RSS Share 14/12/2005
'Renaultgotchi' Races Towards Cult Status

Real data from Renaultsport has created an online racing game so addictive, it attracted 30,000 challenges amongst Renaultsport Community members on the www.renaultsport.co.uk website in its first 10 days.

Created by Renaultsport's web team - Racecar New Media, the 'Renaultgotchi' drag-race game allows community members to challenge and compete against each other online in three current Renaultsport models. You can challenge friends or complete strangers in realistic side-by-side battles of speed.

Racers begin their 'careers' drag racing a Clio Renaultsport 182 Trophy over a quarter-mile strip, progressing by winning credits, extra equipment and engine tweaks. Each race gets you more experience of the sport, and therefore closer to the ultimate aim - a drive in the elusive 'Fourth Car'.

The identity of the Fourth Car, a Renaultsport special version that does exist in real life, remains relatively unknown. Those who do know its identity are the very few online Renaultsport racers who have already powered their way to the top levels of Gotchi drag racing!

In your personal garage, you'll find all you need to tweak your drag racer into the top echelons of the game. Upgrades can be bought using the garage shop facility, including engine tuning, new wheels and tyres, exhausts, body kits and nitrous boosts.

From clumsy starts in the Clio 182, improving racers upgrade to the Mégane Renaultsport 225 Trophy, and from there, to the rip-roaring Clio Renaultsport V6 255, complete with sound effects. After the Clio V6, racers are lured to the elusive 'Fourth Car'.

Using the resources of Renaultsport's statistics department, Racecar created baseline standing quarter mile times based on Renaultsport cars' real life performance figures:

Clio 182 Mégane 225 Clio V6

15.0 seconds 15.0 seconds 14.1 seconds

"Standard times for first-time players are around the 16-second mark, but with engine tuning, new tyres, and nitro boosts, times can fall to around 10 seconds," he told us.

And here's a secret from the drag-racing creator. "The secret to a lightning getaway is a good reaction time. Don't jump the red lights, and always change gear at the right time," said Ross.

The cars are simple to control, using three cursor keys on your keyboard, but you'll probably have to use a bit more ingenuity to come up with an excuse when you're accused of spending too much time Renaultgotchi drag racing!

To lay some rubber, you can find Renaultgotchi at www.renaultsport.co.uk/community/renaultgotchi