Downpatcher doesn't work if you have a crack.
Where did you get stuck? If you have a 1.2 disc it should work just fine. The DRM was removed by Microsoft, so there are no issues on that front (no workarounds required).
RivaTuner Statistics Server or graphics driver recommended.
By default this game cannot run at 120 FPS. Maximum is ~110 in menus and ~90 ingame. To play the game at a higher frame rate, you need the newest version of widescreen fix with simrate enabled, which is not allowed for speedruns due to modifying physics. The game has frametime issues all the time, so it will never be super smooth at any framerate. If you want to submit speedruns, read the game and category rules. Currently the highest framerate allowed is 64 and you have to use an older version of widescreen fix from the resources tab.
There is a short section where the wall has no collision. It isn't a large opening, but you can use the tree as a reference. Once you are on the other side, you need to reach a checkpoint by driving past the crossing at the intersection with the Kulchurs food market and turn around to head towards the finish. Need to be careful while turning around as it is possible to get busted due to the low speed. Overall I found this skip easy to do. Finding a reference and a lineup to cross the wall is quite simple as long as you go under the tree. Might want to use handbrake for turning around and keep nitrous to build your speed back up quickly.
All the tracks and cars are ported, but since they aren't official, it isn't allowed. My main concern is that the car performance data might not be matching with the official DLCs. I did some tests with the mods and none of the cars seem to be fast enough to beat either the Zonda R or the Works LP640. The F50 GT could get close on smaller and shorter tracks, but it doesn't quite have the power. The FXX also lacks just a bit of power and aero to keep up with the Zonda R.
I was able to get it all done quite quickly. Adjusted the Car filter now to show all runs as this is how it is used in other games.
Do you have the DLCs? Would be nice to see runs on Riviera too.
Disk version of Shift is completely standalone, no game launchers or anything needed. That's what I use myself, since I got the game all those years ago back when it was full price.
In case of Shift 1, you can buy a used disk and install from there. Not sure about Shift 2.
It is called an unpacked game in case of Shift 1-2. You need to do that in order to access game files to install modifications.
Fat PS2 also has a fast disk option that works for a lot of games, although not sure about this one. There are some boards where you are forced to use a PS2 to stay competitive. LRT might be a very good idea here, since there are only a few loading screens, however, in my opinion even IGT would suffice for this game, as the time spent in menus is trivial.
In general, emulation rules for PSX NFS games are not very well defined, and for some reason you are allowed to use very inaccurate emulation that removes slowdowns, and/or massively speeds up all menus.
You confused 100% with max%. These are two very different categories.
None of these things have anything to do with cop or traffic spawns. I already had max cache and swap, yet I still get no cops on Taz, or especially Izzy, but I do get plenty of roadblock bugs. If you want to test spawn differences, try the PS2 or GameCube versions of the game. There is a much higher chance that different platforms will do certain things just ever so slightly differently. Although so far the game seems to behave no different on PS2. Edit: Don't take this as offensive, but if you are significantly slower on races, you simply have more time to get the cops, especially on events where their spawn spots are more limited.