TRANS-AMERICA: THE SPECIAL TOURS

EXPLORING THE SP COURSES, FROM COAST TO GLORIOUS COAST

START SUNNY BEACH

Very similar to its counterpart Palm Beach, both in setting and how it eases you into the game. You don’t need to drift, but the wide coastal route with its sweeping turns provides ample opportunity to test out some sideways action.

THIRD COLUMN - A WATERFALLS

With the rumble of Niagara Falls in your ears, head down towards the river taking care with the un-signposted left-hander. Then it’s a sharp right-hander by the bridge and a dart towards the tunnel which curves deviously to the right.

FOURTH COLUMN - A LOST CITY

The route takes us high up into the misty mountains and it really is breathtaking. You’re allowed to take in the views too as it’s a straightforward course with very little drifting required (you’ll only need it for the final three turns).

FOURTH COLUMN - D JUNGLE

This stage is on the hard route with good reason, as it snakes through a hazy rain forest on a road that is often lined with huge boulders. It’s fine until you pass beneath the waterfall, then you’re in S-bend city right to the end.

FINAL COLUMN - C FLORAL VILLAGE

Green fields and rolling hills dominate the landscape on the route to Goal C. After drifting through the initial left-hander you can drive through the rest of the stage, until you reach the lake and encounter some dangerous bends.

SECOND COLUMN - A BAY AREA

The stage begins with you crossing the Golden Gate Bridge – the perfect place to slipstream – then swings into a tricky uphill S-bend. Then it’s a fast dash down the city’s steep hills before a wide left-right turn leads to the checkpoint.

THIRD COLUMN - B BIG FOREST

While it looks similar this is, thankfully, no Coniferous Forest. You can drive through most of the stage without drifting, until you pass through the hollowed-out tree when you’ll need to drift through a tight left-right corner to the finish.

FOURTH COLUMN - B CASINO TOWN

Vegas baby! Keep your eyes peeled for Sonic The Hedgehog signage as you tear down the strip, taking on a series of 90-degree bends (the road is wide, which helps). The course then loops around, requiring an epically long drift.

FINAL COLUMN - A GIANT STATUES

Monolithic Moai statues stare on as you tour Easter Island on your way to Goal A. The road is five-lanes wide for the most part, making for an easy finish – just watch out for the final S-bend which has a sting in its tail.

FINAL COLUMN - D MILKY WAY

Arrive at Goal D in time to see the Space Shuttle take off from Cape Canaveral. This stage is horrible, featuring many nasty bends flanked by yellow crash barriers that seem to invite you in. Master this and you’ve mastered the game!

SECOND COLUMN - B NATIONAL PARK

We’re in Yosemite for a breezy drive through a tree-lined valley. The first left-hander can be taken at full speed with careful positioning, but the two S-bends towards the end of the stage provide a good test for your drifting skills.

THIRD COLUMN - C CANYON

The Grand Canyon naturally provides the setting for one of the most epic stages on your journey. It’s no leisure drive though. Ease off as you power up the hill then get ready for the drop which leads to a tricky S-bend at the bottom.

FOURTH COLUMN - C ICE SCAPE

We’re once again in Snowy Mountain territory for one of the most challenging SP stages. A gentle uphill climb following the oil pipeline is bookended by two twisting sections which require skillful drifting to avoid wiping out.

FINAL COLUMN - B LEGEND FINAL COLUMN - E SKYSCRAPERS

Goal B lies on the other side of a Mayan city and you even get to race through an ancient temple (UNESCO be damned). This is the fastest, easiest end stage in SP, with the only testing element being the penultimate corner. New York City welcomes you as you race over the Brooklyn Bridge, past the Empire State Building and end in front of the Statue Of Liberty. Some of the bends in the Midtown area are quite tricky, but otherwise this is a fun slide through the city.