The last few months have been crazy as the Wilson Plague ran amuck across the country. Now it is just crawling amuck. Sadly, it is at this point that I must announce the death of Joseph Ratner. He died from the Plague, and I, No-Gun, will be the temporary President of NOVA.
    On the brighter side the Plague has been cured and Joe will be coming out of the clone tank in October. Meanwhile, NOVA's Mike Garrity won the World Racing Championship with a 75-mph first-turn acceleration on the late-starting final round. Congratulations, Mike. Do you smell smoke?
 
 

This issue we bring you vehicle body modifications. They cover cars to micro/airplanes. Just when you thought we couldn't do it, guess what? We did.

Racing Body: Six times normal body cost, half normal body weight, no space.
    This modifies cycles, trikes, car bodies and boats with better handling and safety for racing. Racing bodies have a HC of 5 before any other modification; no other suspension mods are allowed. They take half damage in collisions, due to built-in roll cages. Racing bodies are automatically streamlined. They can be made off-road capable for eight times normal body cost.

Seaplanes: Cost: 10% of body cost of micro/airplanes. This modification allows an airplane to land on water without needing vulnerable pontoons. If the aircraft is designed to land on ground and water (an amphibian), it must mount retractable landing gear. The aircraft may mount propellers in any of the standard locations; however, if a prop is mounted on the fuselage front or back, the vehicle's HC is reduced by 1, due to the extreme clumsiness of the design.
    Included in the vehicle body weight are two small wingtip-mounted floats for stability during takeoff and landings; the floats are automatically retractable, are protected by their respective wings' DP & armor.
    Any aeronautical vehicle may be so modified, although balloons and airships don't need it, hoverplanes don't either, and carplanes need amphibious modifications. Keep in mind that a lot of rules involving water & boats also AFFECT seaplanes. Landing on water with retractable landing gear down will rip off the wheels and force a control roll at HC -6.

Revised Race Car Bodies

Type	Price	Weight	Max. Load	Spaces	Armor Cost/Wt
Formula One/Indy	$19,500	500	4,200	15	110/5
Can -Am	$19,500	600	5,500	18	120/6
Sprint	$16,800	300	3,500	10	65/3
Funny Car	$19,800	650	5,000	20	130/7
Dragster	$18,600	500	5,100	16	100/5

Race cars have been revised from those which appeared in the "Catalog From Hell" to reflect several important facts which were ignored when they first came out. First, if a "real" racing event (NASCAR, Indy 500, etc.) were to be held using the types of racing bodies available in Car Wars, the merest bump or scrape would cause the fatality rates to skyrocket, as they aren't capable of resisting impact or roll damage to the extent that "Real" racing bodies do. Therefore, all of these racing bodies include a roll cage and safety seat at no extra cost, weight or space. Second, race cars are automatically streamlined (a logical inclusion; they're designed to go as fast as possible). Finally, the presence of debris on the race track (from rams, rolls, etc.) has presented a dangerous hazard to other racers. Accordingly, all types of race cars have heavy-duty shocks (at no extra cost or weight) to reduce these hazards.
    There is also another glaring error that needs to be corrected. Accordingly to the control table, it is possible to automatically crash by going excessively fast. This isn't logical or even reasonable. After all, a car should only make a control roll it its handling class is sufficiently lowered by weapon damage or hazard caused by debris, obstacles or collisions. Therefore, the straight-line high-speed hazards for all race cars are lowered by two.
    The handling class of an Indy car body is 6. All other race cars have a handling class of 5. The handling class of race cars my be increased by the use of an active suspension. The chassis of a race car is as strong as the extra-heavy chassis of a regular car. This is so that race cars can use rocket boosters and not take substantial hazards from doing so.

High Performance Flywheels: Standard: $1,000 + $1 per added PF. Advanced: $2,000 + $1 per added PF (Both weigh nothing). Increases PF 25%. Also, the standard HPF adds 5 mph to acceleration at 40+ mph; the advanced HPF gives this bonus at all speeds.
 
