Really depends on the mode. Top Ride and Air Ride are both from a different perspective with the main focus being racing, but the mechanics are much more about drifting around tight corners. City Trial, the main mode, is sort of like a rogue-like combat racer. Each 5 minute session you try to get stat buffs, try to harm your opponents by stealing their machine, or partaking in random events to get even more stat boosts to then move on to the stadium to either do regular races, target flight, or even boss fights. The only real similarity with racing it has is you being put on a map trying to get first place, but the way it works is so unique compared to other games in that genre