Smells like Pole Position!
Turbo was an arcade game released by Sega in 1981. This was the first game ever to feature the now common semi-first person viewpoint (above and behind), that almost all modern racing games utilize (most previous racing games used a top-down perspective). The first thing many people think when playing Turbo is that it is just another Pole Position rip-off. That simply isn't true. Turbo came out before Pole Position (Namco and Atari actually ripped off Turbo to a large extent when they made Pole Position).
Well, you've been around a bit, well, like you've...uh...you've played this game.
This title is fairly simple in idea. You have to pass as many cars as possible before time runs out. If you pass enough cars (30 usually), you get to move on to the next level (although level is kind of a misnomer, as the game never really stops, you simply switch screens instantly to the new level). The only real problem with this game is the poor transitions between various screens. They simply happen instantly, one moment you are in a tunnel, and the next you are in the snow. This can mean an instant crash if you are too close to the edge when the road switches to a narrower section.
You should begin the game with a lead foot, never let up on the gas. Crashing at the beginning will only hold you back a second or two while your car reforms. Once you finish the first stage (that is if you manage to finish), the game will count down all the cars you passed, and reset the timer. Now you should begin driving cautiously, as you can only crash once from this point on (a second crash will end the game). It is possible to rack up a few extra bonus cars from getting good scores, but it is very difficult, I can't even get more than one extra one with any measure of certainty.
No one can be told what Turbo is, you have to see it for yourself
Turbo came in three different cabinet styles. The first (and most common), was an enclosed sit down cabinet. Less common were the two stand up variations (both a full sized model and a smaller cabaret version). The sitdown and full sized standup models both featured full top to bottom painted sideart of cars in action (while the cabaret version was simply labeled "Turbo: on the side).
All Turbo machines were controlled by a steering wheel (with full 360 degree rotation), gas pedal (optical), and a high/low shifter. These controls where of exceptional quality, they still feel perfect even after 21 years and 130,000 plays on my machine. The Sitdown and upright machines both used an Nanoa 20" monitor (which was very resistant to burn in). Unfortunately these monitors are impossible to find now, and no one really makes a suitable replacement (I had to replace mine with a 19" model from Wells Gardner).
The Turbo games also had a few innovations in the general design of their dedicated cabinets. They had no top marquee, instead the monitor glass simply extended all the way to the top of the machine. Top scores were kept on a LED panel to the left of the screen (unfortunately these scores reset every time you turn the game off). Turbo also used 3-channel audio (which was practically unheard of in 1981). Standard stereo speakers behind the control panel played most of the sounds, while a huge 12" subwoofer down by the coin box played the engine noises.
Sadly the PCB boards in Turbo games were subject to a wide variety of failures (as where many of the other components). Making Turbo machines fairly rare today (it is truly a wonder that mine still works perfectly).