Modesto Heights

Modesto Heights
Artwork of Modesto Heights in Wipeout HD Fury
Location	Makana
Length	4576m
Elevation Change	211m
Track Material	Aluminium
How to Unlock	HD: Download Fury Expansion Pack

Modesto Heights is a racetrack located on the man-made Hawaiian island of Makana. It was first introduced in Wipeout Pure, and reappeared in Wipeout HD as part of the Fury expansion pack.

Description

Wipeout Pure

Reinforced rock-crete through the tenements and metro-link of the old Modesto Hi-Stacks.

Overview

Built further inland of Vineta K, Modesto Heights takes pilots through the slums and industrial belt of the city of Vineta. A more technical challenge than The K, pilots should prepare themselves for a lap that includes tight chicanes, banking turns, and a large jump on the straightaway.

Potential trouble spots include the weaving section through the industrial area, as smoke and debris from weapon fire, in combination with the pollution, can bring visibility dangerously low. Modesto Heights remains a challenge at every speed class, and is a good introduction to the more advanced aspects of AG racing.

Landmarks

Levitone Stand

Formerly known as the Modesto Stadia, the stadium serves as the start/finish line for the Modesto Heights track, built over the busy financial district of Vineta. An unusual incident during 2197 pre-season testing involved a heat-seeking missile and a "Phanktonne-Dog" stand. As such, "Fendoff-Sturm" 21 energy screens have been installed to the open coach stands.

Adams' Dive

Actually known as Severin Descent, Adams' Dive is the nickname given to this section of track by AG fans. The name comes from Vineta K surfer Cory Adams, who fell off the overhead Earl Kobayashi Bridge (now the Sigam Span) whilst trying to climb it.

Scleradome Research Hub

Half the track winds its way through the concealed laboratories of Scleradome. It is connected to the sunlight from Adams' Dive to Kotas Brink.

Lucas Skyway

After the pilots arise from the old city at Kotas Brink, they approach the banked right corner past the famous 'Rouge' Sector, Modesto's premier shopping district. Overhead is the Lucas Skyway linking both sides of the Sector whilst giving a great view over the action on circuit.

Sigam Span

(Formerly called the Earl Kobayashi Bridge, named after the inventor of non-diuretic coffee) This is commonly where the race is won or lost at Modesto Heights. After the right kink past the Modesto Mono-Terminal, the pilots have almost a kilometre to consolidate their position before the final corner and the finish line. If that wasn't hard enough, they've got to navigate Earl Gap, a straight jump that has been the scene of many disapointments and crashes. It's also a good test of the grav dampers.

Track Guide

Straight away you are met with two 90 degree right turns in quick succession. This can be treated as a shallow hairpin. Turn towards the apex and aim to brush it as you take the turn. Your ship needs to end up on the left hand side of the track ready to do the same thing with the next one. Coming out of the second turn you are met with a long declining straight. Stay over to the left if you want to hit a speed pad before going down the straight. There are two more speed pads further down, one on the right followed a short way along by one on the left. Stay to the left unless you plan on crashing in the next corner.

The next section is brutal if you're in a heavy craft. There is a sharp right turn at the bottom of the straight that is inclined. Be careful not to overturn here, the slope will pull your craft over to the right. On exiting, there are two sharp turns to the left, quickly followed by a shallow right on the exit. If you can exit the previous turn facing slightly over to the right, you can swing the back end round into the first left, the second left may require a bit of sideshifting to line you up for the exit. Once you're through there, there is a double speed pad waiting. Hit that and take the quick left-right chicane, trying to end up over to the left to hit the speed pad. Swing back over to the right to hit the speed pad before the evil chicane section. Upon hitting this speed pad, immediately try to line yourself up so you're as close to the central line through the turns as possible, you can then take them simply by using a series of quick taps to the left and right as necessary. On exiting, there is another double speed pad over to the right.

The next turn is a fairly shallow right hairpin sloping towards the right. The slope means you don't have to steer as sharply as you'd think, try to let the corner take itself. There is a speed pad on the left near the vertex if you want it, but on exiting, try to end up on the right. There is a small grid of speed pads here, with a double on the right. Hit the double and go over the jump. Barrel roll here and be ready for a 90 degree right turn. It's very easy on the higher speed classes to turn too early and hit the apex, you might want to avoid barrel rolling until you're confident you can take the final turn. Once through, boost over the line to finish.

Gallery

Levitone Stand at the finish line

Inside the Scleradome Research Hub

Sigam Span

Trivia

• Unlike in Wipeout Pure, the HD Fury version is not heavily polluted and visibility is normal. In addition, the buildings are cleaner and has a vibrant life within the environment.