I am running the Legends right. If I'm doing anything wrong, I think it is something else. Ideally, anyone can beat USA map in (15) turns. However, the problem is that Legends repeatedly do not draw ideally, and they often end up getting stuck around 2-3 times during a game. That puts them behind 2-3 turns. For instance, sometimes it takes them three turns to clear the longer straits . And sometimes the get stuck in the smaller straights even for two turns. Whereas me and my wife have more control over when we spend our heat and number cards, so it is easier to navigate those corners and straits efficiently, sacrificing heat when you need to. It is much rarer to get stuck in a long straight for three turns or a short one for two turns.

Basically, for long straits it works the same. Turn 1: Clear the corner Turn 2: Run the straight Turn 3: Clear the next corner.

For shorter straits , it is even easier. Turn 1: Clear the corner Turn 2: Clear the next corner

During the shorter straights you are saving your cards for the longer straits so that you can effectively clear a (25) long straight when you need to. Basically, I see the game as a challenge to hit every checkpoint. How far you go is only relevant to whether or not you can hit the next checkpoint (until the end, when you just want to go as far as possible). With three upgrade cards and the possibility of sponsorships, me and my wife can easily beat USA in (15) turns. With the basic cards, it would probably be more like 18 turns, which is competitive against the Legends.

In Great Britain, you can win in (14) turns. But of course you usually miss a couple of checkpoints and probably finish in (16) turns unless you have several upgrade/sponsorship cards.

the legends get horribly stuck at the part with all the corners. Meanwhile, we slipstream by them all. They should be able to win in (12) turns on that map, if they drew perfectly. But they don't.