Track Name	: Dark Star for MTM2
Version	: 1.1 (now with logo)
Author	: Oliver Pieper
Release Date: Aug 2, 1998

!! DARK STAR IS POSTCARDWARE!
!! If you like this track, or any other of my products,
!! please take a look at POSTCARD.TXT and send me a
!! card (unless you have already done so)!
!! To see who has already sent me one, tune in to
!! http://www.mathematik.uni-marburg.de/~pieper/mtm/mtm_cards.htm

----- What's new V1.1 ------------------------------------------

Don't ask me why, but TrackEd2 didn't include the track picture
and logo in the POD of version 1.0. Test driving the track didn't
reveal the problem, because MTM2 simply used the files on my
hard drive instead. Thanks to Alpine for pointing this out!
The bitmaps are now included.

----- What's new V1.0 ------------------------------------------

Dark Star is a very popular track for MTM1. Unfortunately,
the starry background that I used to create the "pitch black"
environment no longer exists in MTM2 and the "Pitch Black"
setting of MTM2 disables the track's unique lighting effects.
And Dark Star with blue or overcast sky simply doesn't look good.
Moreover, most of the MTM1 BIN models had the tendency to "shine"
through solid objects in MTM2. That didn't look too good either!

Repairing the BINs was easy. But I had a bit of a struggle with
the black background. Now Dark Star doesn't only look as good as
before, thanks to the superior graphics engine of MTM2 and thanks
to some more detailed textures, it actually looks better than
before!

I've also included a replay file in case you'd like to know
how I drive my track... Laps 2 and 3 are quite good. In fact,
lap 2 with 1:02.81 is currently my track record.

Changes:
* New backdrop from scratch (one new star, more detailed moon pic)
* true MTM2 BIN models
* new (much better) textures for the chicane
* textures now benefit from the MTM2 custom palettes
* new on track sign with credits
* replay file with three laps in Firestone Wilderness.

----- Start of original description ----------------------------
A new track by the author of Unreal and Derailed.
(and of lots of utilities 8-) )

I've got a lot of feedback concerning my first two tracks
Unreal and Derailed, ranging from "brilliant" (Thanks!)
to "unplayable" (Thanks! It was constructive criticism).
I have to admit that at least with Derailed, my focus was
on scenery design and not on playability, and it shows.
To get a fast lap time, you need at least as much luck as
you need skill.

ALL THAT IS DIFFERENT WITH DARK STAR!
Dark Star is a race track. That does not mean it is without a
challenge! There is still driving skill required to navigate
the banked corners, the chicane at the end of the second long
straight, and the final jump to the start-finish line. To
get a lap time under 1 min 04 sec, you will need every bit of
driving skill and the right truck setup. The current lap record
is 1:02.40, and its my only time under 1:03.

Dark Star features one of my favourite parts in MTM tracks:
a crossing. But unlike most other crossings where you never
know there's a truck coming until it's too late, at the Dark
Star crossing you can see your opponent in advance, with
just enough time to avoid a colission, if you react quickly.

I didn't test it, but I think Dark Star will make a good
multiplayer track. The elevated road sections and the chicane
should prove to be very interesting. There are no scenery levels
implemented so everyone will certainly be racing the same track. 8-)

Dark Star features
* custom backdrop
* custom textures only!
* spectacular lighting effects
* custom models
* high precision laser checkpoints 8-)
* NO 90 DEGREE TURNS! Only 270, 180, 225, 45 and 135 degrees 8-)
* one left turn, five right turns, one chicane...
* a nice crossing
* computer generated banked turns. As smooth as possible
  in MTM, which is not smooth at all 8-(

Some hints:

o there are neither shortcuts nor is there anything to explore
  off the track.
o learn to navigate by the planets! It really helps to find
  back to the track if you miss a turn.

Special thanks go to:
Carsten "Samson" Dalkowski
        - for beta testing Dark Star

Allen "Rooski" Meloserdoff, author of "Rooski Ridge"
        - for his tower model
        - for the computer truck course layout of Dark Star
        - for beta testing my track

Donald "Don Flan" Wilburn, author of "Don't Fret"
        - for beta testing Dark Star

Feel free to email any comments and suggestions
you might have.

Happy Truckin'!

Oliver Pieper
8589Redburne
pieper@informatik.uni-marburg.de
http://www.mathematik.uni-marburg.de/~pieper/mtm/

*********************
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
*********************

The following track was created using Terminal Reality Inc's TrackEd
for use with the retail version of Microsoft's Monster Truck Madness.
Any alterations, improvements, or other deviations from this use are
stricltly prohibited unless given permission by the author.
Resale is strictly prohibited unless given permission by the author.
All material contained with the track is considered copyrighted by the author.

1997 Oliver Pieper