor of the FIA WTCC Atari Race of Germany at Oschersleben in August, Atari takes pole position again at this weekend's FIA WTCC Atari Race of Japan in Okayama for rounds 21 and 22 of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. 

Atari joins the FIA WTCC to give fans and gamers the most true-to-life racing experience on its forthcoming ultra-realistic racing video game RACE Pro scheduled to speed into stores in January 2009 exclusively for the Xbox 360^TM video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.  Developed by award-winning game studio SimBin, RACE Pro provides deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks. Nothing gets closer to the real thrill than RACE Pro.

RACE Pro, the ultra real racing simulation game exclusive to Xbox 360, is scheduled for release this January 2009.

From October 4 to 19, 2008, come and take up the Race Pro challenge at the TF1 automoto.fr stand, in hall 2.2 of the Paris Motor Show! Experience the latest gem from SimBin studio before its release and take on your friends at Race Pro. With exclusive WTCC and F300 racing, Race Pro is imposing itself as one of the very best driving simulators, and exclusively on Xbox 360! (Released January 2009) Keep your ears open and your eyes peeled for the brand new Lizard graphics engine and the unrivalled sound effects!

Race Pro takes immersion in driving games to another level.
RACE PRO: Nothing gets closer!"