When I became ADQ editor, almost two years ago, I also became AADA administrator. while there aren't lots of AADA local chapters nationwide - the number has hovered between one and two dozen since I've been onboard - they bear the lion's share of the credit for keeping Car Wars more than just another game. Though they make up only a fraction of all AADA members ADQ contributors are members of AADA chapters.
So I thought I'd devote this space to recognizing a few of the most active and enthusiastic local chapters. We sincerely appreciate all our local chapters, but the following clubs go above and beyond the call of duty.
Driving Tigers: Some beneficent muse has granted these New Yorkers a whole barrelfull of literary talent, including Robert Garrita (who wrote last issue's fiction piece). Laura Tripoli (who writes this issue's) and club president Christopher Burke, who edits the still sadly under-distributed Car Wars fiction fanzine, coincidentally named Driving tigers. For information on Driving Tiger magazine, write Christopher Burke at 127 Bay 23 St., Brooklyn, NY 11214.
Ghost, of course. This rookie chapter came out of nowhere to capture all three of the top spots at the 2041 worlds, setting this year's standard for smart, tough duelling. can they repeat in '42? That's the question on everybody's lips.
GODS: The Greater Orlando Duellist Society, under the leadership of John M. Hurtt, is probably my personal favorite chapter. their remarkable enthusiasm combined with a constantly cheerful and helpful attitude make them a model of what an AADA chapter should be. see pp. 4-5 for a visible and impressive example of GODS' efforts on behalf of the autoduelling hobby.
NOVA - that's right, NOVA. Obnoxious? Maybe, sometimes, but also active! For several years now NOVA has been aggressively (and I do mean Aggressively) promoting Car Wars through the good times and the bad. While they don't always see eye-to-eye with SJ? Games or the rest of the autoduelling community, their fundamental loyalty to the game has never wavered. Say, somebody check me on this, but since RCADA dissolved (RIP), doesn't that make NOVA the longest-lived extant chapter?
Chapters to watch: TRAACS, out of Colorado Springs, is an aggressive club that seems to be aiming to give NOVA a run for their title as the most vocal club in the midwest. GBAH, from Hanover, Germany, is small club taking on the daunting task of bringing the AADA to a whole continent with enthusiasm and vigor.
Thanks to all of the above, and to all the other chapters out there.
And if you have four friends, and you all like to play Car Wars, why on earth haven't you chartered your own AADA chapter already?
Near Misses
Mike Piacsek writes to tell us that the demented "Family Wars" scenario from Muskogee Mayhem was originally the creation of Piacsek, Pete Hallenberg and the other members of the now-defunct Lex Talionis. Consider yourself credited, Mike and sorry about the wait.
Here's one for Murphy's Rules - a completely literal reading of the acceleration rules in Car Wars Tanks might lead one to believe that it's possible to build a tank with a top speed somewhere in the same neighborhood as a Lear Jet's. To correct the problem of a supersonic armor buzzing around the map, Tanks writer Craig Sheeley says, "Due to the intricate construction and natural velocity limitations of caterpillar track systems, no tracked or half-tracked vehicle may move faster than 100 MPH, no matter how much power is supplied to the tracks." We might refine this rule a bit later on, but for now it's the official fix to high-speed armor problem.
- Chris W. McCubbin
What's New
We've finally got the tentative schedule for 1992 done, and it looks like it's going to be a good year for Car Wars.
First of all, by now you've all seen the explosive end o the first Car Warriors comics series from Epic Comics. If you want to see more adventures of Chevy Vasquez, don't tell us - tell Marvel.
In the meantime, though, you shouldn't be hurting for good autodueling fiction, because SJ Games has reached an agreement with Tor Books to publish Car Warriors novels (not directly based on the comic book of the same title). The first novel, already complete, is written by none other than David Drake, the writer of the extremely popular Hammer's Slammers science fiction series! the second novel will be written by Mick Farren, author of the science fiction novel "Protectorate." Tor hasn't given us the final publishing schedule yet, but look for them both in '92.
SJ Games isn't going to be taking the year off, though. Not by a long shot. Uncle Al's Catalog From Hell (yes, we're really going to call it that) is in playtest as I write this, and seems to be on track for December release.
Craig Sheeley will follow up the Catalog From Hell with the long-awaited, expanded version of chassis and Crossbow, scheduled for release in the first half of '92.
Our other Car Wars project for next year (still in the preliminary discussion stage), carries the tentative title Car Wars: Golden Spike. This two-part boxed set will carry rules for heavy transport in the 21st century - cargo ships (and their escorts subs), transport planes, and even trains! Trains? In 2042? Well, not quite. You see, the second part of Golden Spike will be a campaign book, detailing the audacious plans of a corporation whose goal is to re-establish the transcontinental railroad. The players can choose to aid or resist this second opening of the American frontier.
On the GURPS side of the fence, next year will still be a great year for autoduellists! David Pulver's GURPS Vehicles has been getting rave reviews in playtesting, and it should be on the shelves early in the year. And the moment Vehicles is out, we plan to start work on GURPS Autoduel Second Edition (also GURPS Mecha, if that particular sort of vehicular action is your bag)!
