Below is an account from Italian amusement operator Giuseppe Croce (Naples, Italy) about his efforts to mix business with pleasure by combining pinball with the Naples "RedBull Soapbox race"!
"June 7, 2003-- For the first time, a competition for those crazy
self-made racing cars, like the famous Soapbox Derby in America, was held
in Naples. With a group of friends, we decide to join the competition with
a muscle-car all made by us. But how do we start? Thanks to my work as an
arcade operator, I'm practically surrounded by coin-op machines of every
kind, so the idea was to use a real pinball machine and modify it to
race!!!! "Just imagine it! A nice pinball transformed into a big "Hot
Wheels," driving up and down the streets of Naples!" I kept saying to my
friends. Soon they were playing around with the same idea. There was a
handshake and the "Bullwinkle Team" was created!"
"With no more than 30 days before the race, we began the investigation and
design of our car, including the selection of a pinball which was
esthetically nice as well as funny. So we chose a Rocky & Bullwinkle &
Friends (from Data East) and, after playing a last game on it, we started
the disassembly and removal of the electrical components inside the
cabinet and backbox, as well as all of the hardware. Next it was time to
apply the wheels. Two alloy steel axle shafts were bolted to the underside
of the cabinet and then we mounted large, classic spoke wheels for that
extra touch. The spokes, while looking cool, also allow for a good view of
the game's graphics behind each wheel. We also added strength and support
to the cabinet with some L-squares in the corners."
"We added rack and pinion steering and used a steering wheel from an old
Sega's "OUTRUN" videogame and ended up with quite a good turning system. The
pinball machine legs were not removed. They were just cut at the bottom of
the cabinet to keep as much of the look of a pinball as possible! The
playfield formed the hood of the car and before we cut it to make access
for the driver, we moved some ramps and other components forward to show
the best parts of the original playfield. Then we added some finishing
touches like pinball bumper caps that were used as hubcaps."
We actually managed to build a working car. Everyone who saw it running
down the streets of Naples seemed amused and enjoyed the unusual sight..and
we ended-up as the winners!
The Bullwinkle Team it's formed by:
Giuseppe Croce (driver and head of the group)
Gianluca Chierchia (trained technician)
Suavek Tmoskj (mechanician)
Adriano Giglio and Carlo Di Maio (invaluable help and support)
We also thanks the official sponsor, the Tilt! staff,
which supported us in this crazy project!
The pictures!
During the manufacturing process...
Road test!
A little more difficult...
...even in the turns, the roadholding is perfect!
It's a plane? It's a rocket? It's Superman? No, it's a pinball!!
VICTORY AT LAST!!
Richly deserved celebrations...!!
Front...
...and back of the winning car!
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