The stats on the performance bars are not all that count. The Mazda RX-7 is extremely responsive. Quick movements and the ability to get yourself out of tight jams is what wins the race. The Mazda RX-7 responds very quickly and can help you out a lot with dodging cars and making it through quick S turns. The RX-7 may not have as good of a turning radius as the Skyline, but this can be compensated by holding the gas and pressing the brake at the same time while in a turn. This may bring your speed down a bit, but it also tightens your turning radius. Use this tactic when speeding through one of the tunnels with poles in the middle. Do not be discouraged by the poor start of the RX-7. This car will make up for it with its phenomenal top speed and ability to turn quickly. Objects always appear at a set distance ahead of you. At high speeds this will only give you a small instant for you to react and for your car to respond to your commands. The RX-7 responds faster than the Skyline, and therefore gives you a definite advantage at high speeds. It also turns more tightly at low speeds. It is also a good tool to use in Drift challenges because it is a light rear wheel drive. When you go sideways, the tires will just keep spinning as you drift. There is no need to use the handbrake with this car in drift mode except to slow yourself down -- you will continue to accelerate a lot with this car in drifts. Because drifting does not slow the car down (as long as you hold the gas), it is easy to go into a wall. There is no other car that can make it all the way around the 3/4 circle in a perfect 3/4 circle without losing speed. Do not use stock tires with the fully souped up RX-7 in drift mode, as the car is extremely slick on the ground (light rear wheel drive).