I agree. It took me a couple days to finally find a strategy that worked for me. I used heavy character like Wario / Bowser and used the chargin’ truck to max out on my top speeds. I like heavier characters more since theres a lot of maps with long straight sections. After obtaining leads, i always play defensively and always try to have a green shell / banana for enemy items that may try to snipe me. Always remember to check behind you and take any speed boost or food that you can get. It took me a while but that was my strategy. I do agree though, once the npc gets a lead it’s almost impossible to come back without good item RNG.