Crazy Race

Crazy Race, manufactured by Recel S.A. of Madrid, Spain in August 1978, is a four-player solid-state electronic pinball machine that embodies the essence of auto racing thrills. Recel was one of Spain's notable pinball makers, and this game runs on the company's own custom Recel System III MPU, a design based on the Rockwell PPS4 chipset, like early Gottlieb solid-state machines, but incompatible with any other manufacturer's boards.

The gameplay is engaging thanks to its array of interactive features. Players get two flippers for precise control over the ball's trajectory, while two pop bumpers and three slingshots add a dynamic element. Three standup targets and a spinning target provide opportunities for high-scoring shots, and a 3-bank of drop targets plus a kick-out hole further challenge players to work the playfield efficiently.

An 'Extra Ball' indicator lamp mounted on the apron is a neat design touch, both functional and a bit of visual flair. Recel was the name the company used for its export games; the same machine was sold domestically in Spain as Petaco's 'Crazy Race'. For collectors, it stands as an appealing piece of Spanish pinball history.