Championship Sprint

40 Years old Arcade Video game Atari Games Corp. [CA, USA]

Championship Sprint screenshot

Championship Sprint © 1986 Atari Games Corp.

Championship Sprint is an updated version of the old Atari Sprint series, with the added ability for players to upgrade their vehicles as the game progresses. Upgrades are won by collecting the bonus wrenches that appear once during each race, and once players have collected four wrenches, they will be presented with an upgrade screen; allowing them to choose better traction, top speed, acceleration, or a faster helicopter.

Collisions with barriers should, of course, be avoided, as they invariably cost the player valuable time. Also; a direct, head-on collision can cause the players' vehicles to explode - particularly if the player is moving at speed when this happens. In the event of a car exploding, a helicopter will automatically airlift a replacement vehicle to the track; this replacement will retain any previous upgrades made by the player. Waiting for the replacement car takes precious time and allows rival drivers to gain a distinct advantage. Car replacement time can be shortened upgrading the helicopter.

The tracks themselves are all variations on the basic 'oval', with gates, jumps, ramps and crossroads ensuring a demanding, yet incredibly playable game.

Goodies for Championship Sprint
Click to enlarge
(members only)
TECHNICAL / MACHINE PICT.

Game ID : 136045

Runs on the "Atari System 2" hardware.

Players : 2
Control : Steering wheel with gas pedal

Machine Picture
Machine Picture
(members only)
TRIVIA

Championship Sprint was released in September 1986 in the memory of George Opperman (1935-1985). Mr. Opperman was the first artist hired by Atari and the creator of the Atari logo.

2,599 dedicated units were produced in the USA. The selling price was $2,795.
Also, 996 conversion kits were produced. Selling price: $995.

SERIES
📜
1. Sprint 2 (1976)
2. Sprint 8 (1977)
3. Sprint 4 (1977)
4. Sprint One (1978)
5. Super Sprint (1986)
6. Championship Sprint (1986)
7. BadLands (1990)
STAFF
👥
Designers and programmers : Robert Weatherby, Kelly Turner
Animators : Will Noble, Kris Moser, Sam Comstock
Technicians : Dave Wiebenson, Minh Nguyen
Audio : Hal Canon
PORTS
CONSOLES

Sony PlayStation 2 flag (2004) Midway Arcade Treasures 2
flag Microsoft XBOX (oct.11, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model MWO-3201W]"
Nintendo GameCube flag (oct.11, 2004) Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model DOL-GAYE-USA]
flag Sony PS2 (oct.11, 2004) Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model SLUS-20997]
flag Microsoft XBOX (oct.29, 2004) Midway Arcade Treasures 2
flag Sony PS2 (oct.29, 2004) Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model SLES-52844]
Sony PlayStation 3 [PSN] flag (may.31, 2007)
Sony PlayStation 3 [PSN] flag (june.29, 2007)
Microsoft XBOX 360 flag (nov.6, 2012) Midway Arcade Origins
Sony PlayStation 3 flag (nov.6, 2012) Midway Arcade Origins [Model BLUS-31083]
flag Microsoft XBOX 360 (nov.15, 2012) Midway Arcade Origins
Sony PlayStation 3 flag (nov.15, 2012) Midway Arcade Origins [Model BLES-01768]

HANDHELDS

flag Sony PSP (dec.13, 2005) Midway Arcade Treasures Extended Play [Model ULUS-10059]
flag Sony PSP (feb.24, 2006) Midway Arcade Treasures Extended Play [Model ULES-00180]

COMPUTERS

flag Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1988) Championship Sprint [Model URK 627]
flag Amstrad CPC (1988)
flag Commodore C64 flag (1988)
flag PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (feb.17, 2006) Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition
flag PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (mar.17, 2006) Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition by Zoo Digital Publishing
SOURCES
🔗
ROM dump (MAME).
Game's picture.