race-track building?? help

I'm going to recreate a racing-game environment, like a track from GranTurismo for example.  what is the best way to go about it?

does anyone know of any good resources?? I'd like pictures/wireframes/tutorials etc of how to go about this..
poly-count limits? how many/what type of textures/mapping etc.. all that stuff.

any info much appreciated!!
thanks

Piers
www.pierscoe1.co.uk

try creating a nurb spline across the path you want to create (you can use points to create this spline) and create the cross sections of your track and simpliy extrude/loft the cross section on the spline.  you might want to make sure the detail level is on the low side to ensure that the track is not too high poly.  just make extensions off the spline to add the side roads. :)