 

 Whew, that was close. Somebody left an oily rag near a spent shell. Now that the near-disaster is over, what's next?
    Ah, yes, the world at large. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the world has run away, without leaving a forwarding address. Okay, Okay, bad joke. That's show- biz for you.
    The Jackal has been captured down in Florida by DSA elite troops. Darn, I wanted to bust him up. Oh, well. His trial is expected to take place this fall. It doesn't look good for the terrorist leader, who tried to destroy New Omaha this spring, but missed and got Toytown instead. Pathetic.
    Speaking of Toytown, Gadget and Mechmaster are currently awaiting trail in the DSA. They are charged with genocide in connection with the Wilson Plague. GGI's Replicant process has been outlawed due to slavery issues surrounding its use. Anyone using the Replicant process will be arrested and will have their equipment destroyed.
    The Wilson Plague is officially over, with over 10 million dead. Countries are now reopening their borders. The world should be back to "normal" in a few months.
    The New Omaha area has been semi-quiet in recent months. No serial killers for Detective Hammer to stop, no big explosions, no gang attacks, no terrorism, no duels, no races. Without those events, New Omaha is very boring at this time. Enjoy it while it lasts.
    As mentioned before, Mike Garrity has won the World Racing Championship. More details will be furnished in the Convention Report section. He is going to be insufferable for a short time.
    Car Wars 3-D will be coming out late this year or early next year. The miniatures will be two inches long; that's 200% Car Wars scale. Also in the works is a revising of the Compendium II/Catalog from Hell rules. Be prepared for the changes and don't have a heart attack because of them. The changes have been long overdue. NOVA South has become an official AADA chapter and we'll be receiving news about Florida from them.
 
 

June 1, 2044: NOVA and Hammer's Slammers signed alliance pledges and formalized relations. Joseph Ratner and The Weasel held a joint news conference to announce the alliance.

June 5, 2044: Police Commissioner Smith reported that Detective Hammer has returned to New Omaha. Hammer escaped from his mob kidnappers after a month of captivity. Apparently Hammer was held in Chicago, and was almost killed twice by one mob family, but another family rescued him and turned him over to the local Police.

June 7, 2044: Detective Hammer marked his return to duty by destroying a robbery suspect's car.

June 11, 2044: D.J. Battle's body was found under a dumpster behind a recharging station in southwest Omaha. He had been decapitated. The body had been lying there at least a day, so no clone could be made. D.J. Battle is dead, permanently.

June 13, 2044: Detective Hammer was killed by a sniper. The sniper himself was killed by Hammer's last bullet fired.

June 14, 2044: The nearly-completed Trakker Aviation facility was destroyed by multiple explosions. Killed in the blast was Trakker CEO Sharon Zametkin, her family, and some 100 workers. Corporate sabotage is suspected.

June 15, 2044: A half-hour through the funeral service for Detective Hammer, he walk in the door. He explained to his shocked audience that the person who was actually killed was a mob enforcer that had plastic surgery. This double was intended to cause havoc in the city (if that wasn't already being done). Hammer hid in Chicago and only recently escaped. Commissioner Smith later commented, "He was late for his own funeral. He was late for his own bloody funeral." Hammer's only comment was, "Sorry."

June 16, 2044: Detective Hammer was attacked by a sniper outside the NOPD HQ. The sniper fired five shots, but failed to hit. Hammer pursued, but could not catch his assailant. "I guess someone's not happy to see me", remarked Hammer.

June 17, 2044: A Nebraska State Patrolman found the abandoned wreck of a 2036 Corvette in a ditch near Ashland, at the intersection of Highways 6 and 63. Evidently, the vehicle had hit concealed heavy mines, blasting it into the ditch. The vehicle's occupant could not be found. Ominously, a sniper-modified assault rifle of unknown make was found in the trunk.

June 18, 2044: It was revealed today that the wrecked Corvette found yesterday belonged to none other than Brian Faulkner. Also, the sniper rifle found on board was identified as Faulkner's. An arrest warrant has been issued.

June 19, 2044: The NOPD says it believes Brian Faulkner has been abducted or assassinated. According to tow-truck driver Jeb Cracken, the wreck was visited by a "really old-fashioned hearse -- thing had to be at least a hundred years old". The hearse's crew loaded a body bag into a coffin, put the coffin into the hearse, then drove off. The vehicle has not been seen since.

June 20, 2044: New Omaha mourned the loss of Joseph "Joe Rat" Ratner. He died as a result of the Wilson Plague.

June 21, 2044: NOVA and Hammer's Slammers were in full attendance for the funeral of Joseph Ratner. Mayor Bill the Cat declared Ratner the honorary Protector of New Omaha.

June 28, 2044: Senior vice-president James Smithson of DeathKnight Industries was assassinated in downtown New Omaha today. Smithson was on his way to work when two unidentified motorcycles destroyed his limousine with laser-guided 7" rockets. No one has claimed responsibility at this time.

July 3, 2044: Battle, Inc. sold their lake properties to New Omaha. The properties are Chalco, Cunningham, and Lakes #15 & 20. Battle is counting on this sale to stave off a buyout attempt.

Half of Battle, Nebraska has been sold for similar reasons. Investors fear that more of the city/amusement park will be sold off in the near future.

July 6, 2044: A crop circle was found near Lincoln. Its shape is that of a parallelogram.

