The Best Sports Essays 2024

1. Flag to Flag Cart Racing

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Sega's Flag to Flag CART Racing brings the world's fastest closed-circuit auto racing to Sega Dreamcast. Fully licensed by CART and designed with the help of CART's champion "Team Rahal," Sega has created an accurate and realistic racing game for console gaming. Hold on tight as you race through 19 real-life tracks including superspeed ovals, street, and road courses. Choose from 27 official CART drivers from 17 different teams with authentic . The graphics engine creates exact replicas of both cars and courses down to the sponsor decals. Watch out for the variable weather and lighting. With multiple gameplay modes (from Arcade to Simulation), you'll be ready to burn rubber. REVIEW A surprising release in Japan shortly after the Dreamcast launch (considering C.A.R.T. racing is much more popular in America), Sega's CART Flag to Flag attempts to deliver the hands-on thrills of the sport in 128-bit power. While it's a quality effort, some glaring shortcomings and an overall lack of "oomph" relegate this game to "could've been better" status. Let us dissect. Developed by Zoom - those wacky guys responsible for the Zero Divide series and the obscure import fighter Rurouni Kenshin - Flag to Flag is more of a filler title for the Dreamcast's American launch than anything else. This becomes even more obvious with games like Scud Racer and Daytona 2 brewing on the horizon. As far as value is concerned, Flag to Flag certainly fulfills its responsibilities by providing 19 tracks to race on (Gold Coast, Laguna Seca, Rio De Janeiro, Gateway International, etc.), all the professional teams you could want to play as (Al Unser Jr.'s team, Bobby Rahal's, and so on), and arcade and championship modes. Arcade mode obviously brings a simple "slam the gas and pass" mentality to the game, while championship mode offers a more in-depth approach to C.A.R.T. racing. In championship mode, you can use a practice round to familiarize yourself with the upcoming track, tweak your car settings, participate in a qualifying session, and finally enter the race itself. Car settings let you manipulate things like tire compounds, aerodynamics, fuel, suspension, gear ratio, and the transmission. Other options include weather settings, race length, car damage, corner signs, and full-course caution signs. Otherwise, everything here is basically straightforward. This is, after all, a racing game.CART Flag to Flag's visuals are of consistently high quality, with two attractive "in-cockpit" perspectives to really give you the feeling of having your butt eight inches over the tarmac. In fact, one of those views even causes the "driver" to wipe the dirt from his visor on occasion. Track elements like dirt or sand will appear on your tires should you hit a shoulder or trackside, and the side-mounted rearview mirrors offer realistic reflections of the racers behind you. Unfortunately, of the 19 available tracks, seems particularly different from each other, and everything seems to have a hazy, overcast feel to it. Some dramatic light sourcing could have helped matters, but everything seems a bit pale in . The game runs at a smooth 30fps, which isn't bad considering the far line of sight you get with little draw-in and the large number of racers on track. The sounds seem to have been recorded from actual vehicles to enhance authenticity. Each car gives a different rumble, and they all have a different feel when you are driving them. The game is also compatible with Sega's racing wheel accessory, so armchair racers can really get into it. The problem, however, is the intrinsic nature of CART racing itself, which is mainly to drive around a large oval. Sure, tracks like Laguna Seca and Cleveland offer nasty corners and twists, but more often than not, it's big ovals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Set the game to a high number of laps and you may dive the track in your sleep. If it weren't for the convincing sense of speed and the great in-cockpit view, this game might just be one of the blandest racing "experiences" of the generation. The Dreamcast equivalent of Sega's F1 Challenge for the Saturn, Flag to Flag fulfills all its obligations, yet never really goes beyond them. Aimed mainly at the C.A.R.T. fan, other Dreamcast owners waiting for a great racer would be better advised to look into Sega Rally 2. --James Mielke --Copyright 1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc. -- GameSpot Review

Brand New,Sealed

2. Weber 2820 Smokey Mountain Cooker/Smoker

- Charcoal smoker for authentic smokehouse flavor at home - The bowl and lid are made of premium-grade steel coated with porcelain enamel that won't rust or fade - Made of porcelain-enameled steel 2 nickel-plated inch-wide cooking grates - Can accommodate a whole turkey and an entire ham at the same time - Measures 41 by 19 by 19 inches 10-year limited

