As we are moving ever closer to the return of the legend that is SEGA Rally, I decided to go off-road with the guys that are making the game to get an inside look at life working on SEGA Rally.

First in the series, I play co-driver to Chris Southall, Head of Technology at the Rally Studio. Based up in Solihull in the Midlands, Chris tells us all about SEGA Rally and how he ended up making games for a living.

Co-Driver Dave: Which games are you playing at the moment?
Chris Southall: PGR 3 (again), Forza II, Colin Dirt, God of War II, Shadow of the Colossus, oh and SEGA Rally 1995 (we have a dual cab in the corner of the room).

What is your role on SEGA Rally?
I’m the head of technology in the Studio, which means I am in charge of all the programming basically.

What real-life experiences have you drawn on to help in making SEGA Rally?
Well I played the 1995 version Rally A LOT in the Arcade, and then on the Saturn with that wheel you had to lodge under your legs! Oh, and I’ve sat in a few rally cars going quite fast in my time.

Who is the best SEGA Rally player in the office? And the worst?
Jamie (Lowes) - he has spent every day for 18 months working on the handling, which kinda gives him an advantage. I’m not telling you the worst.

Who are the best and worst real drivers in the studio?
Judging by karting events I’ve been at, Guy (Wilday) - the studio head. The worst would have to be Jan, one of our network programmers, who’s a reckless driver in his spare time.

Who is your all-time favourite driver? Why?
Nigel Mansell - mainly because of the eyebrows!

What car do you drive? Why?
To be precise it’s an A3 2.0 T FSI S-Line special edition - simply because now that I have kids the two-seater had to give way to something more practical.

What five vehicles would you have sitting in your fantasy garage? Why?
Firstly, a sky blue 1978 Vauxhall Chevette - fond memories of my first car.

Then it would have to be a Bugatti Venron for the autobahn, an RS6 to get to work in, a VW Transporter Sportline for holidays.

And lastly, a decent mountain bike for, well… biking up and down mountains.

What’s the fastest speed you’ve ever travelled in a road vehicle?
That would be about 150 in an RX8 I used to own, and I’m not saying where that was.

Name your favourite movie car chase?
That has to be the one in Taxi by Luc Besson.

What were your favourite TV shows as a kid?
I can’t really remember - the 70s was a long time ago, but the Great Egg Race & Tomorrows World were pretty good (sorry, I’m a bit of a geek).

Which toy could you never seem to put down as a child?
The BBC Micro I learnt to program on; does that count (once again, I play the geek card)?

If you could listen to one tune while you drive, what would it be?
This is maybe a bit sad but it was on the radio as I drove to work this morning - Stairway to Heaven (Led Zepplin)

You’re stranded on a desert island, which car part would you take with you, and why?
The rear view mirror, and I’m sure Ray Mears would agree

If you weren’t making games, you’d be…?
Hanging around Ton-Sai beach (Thailand) or up a mountain somewhere I hope.

Describe SEGA Rally in five words?
It’s really quite good fun.

Over the coming months well be talking to more of the fellas working on SEGA Rally.  So look out for our weekly interview, which will appear every Friday right here on the SEGA Europe blog.

To find out more about SEGA Rally visit the official website at www.segarally.com we have videos, screens, downloads and much more. Plus, you can register to receive updates and exclusive offers.