July 10, 2044: A triangular crop circle was found near Nebraska City.

DKI spokesperson DeathKnight died as a result of the Wilson Virus during a cybernetic upgrade operation.

July 12, 2044: A "K"-shaped crop circle was found outside of Falls City.

July 17, 2044: A "T"-shaped crop circle was reportedly found in a field near Surprise, Nebraska.

July 20, 2044: Bennington Police found an "E" shaped crop circle outside of town.

July 24, 2044: The Valentine, Nebraska Sheriff''s Office reported a face shaped crop circle in a farmer's field near town.

July 25, 2044: The Nebraska Supreme Court pronounced that state bill 19-44 is constitutional. The bill concerns water rights and ownership of aquifers on private property. Property owners that lost land during the Food Riots protested outside the unicameral, declaring that this issue isn't over.

July 26, 2044: The City Wide Services Police contracts were cancelled by Mayor Bill the Cat. He cited conflicting views on Police operations as the reason for the dismissal. Regular NOPD will take over the North and Northwest districts on August 30. City Wide Services will leave the districts immediately.

August 2, 2044: With the Wilson Plague over, various businesses all over the world reopened.

August 4, 2044: Ports, airports, and border-crossings reopened.

August 5, 2044: Clone banks are reopened and started new clones.

August 17, 2044: The Jackal was captured in his Los Disney's lair by elements of the DSA's "Silver Gryphon" elite strike team. The DSA team took no casualties in the raid, which netted some 60 prisoners.

August 18, 2044: The Governor of Florida and his staff were arrested and sent to Fort Bradley, Virginia to await trial.

August 19, 2044: Federal troops occupied Los Disneys. The US government is discussing whether or not to have Los Disneys torn down.

August 22, 2044: The Jackal was taken to Pretoria, DSA, to await trail.

August 25, 2044: The Department of Defense awarded a contract for the design of a new APC to DeathKnight Industries of New Omaha. Ten prototypes will be manufactured for testing and evaluation.

September 8, 2044: DKI announced that DeathKnight was successfully cloned and is now in rehabilitation. Whether he'll receive cybernetic upgrades is unknown.

September 15, 2044: A crop circle in the shape of the pi symbol was sighted near Grand Island. Scientists are investigating this one closely.

September 16, 2044: Scientists herald new proof of extraterrestrial intelligence with the discovery of a crop circle shaped to show "E=mc2". The argument on their authenticity continues.

September 19, 2044: A crop circle saying "Eat at Joe's" is found near Scottsbluff. Scientists are baffled.

September 21, 2044: People in Nebraska reported two UFOs. The UFOs raced from Alliance to New Omaha. One apparently crashed ten miles outside of Grand Island. Airline pilots report seeing the word "Elvis" written onto fields across the state.

September 25, 2044: Gadget and Mechmaster are captured in Tahiti by DSA Special Ops troops. They have been taken to Pretoria to await trial.
 
 

Contretemps 8: After several years in the red, the wet con known as Contretemps has returned. Attendance was fair. NOVA hosted a tournament and an event called The Cockroach that ate New Omaha. We thank SJG for furnishing prizes for the convention.
    Overall, Contretemps 8 was a good convention. Attendance could've been better, and a bigger room for gaming was needed. Considering it's mainly a sci-fi/literary convention it was okay. The video room was sponsored by Maelstrom (a Lincoln convention group).**

GenCon '94: "We're Going Slightly Mad"

For us GenCon this year was filled with troubles before the group even left Omaha. Trouble with the rental car and booby-trapped exploding soda bottles were highlights.
    Upon reaching Milwaukee, more troubles came our way. Bounced checks, hotel room, botched tournaments, inept referees, miscommunications; quiet times were too few and far between to help our sanity. We needed them just the same.

Road Kills: This year we saw a record 43 road kills; mostly squirrels, rabbits or possums, with some dogs and birds and unidentifiable animals thrown in as well. Chris and Mike get the most credit for spotting them.

The Racing Worlds: This year there was a good turnout for this event; 22 entrants in the first round. The vehicle choice was either a stock cycle with a VFRP or a trike with 2 MMLs. Both vehicles had a top speed of 135. The track was a small figure-eight. During this first round, Chris was following Mike closely around the track. After five seconds combat began.
    One player asked if this was a team event. This snowballed into the DM accusing Chris of teamwork with Mike. This was not the case; it was just normal racing tactics. Chris promptly left the event, disgruntled. Norman and Mike advanced into the second round.
    The second round also featured a selection of two stock vehicles. One was a sedan with a ramplate and VMG; the other was a speed demon Indy car. Talk about disasters in the making. Norman was t-boned into a corner while he tried to pass a backmarker. Mike barely advanced with an unconscious driver and a burning car.
    The final round started without the promised 3-D track (it was destroyed in shipping). A new track had to be made on the spot. As a result, the final started 90 minutes late. Mike accelerated 75 mph in the first turn due to nitrous and rocket booster. He took the lead from Daniel Sloan and never gave it up. The second straightway was littered with spent EWP-housed rocket boosters. One of these took out two tires of a competitor and caused him to vault. He became confetti upon landing. A more graphic account will likely appear in the next Pyramid.