Product DescriptionWhen there is no denying your hunger for slow-cooked barbecue, the Smokey Mountain Cooker can handle your craving. With two inch cooking grates, the Smokey Mountain Cooker can smoke a turkey and a ham at the same time. With it's porcelain-on-steel coating, rust-resistant aluminum fuel door, solid wood handle, it's designed to last for years to come..comThere's nothing better than slow-cooked barbecue. And, there's no better way to get authentic smokehouse flavor at home than with the Smokey Mountain Cooker/Smoker. Perfect for large gatherings, it's easy to cook a whole turkey and an entire ham at the same time in this roomy charcoal smoker. So there's no need to plunge straight into ham prep when you still haven't recovered from baking the turkey. Made of premium-grade steel, the smoker has two, triple-nickel-plated cooking grates measuring inches in diameter-plenty of room for larger birds. Individual vents on the bowl and lid offer optimal air-flow control for tender meats and longer-burning charcoal. Rust-resistant aluminum vents and an aluminum fuel door ensure years of clean use. The bowl and lid are coated with porcelain enamel for optimal corrosion resistance. And, a porcelain-enameled water pan adds steam to the cooking process, so meats stay moist and juicy. Maintenance-free, glass-reinforced, nylon handles withstand the elements for the life of this innovative charcoal grill. The Smoky Mountain measures 41 by 19 by 19 inches, and rests easily on a park bench or patio. The purchase includes a Weber cookbook, a heavy-duty vinyl cover, and is covered by a 10-year limited .--Brian OlsonP.when('A').execute(function(A) {A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) {window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100)})})From the ManufacturerCharcoal fueledRust-resistant fuel doorTwo triple nickel-plated cooking gratesThe cooking grate surface area is inches in diameterThe bowl and lid are constructed of premium-grade steel coated with porcelain enamel for years of rust-free, dependable service.Includes Weber cookbookHeavy-duty vinyl cover keeps your grill protected from the elements.Maintenance-free handles withstand the elements for the life of the grill.Individual vents on bowl and lid control air flow, affecting cooking heat and charcoal life.Porcelain-enameled water pan adds steam to the cooking process, so meats stay juicy..See more

3. Running Through Roadblocks

Never give up! It's not just a rallying cry but the everyday philosophy for twenty heroic athletes. Jerry Del Priore chronicles the trials and tribulations of these warrior athletes who inspire through optimism in the face of life-changing adversity. These indomitable spirits have battled life's greatest challenges to show the world that winning doesn't always mean getting across the finish line first.

Running Through Roadblocks (Paperback)

4. Banana Wind

Banana Wind

Banana Wind

5. YOU GROW CLOSER

YOU GROW CLOSER

YOU GROW CLOSER

6. Garden Pals Garden Bypass Pruner

Keep your plants pruned with a Garden Pals Bypass Pruner. It features a spring action closure and ergonomic styled handles for precise pruning. This Garden Pals pruner works to snip and clip dead stems and weeds away from your plants so that they can maintain a healthy appearance and have optimal growth. You can even use them to cut off stems from your herb plants to use in the kitchen. It's a tool suited for beginner gardeners or those with a green thumb.

Garden Pals Garden Bypass Pruner: Cut away dead stems and leaves with ease Garden bypass pruner features spring action closure Ergonomic handle shape Prune away weeds and keep plants and flowers healthy Multicolored outdoor gardening tool Suitable for beginners or advanced gardeners

7. Garden Pals Deluxe 27-inch Bypass Lopper

New Item! This deluxe 27-inch bypass lopper helps finish gardening jobs quickly and easily.

1-inch diameter cutting capacity Lightweight design Rust-free aluminum handles Drop-forged steel blades Nonslip grips

8. Double Size Hammock

Double Size Hammock

Handmade from nylon and other materials, this hammock is strong enough for two adults to lounge away the day. Portable and compact you can take this hammock along on almost any outing. This hammock is comfortable, yet rugged and durable for camping, at the cottage, or in the backyard.Length: 108" (274.3 cm).Rope Length: 63" (160 cm).

9. Pulverizer Trimmer Line .095

Get your yard work done in no time with help from this .095 Pulverizer Trimmer Line. It's ideal for edging grass and cutting back weeds. This professional trimmer line offers enough for 40 refills on a standard spool. It's recommended for use with curved- and straight-shaft tools. This line has a red color and is designed to offer more cutting time.

Pulverizer Trimmer Line .095: For edging and trimming grass Approximately enough line for 40 refills on a standard trimmer spool Professional grade premium trimmer line Recommended for curved-shaft and straight-shaft trimmers Engineered to last longer and resolve bump head welding concerns Brand: Shakespeare Made in the USA

10. Weed Warrior Premium Trimmer Line

Shakespeare .105 in. x 220 ft. Premium Trimmer Line - Ensure a clean and even cutting finish on your yard with the help of this Premium Trimmer Line. This product is made of professional grade material. The Pulverizer trimmer line by Shakespeare is used for edging and trimming grass and is recommended for straight- and curved-shaft tools. It provides approximately 11 refills on a standard trimmer spool. The package already includes a line cutter for quick and easy use.

Weed Warrior Premium Trimmer Line Includes a line cutter Pulverizer by Shakespeare For trimming and edging grass and weeds Professional trimmer line with approximately 11 refills on a standard spool More cutting time per refill