Asobo, known today as the Microsoft Flight Simulator developer, created groundbreaking technology for large scale maps that was intended to be used in a high quality rally raid title. It was never released and ended up as FUEL, a post-apocalyptic open-world racing game. What happened?
Shortly after the release of Grand Prix Legends the sim racing community looked forward to another title that promised to offer a similar insight into historic racing. Trans-Am Racing ’68-’72 ultimately never released, a victim of a publishers shady dealings, but as a part of my research I uncovered a VHS of a never-released trailer for the game. Watch the trailer and read about what sim racing missed out on.
Originally a development of the 1971 McLaren M16 Indy car, the McLaren M23 was an extremely successful car that served the team from 1973 to 1977 making use of a Ford-Cosworth DFV V8 naturally aspirated engine. It took 14 poles, 16 wins, two drivers titles and a constructors championship. In its final year of competition it was most certainly more competitive than the new McLaren M26, and the drivers had to be asked by management to move onto the newer car.
1976 McLaren M23-D released as historic content with F1 2019.