The Cockroach That Ate Milwaukee: For the monster event this year, this cockroach posed new problems to gamers and DM alike. Pregenerated vehicles and fistful of confetti were presented and playing commenced.
    The Cockroach won one event outright; it lost in the remaining two. It was still a fun event for all involved. Next year the event will be Godzilla's Smarter Brother.

IROC in 3-D: GMed by Daniel Sloan, only one of two planned sessions was done. The track was not stable and fell apart if bumped. The cars had a tendency to roll without being told to. This was fixed by using tape on the wheels.
    Only a few cars completed a full lap. Wrecks covered the back hairpins (all three of them). No experienced players attended the game; otherwise the game would've gone more smoothly. Next year we can only hope for better attendance.

Well, that wraps up this year's GenCon report. I was astounded by the low quality of some of the first and second round pregenerated vehicles in the Racing Worlds. They were unsuited to the event and caused disaster. May the GMs learn from the experience.
 
 

Rules changes are a fact of gaming life. There's always some better way to be found. Just ask yourself: when haven't you found a rules problem?

The Pivot: In a recent duel, a duellist did a 180-degree pivot to nail his foe and win. In NOVA pivots are now limited to 90 degrees. This makes sense given that the vehicle is only going 5 mph.

Grasshoppers revisited: In Compendium II, trikes, hovercraft, and boats can be made into grasshoppers. In the Catalog from Hell the rules state that only cars can be made grasshoppers. I don't agree with the Catalog. Vehicle sizes for grasshoppers in the Compendium II are as follows: cars - mid-size, sedan or luxury; trikes - heavy and extra heavy; hovercraft - small and standard; boats - dinghy and speedboat.

Grasshoppers are not limited to the above vehicles. Heavy cycles are O.K. As for powerplants and vehicle sizes it doesn't matter, just as long as it fits.

New Helicopter Power Plants

Size	Cost	Wght.	Space	DP	PF
Micro	5000	500	3	6	2,000
Mini	7500	1500	6	12	4,000
Light	12500	2750	9	18	6,500
Med.	17500	3250	12	24	11,000
Hvy.	22500	3750	15	30	22,500
Xhvy.	30000	4500	20	40	26,000

This expanded power plant table includes power plants for cycles, trikes, hovercraft, and boats. It also gives new power to helicopters. I am looking forward to making some new grasshoppers out using the new plants. They certainly deserve a try.

Replicants: Cloned humans whose genes are manipulated to accept new memories and skills, and/or remove and/or lower others. Typically, strength, intelligence, coordination, endurance, and regeneration are improved in replicants.

A living person cannot be made into a replicant; only clone cells (before dividing) can be altered. This technology exist in the Car Wars universe. For references see the movie Bladerunner and the TV series Highwayman.
 
 

1) You're not Superman.

2) If it's stupid and it works, it isn't stupid.

3) Don't look conspicuous; it draws enemy fire (this is why aircraft carriers are called "bomb magnets").

4) When in doubt, empty your magazine.

5) Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than you.

6) Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.

7) If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.

8) No plan ever survives first contact intact.

9) All five-second grenade fuzes will burn down in three seconds.

10) Try to look unimportant. The bad guys might be low on ammo.

11) If you are forward of your position, the artillery will fall short.

12) The enemy diversion you are ignoring is the main attack.

13) The important things are always simple.

14) The simple things are always hard.

15) The easy way is always mined.

16) If you are short of everything but enemies, you are in combat.

17) When you have secured an area, don't forget to tell the enemy.

18) Incoming fire has the right of way.

19) Friendly fire--isn't!!

20) If the enemy is in range, so are you.

21) No combat-ready unit ever passes inspection.

22) Beer math is: 2 beers x 37 men = 49 cases.

23) Body count math is: 2 guerrillas + 1 portable & 2 pigs = 37 enemy KIA.

24) Things that must be together in order to work usually aren't shipped together.

25) Radios will fail as soon as you desperately need fire support.

26) Anything you do can get you shot, including nothing!!

27) Tracers work both ways.

28) The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly fire.

29) Make it tough for the enemy to get in and you can't get out.

