Rally racing means nothing unless you can appreciate how sexy the cars look covered in mud, and Keith Burden appreciates this more than most. That’s why he’s Lead Car Artist on SEGA Rally, which means he’s the man the makes the vehicles a joy to behold…

Q… What are your all-time favourite video games?
Manic Miner, Space Harrier, After Burner, GTA Vice City, GranTurismo2, StarCraft

Q… What games are you playing at the moment?
Dawn of War Dark Crusade and After Burner on the PSP

Q… Are there any real-world experiences you’ve drawn upon to help make SEGA Rally?
I have an unhealthy addiction to shiny painted car surfaces.

Q… Who is the best SEGA Rally player in the office? And the worst?
Jamie Lowes or Mark Mainey probably…I’m possibly the worst but I’ve heard our office manager isn’t that good either LOL!

Q… Who is the best driver in the studio? And the worst?
Well I would say Guy my boss is…but secretly I know I am!  I’d probably say that the people in the studio who don’t drive wouldn’t be that good behind the wheel.

Q… Who is your all-time favourite driver? Why?
Ayrton Senna - the best F1 driver ever, and because he helped develop one of the best sport cars in history.

Q… What car do you drive? Why?
1998 Honda Prelude and a 1969 Riley Elf.  The Elf is old skool, pimpin, badboy goodness (and cheap to run/keep), and the Lude is slowly being turning into Kit from Knight Rider.

Q… What five vehicles would you have sitting in your fantasy garage? Why?
Aston Martin DBR9 - because it’s automotive sex.
Suzuki Hayabusa - because it’s Japanese motorbike madness.
Honda NSX Type R GT - A JGTC car for the road.
1968-69 Karmann Ghia Coupe - sweet, sweet 60’s coolness.
1962 Corvette Mako Shark - The best looking Corvette ever made.

Q… What is the fastest speed you’ve ever travelled in a road vehicle?
137 miles an hour.

Q… Name your favourite movie car chase?
The end of ‘Smokey and the Bandit’…you know the bit with all the trucks and police cars…or maybe the Mustang scene from ‘Gone in Sixty Seconds’ (original version).

Q… What were your favourite TV shows as a kid?
Transformers, Centurions, Thundercats, Star Fleet, and Battle of the Planets.

Q… Which toy could you never seem to put down as a child?
Gobot Cy-Kill, Transformers Ravage, and a ‘74 Stutz BlackHawk Hot Wheels car that I custom sprayed.

Q… If you could listen to one tune while you drive, what would it be?
Soldier - Eminem

Q… You’re stranded on a desert island, which car part would you take with you?
The petrol.

Q… If you weren’t making games, you’d be…?
A car mechanic or body shop bloke.

Keith has also been talking to us in a bit more depth about all the cars featured in SEGA Rally. The blog features some great artwork of each car and is sure to have you salivating with excitement. Check them out now - click here

Otherwise, be sure to check back next Thursday for next week’s interview, where we’ll be Co-Driving with Dave Hosier, programmer on SEGA Rally.

Visit the official website now to watch the brand new environmental sizzle trailers - www.segarally.com