The Bizarre Rides of DiRT

When we first started chugging through the career mode in Codemasters' latest racer, DiRT, we expected to sample a number of standard rally cars. It wasn't long before we had a Lancer Evo and an Impreza WRX STI in our garage. Standard stuff, but certainly enjoyable. What we weren't expecting (aside from the Spanish Inquisition), were some of the more abstract racing vehicles. In tier 3 of career mode you'll get behind the wheel of a modified truck cab and, well, a dump truck.

These unique race experiences don't come often in career mode. The odd racing vehicles certainly seem a little silly in action, but they provide a nice change of pace from the normal rally fare.

Motocross champ (and recent rally race convert) Travis Pastrana narrates all aspects of the career mode. He even has a breakdown of every vehicle. Along with vital stats and our own impressions, we included Pastrana's words of wisdom.

Freightliner Centruy Class S/T Power to Weight Ratio: 308 hp/ton Torque: 2697 ft-lbf Wheelbase: 155 in Drive Train: RWD Travis Pastrana says: "Hard to fault across the board... not many that can match it."

The Freightliner has some surprising speed, but turns about as well as a donkey on a bender. First used in a Hill Climb event, the Century Class S/T comes equipped with a massive spoiler. It is perhaps the most ridiculous thing you will ever see in a racer. For the true trucker experience, switch to the dashboard view. It's just too bad you can't use the CB to hail your buddies.

Kamaz 4911 Power to Weight Ratio: 64 hp/ton Torque: 1991 ft-lbf Wheelbase: 165 in Drive Train: 4WD Travis Pastrana says: "It's strong and reliable... loses out [in] speed."

The modded dump truck races begin on Tier 3 of career mode. Used in a Rally Raid (a six-car race that includes navigator co-pilots), the Kamaz 4911 is a real beast. These trucks are so massive; you can't even fit two on the roadway. This causes lots of bumper kisses as the mammoth metal machines battle for position. Should you get in the clear, you may experience one of the true joys of dump truck racing -- turning with too much speed. Heading fast into a turn, you are certain to lift onto two wheels. The question is, will you maintain balance or will you flip over and take yourself out of the race?

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