30) If you take more than your fair share of objectives, you will be given more than your fair share of objectives to take.

31) When both sides are convinced that they are about to lose, they are both right.

32) Professional soldiers are predictable, but the world is full of amateurs.

33A) Murphy was a grunt.

33B) Stuff happens!!
 
 

Here we go, bringing Vehicle Guide 1 into line with "modern" Car Wars.

Courier Services 2044 Coaster: Compact, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, medium power plant with PC and SC, 4 solid tires, driver, MG front, MD rear. Cargo/passenger space: 1 space, 200 lbs. Armor: F45, L45, R45, B45, T5, U20, 2-10 point wheelguards, 2-10 wheelhubs. Accel. 5, top speed 95 (100 w/out cargo), HC 3; 4,440 lbs., $10,665.
    Duel option: Cargo space replaced by MG front, add link. $12,215.
    Deluxe option: Remove cargo space. Add 33 points of armor. Slope armor. $11,404 and 4,438 lbs. Armor: F55, L55, R55, B55, T8, U20.
    Rearguard option: Remove MG and cargo area; add MD left and move other MD right and add link. $10,215. Armor: F20, L40, R40, B80, T5, U20.

Courier Services Coaster II: Compact, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, medium powerplant w/SC, 4 solid tires, driver, MG with HD ammo front, MD rear, SWC. Cargo capacity: 1 space, 180 lbs. Armor: F50, L40, R40, B40, T15, U15, 4 -10 point wheelguards. Accel. 5, top speed 95/92.5 fully loaded, HC 2; 4,260 lbs. unloaded, $11,400.
    Secure option: install mini-safe. Cargo capacity is now 1/2 space, 40 lbs. Armor: F50, L45, R45, B50, T15, U15. Top speed 92.5; 4,400 lbs., $11,810.
    Rearguard version: remove MG, move MD to left and add MD right. Add link, spoiler, airdam, HD shocks, 4-5 point wheelhubs. Armor: F30, L30, R30, B80, T10, U20. Top speed 92.5; 4,430 lbs., $12,400.

Budget Autoworks 2044 Imp: Light trike, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, medium cycle power plant w/SC, 3 PR tires, driver, RL front, SWC. Cargo capacity: 3 spaces, 450 lbs. Armor: F20, L20, R20, B20, T3, U6, 2-10 point wheelguards and 1-10 point cycle wheelguard. Accel. 5, top speed 92.5/112.5 without cargo, HC 2; 1,470 lbs (with no cargo)., $6,229.
    OR variant: suspenion to OR, tires to OR PR, remove 3 points of armor. HC 2/3 OR and $6,566.
    Combat variant: remove RL & cargo spaces. Add VMG front, SD rear, streamlining and sloped armor. Armor: F28, L28, R28, B28, T6, U6. Top speed 102.5, $8,526.

Trinity Motors 2044 Sportster: Light Trike, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, medium cycle power plant with PCs and SCs, 3 PR tires, driver, gunner, MG front, HR right linked to HR left. Armor: F30, L25, R25, B30, T3, U6, 2-10 point wheelguards, 1-10 point cycle wheelguard. Accel. 5, top speed 95, HC 2; 1,920 lbs., $6,859.
    OR variant: suspenion to OR, tires to OR PR; remove three points of armor. $7,196. HC 2 (3 OR).

Budget Autoworks 2044 Sandcrab: Medium Trike, x-hvy. chassis, OR suspension, large cycle power plant with PC, 3 OR PR tires, driver, VMG left linked to VMG right, SD with explosive ammo rear, streamlining. Armor: F20, L20, R20, B20, T4, U4, 2-10 point wheelguards, 1-10 cycle wheelguard. Accel. 5, top speed 100, HC 2 (3 OR); 2,518 lbs., $11,576.
    Highway Option: change suspension to heavy, tires to regualr PR, add 2 points of armor. $11,132 and 2,515 lbs.
    RR Option: change VMGs to RRs, add SWC, 33 points of armor. 2,516 lbs., $10,772. If applied to Highway version total added armor is 34 points. 2,514 lbs., $10,340.

Mystic Motors 2044 Leo: Medium Trike, x-hvy. chassis, OR suspension, large power plant with PC, 3 OR PR tires, driver, MG front, HR left linked to HR right, MD rear, body blades, fire extinguisher. Armor: F25, L25, R25, B25, T10, U10. 2-10 point wheelguards, 1-10 point cycle wheelguard. Accel. 5, top speed 90, HC 2 (3 OR); 2,515 lbs., $9,070.
    Pride Option: delete 25 points of armor, move MG to turret. $9,770. Armor: F20, L20, R20, B20, T10, U5.

