thank you very much everyone for the excellent feedback! the game is still very much a WIP, and I will be adding more graphics, vehicles, and sounds before it is complete.
as for ports, I think I have some exciting news... Newton has been released on the MAC platform, and a Linux version is also in the works! which means that since I'm using Ogre and CEGUI, I should be able to get this game working on all 3 platforms eventually!
as far as I know I'm not doing anything in my code that will cause portability problems, so once the game gets closer to complete I hope to find someone willing to port / compile my game on MAC. I have debian on my system, so hopefully once the linux version of Newton is out, I'll be able to handle that port myself
right now I'm working on fixing the scale of the objects, they are already much improved on my home system. I'm also looking to add some particle effects as well. then I'll add some sounds with FMOD.
I have also experienced an occasional crash when clicking the "GO" button... I'm not entirely sure what the problem is... I will keep an eye out while I work on other parts, and see if I can determine what conditions cause the crash.
MrSandman666 - perhaps I should add an option where holding the "SHIFT" key works like the middle mouse? I know some systems/mice handle the hiddle wheel differently...
Here are other basic game features I absolutely intend to add:

improved camera system with multiple angles!

some kind of "instant replay" system... this I think is absolutely necessary for this type of game!