Race 3: It's All About Style And Finesse

Drift Race
Location: Drift Track 1
Approx Distance: n/a
Reward: Easy 375, Medium 500, Hard 625
Unlocks: Nothing

You can rack up some insane Style Points in your first Drift race. Drifting is easily the most difficult kind of racing to get started in, but it shouldn't be difficult to pull out a victory once you know what you're doing. (See our Race Types section for Drift-specific information.) The important thing to consider is that the point total required to get first place almost doubles between Normal and Hard mode, so don't kill yourself trying to get that extra 125 dollars; it'll be chump change in the long run.

Race 4: The Perfect Shift

Drag Race
Location: 14th & Vine Drag Track - Reverse
Approx Distance: n/a
Reward: Easy 375, Medium 500, Hard 625
Unlocks: 14th & Vine Drag Track - Reverse

At this stage of the game, a Drag Race will be an easy win for you, since the computer opponents, even on Hard mode, won't hit many of their Perfect Shifts and will thus fall behind. Make sure you get the head start bonus by keeping your tachometer near the green zone before the start. The first shift will be the only difficult one, but even if you miss it, you should be able to hit the rest of them perfectly. Take home the gold for an easy 625 dollars. There is no non-race traffic on this challenge.

Race 5: Last Place Is A Bad Place To Be

Knockout Race
Location: Olympic Square - Reverse
Approx Distance: 6.25 miles
Reward: Easy 375, Medium 500, Hard 625

This race is a repeat of ‘Jose's Got Your Back,' only in reverse and with an extra lap. There is oncoming traffic now, so take advantage of this fact and rack up some easy Style Points through near misses. Hit the shortcuts, avoid the walls, and you should have no trouble making it through this challenge quickly.

Race 6: Rookie Tournament

Circuit Race Tournament: 3 laps
Reward: Easy 3750, Medium 5000, Hard 6250
Location: Various
Approx Distance: Various

Tournaments are a string of races, with point totals based on where you finish.

1st: 8
2nd: 6
3rd: 4
4th: 2

This first tournament was called by a bunch of ‘cocky newbies' who think they're all that. Time to show them otherwise. It consists of three two-lap races down at old Olympic Square. For the first time thus far, you do not need to come in first in order to win. The first race, as we would expect, is the easiest of the three, however, and as such, you should win it before moving on.

Given the scoring scheme for the tournament, winning two of the three races guarantees you the tournament win so long as you come in second on the third race. Win the first, and you're in good shape for the rest of the tournament.

The 2nd race is the same course, but backwards. If you didn't win the first race, make sure you win this one, or you'll have likely eliminated yourself from contention before even beginning the third race.

The final course is a new one, with the first appearance of ninety-degree turns. You can use this opportunity for monster Powerslides, if you wish, but don't give up the lead for the sake of Style Points. There's a new shortcut, as well, which appears on your minimap; cut through the construction site for extra hang time. There's a fairly long stretch of high-grade hills on this course - if your tachometer isn't near the red, be sure to downshift for extra power climbing them.

In the long straightaway before the end of each lap, fly close by oncoming traffic to garner some near misses, and be prepared to slow down and use your handbrake to make it through the extremely tight corner just before the finish line unscathed.

Race 7: TJ's Time Trial

Time Trial Race
Location: Airport to Downtown
Approx. Distance: 2.7 miles
Reward: Unique Upgrade
Unlocks: Nothing

This time trial acts as something of a one-car Sprint, and, in fact, it traces the first Sprint race that you did backwards. You'll start out in the construction zone near the airport and have to work your way through the course to downtown. Get there fast enough, and TJ will give you a unique upgrade.

If you've already spent the dough on the performance upgrades that were unlocked after the Rookie Tournament, then you probably won't see much of an enhancement from whichever part you pick out. Take a look at your stats after you go over the parts, and select one that seems to help your driving deficiencies the most.

Race 8: Atlantica Challenge

Circuit Race: 3 Laps
Location: Atlantica Circuit Track
Approx. Distance: 6.1 miles
Reward: Easy 525, Medium 750, Hard 900
Unlocks: Atlantica Circuit Track

Welcome to the sewers! The Atlantica Challenge takes place in a less race-friendly portion of the city, so get ready to get wet. The pillars beyond the starting line present an obvious spot to ram a rival into, especially given the poor grip of the surrounding terrain. The shortcut is obvious - hit it for monster air if you've got enough momentum to climb it easily.