Trinity Motors 2044 Asmodeus: Heavy Trike, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, super trike power plant with PC and SC, 3 PR tires, driver, gunner, laser with IR and pulse option front, MG rear, SS with hot smoke loads rear linked to MG, fire extinguisher, Hi-Res computer for gunner. Armor: F35, L30, R30, B35, T4, U10, 2-10 point wheelguards and 1-10 point cycle wheelguard. Accel. 5, top speed 105, HC 2; 3,358 lbs., $35,866.
    Deluxe Option: change suspension to OR, tires to OR PR; armor to FP; add brushcutter, LD radio, laser battery. Remove SS, link and 9 points of armor. $38,350 and 3,355 lbs. HC 2 (3 OR).

Amex Combat Autoworks 2044 Cratermaker: Heavy Trike, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, super trike power plant, 3 PR tires, driver, ATG w/HEAT or HESH ammo front, MD rear, MFR rear. Armor: F35, L35, R35, B35, T2, U5, 2-10 point wheelguards, 1-10 point cycle wheelguard. Accel. 5, top speed 95, HC 2; 3,354 lbs., $14,116.
    II Variant: Change suspension to OR, tires to OR PR; remove MFR, 2 points of armor; add HRSWC, 2 SDs with explosive ammo linked to MD. 3,355 lbs., $17,880. HC 2 (3 OR)

Trinity Motors 2044 Lumberjack: Extra-Heavy Trike, x-hvy. chassis, OR suspension, super trike power plant w/HPF*, 3 OR PR tires, driver, gunner, 2 passengers, RR w/HEAT or HESH ammo in turret, MG right linked to MG left, fire extinguisher, burshcutter. Armor: F25, L25, R25, B25, T30, U6, 2-10 point wheelguard, 1-10 point cycle wheelguard. Accel. 5 (10), top speed 95, HC 2 (3 OR); 4,198 lbs., $17,221.
    "Lucky Pierre" Variant: Remove passengers; add 2 SWC (driver-MGs, gunner-RR), 37 points of armor, slope the armor. 4,194 lbs., 19,090.

Macmillan Motors 2044 Hammerhead: Extra-Heavy Reversed Trike, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, super trike power plant w/HPF*, 3 PR tires, driver, RR w/HEAT or HESH ammo in turret, extra RR magazine (HEAT or HESH ammo), MD with extra magazine rear, streamlining. Sloped armor: F40(ramplate), L40, R40, B40, T40, U4, 2-10 point wheelguards, 1-10 point cycle wheelguard. Accel. 5 (10), top speed 105, HC 3; 4,197 lbs., $19,460.

* High Performance Flywheel (see NOVA Works this issue).

MicroAir 2044 Dragonfly: Small helicopter, small helicopter power plant w/PCs and SCs, pilot, 2 linked RRs front with HEAT (or HESH) ammo front, 2 linked SAMS front, SAM rear, HRSWC for RRs, 2 extra main rotors, 2 extra stabilizer rotors. Armor: F60, L60, R60, B60, T60, U60. Accel. 5, top speed 150, HC 3; 9,200 lbs., $64,850.
    Rocket Option: remove SAMS; add 3 SRs (under) $108,350.
    Laser Option: Remove RRs; add 2 linked MLs front. $71,800.

Courier Services 2044 Loadmaster: 30' bus, x-hvy. chassis, medium power plant, 10 solid tires, driver, gunner, 4 passengers, 2 linked RLs in universal turret TF, IRTL in turret and LGL for rockets, MD with magazine rear, HDOJ rear, MG front, MG rear, improved fire extinguisher, infrared, 2 hi-res computers. Cargo capacity: 12 spaces, 2,415 lbs. Armor: F, B, U, Sides 30 each, TF40, TB20, 6-10 point wheelguards. Accel. 2.5/5, top speed 107.5/100 loaded, HC 1; 16,785 lbs., $78,800.
 
 

Roadrunner: A) a race car specially built for a one-lap race. B) a race car with good luck.

Coyote: A) A race car built to catch a roadrunner. B) a race car with bad luck.

Weapons Tester: TARGET store signs the world over.

Missouri Boat Ride: Being aboard an out-of-control vehicle (from the movie The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Popeye: A vehicle with two front-mounted weapons, one of which has been destroyed.
 
 

"It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it." Robert E. Lee

"I never killed anybody that didn't deserve it." Ben Thompson, 2nd Texas Cavalry

"You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word." Robert DeNiro as Al Capone in The Untouchables.
 
 

This issue we feature Mike Garrity's winning sprint car design along with some deep archive entrants. Don't kick the tires; they'll kick back.

Screwed Pooch (Mike Garrity): Streamlined sprint car, x-hvy. chassis, active suspension, BP 250 CI gas engine w/tubular headers, VP turbocharger, supercharger, 5 gallon duelling tank, 4 FPPR racing slicks, driver, FP spoiler & airdam, HD shocks, HD brakes, antilock braking system, overdrive, no-paint windshield, radar, 3 1-space EWPs (R, L, T) w/jettison joints & 100 lbs rocket booster in each, 1 bottle of nitrous oxide, 50 points FP armor. Accel. 25 (20 w/OD), HC 8 (9 at 60+), top speed 170 (190 w/OD), base MPG: 28; 3,168 lbs., $54,305.
    Top speed with no EWPs: 185 (205 w/OD). Speed Bonuses: +100 (total) from rocket boosters, +50% from nitrous oxide.
    Personal Equipment: improved body armor, fireproof suit, personal fire extinguisher - $2,150.

Now we show you the designs used in the first two rounds of the Racing Worlds. Note the stunning lack of design talent (the first round trike design is over-weight, and the second round sedan is designed to make certain that anyone using the F1 design gets massacred).

First Round Trike: Reversed light trike, light chassis, heavy suspension, 100 cid engine, 5 gallon HD gas tank, 3 HD slicks, driver, MML left linked to MML right, spoiler, airdam, Hi-Res computer. Armor: F25, L25, R25, B25, T0, U0. . Accel. 25, top speed 135, HC 5/6 at 60+; $20,000 and 1,600 lbs.

First Round Cycle: Heavy cycle, racing supsension, 100 cid engine, 5 gallon HD gas tank, 2 PR slicks, cyclist, VFPR, TL front and LGL for rockets, cycle windshell. 28 points of armor. Accel. 20, top speed 135, HC 7/8 at 60+; $20,000 and 1,500 lbs.

Lux: F-1, light chassis, 350 cid engine, VP turbocharger, supercharger, 12 gallon racing gas tank, 4 standard slicks, driver, nitrous, active suspension, overdrive, HD brakes, HD shocks, ABS, spolier, airdam, steamlining. Sloped armor: F16, L15, R15, B15, T0, U0. Accel. 25/20 with overdrive, top speed 190/210 with overdrive, HC 9/10 at 60+; $39,937 and 2,992 lbs

Strafe: Sedan, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, 300 cid engine, turbocharger, supercharger, 10 gallon duelling tank, 4 PR slicks, driver, VMG rear with HD ammo, overdrive, HD brakes and shocks, ABS, roll cage, safety seat, HRSWC, improved fire extinguisher, spoiler and airdam, streamlining. Armor: F60 (ramplate), 65 points for remaining locations. Accel. 25/20 with overdrive, top speed 135/155 with overdrive, HC 5/6 at 60+; $39,160 and 6,105 lbs. Price includes spiked impact armor and fireproof suit.

And people wonder why Chris has decided against being in any more SJG tournaments.

Highway Man (USHP Patrol Cruiser): Luxury, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, sport power plant w/PC and SC, 4 FPSB solid tires, driver, passenger, 2 linked MGs front, 2 linked MGs in turret and smart linked to front MGs, ID rear, IRSS, radar, LDR, HD brakes, ABS, hi-res computer, overdrive. 10 points of component armor for driver. FP armor: F40, L30, R30, B30, T30, U15, 2-10 point FP wheelguards, 2-10 point FP wheelhubs. Accel. 10, top speed 122.5 (142.5 w/overdrive), HC 3; 6,550 lbs., $48,350.

Mole: X-hvy. trike, OR suspension, super trike power plant, 3 SBOR solids, cyclist, MG left and right linked with incendiary ammo, GL rear with explosive grenades, fire extinguisher, 10 points of component armor each for driver, MGs, and power plant, hi-res computer, ATAD for GL. FP armor: F23, L20, R20, B20, T15, U15, 2-10 point wheelguards, 1-10 point cycle wheelguard. Accel. 5, top speed 90, HC 2 (3 OR); 3,496 lbs., $24,866.

Slip: Longnose sleeper tractor, x-hvy. chassis, super power plant with PCs and SCs, 10 PRR tires, driver, gunner, VMG front, HMG left and right, LDR, tinted/no paint windshield, HD brakes, ABS, overdrive, streamlining, extra driver controls, 2 hi-res computers. Armor: F60, L60, R60, B60, T60, U22, 6-10 point wheelguards. Accel. 2.5/5, top speed 187.5/207.5 with overdrive unloaded, with trailer 100/120, HC 1; 16,192 lbs., $134,048. Can tow up to 75,800 lbs.
    Version A: Add windjammer, replace HMGs with second VMG front and link. Armor: F65, L60, R60, B60, T60, U28. 16,188 lbs., $132,672.
    Version B: Replace HMGs with VMG with fake weapons; add extra powercell, flush solar panel. Armor: F60, R60, L60, B60, T60, U24. 16,194 lbs., $138,141. Range is 330 miles at 60 mph.
    Version C: Replace VMG with RL, HMGs with MMLs. Armor: F65, L65, R65, B65, T60, U43. 16,198 lbs., $130,992.
    Version D: Replace VMG with HMG, move other HMGs front and link them. Add radar, radar detector, radar jammer, and infrared. Armor: F60, L60, R60, B60, T60, U22. 16,192 lbs., $143,648.
    Version E: Add spoiler & airdam. Armor: F60, L55, R55, B55, T55, U22. 16,192 lbs., $134,218.

Stream (matching trailer to Slip): 40' van trailer, 8 PRR tires, 3 gunners, universal turret with 2 linked VMGs top front and top back, 2 linked VMGs RF and LF, OJ linked to 2 MDs w/napalm ammo and extra magazine rear, streamlining, 3 hi-res computers, 2 sleeping areas, quick-release kingpin. Armor: 50 UF and UB, 100 everywhere else, 4-10 point wheelguards. 16,200 lbs., $101,500. Cargo capacity: 44 spaces.
 
 

The Shadow (1994): Alec Baldwin has the title role in this stylish update of the 1930's radio serial. He plays Lamont Cranston, a reformed opium smuggler who is given "the mysterious power to cloud other men's minds" so that he make up for his past crimes by battling evil. The evil in this picture is conveniently supplied by John Lone, who plays a Fu Manchu-like villain called Shiwan Khan. Shiwan Khan is a descendent of Genghis Khan and self-styled "Emperor of Mankind" who decides to take up where his ancestor left off by using atomic bombs to conquer the world.
    The first step in Shiwan's plot is to steal a prototype atomic weapon and hold New York City for several billion dollars in ransom. The Shadow's efforts are complicated by the fact that Shiwan Khan has the same powers as he does. In his war against Shiwan's evil the Shadow is aided by a vast network of agents composed of people whose lives he has saved. He is also assisted by his sidekick/love interest Margo Lane (Penelope Ann Miller). Margo Lane also happens to be telepathic, which evidently makes her immune to the Shadow's mental powers.
    This movie is recommended to those people who like action and adventure. It conveys the excitement of gunfights, car chases and hand-to-hand combats without the gratuitous violence that is part and parcel of most modern movies of this type.

The Cars That Ate Paris: A cult classic from Down Under. Paris, Australia is a town where cars are definitely not welcome. Said cars are driven by people that attack passers-by and rob them. There's the usual conflict between the two factions in town with the usual result, the town is destroyed (eaten) by the cars. The film is slow at points and has few highlights. A Chassis and Crossbow-style Car Wars film.
 
 

Well, that is the last of the fires. Psycho is resting at the Ratner Memorial Hospital. He went a little stir crazy and I had to handle this latest episode.
    Before I forget, I mention that the latest NOVA Works catalog is nearing completion. It's good, and it wasn't done overseas. New gizmos and weapons fill the pages. Expect it this fall.
    The club championships are upon us again. Who will win the top spots this year? Will Chris be dethroned? Will Mike (the reigning Racing World Champion) win the club racing championship? These questions and more will be answered in our next issue of the Nightmessenger.

Drive Offensively!
 
 

Norman McMullen	Chris French
NOVA President	NOVA Vice President

 

NOVA Works:
Racing bodies: Norman McMullen
Seaplanes: Chris French
Revised Racing Car Bodies: Mike Garrity
High Performance Flywheels: Chris French

10 O'clock News:
Norman McMullen, Jay Chladek and Chris French

Convention Reports:
Norman McMullen, Tim Jacques, Mike Garrity and Chris French

Nuts & Bolts by Norman McMullen

2044 Vehicle Guide Update:
Lux, Strafe, First Round Trike and Cycle by SJG
2044 Imp, Sportster, Sandcrab, Leo, Asmodeus, Cratermaker, Lumberjack, Hammerhead, and Dragonfly by Chris French
Courier Services 2044 Coaster by Chris French
Courier Services Coaster II and 2044 Loadmaster by Don Jacques

Duelslang by Norman McMullen and Mike Garrity

Quotes and Cube Logs by Mike Garrity

Showroom:
Screwed Pooch by Mike Garrity
Highway Man and Mole by Ron Soller
Slip and Stream by Norman McMullen

The World "Out There" by Norman McMullen

Typesetting by Don Jacques

Editors: Don Jacques, Chris French, and Norman McMullen
 
 

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